Portugal day 13: Sintra and Vau.

Submitted by maria on Mon, 21/09/2020 - 20:11

Today we left Lisbon. We left the apartment and walked to the Marques de Pombal parking lot to pick up the car, next stop Sintra.

Sintra train station

We parked on the outskirts of town in a residential area. In Sintra it is not easy to park so we recommend you to take the train from Lisbon.

Sintra

Sintra is a typical day trip from Lisbon and takes at least a day to tour. Surrounded by mountains and forest, it highlights the center with pastel-colored buildings and the striking Sintra National Palace, with its characteristic conical chimneys.

National Palace

It also highlights the Municipal Chamber and the train station. From the station by the Volta del Duche dozens of sculptures and stalls selling souvenirs. In front of the Parque da Liberdade and the Moorish Fountain.

Sculpture at Volta del Duche

Municipal Chamber

The jewel in the crown is the Pena Palace, you can walk up through the forest or rent any of the multiple options carriage, tuk tuk, tourist bus, car... The price of the tourist bus (nº 434) is 7€, the tuk tuk or car about 35€ (to negotiate) and the carriage has a similar price.

National Palace of Pena

We do not recommend walking up because it takes quite a while and there are many things to see in Sintra. We bargained and got a tuk tuk and a convertible (we are 6) for 25 € and walked down enjoying the forest. The area is beautiful so no matter the means of transport you choose it will be a sure hit.

National Palace of Pena

The National Palace of Pena is located at the top of the mountain. It was originally a monastery of Hieronymite friars. Not to be missed.

National Palace of Pena

There is a minibus that for 3 € goes from the ticket office to the entrance of the Palace.

It is a very colorful building (19th century) surrounded by lush gardens where walking is a delight. The main building is surrounded by a wall with a horseshoe arch entrance and crenellated towers.

National Palace of Pena

It mixes different architectural styles Mudejar, Manueline, Gothic towers, tiles, mythological beings, do not miss every detail.

It highlights the chapel of the old monastery that was the only thing that survived the earthquake of 1755.

National Palace of Pena

The views from any of its corners are spectacular, you can see perfectly the impressive walls of the Castelo dos Mouros.

We left the Palace and continued to the Castelo dos Mouros, (entrance 8 €) we did not enter.

Castelo dos Mouros

From here, a spectacular path leads through the forest, the Quinta da Abelheira, which takes us back to Sintra, passing by the Church of Santa Maria and the Fonte da Sabuga.

Path through the forest

We eat at the Estrada Velha restaurant, an over-seasoned francesinha.

Sintra

In the afternoon we visit Quinta da Regaleira, a must on your visit to Sintra. Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, this complex of gardens, fountains, waterfalls, wells and palace is spectacular. It takes at least two hours to visit it.

Quinta da Regaleira

With the entrance you get a map of the site so you don't miss anything.

The Quinta da Regaleira or Quinta do Monteiro dos Milhoes, extends over several hectares of land where Carvalho Monteiro built a Manueline style palace with fantastic details.

The highlight (apart from the palace) is the initiation well. An inverted tower with spiral staircases on nine levels, in which we find Templar and Masonic references. It is one of its main attractions. Do not miss it.

Initiation well

There is also the unfinished well that symbolises imperfection, there is a labyrinth, several caves, towers, waterfalls... in short, you can't miss each of these little corners in this magical setting.

Unfinished well

Palace

Quinta da Regaleira

We finish our visit in Sintra and get back on the road. Our next stop is Vau where we will spend a few days to get to know the Estremadura area. But first we shop at the supermarket Pingo Doce in Òbidos.

Sintra

Vau is a small inland village in the municipality of Óbidos. Charming, with a small church and a bar in the square.

The house we rented has a huge courtyard with a relaxation area. The hosts were charming and left us some typical homemade sweets and a small bottle of ginjinha.

Parking Marques de Pombal: 26€ two days per car.
Tuk tuk / car: 25€ 6 pax from Sintra centre to Pena Palace.
Entrance fee National Palace da Pena: 14€/pax.
Entrance only gardens National Palace da Pena: 7,5€/pax.
Estrada Velha Restaurant 62€ 6pax.
Entrance Quinta Regaleira 10 €/pax.
Tolls from Sintra to Vau: 5,5 €.
Accommodation: Casa D Amelia for 6 pax 105€/day (17,50€/pax).

Etiquetas