The railway line connects the mountains to the sea through the route from Sintra to Praia das Maçãs, over almost 11 kilometers, between Vila Alda in Estefânia and Praia das Maçãs. On a 45-minute trip, passengers can enjoy a unique tour between the Serra de Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean.
Sintra
Natural beauty, history, culture and a lot of personality
Why visit Sintra
Known as the Capital of Romanticism, Sintra is a captivating village full of personality and history that stands out not only for its natural beauty, but also for its vast historical and cultural heritage.
The natural landscape of Sintra gives this mythical place a unique beauty. The green of the mountains and the blue of the sea merge, enchanting and inspiring its residents and visitors.
The urban agglomeration, which constitutes the so-called Vila Velha, provides, due to its antiquity and heterogeneity, a fascinating route through the human past where you can feel and admire the different eras that governed through history.
Feel, perceive by the senses.
A Sintra that is made of the meanings and memories that each one of its places brings us. Know it, discover it and feel Sintra.
Destination’s sustainability performance
Culture & Local Life
Classified in 1995 by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape and a World Heritage Site, its diversity is not limited to the usual, but reinvents itself throughout its vast territory. From the most iconic to the unknown, the rich Cultural Heritage of Sintra means that, in one place, there are different options for each visitor.
Monuments as well known as the Palácio Nacional da Pena, Quinta da Regaleira, the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, the Castelo dos Mouros or the Palácio de Monserrate are mandatory visit points, but their offer does not end here.
Sintra also has a vast and diverse museological heritage worth visiting such as the Archaeological Museum of S. Miguel de Odrinhas, the Anjos Teixeira Museum, MUSA – Sintra Arts Museum, Natural History Museum, Ferreira de Castro Museum and Museum Loyal of the Chamber.
Sustainability
Sintra is at the top of the most sustainable destinations in the world, having participated and being selected in Green Destinations’ Top 100 competition. The municipality of Sintra has several initiatives and programmes in place for the sustainability of the territory, notably the investment in cycle paths, adherence to the Pact of Mayors and the creation of the Municipal Action Plan for Sustainable Energy
Health & Safety
The Municipality of Sintra has in place the Contingency Plan for the outbreak of COVID-19, since March 2020, which has led to the implementation of various preventive measures and actions in order to mitigate the pandemic and to minimise its social and economic consequences.
Good Practice Story
The streams and rivers of the Municipality of Sintra are classified according to the division made by the line of altitudes of the Sintra-Carregueira mountains. There are 4 rivers and 8 streams, where most of the country’s freshwater fish species are found. These small rivers and coastal streams constitute the natural habitat of these species and can act as protection and conservation areas for them. Read Sintra’s Good Practice Stories in the buttons below.
Read more
GOOD BUSINESSES
Discover accommodations, restaurants, shops and attractions that are commited to responsible development
Historic and cultural heritage
In addition to the beaches, take the opportunity to visit the Casa de Taipa Museum and the Church of São Miguel do Arcanjo.
PROMO CODE:
Historic and cultural heritage
In addition to the beaches, take the opportunity to visit the Casa de Taipa Museum and the Church of São Miguel do Arcanjo.
PROMO CODE:
Historic and cultural heritage
In addition to the beaches, take the opportunity to visit the Casa de Taipa Museum and the Church of São Miguel do Arcanjo.
PROMO CODE:
Historic and cultural heritage
In addition to the beaches, take the opportunity to visit the Casa de Taipa Museum and the Church of São Miguel do Arcanjo.
PROMO CODE:
Nature & Wildlife
The natural landscape of Sintra breathes green. Surrounded by mountains and sea, there are many places where you can enjoy the silence and comfort of nature and contemplate its unique ecosystem.
The Serra goes down to the sea with its golden sands, the purity of the Atlantic waters and its steep cliffs of magnificent cut. All of this makes the beaches of Sintra a real haven of pleasure, at any time of the year.
Getting there
Sintra municipality has very easy access due to its high-quality road and rail infrastructure, with daily trains connecting Sintra to the capital in 45 minutes. It is also 30 minutes away from the largest airport in the country and from the port of Lisbon. By car it is possible to travel to Lisbon by the IC19 (from Lisbon), IC30 (from Mafra), A5 (Cascais) or the A16.
Getting around
GOOD PLACES TO STAY
Praia de Santos
We recommend these places because they are committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by independent auditors and ecolabel programs including Green Key.
Quinta da Mó
We recommend these places because they are committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by independent auditors and ecolabel programs including Green Key.
Aldeia da Fonte
We recommend these places because they are committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by independent auditors and ecolabel programs including Green Key.
Graciosa Hotel
We recommend these places because they are committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by independent auditors and ecolabel programs including Green Key.
Calma do Mar
We recommend these places because they are committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by independent auditors and ecolabel programs including Green Key.
Quinta da Meia Eira
We recommend these places because they are committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by independent auditors and ecolabel programs including Green Key.
We recommend these places because they are committed to responsible tourism, checked and certified by independent auditors and ecolabel programs including Green Key.
Travel tips from our editors
Walking routes
Walking and trekking are excellent ways to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the municipality of Sintra. Enjoy the small pathways and the Large Route of “Caminho do Atlântico” (Atlantic Way). You don’t need a guide, as all the paths are very well signposted and there are many information panels along the way.
Relax with a view
With so many places to stroll through Sintra, you may need to rest. Enjoy and relax on a terrace by the sea, in one of the viewpoints with stunning views or in one of the local cafes, where you can taste our regional flavors. Savor the fish and seafood from our coast, accompanied by wine from the Colares Region and be sure to try the typical queijadas, travesseiros or the famous Fofos de Belas for dessert.
Vineyards
The area os Colares, due to its geological nature, is divided into two sub-zones: “sand floor” (region of the dunes) and “hard floor” (limestone soils). The unique characteristics of its wine are due to its grape varieties, soil and temperate and humid climate in summer, and also to the fact that 80% of the vineyard is installed on a sandy ground.
Local markets
From rural to more urban areas, get to know the municipal markets of Sintra and find not only the food products you are looking for, but also areas dedicated to restaurants, newsstands, florists, among others. The 10 markets, authentic places on flavor and tradition, await you.
Waterfalls
In Sintra, the waterfalls are small treasures that are worth discovering, still little frequented and that invite you to moments of rest and contemplation. Some are so secret that they are only known to those who live nearby.
Cultural events
During the tributes to its patron saint, São Pedro, Sintra offers an evening filled with music and color with a parade of popular marches, in a festive atmosphere of the Popular Saints.
Cycling
Besides walking, trekking and hiking through Sintra’s many scenic routes, we also highly encourage you to bring your bike (or rent one here) and enjoy the beautiful urban and natural landscapes. The municipality has an extensive network of cycle paths.
Sustainability Recognitions
Sintra was selected in the Top 100 Good Pratice Story 2021
Sintra received the QualityCoast Gold Award
Carlos Bernardes |Mayor of Torres Vedras
“Torres Vedras does not have any doubts that it has to make its way towards a sustainable future. For example, we initiated a program of small vegetable gardens in schools; decided to join the Paris “Pact for Impact”; and developed the Santa Cruz Declaration on Climate Change.”
What does it mean?
- They have shown at least 60% compliance with the Green Destinations Core Criteria.
- They have submitted a story that was selected to the list for its innovative, effective and / or transferable good management practice.
Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit Good Practice Story
Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit submitted a Good Practice Story. It was about combining various tactics sustainability became the departure point for tourism development. Read the full story here.
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