Port du jour: Sintra

Portugal

Excerpt from Vetted: Portuguese Riviera

Up-in-the-mountains Sintra is heavily influenced by running water. Walk ten minutes and you’ll pass ten fountains. You’ll probably pass Fonte de Mourisca first as it’s along the main winding road that connects the quaint train station part of town to the vertical part of town. If you climb and climb, you’ll come across the Klein blue Fonte da Sabuga, an almost unnatural shade to contrast the otherwise leafy green backdrop.

Never one for itineraries, there are some things in Sintra that must be done. Take it from someone who studied here during grad school and was introduced to the town by some very knowledgeable people. First, you must carb load. Built into a mountain, you’ll be walking up or down most of the time. You’ll go to Cafe Saudade, no exceptions. Here, you’ll have your pick at traditional Portuguese pastries, but you’ll get a travesseiro (because I said so).

Then, you’ll meander. If you want to transform your visit into something out of a fairy tale, you’ll go to lush Quinta da Regaleira. Home of the Instagram-famous inverted Initiation Well, its Manueline architecture and dreamy gardens are vast and just really pretty. Ensure you find the green, green grotto and hop along the stones. You’ll need a few hours to roam, which won’t feel like enough. There is always something else around the corner.

If you want to see something with Mudejar architecture (raise your hand if you’ve been to the Real Alcázar in Sevilla), you’ll traipse through the Palácio Nacional de Sintra. Parque da Liberdade is for those looking for an immersive green experience. I haven’t been to Pena Palace, perhaps the reason most people flock to Sintra. Hike to Castelo dos Mouros instead where you’ll get the better view and much fewer people.