A rare little jewel, superlatives spring to mind when describing holidays to Sintra. Reminiscent of a Disneyesque tale, there is a sparkling fairytale quality to the town and it is rightfully now a UNESCO world heritage site. Sintra was once the royal town of Portugal, hence the magnificent palaces, ornate facades, castellated ramparts and many turrets, giving the initial impression that one may have stepped on to Cinderella's set. Even Hans Christian Anderson took inspiration and Lord Byron glowingly recorded the splendour of his time spent here.
As a Lisbon Coast resort, Sintra simply exudes romance and the "vila" is a collection of narrow, meandering medieval streets with architectural treasures at every turn. The old fashioned grandeur, the historical feel and the hint of past glory are all inextricably bound and merge with modern facilities in a town that has beautiful craft shops, pretty cafes and local style restaurants. Watch the fascinating world go by or visit one of the stunning buildings like The Toy Museum, Palacio Nacional de Sintra (a working royal palace until the 1900's), Palaces of Seteais and Monserrate or Palacio de Pena.
And, while you're at it, don't miss the remote and windswept Cabo da Roca as this is the most westerly point in all of mainland Europe. (Go west, young man!) Stop by the cafe and buy a certificate to mark the visit: "where the land ends and the sea begins" - how dramatic is that!
Not all history and breathtaking scenery, Sintra has several accessible beaches and the popular windsurfing venue, Praia Grande, is renowned for quality waves and rollers. Smaller sandy coves of Praia do Magolito and Azehnas do Mar offer more privacy and seclusion.
For a choice of hotels Lisbon Coast and various Lisbon Coast holidays, ClickandGo.com offers great selection and superb value every time, covering picturesque Cascais and elegant Estoril. There are no flights to Sintra, but frequent direct flights to Lisbon ensure this little architectural marvel can be visited.