Spain and Portugal Day 9 - Sintra

Let me tell you about my favorite day during my recent trip to Portugal. It all started with an early wake-up call to catch a flight from Spain to Portugal. I have to admit, waking up so early wasn't easy, but it was totally worth it. We landed in Portugal at the same time we took off, thanks to the time change.

Once we arrived at the airport, we rented a car and headed towards our next destination - Sintra. We initially planned to make Sintra a day trip from Lisbon, but after chatting with a friend who had visited recently, we decided to stay overnight. And I'm so glad we did! Sintra ended up being my favorite day of the trip.

Driving in Portugal was pretty similar to driving in the US, although Sintra was a bit more challenging with mostly one-way roads. We made a wrong turn at one point, which added some extra time to our journey, but fortunately, we were able to back up and get back on track.

We stayed at the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais, which was an actual palace converted into a hotel. It was definitely a splurge, but it was totally worth it. The place was amazing, and the service was top-notch. They even took care of our bags and car, which was a nice touch.

The main attraction in Sintra is the Pena Palace, a colorful castle built on top of a hill overlooking the town. We got there early with timed tickets, so we were able to explore the castle before it got too crowded. The castle's exterior was stunning, with medieval castle vibes and beautiful tilework. 

After exploring the castle, we went hiking in the nearby forest, and the views from the high cross were incredible.

Next, we visited the Moorish Castle, which was only a few minutes walk from the Pena Palace. Although it was mostly in ruins, it was still an amazing place to explore. We loved hiking along the ancient walls and taking in the views.

A castle cat

After a day of exploring, we were hungry, so we found a local spot to grab some food. No tapas here, but the food was still delicious. We then headed to the National Palace of Sintra, which had been turned into a museum. Although it wasn't as cool as the Pena Palace or the Moorish Castle, it was still worth a visit, especially for the view of the Moorish Castle from the palace.

Back at our hotel, we were given a tour and shown some of the art and antiques throughout the hotel, as well as some of the famous guests who had stayed there over the years. Our room was fantastic with a balcony and an amazing view of the Pena Palace.

We took a stroll through the gardens before enjoying a fancy dinner at the hotel. The service was exceptional, and the food was delicious. It was the perfect end to a perfect day in Sintra.