Update June 2017: We made it to Portugal! Sintra is everything that I imagined and much, much more. Click here for my guide to planning a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon.
Ahhhh Sintra, home to castles that once housed Portugal’s monarchs including the stunning red, purple and yellow Pena Palace, Quinta de Regaleira, the Moorish Castle and the Monserrate Palace (just to name a few). Its landscape and combination of Romantic, Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance architectural elements has led Sintra to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is only a hop and skip away from Lisbon and is a popular day trip destination for those visiting the Portugese riviera. I have yet to visit Portugal have been captivated by the many wanderlust-inducing photos on Instagram: here are just a few that have caught my attention!
A big thank you to the Instagrammers below who were kind enough to let me share their photos! I encourage you to take a look at the rest of their Instagram feeds for more beautiful pics.
In search of more travel inspiration? Check out my other destination and travel guides here!
Have you been to Sintra? What did you think? Tell me all about it in the comments section below!
Wish I spent more time there!
How many days do you think we should look at staying for?
I’ve been to Sintra only a couple of times (and this is a shame because I live in Lisbon!!) but I always leave with the feeling that there’s so much more to see. It’s such a fairytale place, and you’re right – there are too many castles and palaces to count! I hope you make it over here soon 😉
Thank you Inês! I would also love to visit Lisbon, I hear the surf is pretty good in nearby Cascais!
Some amazing photos that you have collected. Portugal is on my bucket list!
Looking through those photos are making me want to book an airplane ticket NOW! These photographers are so talented 🙂
I’ve been to Portugal twice but both times seem to have missed Sintra. Your pictures are a reason to visit! 🙂 Lovely.
Definitely check out some of these photographers’ other photos on Instagram! Super wanderlust-inducing!
I love the wanderlust factor and also how you’re helping promote other Instagrammers! Sharing the love is so important these days. I’ve never been to Sintra but now I must go!
I love sharing the love! ❤️
Wow – these are stunning photos! I haven’t really had Lisbon high on my list, but now I want to push it up just so I can go visit Sintra. Gorgeous colors and architecture – definitely a travel blogger’s dream!
These people are so so so talented! You should definitely check out their Instagram feeds 🙂
The colours are just insane, and there are so many different palaces to visit!
Sintra is absolutely gorgeous! I used to live nearby and visited often. Must go back soon to freshen my memory. It’s so ridiculously close to Lisbon that I think the reason why I don’t go there more it’s just because I’m too lazy :/
Haha Sandra I know what you mean! There are places that are close to Hong Kong that I haven’t visited just because I figure I can always visit them later…but never get around to actually going!
What a beautiful photos. Nice blog!
Thank you Angela!
I’m heading to Lisbon in a few weeks! I’m in love with Porto so I’m planning to spend a few days there but I’m wondering how far Sintra is from Lisbon for a day trip, would you happen to know?!
Danielle, it should only be 35-40 minutes away by public transport! Have fun!
Such stunning photos! It looks like a beautiful place, can’t wait to explore for myself.
Now that I’ve been I can unequivocally say that it is one of the most amazing destinations in the world!
::Checks Skyscanner to see how much tickets cost to fly there from New Zealand:: I absolutely loved these photos and how you captured the essence of this lovely city. I haven’t been [yet] but now it’s certainly on my radar! Thanks so much for sharing this!
I hope you get to visit in person soon, Laura!
I’m going this summer! We are spending 4 days in Lisbon, so excited. Thank you for sharing!
Have a wonderful trip Kyntra!