Sintra is hands down one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal. A mix of sumptuous royal palaces and beautiful landscapes, it’s beyond picturesque; breathtaking views over the countryside stretch all the way to the coast. Primitive Iberians were so bewitched by the area’s natural wonders that it became a place of cult worship – christened Sintra, Mountain of the Moon, after the Celtic goddess. The summer escape for Portugal’s crowned heads, Lord Byron described it as “a garden of the earthly paradise.†Also known for its wine growing and marble quarrying, Sintra has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. However, the town’s real treasures are also its most unassuming: the many cafes – little oases of daily repast – and their traditional confectionery, like queijada de Sintra, bite-sized cheesecakes made from queijo fresco, a kind of cottage cheese. Sightseeing has never been so restful – nor tasted so sweet.
About Author
