Guide to Sintra

'You can certainly live like a king in Sintra – for this was once the summertime residence of the Portuguese monarchy. And for good reason…'

Wow. This place really makes you catch your breath. Take the setting, for instance. Surrounded by wooded ravines and freshwater springs, Sintra is hidden away in the dramatic Serra hills. Then there's the town itself. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sintra is eye-bogglingly beautiful. We're talking narrow cobblestone lanes. Terracotta roofs. Higgledy-piggledy houses. And then there's the little matter of two sumptuous royal palaces. There's no mistaking the iconic Palacio Nacional de Sintra. With its strange pair of tall conical chimneys, it resembles the oast houses you see in Kent. Dating back to the 14th-century, this was once the summer residence of the Portuguese monarchy and is well worth a visit. Where the Palacio Nacional is beautifully simple, with its jumble of Gothic whitewashed buildings, the Palacio da Pena is outlandishly outrageous. Set just outside of Sintra atop one of the highest peaks of the Serra, this 19th-century creation is almost toytown-esque in its bizarre medley of architectural styles. Think bulbous domes, fairytale turrets, crenulated battlements and studded archways. Added to that it's painted in vibrant hues of daffodil yellow, cornflower blue and strawberry pink. Inside it's just as eclectic, filled with oddities collected from around the world. But there's more to Sintra than just stately homes. For starters there's the famous Serra de Sintra tour. Following a dramatic route through the hills, this trail takes you through thick forests, along hairpin bends, past gargantuan boulders down to the sea. If galleries are more your thing, don't miss the Museum of Modern Art where you'll find big names such as Pollock and Warhol. The fortnightly market over in the Sao Pedro part of town is great if you're looking to bag some bargains while a horse and carriage ride is a sedate way to explore the streets of Sintra.

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