Sintra

Sintra is one of the most delightful places to be found in Portugal. With its extensive range of green bills with its crags - the Serra de Sintra - so picturesquely situated and offering stupendous views of the coastline with its impressive beauty, Sintra is indeed "a garden of the earthly paradise".

The potentialities of the Sintra district are not confined to the wild enchantments of the Serra, sometimes wreathed in mist, and to the artistic heritage of the Old Town, described by Byron as "the most pleasing in Europe", but also include valuable archaeological remains, particularly from the Roman period, ancient manor houses, churches of personalised artistic value and characteristic villages.

Horse-drawn carriages are available for hire between the town and the Serra. It is well worth trying this means of transport, for a most agreeable trip under shady trees to the "glorious paradise" of which Lord Byron spoke. The carriages start from and return to the large square in front of the National Palace of Sintra.

Sintra's lush wooded heights and verdant charms invite you to take a ride on a horse drawn Carriage and gaze at the marvellous manor-houses, located within the grounds of century old farms as you drive up to Pena Palace. Built by Fernando Cobourg Gothas on the ruins of a monastery from the 16th century, the style of the palace is a blend of Gothic, Manueline, and Romantic influences which make for a very explosive combination, and keeps the atmosphere of a royal residence.