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Sintra - an enchanting sanctuary on the Portuguese Riviera

Sintra is an enchanting town at the foothills of Serra de Sintra. It has a magical and mysterious feel about it. Numerous palaces, stunning buildings, surrounded by nature. Full of beautiful views everywhere you look. As we only had an hour to walk around, it was hardly enough time to discover all of Sintra's treasures. We didn't make it to the Moor Castle on top of the hill. Not to mention the famous UNESCO heritage site of Quinta da Regaleira. Quinta means an estate, it's primarily used in the Portuguese-speaking world. Or even all the other sights. We meandered around the quaint narrow streets as we admired the hillside views. We also sampled some local pastries before heading off to the Praia do Guincho Beach on our way to Cascais.
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A hidden house |
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Rooftop views |
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Light and shadow |
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Maple tree leaves |
Despite having very little time to spend in Sintra, I ended up taking a lot of photographs. I have even included some phone captures here. This town is packed with diverse architecture like: Romanesque, Gothic, Neoclassical, Renaissance and Manueline (Portuguese late Gothic). Some of the city's religious buildings date back to the Middle Ages. If and when I visit Portugal again, I will have to explore this historical town once again. Even one day would be better than one hour!
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Buildings and roofs |
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Old Town building |
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Colourful buildings |
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Doorway on the hillside |
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Geraniums outside Sintra National Palace |
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Building across from Sintra National Palace |
Sintra was the holiday destination of choice for six centuries' worth of Portuguese royalty. This explains all the palaces, castles, villas and ornate facades that decorate this mountainside retreat. This town is a real nestled gem, I can only imagine what the views from the castle on top of the mountain would be like.
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View of Sintra Town Hall |
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Sao Martinho Church bell tower |
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Hillside views of Sintra |
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National Palace of Sintra |
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Red Geraniums |
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Main Square in Sintra |
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Hidden building |
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Purple Ivy flowers |
Portugal is a country I've visited the most in the last few years. I have developed a sweet spot for this beautiful place, as it's full of wonderful scenery and delicious food. I will gladly visit it many more times and keep discovering it's outstanding culture. I hope you've enjoyed these photographs of Sintra from my trip and maybe someday visit it yourself!
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Over the rooftops |
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Hillside views of Sintra |
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Sintra Boutique Hotel |
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Tiled building under a tree |
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Alley in Sintra |
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Down the hill |
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Up the steps |
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Down the steps |
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Shop front in Sintra |
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Terracotta roof |
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Sintra through the trees |
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