Discover Sintra by Motorhome : Complete Guide
Introduction
Hello, dear readers! This time our adventures take us to a new Portuguese city. We’re going to share with you our experience of discovering Sintra, a picturesque town in Portugal, by motorhome. In this article, we’ll take you through the cobbled streets of this historic city, introduce you to its rich cultural and natural heritage, and give you some practical tips for making the most of your trip in a van or motorhome. So join us on this adventure and let yourself be seduced by the charm of Sintra!
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What is Sintra in Portugal?
Today, Sintra is a dynamic town with a population of 33,000 and a municipality of 377,835 inhabitants. Its economy is mainly based on tourism, attracting visitors from all over the world to discover its rich historical and natural heritage.
History of Sintra
Sintra, formerly known as Cintra, is a town rich in history and natural beauty, located 25 km northwest of Lisbon, Portugal. Its exceptional cultural and natural heritage has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. in 1995. Sintra’s history dates back to the 2nd century BC, when it was inhabited by Romanized populations and formed part of the territory of the Roman city of Olisipo, which later became Lisbon. After the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in 711, Sintra became part of the emirate and later caliphate of Cordoba. Two of Sintra’s main monuments date from this period: the Moorish Castle and the National Palace.
In the 19th century, Sintra became a mecca for Romantic architecture. Prince Ferdinand of Saxony Coburg-Gotha of Bavaria buys the ruins of the former monastery of Notre-Dame de la Péna and begins construction of the Pena Palace, characterized by a blend of Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Manueline styles. He also laid out a park featuring numerous local and exotic species.
Location and climate
Sintra is a picturesque town in the hills of Portugal’s Serra de Sintra. It’s known for its many palaces and castles, as well as its lush green landscape and panoramic views. Here’s how to get there:
How to get to Sintra
The nearest airport to Sintra is Lisbon Airport (LIS), around 27.2 kilometers from the town. It is the region’s main airport and offers flights to many national and international destinations.
Sintra is served by the Sintra line, which departs from Lisbon’s Rossio station. Sintra also has connections to Gare do Oriente from Benfica on the Sintra line via Sete Rios, Entrecampos, Roma-Areeiro, Marvila, and Braco de Prata.
To get to Sintra by car, you can take the IC19 from Lisbon, which is a national road that crosses the region. For international travelers, if you’re driving from Spain, you can take the A5 to Lisbon, then the IC19 to Sintra.
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When to visit Sintra by motorhome?
Sintra, a picturesque town in Portugal, is known for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking scenery. Sintra’s climate is Mediterranean, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The average maximum temperature in Sintra is 20°C all year round, with temperatures ranging from 16°C in January to 25°C in August. The city receives around 831mm of precipitation per year, with a minimum of 5mm in July and a maximum of 131mm in November.
You can plan to visit Sintra at any time of year, but the period from May to September is particularly ideal because of the favorable weather. Here is an overview of average weather conditions by month:
| Month | Average temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Weather | Opinions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°/16° | 96 | ☔️ | Favorable |
| February | 12°/16° | 88 | ☔️ | Favorable |
| March | 12°/18° | 88 | ☔️ | Favorable |
| April | 14°/19° | 81 | ☀️ | Favorable |
| May | 15°/21° | 61 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| June | 17°/23° | 20 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| July | 18°/24° | 5 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| August | 19°/25° | 7 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| September | 19°/25° | 47 | ☀️ | Ideal |
| October | 18°/23° | 101 | ☀️ | Favorable |
| November | 15°/19° | 131 | ☔️ | Favorable |
| December | 13°/17° | 112 | ☔️ | Favorable |
All in all, Sintra is an attractive destination all year round. However, to make the most of your visit, consider planning your trip between May and September.
We had the opportunity to visit Tomar twice, the first time at the very end of autumn (mid-December) . where we were able to train outdoors and do a sports session, and the second time during the Tabuleiros festival (July), where this time we thought we’d be very hot because we’d just come back from the heatwave in the Algarve, and where the nights were perfect, which surprised us and above all made us very happy!
