- Sintra
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Portugal
A magical garden to explore for people of all ages. With lush undergrowth, underground caves and tunnels that can lead you to the bottom of a well with a spiral ascending staircase - you can lose yourself there in more ways than one.
Quinta da Regaleira, R. Barbosa du Bocage 5, 2710 Sintra, Portugal
+351 21 910 66 56
www.cultursintra.pt/
Google map: bit.ly/eiIju7
A walk that takes you to Cabo da Roca, Sintra, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. The 16th-century Portuguese poet Luís de Camões described the place "Where the land ends and the sea begins" (Onde a terra acaba e o mar começa). My dog Chance and I set off from our home in the village of Azóia to find a path that crosses the headland to Cabo da Roca. We made our way to the run down local football field near the Bar Moinho Dom Quixote, a restored windmill, and followed the dirt road at the back until we met a smaller path on the hillside. We looked up to see a couple of peregrine falcons circling high up in the sky. We continued on this path, traversing the hill and down to a copse and we crossed a small stream. It was a steep climb the other side to reach Cabo da Roca and its lighthouse where the cliffs stand 140m above the crashing waves of the Atlantic. You can now understand the meaning of those famous words by Luís Camões. It was busy with day trippers so we didn't linger and set off on the main road to turn left onto a track and head towards "Praia da Ursa" (bears beach). Two enormous sea stacks stand in the wild Atlantic Ocean, one of them at a certain angle looks like a bear posing with pride. There is a legend that, a few thousand years ago, when the Earth was still covered in ice, a mother bear and her young lived here. When the ice started melting the Gods told all the animals to leave the sea shore but the stubborn bear refused to do so, because she was born there and she would stay. The angry Gods transformed the bear into rock and her young into smaller rocks dispersed around the mother and there they stood, giving the name to this beach. We then returned to the main tarmac road for a short distance to then turn left onto a dirt track that eventually took us to the small quaint village of Ulgeira, past the old church and onto the tarmac road back to the village of Azóia and home, just in time for afternoon tea.
A great day out in this beautiful region of Portugal.
ramblersramble.blogspot.com/
www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=872948
Google map: tinyurl.com/34cuh95
We now have dog called Chance and on our walks across the headland we often see a beautiful sight in the skies above, the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus brookei).
We never get tired of watching these amazing birds of prey, they can reach speeds of more than 320km/h in a stoop, making it the fastest animal on the planet. Adults have blue-gray wings, dark brown backs, a buff colored underside with brown spots, and white faces with a black tear stripe on their cheeks. It has long, broad, pointed wingspan and a relatively short tail and they have hooked beaks and strong talons. Their name comes from the Latin word peregrinus, which means "to wander".
Sometimes we see one close up perched on a telegraph pole at the side of the road.
They were on the endangered species in many areas in the 1970s and now thankfully the populations have recovered.
One of the many species of wildlife you can see on the walks in Sintra.
High above Colares lies the white washed village of Penedo. A pretty village with excellent views to the Atlantic Ocean, the Sintra Mountains and the Pena Palace.
Wander around the cobbled streets, walk into the shaded pine forests, rest for a chilled drink with 'Paulo' at the Cafe - 'Refugio de Cyclista.'
Lunch is served in a hidden restaurant behind the cafe daily 12.00 - 14.00 (not Sundays). Traditional Portuguese dishes served from the BBQ, or try the dish of the day - which could include rabbit, curry or fish pie - to include dessert and drinks only 5 - 7 euros!! (depends what you eat and how much of the local wine you drink!
A taste of real Portugal!
Penedo - Colares - SINTRA
Google map: tinyurl.com/yb5sqo2
I live in Azóia near Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of mainland Europe - “where the land ends and the sea begins”. I can see the farol lighthouse through my window and in the spring the cliff tops will be covered with a carpet of colour.
This is a place for walking and I have already completed several walks, some alone and some with my family.
If anyone would like to share these walks check out my blog for details.
Café de Paris is situated in the historic centre of Sintra Vila with fine views of the National Palace. A beautiful 19th century building built in the classical Parisian café style, covered in blue tiles. You have the choice of dining on the balcony, the terrace or the beautiful French style interior decorated with painted murals.
The café offers excellent Portuguese cuisine with a French flavour. After a long walk to the palace and castle on the hill spend the afternoon relaxing here with a bottle of Borba red wine.
Restaurante Café de Paris: 21 923 23 75
Azenhas do Mar ("Watermills by the sea"), in the region of Sintra, is a charming village of whitewashed houses, trimmed in blue, built on the slopes of the cliff and a small river with waterfalls running down through gardens to the sea.
There are Interesting rock formations and natural seawater pools, plenty to keep the kids amused.
The watermills were a popular seaside retreat in the 1950s. They have recently been carefully restored, offering a restaurant, bar and swimming pool arranged on different levels.
The restaurant has a stylish seaside wood panelled interior with magnificent views to the Atlantic Ocean. It offers a great selection of fresh fish and seafood caught locally by one of the owners, and is complemented by an excellent wine list.
