Sintra Beats Disney to the Punch
11. Aug, 2008 
9 Comments
If you were disturbed by the graffiti in the last post, just know that not all of Lisbon looks like that. In fact, the graffiti is probably the only negative thing you can say about this city. It’s as warm as Madrid, but with a wonderful ocean breeze. There are tourists, but mostly from Spain and France, so if you’re not careful you’d never notice them. They have an established cafe culture, like Paris, but with heavier seafood tendencies. They love a good espresso and a sweet pastry in the morning. The light is different here, casting a cool effect over the entire city. The cityscape is filled with white buildings with rose colored roofs. You can walk from one end to the other, albeit at some point it will be drastically uphill. If that’s not enough, then you can take the train for 1.40 Euro to Sintra, the place that Disney wished he had invented.
When I got back from this trip, everyone asked me if I had gone to Sintra. Apparently this city has charmed everyone who has seen it. When you walk off the train, you’re in the middle of a quaint village, with a main road that twists up the mountainside. I opted to take the tourist bus to the top, an adventure in itself, as the driver squeezed around corners barely scraping by parked cars and the stone container walls that flanked the street. Several times the bus burst into spontaneous applause as we squeaked past another impossible turn. The first stop, the Toy Museum. We weren’t budging. The second stop, the Moorish castle ruins, again we held firm. Finally we reached the Palácio de Pena at the top of the hill and the bus unloaded. Seems like everyone had the same idea.
In the brochures, the Palácio de Pena is described as being Disney-esque. In fact this is spot on. The yellow painted spire and the red clock tower have faded to an almost pastel effect. The facades display carved and hand formed creatures that could have been plucked from Disney’s own mind. The gargolyles practically grin.
From the top, there is a 360 degree view of the countryside and Lisbon, all the way to the ocean. The breeze is divine after hours baking in the sun, and would be worth the trip alone. I can’t remember the last time I experienced AC, but this was close enough.
Whoa, the place looks awesome! Of course it beats Disney, it doesn’t cost $75 to get into that place
Wow. Looks awesome. Portugal is the one country in Western Europe I haven’t made it to, and I can’t wait to get there.
Theresas last blog post..Oh the Horror…That is Moving
Beautiful! Am sad I missed Sintra!
I adored Sintra! I stayed as Casa das Rosas and had an utterly magical experience there and in the town; I’m glad you went there!
Julies last blog post..Luz, Suenos, y Esperanza/Light, Dreams, & Hope
wow! that is an amazing view!!
Nomadic Matts last blog post..The Best Travel Books
just beautiful! I knew nothing about Lisbon before; these last few posts have definitely convinced me to add it to “the list.”
Sarahs last blog post..The Thrill Is Gone
Wow… you’re posts have definitely inspired me to add Lisbon to my next trip over in Europe!
Beautiful pictures.
It really is a magical place, isn’t it? Pena, Sintra and Lisbon all caught us by surprise. ( We were there in June). We have seen endless castles in our two years of slow travel through Europe, but this one was my favorite! Loved how the Moors were experts at creating natural A/C…you will find that at the Alhambra and in Morocco too. Your take and pictures made me smile on this Swedish late night. Thanks!
I took a day trip to Sintra when I was staying in Lisbon a couple of years ago and truly wished I had spent the day in Lisbon instead. Yes, very Disney-esque and colourful, but otherwise just a massive tourist trap, imo.
Lisbon, on the other hand, I cannot say enough good things about. I fell in love with the city the minute I arrived and have been aching to go back there ever since.
Been to Sevilla yet?
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