Sintra is a town and municipality near Lisbon in Portugal, which is famous for at least six extraordinary, very different in style palaces and castles in Sintra, most of them with adjacent gardens.
The Pena National Palace (Palácio da Pena) is a work of 19th century Romanticism, mixing Egyptian, Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance elements.
Quinta da Regaleira is a unique artistic palace with caves, lakes, underground passageways, and mystical initiation well, resembling un underground tower.
The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) was used by the Moors in the 9th century, when they occupied the area.
Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) is a Royal Palace in the city center, built in the early 15th century.
The Palace of Monserrate (Palácio de Monserrate) is an example of mid-19th century eclecticism, combining neo-Gothicism with Arab and India architectural elements. Monserrate is renowned for its gardens, with thousands of exotic species from all over the world.
Queluz National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Queluz) is an 18th-century palace and gardens which served as a royal residence for a century. The palace has been called "Versailles of Portugal".
Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Europe, with a lighthouse and stunning views over nearby rocky beaches.
The Cultural Landscape of Sintra is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Evora is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Portugal, rich with architectural styles and historic monuments, narrow winding lanes and picturesque squares. In the historic center stands the ancient Roman Temple of Évora (Temple of Diana). After the Romans, the city was held by the Visigoths and the Moors, until the Portuguese reestablished their power in the 12th century. The gothic Cathedral of Évora was established in the 12th century and gradually expanded over the next two centuries. The Igreja de São Francisco, built in Gothic and Baroque architecture, is famous with its Chapel of Bones with bones of thousands of people to illustrate the transitory nature of life. Almendres Cromlech is a prehistoric monument of megaliths, nearby Evora, from around 6000 BCE.
The Historic Center of Evora is on the UNESCO WORLD Heritage List.