A LIVING FAIRYTALE LAND: SINTRA

✨ Fairy tale princesses locked away in castle towers…

✨ Castles hidden beyond the clouds, nestled among ancient trees…

✨ Mysterious gardens filled with winding tunnels and secret pathways…

✨ Charming village houses tucked away in narrow lanes, deep within enchanted forests…

Welcome to Sintra, a living fairytale!

Just 30 kilometers from Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, Sintra is a magical town where storybook palaces and castles are tucked away in lush, mystical landscapes.

As you wander through its royal palaces and ancient castles, you can’t help but feel as if you’ve stepped straight into the pages of a fairytale.

The town of Sintra has been proudly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and it’s no surprise why. It’s a place that deserves to be protected and preserved for future generations, just as it is today.

Sintra is home to architectural wonders from three distinct historical periods. The first is the Moorish Castle, built in the 9th century during the Middle Ages by North African Muslim Moors. Its ancient stone walls still wind along the hilltops, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Following that came the National Palace of Sintra, constructed during the golden age of the Renaissance. It served as the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family, with its iconic twin chimneys rising above the town like sentinels of history.

And then there’s the Pena Palace, a true reflection of 19th-century Romanticism. This vibrant and whimsical palace was built on the ruins of a 16th-century monastery and transformed into one of the most striking landmarks in Portugal.

As impressive and extravagant as the exterior of the Pena Palace may be, its interior is surprisingly modest. The palace suffered significant damage during the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, but it was later carefully restored. Today, Pena Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Portugal.

The first time I visited was on a hot summer day, but the crowds were overwhelming, and I couldn’t even get inside! I decided to try again during winter, and although it was less crowded, I still had to wait in line for quite some time. If you plan to visit, I highly recommend arriving as soon as the palace opens and booking your tickets online in advance—otherwise, you may end up spending half the day just waiting.

By the way, there’s also a lovely, spacious café inside the palace where you can relax and enjoy the view. Despite its watchtowers and hanging bridges giving it the appearance of a fortress, Pena Palace was never built for defensive purposes. It was designed as a romantic retreat, reflecting the imagination and grandeur of the 19th century.

Because Sintra is cooler than Lisbon in the summer, the king chose to build his summer palace here. The presence of the royal palace (the Sintra National Palace) attracted many wealthy families to the area, and over time, numerous mansions and summer homes were built throughout Sintra.

One of the most remarkable estates in Sintra is Quinta da Regaleira, located just a 5-minute walk from the National Palace. Although the property changed hands several times over the centuries, it is most famously associated with its former owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, whose nickname earned the estate its other name: “The Palace of the Millionaire Monteiro.” The palace and its enchanting gardens were designed by Italian architect Luigi Manini, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline architectural styles into a truly magical place.

The estate consists of a romantic palace, a chapel, lakes, caves, wells, fountains, and a variety of elegant structures, all nestled within a luxurious park. But what makes Quinta da Regaleira truly famous is its mysterious “Initiation Well”, designed in the shape of an inverted tower.

Unlike traditional wells, it was never intended to draw water. Instead, it was created for Masonic initiation ceremonies and mystical rituals. Often referred to as the “Inverted Tower”, the well spirals deep into the earth, symbolizing a journey into the depths of one’s soul or a descent into the underworld.

At the bottom of the well, a hidden tunnel awaits. As you follow this underground passageway, you find yourself wandering through a labyrinth of secret pathways that eventually lead you back into the enchanting gardens of the estate.

The palace itself is a fascinating blend of Gothic and Romantic architecture, rich with symbols and hidden meanings woven into its design.

Although Sintra is a small town, it is one of Portugal’s most iconic destinations, drawing crowds of tourists, especially in the summer months. If your travels take you to Lisbon, be sure to add Sintra to your itinerary—it's an unmissable gem that feels like stepping into a living fairytale.