Sintra is located in the Grande Lisboa subregion and the Lisbon Region.
The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of its 19th century Romantic architecture.
Sintra has become a major tourist attraction, with many day-trippers visiting from nearby Lisbon. Attractions include the fabulous Pena Palace (19th c.) and the Castelo dos Mouros (reconstructed 19th c.) with a breath-taking view of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, and the summer residence of the kings of Portugal Palácio Nacional de Sintra (largely 15th/16th c.), in the town itself.
The Sintra Mountain Range, one of the largest parks in the Lisbon area, (Serra de Sintra) is also a major tourist attraction.
Attractions:
Sintra National Palace:
It is the best preserved mediaeval Royal Palace in Portugal, having been inhabited more or less continuously at least from the early 15th up to the late 19th century. It is an important tourist attraction and is part of the Cultural landscape of Sintra, designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Castle of the Moors:
The castle is located on a high hill overlooking the town, being one of its most important tourist attractions. It is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
As implied by its name, the castle is of Moorish origin, but the current building is the result of a romantic renovation carried out in the 19th century. The views from its walls and towers are breathtaking. Pena National Palace:
The palace stands on the top of a hill above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area.
It is a national monument and constitutes one of the major expressions of 19th century Romanticism in the world. How to get to Sintra?
By train
Sintra rail station may be reached by CP services from several Lisbon stations, including Santa Apolónia, Oriente, Campolide and Rossio. The town is a 10 minute walk from the station. Alternatively, a bus to the center can be caught from the bus stop opposite the station.
By tram
The historic 14km tram route from Praia das Maçãs, mainland Europe's most westerly holiday resort, terminates about 1km from Sintra town centre, at Ribeira de Sintra, which is located about 1km down the hill past the Hotel Tivoli, near the Royal Palace. The service is operated by restored trams dating from the early 20th century; operates F-Su 9:30AM-7:30PM; trams run hourly taking 45 minutes for the journey.
When visited 8th June 2008, the section of tram route Ribeira da Sintra to Praia das Maçãs was “closed until further notice for technical reasons.”
Conversely, the previously unused short section from the town centre down the hill to Riberia da Sintra is the only working section, having been newly restored. Trams run on the afternoons of Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
By bicycle
Cycling in Sintra can be an interesting day out for those who are fit and have some experience.
If staying in Sintra and around a local company is a good option for you.
In case you are visiting Sintra then your best bet is to book a tour or rent a bike..
e.g. in Lisbon, take the commuters train from Rossio station to explore Sintra and/or the Nature Reserve finishing in Cascais, a beautiful day trip on a bicycle, in the end take a train back to Cais do Sodre station in Lisbon where you may drop back your bicycle.
Arcos de Valdevez is a Portuguese town in the district of Viana does Castelo, North and sub-region of Minho-Lima.
The landscape leaves no room for mistakes ... Breathes vivifying air, fresh, in a scenario where green reigns...
Arcos de Valdevez is surrounded by five municipalities - Melgaço e Monção in the North, Paredes de Coura and Ponte de Lima to the West and Ponte da Barca in the South.
It also borders with Spain to the East.
The origin of the name, Arcos is the old bridge arches over the river Vez.
Viewing from the Castle hill, the town exhibits all the charm of its irregular streets and houses, mansions and churches.The regional cuisine boasts of excellent roast veal and the typical Portuguese food.
The town of Arcos de Valdevez is also a convenient distance for those wanting to visit the Natural Park of Peneda-Geres, with its wild scenery, villages and varied fauna, is one of the greatest natural attractions.
The Senhora da Peneda feast is annual, lasts a week, between 31 August and 8 September.
What to do?
There are several places where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery, the practice of mountaineering, hunting and fishing for trout or simply enjoying the freshness and tranquillity that characterize these areas of high nature areas.
How to get?
Car:
Coming from Porto take the motorway A3 (Porto - Valença) or the National Road to Braga and thus to Ponte de Lima.
Coming from Spain may take the motorway A3 (Valencia - Porto) or opt for the National Road, entering from Valença, Resende, Melgaço or Ponte da Barca in Portugal.
Airports:
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport,
Vigo Airport (Spain);
Santiago de Compostela Airport (Spain).
Harbours:
Viana do Castelo Harbour
Leixões Harbour
Train:
Viana do Castelo
Accommodation:
Rent an apartment / house or stay in a hotel or residential.
EXHIBITIONS
Trade Show Displays "Land of Time - Tastes and Traditions. 6 and 7 March - A. de Valdevez
Fair Field Life Style - Soajo............................ July / August - Soajo
Expovez - Fair Minho ............................. August - A. Valdevez