Sleeping spots and motorhome service areas in Sintra
Sintra offers several options for motorhome parking. But there’s a but, as we’ll see below.
- 📍🥇 Parque de Monserrate: A wonderful place to spend the night, surrounded by nature and close to Monserrate Park. It’s a quiet, peaceful place, perfect for relaxing after a day’s sightseeing.
- 📍🥈 Parque da Pena: Located near the Pena Park, this spot offers a breathtaking view of the Pena Palace. It’s an ideal place for nature and history lovers.
- 📍🥉 Estrada da Pena: This camping spot is located on the Pena road, offering easy access to local attractions. It’s a quiet place, ideal for a peaceful night’s sleep.
- 📍 Nº 33 Volta Duche: Located close to the center of Sintra, this camping spot offers easy access to local attractions. However, it is advisable to pay attention to height restrictions.
- 📍 Av. Nunes de CarvalhoThis camping spot is located near the Sintra train station, offering easy access to public transport. However, there have been reports of theft in the area, so caution is advised.
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Before taking our motorhome to Sintra, we checked out the reviews on the spotlight websites. and they were virtually unanimous. While the whole of Portugal is ultra-safe, Sintra seems to be prone to theft from motorhomes. And not just a little. So we took advantage of a few days in Lisbon, where we were staying in a secure campsite, to visit Sintra. We left quite early in the morning, took the Uber and the train, and within an hour we were in Sintra. What’s more, we were among the first to visit the Pena Palace.
Where and what to eat in Sintra
Sintra, with its unrivalled charm, is a place where you want to discover every nook and cranny. But this task can be exhausting. So what do you do when hunger strikes? Fortunately, Sintra, worthy of kings and aristocrats since its very beginnings, offers a multitude of places for real feasting. The best restaurants in Sintra are mainly traditional, offering the best Portuguese flavors, but you can also find more contemporary and daring proposals.
Sintra’s restaurants
- 🍽️ Infante Restaurant: Located in the historic center of Sintra, this small establishment offers traditional, welcoming flavors. You can enjoy full meals or tapas.
- 🍽️ Churrasqueira Somos Um Regalo: Located in São Pedro de Sintra, this churrasqueira offers “the best chicken in the world”. The aroma of Guia’s famous chicken, along with other charcoal-grilled meats, attracts visitors to this house.
- 🍽️ Casa de ambiente acolhedor: Since 1983, this restaurant has relied on quality products to serve its customers.
Sintra’s specialities
Sintra is famous for its traditional pastries. Among the most famous are the “Travesseiro de Sintra”, a flaky pastry filled with almond cream, and the “Queijada de Sintra”, a small cake made with cheese, eggs, sugar and cinnamon. These delights are exclusive to the Piriquita patisserie, Sintra’s oldest patisserie, famous for its delicate sweets bursting with flavor and exquisiteness.
At lunchtime, you’ll have to work fast, but that’s okay, the town center is full of small restaurants offering prato do dia for around €10. It’s a great way to regain your strength, especially if, like us, you’re planning to visit the city in a day, starting with the Pena Palace and its magnificent, gigantic garden in the morning, and the Quinta de Regaleira, with its…. gigantic garden in the afternoon too.
Travel budget RoadTrip Sintra
The cost of living in Sintra, Portugal, is generally lower than in France. On average, you’ll spend 35% less than you would in France, even though local purchasing power is 44% lower. For a stay, plan on a budget of at least €69 per day per person. This estimate takes into account accommodation in a 3-star hotel, two meals a day and a daily transport ticket.
