Sintra

Sintra is one magnificent and aristocratic town of Portugal not many kilometers west form Lisbon. The city of Sintra has long and glorious history being a residence of the rulers of Portugal for hundreds of years. First the Moors build a castle there in the 10th century. This Castelo dos Mouros, now in ruins northwest of Sintra, felt to the Christian forces in 1147. With the years Sintra became the summer residence of Portuguese kings and favorite spot for all of the aristocracy of the country. This resulted in several palaces and many remarkable houses in the city that stand even nowadays. One of them is Pena Palace, perched atop a steep hill. It is a yellow heap of small domes and turrets filled with a wide array of decorative arts. The most notable palace is the Sintra National Palace, whose white twin towers are the most distinctive landmark in Sintra. Those palaces, villas and gardens around Sintra have earned it a place as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sintra also has a fine collection of international contemporary art in the Sintra Museu de Arte Moderna. Other museums include the Toy Museum, the International Sculpture Center, with Portuguese sculpture, and the São Miguel de Odrinhas Museum and Archaeological Site. It is advised to visit Sintra for at least a couple of days in order to feel the full glory and atmosphere of this special place. Take your time to scroll the remarkable old town, visit the museums and palaces and relax in the many friendly cafes and taverns of Sintra would be our schedule for a visit. And don't forget - there are tons more of attractions, activities and interesting places to see in Sintra, visit them and write here at HolidayStreets.com about their beauty and mystery!