Sintra Travel Forum

Hey all :)

I've been looking for info on Sintra, and was very pleased to come across this forum. I hope some of you veterans can help me out with my dilemma.

Me and my girlfriend are off to Lisbon in December for a week, and I am going to propose during the holiday. I've never been to Portugal before, so I have no idea how to go about doing it, but people have told me that Sintra is a very beautiful, romantic place, and so it seems like the ideal thing.

Does anyone have any ideas about where in Sintra would be a good spot?

Basically, I'm not the kind who would like to propose in a restaurant (too many people about), and all in all I'd prefer nobody else was about at all. My girlfriend loves her long walks and panoramic views and things like that, so I was thinking if there was some trail into the mountains we could follow, and maybe at the top, with the whole of Sintra spread out in the valley below, that would be the ideal place... and if we could time it so we caught the sunset, etc etc ;)

If someone knows of such a place/trail, or any ideas along a similar theme, I would be forever grateful.

(by the way, it will probably be on the Wednesday 5th December during the day, so I'm not sure how touristy it will be or anything)

Here's hoping!

Phil

Two great settings in Sintra for your luscious idea: atop the fabled Palacio de Pena (Pena Palace) which sits at the very zenith of Sintra with its sweeping views of the village, the coast and even into Lisbon. Or upon the ramparts of Castelo dos Mouros - the majestic 8th century battlement erected by the Moors which snakes around couple of miles just below the Pena Palace and also commanding breathtaking views. After the proposal, I hope you're spending your night(s) at the Hotel Palacio de Setaeis. Sintra is a dream. Stay there a few days and make sure you visit another nearby village of Colares, a wine-producing area perched pricipitously upon the hills, go inside the old medieval section - the tiny village has got only one restaurant and one cafe. If you fancy great walks, the Sintra to Colares path is like no other - takes a good two hours on a leisurely poetic amble. If you decide on a bus, from Colares catch the bus which originates in Sintra that ends up at Azinhas do Mar, a tiny community above a rocky bluff right on the sea and you'll be rewarded with an exhilarating simple beauty! There are also a few beautiful beaches along the way you can enjoy a wonderful stopover and have a meal of seafood at sundown. All the best to you both.

By the way, about your proposal, it wouldn't hurt to you to first contact the Tourist Office in Sintra. They could very well give you the best arrangements/help on many matters within your romantic path.

Palacio de la Pena *definitely* gets my vote - particularly if it's a clear day (it can be pretty foggy). I missed the other place suggested, but I would also suggest Quinta de la Regaleira.

When we visited Sintra we stayed at the Sheraton and hired a driver for the day (concierge helped obtain a great driver). Although it's possible to get around by public transportation, having a private driver made things very easy for us (my husband had some health issues). It was around $150 Euro, excellent investment.

Don't forget to visit the original Pasteis de Belem in Lisboa. You can take public transportation, but don't get off at the Belem stop, but the second stop past the Belem stop. From there you can visit Belem Tower, Discovery, then walk across to the Dos Geronimos monastery. Keep going two blocks past the monastery and you'll see the Pasteis place - it should have a blue awning and have "Pasteis de Belem" worked into the sidewalk.

Enjoy! If you have a chance, post how things went!

Wow, thanks all for the speedy responses. The Palacio de la Pena sounds like it might be the ticket. I can start to see how the day might pan out, now.

We are staying in the Sheraton in Lisbon, and we're only there for 5 days, so I'm afraid a few days in Sintra is not possible. I think we will be looking to spend a full day there, amidst all the other stuff we'll be doing in the week. It would be great to spend some time in Colares, but I just don't think it will be practical.

Nomad, this driver you hired... what kind of restrictions were there? I mean, did he literally have to wait around for you all day/night, or did you have to be back by a certain time, or anything like that?

Hiring a driver is something we would never normally do, so I would have to think of some convincing blag for it, else she would cotton on pretty quick. I was thinking that if we wanted to stick around in Sintra until after dark, and spend some time in one of these seafront restaurants, then it would be great to have our own personal driver. Do you think they would be ok with this kind of timescale? Would this cost extra, do you think?

Cheers again, all.

Hi Phil,
Sintra area is definitely the right area! I strongly support the idea of a private driver! Keep in mind, December can be very cold, rainy and windy. If the weather is like that, I would not recommend Palacio da Pena. Better take the "Parque de Monserrate", which is a hughe, beautiful and romantic garden, situated on the OLD road from Sintra to Colares. On a Wednesday in December you will be the only visitors! (Little entrance fee). Before or after visit Sintra and have a light lunch/snack there. Drive from there to Azenhas do Mar (only good to see - not to visit). Back from there via Praia das Macas to Praia Grande. A walk on the beach and the bars/restaurants are good for a drink. Then via Almocageme to Cabo da Roca, the most western point of the continent. Very nice but for sure windy! Have dinner at the "Refugio da Roca" (www.refugiodaroca.com). No sea view but nice and appropriate. Good sea food! Make a reservation in advance to get a table next to the fireplace.
Alternatives: Dinner with sea view: On "Praia Grande": Rest. Nortada, we have not been there for years but the location is unique. Rest. Angra: Good sea food, place is not too nice. On the road from Cabo da Roca to Cascais (Lisbon) you pass through Praia do Guincho, which has many sea food restaurants right on the road, but expensive.
Alternative for proposing and/or drink: There is a little cafe called "O Moinho" (the mill) which has a fantastic garden and a very beautiful look over the ocean and Praia do Guincho. To find it: Main road Colares (Almocageme) to Cascais (Lisbon) follow the sign to "Azoia / Cabo da Roca". After 100m (before the curve to the right) is a little unpaved way and a little sign to the place. You end up after 100m on their parking.
More details on the area you find here: www.cm-sintra.pt (City of Sintra), view on the beaches: www.beachcam.pt
Enjoy your time and give us all a feed back!!!
Ulrich

You can e-mail the Sheraton in Lisbon: sheraton.lisboa@sheraton.com <sheraton.lisboa@sheraton.com> (that's where we stayed as well) and provide your requirements for the driver - they will respond. I needed someone for the day - that being 8:30 - 6PM - this was 150 Euro. It's simple to take the train to Sintra, but once there, although easy to walk to where the buses are and get transportation to the different places, it would have been too time consuming for the time we had. Perhaps you can use the excuse of making the most of the time there to justify the driver. I preferred spending the time being some place than walking - and with my husband's health issues the decision was easy.