A meal in a mid-range restaurant: €16(🇫🇷 -36%)
Fast-food menu: €6.1(🇫🇷 -33%)
Local beer (50 cl draught): €1.80(🇫🇷 -70%)
Imported beer (33 cl bottle): €2(🇫🇷 -60%)
Coca/Pepsi (33 cl bottle): €1.32(🇫🇷 -48%)
Public transport: single ticket: €1.60(🇫🇷 -3%)
Public transport: monthly pass: €40(🇫🇷 -20%)
Unleaded petrol (1 liter): €1.63(🇫🇷 +5%)
Cab: pick-up (standard fare): €3.3(🇫🇷 +25%)
Cab: 1 km (normal fare): €0.70(🇫🇷 -60%)
Budget hotel: €46(🇫🇷 -20%)
Mid-range hotel: €88(🇫🇷 +3%)
High-end hotel: €168(🇫🇷 -40%)
One pair of jeans (Levis 501 or equivalent): €76(🇫🇷 -7%)
A summer dress from a major retailer (Zara, H&M…): €29(🇫🇷 -17%)
One pair of sports shoes: 67 €(🇫🇷 -19%)
A pair of men’s leather dress shoes: €77(🇫🇷 -30%)
Video of our citytrip
What to do in Sintra
Sintra is a town that hosts numerous events throughout the year, but one of the most remarkable is undoubtedly the “LEFFEST – Lisbon & Sintra Film Festival”. It’s an annual film festival that attracts filmmakers, actors and cinephiles from all over the world. The festival presents a selection of international films, previews, retrospectives and tributes to key figures in the world of cinema. In addition to film screenings, the festival also features debates, workshops and concerts. It’s a must-see event for all film lovers.
- Stroll through the picturesque village of Azenhas do Mar, nestled on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
- Visit the Palacio de Monserrate, a remarkable example of neo-oriental architecture, set in a huge garden.
- Discover the Ourse beach, considered by many to be the most beautiful in Portugal, accessible after a one-hour hike.
- Visit the Palacio Nacional de Pena, a unique monument that blends multiple influences: Neo-Romanesque, Manueline, Gothic, Baroque, Moorish, Renaissance and more.
- Discover the Château des Maures, an important coastal observation post dating back to the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
- Exploration of Sintra’s National Palace, symbol of the town, known for its two white conical chimneys rising 33 meters into the air.
- Visit Quinta da Regaleira, a vast Gothic architectural complex, with its manor house, gardens, caves and secret passages.
- Hike to Plage de l’Ourse, a small wild beach of rare beauty.
- Explore the Sintra-Cascais Nature Park, which stretches around Cabo da Roca, the westernmost tip of the European continent.
- Discover the Capuchin Convent, nestled in a green setting, ideal for a meditative retreat in the heart of nature.
- Participation in “LEFFEST – Lisbon & Sintra Film Festival”, an annual film festival that attracts filmmakers, actors and cinephiles from all over the world. The festival presents a selection of international films, previews, retrospectives and tributes to key figures in the world of cinema.
Conclusion: Why visit or return to Sintra?
And so our journey through Sintra comes to an end. We hope this guide has helped you discover the wonders of this city and inspired you to visit it for yourself. Sintra is a town with a lot to offer, whether in terms of scenery, culture or gastronomy. But don’t forget, the journey doesn’t end here. There are always new destinations to discover, new experiences to enjoy. So, where will our next motorhome trip take us? Stay tuned to find out. Bon voyage to you, dear readers!
FAQ
Sintra is a dynamic town with a population of 33,000 and a municipality of 377,835 inhabitants. Its economy is mainly based on tourism, attracting visitors from all over the world to discover its rich historical and natural heritage.
Sintra offers several options for motorhome parking. However, caution is advised due to reported cases of theft in some areas.
Sintra is famous for its traditional pastries. Among the most famous are the “Travesseiro de Sintra”, a flaky pastry filled with almond cream, and the “Queijada de Sintra”, a small cake made with cheese, eggs, sugar and cinnamon.
Sintra is a town that hosts numerous events throughout the year, but one of the most notable is undoubtedly the “LEFFEST – Lisbon & Sintra Film Festival”. It’s an annual film festival that attracts filmmakers, actors and cinephiles from all over the world.
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