What are some fun facts about Sintra?

What are some fun facts about Sintra? An area of former royal summer residence, Sintra possesses a beauty that was celebrated by Lord Byron in his poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, and English author Robert Southey referred to Sintra as ?the most blessed spot on the whole inhabitable globe.? Sintra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.

Is Sintra a small town?

Sintra is a quaint little town in Portugal, located just over an hour away from Lisbon. The small town sits at the top of a mountain and is famous for its beautiful parks and castles.

Is Sintra child friendly?

Sintra is absolutely child friendly! Not only did our kids have fun exploring the different areas in Sintra, but we never once felt out of place by having young kids with us. It helped that almost everything we did in Sintra was outside.

Why is Sintra called the Moon Hill?

In the heart of the Sintra forest and “Moon Hills” (so called because the ancient Celts worshipped their moon god here), Capuchos Convent otherwise known as the “Cork Convent” is a very atmospheric essential add on to any Sintra trip.

What is the most famous palace located in Sintra called?

The Pena Palace (Portuguese: Palácio da Pena) is a Romanticist castle in São Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera.

Is Sintra crowded?

Sintra When to Vist? If visiting the Sintra region during the summer plan to head to Sintra either early or late in the day to avoid the crowds and the intense sun. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays and all of the main sights of Sintra are open every day during the high season.

Is Sintra very hilly?

Travelers thoroughly enjoyed hopping back and forth between what many visitors described as beautiful palaces, villas and castles that Sintra had to offer, but recommended stamina and sturdy pair of shoes, as the area is very hilly.

How many tourists visit Sintra each year?

Sintra is a region – and a town with the same name in its center. 400 000 people live here and a part of them work in Lisbon which is 32 km away. The hilly slopes of Sintra draw a lot of tourists, 4 million visitors a year. Sintra is an essential part of Portugal's history and all Portuguese want to visit.

What is the nickname of Sintra Portugal?

Located just 30 kilometers from the Portuguese capital, Sintra is definitely worth a detour when staying in Lisbon. Classed in 1995 as a UNESCO world heritage site, it offers remarkable landscapes and monuments, giving it the nickname of glorious Eden.

How many people live in Sintra?

Taking into consideration that Sintra's entire municipality has an estimated population of around 380,000 people, the number of annual visitors to this picturesque location far surpasses its resident population.

Can you stay in a castle in Sintra?

Much more than a luxury hotel in Sintra, Tivoli Palacio de Seteais is a romantic palace with period architecture that will take you back to the elegance and atmosphere of the XVIII century.

What trees are in Sintra?

King Ferdinand II restored the area's forests, planting thousands of trees to supplement the native oaks, hazels, hollies, laurels, box and umbrella pines. But it was his singular approach to the mood in the parks that make Sintra so different.

What is special about Sintra?

In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new sensitivity was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees.

What is the oldest castle in Sintra?

The Castle of the Moors is a hilltop medieval castle located in the central Portuguese civil parish of Santa Maria e São Miguel, in the municipality of Sintra, about 25 km northwest of Lisbon.

Can you live in Sintra?

The village is one of the richest local Portuguese at this level, especially the Pena Palace, the Palace of Seteais, Monserrate Palace, the Moorish Castle, several churches, farms and many other interesting sites. Sintra gathers no doubt several features that make it one of the most pleasant places to live in Portugal.