The driver was excellent, and recommended a very nice restaurant down the street from the Sheraton. We just told him where to go first, gave him a very approximate time we would like to be in each place (although we stayed much longer at the Quinta de Regaleira) - and he would just be there available to pick you up. His name was Juan - unfortunately I cannot find his card. You should be able to get a quote from the Sheraton after you give them your needs - they have drivers they use.

It is important to check the weather, it can get very foggy (you can see the fog in my Sintra page).

As far as the Sheraton in Lisbon, I just *loved* their breakfast buffet, but found their dinner restaurant a bit way too expensive (and I like to splurge when we travel). It is a beautiful view, and probably worth dining there once, but here are a couple of details about the immediate area that may help:

1. If you take a left for about a block and a half, past the maternity hospital, there is a restaurant (you walk down from the ground) - called something "Cova". I believe it's in the darker building. I am sure the concierge can tell you which one it is from the description. Our driver Juan recommended it, and we enjoyed it tremendously. It was a nice, quiet local restaurant. When I made a comment about my husband's food, the waiter brought me a small sample! Food was outstanding! (I had fish)
2. Looks like you are away from all facilities, but the building right in front of the Sheraton has everything you can think of - stores, restaurants, ATM's (cash points) - so if you need anything, just walk across the street and go into the building right in front.

I just loved Lisbon and hope to return to Portugal soon! I can forward a photo of Juan with my husband and brother in law if you'd like. Also have a photo of the front of the Sheraton, showing the maternity building and the structure where the restaurant is located, hidden behind.

Have a great time!

Thank you all, you've given me some great ideas :)

I will get in touch with the Sheraton about the driver, and I am going to have a closer look at some of the recommended restaurants, too. Wish me luck ;)

All the best! Here's a site you may enjoy: http://www.pbase.com/diasdosreis/distrito_lisboa

Hello,
well done on choosing Sintra to propose, it is a very romantic place. Everyone has came up with some splendid suggestions for you but I would just like to mention my favourite romantic place which is Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra centre(otherwise known as Moneybags's place) it has caves, secret passages, overhung gardens and a secret revolving door within a walkable well. There is also a small church and restaurant but it is an absolutely incredible place and away from the hordes. You can get a guided tour which is excellent for finding all the nooks and secret parts so you could warn them before you start the tour of your plans, or you might want to just wander about on your own and propose without an audience to cheer you on. You can get more info at the tourist office
http://www.cm-sintra.pt/ and I found some photo's here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27164182@N00/134305823/

I don't know if you are looking for somwhere to stay but I can thoroughly recomend Pielas (http://www.cafepielas.com - it is a bit slow loading but bear with it). It is a family run, very friendly, exceptionally clean, comfortable and excellent value for money. Ask for the top room which is huge and has a roof terrace with views of the Moorish castle and Pena Palace.
All the best of luck, wherever you propose Sintra is a very special place indeed
Best wishes

Spacehopper

Hi Phill
May I destabilize?
Sinta is OK! With a good weather, is perfect. But, in rough conditions it may not match your idea. So, why not thinking in a wider area?
Have you heard about Portuguese "Romeo and Juliet"?
One hour north of Lisbon, in Alcobaça monastery (no rain or fog inside) there are the tombs of Pedro and Ines, our celebrated royal lovers.
Should I say more?
Obidos in the way, Batalha 15 minutes distant (3 of the 7 Portuguese Wonders in a couple of hours), Nazaré...
You may check it all in my pages.
Enjoy, and good luck for you both
Avelino

Actually, after I finished posting I did think it was important to have a "Plan B", so do agree with solopes' posting. Only issue is, wether you just want to go for the sure thing and go with the recent post, or if you want to keep it as a contingency plan. It was quite foggy in Sintra when we visited - although fully enjoyed it. And Quinta de Relageira is also a good alternative - it is a hill with different "stages" - so you could propose at the highest. Good part is you have many options ...

I shall agree with Monserrate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monserrate_Palace), not just because I married there but because the view, the gardens and the fact that it's unspoiled and you will be "the only ones" there.
But of course the weather is the grand commander ...

In addition to solopes suggestions out of Lisbon area if you want "something different" then another option is the Buçaco Palace (http://www.palacehoteldobussaco.com/) (http://www.manorhouses.com/hotels/bussaco.html) (last palace of the portuguese kings to be built) to stay overnight (like a king/queen) and a “walk” trough the gardens (http://www.visitportugal.com/NR/exeres/37E4CB3E-C039-4BB5-89A2-86296D49E00D,frameless.htm?order=5&parentGuid=%7B624B243A-1332-4F5A-9152-FFC387EE2AE0%7D).
Take a taxi to the highest point of the mountain -Cruz Alta- (pay the taxi driver to wait, no problem) where the view is superb and there is no noise at all -only you and nature ... the proposal will occur easy.
Again the weather...

Best wishes for both of you and wherever will be you will be tied to the place
Enjoy