Sintra is a jewel set between the mountains and the sea, waiting to be discovered by all who dare lose themselves in its majestic historical heritage, luxuriant nature, cosmopolitan cultural offer and opulent gastronomy.

Sintra exudes a romantic aura that left a deep impression on the soul and work of the writers who, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, pioneered the Romantic spirit and celebrated subjectivity and the emotion of the human drama.

It left its deepest mark on Eça de Queirós, Sintra’s romantic atmosphere can be sensed in his most important works, such as when he evokes moonlit walks around Seteais, long quiet rests at Penedo da Saudade and evenings in the village of Várzea de Colares.

Or then he recalls “a mild serenity of parks and woods”, “the silence of delicate repose and idle existences”. Or when he portrays the mountains as the “illustration of a beautiful fable of chivalry and love”.

Almeida Garrett, Camilo Castelo Branco, Fernando Pessoa, Aquilino Ribeiro and Vergílio Ferreira shared the same sense of wonder. And what to say of Ferreira de Castro, buried at his own wish on one of the mountain paths?

And of course Lord Byron, the English poet, who described Sintra as a “glorious Eden”

Sintra is truly the capital of Romanticism. It is a place to experience!

Pena National Palace, in the historical town of Sintra and part of the Pena park, represents one of the best expressions in the world of 19th-century architectural Romanticism. On 7 July 2007, it was selected as one of the seven wonders of Portugal. It was the first Romantic palace in Europe, having been built about 30 years before the charismatic Schloss Neuschwanstein, in Bavaria.

Palácio da Regaleira (Regaleira Palace) is the main building and the more common name for Quinta da Regaleira (Regaleira Estate). It is also known as Palácio (palace) do Monteiro dos Milhões, after the nickname (“Millions Monteiro”) of its former owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. The palatial villa is situated on the mountainside not far from Sintra’s historical centre. It has been classified as a Building of Public Interest since 2002.

The National Palace of Sintra is also known as Palácio da Vila (Town Palace) and was one of the Portuguese royal palaces. It is located in the centre of the town. Building started in the 15th century, but the author of its design is unknown.

The westernmost point of Europe “where land ends and the sea begins”, in the words of the poet Luís de Camões. The view from here is truly magnificent, extending from the Roca lighthouse to Adraga beach. The cliffs are 140 metres above sea level. It is situated in the parish of Colares, 18 km from the historical centre of Sintra.

Sintra’s gastronomy patrimony is as diverse as tis monuments and landscape. Meat dishes include Leitão de Negrais, Carne de Porco ás Mercês, grilled goat and veal. The coast of Sintra region is abundant in fine fish and shellfish. Of Sintra's sweetmeats, we have to mention the old favourite Queijada de Sintra, a cheese tartlet dating from the middle ages ou earlier. There are others that are also worth trying, The travesseiros, the pastéis da pena, The Nozes de Colares and the Fofos de Belas.