The snack bar, Terraço da Azenha, situated above the restaurant and swimming pool, has a series of small terraces with great views. Inside the bar, through a glass section in the floor, you can see the old workings of the mill. It offers a good selection of snacks including sweet and savoury crêpes.
Well worth a visit, and you will find great walks that will take you along the cliffs to the beaches of Praia das Maças and Praia Grande.
Off the N247.
www.lookgofind.com/
A walk that starts from the picturesque village of Azóia and takes you through the forest to Peninha, a castellated fort-like building, on top of the mountain as you look up from Cabo da Roca. This historical site stands on the ruins of a medieval chapel - Ermida de São Saturnino and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Pena. At the top there are superb views of Lisbon, the Tagus estuary and the Atlantic Ocean.
Distance about 7.3km (1h 50 min.)
Start early in the morning and take some water, as in the summer months it can be rather hot.
The beaches of Sintra in Portugal - only a short trip down the coast from Lisbon - have been a popular destination for British tourists since the Christian crusaders first sailed to the region in 1147, yet most visitors remain completely unaware of the easily-accessable delights of the area.
Praia da Adraga - wild and wonderful, Praia Grande - great surfing and body boarding, and Praia das Maças - body boarding and good for families, are some of the best. Lifeguards are on duty from mid June to mid September.
If you like walking, there is a walk that takes you to all the beaches along the cliff tops, with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Monserrate Palace and Park, one of the most romantic sights in Portugal, a beautiful Victorian mansion rising out of vast botanical gardens.
Great meandering paths take you through the woods, rich in a variety of magnificent trees, past waterfalls, stepping stones and the chapel ruins coming out on to a vast hill of grass leading up to the palace.
A magnificent building recently restored, with a mix of Moorish and Italian decoration. There is a fantastic walk from here to the Capuchos Monastery, also known as Santa Cruz or the Cork Monastery, a quiet and tranquil place - a small monastery built in the rock. The tiny rooms lined with cork are a telling example of the humble and austere existance of the Franciscan friars who lived here.
Well worth a visit.
A fantastic cafe located on a typical cobbled road in Chão de Meninos, São Pedro de Sintra. Great coffee and cakes.
A traditional Portuguese period building tastefully restored in a rustic style. Choose from cushioned windowseats in the interior or sitting in the shade on the esplanade.
An excellent range of traditional pastries and cakes is available throughout the day, and at lunchtime, hot and cold meals are served with a selection of local wines. Don't miss it.
Café da Natália - 21 923 56 79
Mariazinha Casa de Pasto, a small restaurant in the village of Almoçagem, Sintra, on the way to the beach Praia da Adraga.
A traditional restaurant frequented by the locals. The interior is decorated with some interesting poems and sketches by the clientele. The restaurant offers typical Portuguese home cooking accompanied by jugs of wine.
Excellent value and a friendly service. A must if you are in the area.
There are great walks on the coast in Sintra, near Lisbon. One of them takes you from the beach of Praia da Adraga, a sand crescent tucked between tall cliffs, to the next beach, Praia Grande.
Stunning views of the Atlantic coast and dinosaur footprints made 120 million years ago imprinted in the cliff face at Praia Grande make this a superb walk.
You can continue the walk to many other beaches and sights from here, or simply return to your starting point.
Ask for maps at the tourist office in Sintra.
What a fantastic beach, a sand crescent tucked between tall cliffs, wild and wonderful, with great surfing breakers pounding the shore.
Take lunch at the restaurant which is great for fresh fish and seafood. You can choose your lobster or crab from the large tank. Recommended are amêijoas à bulhão pato (clams in garlic and white wine sauce),accompanied by a chilled bottle of vinho verde (green wine).
Walk over the cliffs to the next beach Praia Grande and see the dinosaur footprints imprinted in the cliff face. A wonderful day out.
A day trip to Sintra is a must. Rather than get the crowded bus, those who can should walk up to Castelo dos Mouros, high on the hill above the town. The path starts near the Church of Santa Maria and winds up through woodland. You’ll feel like you’ve earned the magnificent views you get from the castle walls.
Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour;
www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra
Sintra is wonderful. If you have more time take the old tram from the terminus near the art gallery over to the coast - some good beaches there and a lovely run to them. Trams are infrequent, so plan!
Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing)
Have a whole day out in Sintra. Don't miss Quinta da Regaleira, Monserrate Gardens, and Palácio da Pena.
Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour;
For photos see www.isidore-of-seville.com/photos/regaleira
An enormous windswept beach. Fabulous view with Cape Roca and Sintra hills as a backdrop and some of the best surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing in Europe.
15 miles west of the centre of Lisbon. Take the train to Cascais then catch a bus or get on the free hop-on hop-off bike.
Take a day trip to Sintra, a short train ride from Lisbon. Hike to the Moorish castle for fabulous views of fairytale palaces, with the Atlantic and Lisbon in the distance.
Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour;
www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra
When you go to Sintra you must try its delicacy: queijadinhas. It is similar to cheesecake but far more delicious.
Available in any of the bakeries in the town centre.
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