Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Get to know the fairy-tale town of Sintra with this three-day itinerary I'm from Lisbon, less than an hour away from Sintra, so it's one of my top destinations for a day trip I find myself driving along the mountain's winding roads strolling through the village towards places selling delicious travesseiros (Sintra's signature almond and egg flaky pastries) building in my head tales that would make a book I'm going to share my favorite places in Sintra with you There are some must-sees and also some less well-known ones that are worth discovering avoid July and August and try to go between March and May or September and October it's best to arrive on a Thursday so you can avoid the bulk of the crowds How to get from the airport: From Humberto Delgado Airport take the red and green metro lines to Rossio Station and catch the CP (Comboios de Portugal) urban train to Sintra but it will be more expensive (between €25 and €40/US$26–42) As many of Sintra's attractions are on higher grounds steep paths and uneven cobblestone streets in the village center Many routes within the historic center have traffic restrictions tourist buses (ScottURB 434 and 435) will take you to the main monuments just 300m (984ft) from the train station.  What to pack: We often say that Sintra has a microclimate So two must-have items in your suitcase are a waterproof jacket and good walking shoes This light puffed pastry filled with delicious almond-and-egg cream results from a secret recipe that has been passed down through six generations How to spend the day: The Palácio Nacional de Sintra is right in the historic center and one of Portugal's oldest palaces it's worth going through its extravagantly decorated rooms colorful tiles with geometric and floral designs and beautiful tapestries that complement the marble columns while large windows frame the green landscape outside.  Walk 10 minutes to Tascantiga for a lunch of petiscos (seafood) The outdoor terrace is my favorite spot if the weather is nice and the friendly staff makes the experience all the more enjoyable Chef Vitor Paes started this project in 2016 by taking traditional Portuguese recipes and giving them his own twist but some classics include octopus à lagareiro (baked octopus with potatoes) From Sintra Mitos e Lendas, it's a 600m (1969ft) climb to Quinta da Regaleira, but you'll be rewarded with elaborate gardens where statues and stone towers frame the 1800s manor house and the initiation well said to be related to Masonic rituals Dinner: Return to the area near the train station to end the evening at Incomum by Luís Santos This Portuguese chef made his career in Switzerland and launched his personal project in the center of Sintra The dish I love the most is the scallops with passion fruit risotto This beautiful route winds through the forest with some steep sections There are some viewpoints with benches to rest and enjoy Sintra’s natural surroundings.  Moorish keyhole gates and crenellated towers in pinks and lemons But remember that the last entrance is at 6pm and you'll need at least two hours to see everything After the palace, if you still have time, you can walk back to the village through the Parque da Pena and stop by the beautiful Chalet da Condessa d’Elba Dinner: Romaria de Baco is my suggestion for dinner It's a relaxed restaurant located between the tourism office and the Igreja de São Martinho where you can enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes such as bacalhau à brás (salted cod and fried potatoes) After dark: If you still have the strength to go for a drink, Fonte da Pipa is much-loved Sintra bar. Or try Casa do Fauno Morning: On the weekend, Sintra gets crowded, so I suggest leaving the historic center and heading for the coast. But not without coffee, accompanied by a queijada de Sintra (crisp pastry shells filled with a marzipan-like mixture of cheese, sugar, flour and cinnamon) at Queijadas da Sapa it is one of the oldest producers of queijadas in Sintra and the aroma of cinnamon will win you over as soon as you walk through the door How to spend the day: It takes about 16 minutes on the 435 bus (Scotturb) to get from the train station to Palácio de Monserrate one of the most beautiful properties in Sintra Everything at Monserrate was thought out in detail from the colorful stained-glass windows to the carved doors and ceilings to the beautiful gardens Then hop on the 1253 bus (Carris Metropolitana) for a 30-minute ride to Cabo da Roca the westernmost point of the European mainland It has one of the oldest lighthouses in Portugal and a phenomenal view over the massive cliffs that mark Sintra's coastline with the waves of the Atlantic crashing against them Take a taxi or Uber to Praia Grande for lunch at Bar do Fundo for fresh Grab a seat on the balcony to watch surfers in action The last stop is Azenhas do Mar – another taxi or Uber ride away – a small town where the white houses stretch down the hillside by the sea locations and the perfect place to watch the sunset Dinner: Before returning to Sintra or Lisbon, stay for a seafood dinner at the Azenhas do Mar restaurant, located right next to the sea. The fish pasta or the cataplana (fish stew) are among my favorites and are perfect for sharing. Book a table or risk being left at the door. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Cycas Hospitality has announced its first signing in Portugal with the introduction of Marriott International's Autograph Collection resort-style hotel development in Sintra the country's renowned UNESCO cultural region near Lisbon This landmark project marks Cycas Hospitality's entrance to the Iberian Peninsula expanding the company's presence within Southern Europe and extends the hotel management company's operations to over 55 hotels across 13 European countries The new hotel is being developed as part of a joint venture between Patron Capital the pan-European institutional investor focused on property-backed investments The JV appointed Cycas Hospitality to manage the hotel the unique design of the hotel comprises 15 distinct buildings accommodating up to 260 guests across rooms including a signature sea-view wedding suite Formerly the site of Companhia União Fabril (CUF) employee holiday complex the development will retain classic design features preserving the spirit of renowned architect Firmly rooted in the Sintra region's unique intersection of sea with expansive sun terraces and landscaped gardens will offer guests a connection to the site's restorative properties The hotel interiors will bring modern touches of contemporary design blended harmoniously with old-world charm and guests will be able to enjoy a range of dining options morning terrace and destination on-site restaurant elegant indoor and outdoor reception spaces and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside the property will offer a unique and romantic setting in which to celebrate weddings and special events Investment Director & Partner at Patron Capital said: "Partnering with Cycas Hospitality and Marriott International on this exciting new hotel and spa reflects our shared vision to create a landmark destination in Sintra Portugal is a key market for Patron Capital where we have been successfully investing since 2015 The country's hospitality sector offers attractive investment opportunities and this iconic luxury hotel Cycas will operate on behalf of our JV with Quest Capital represents our first hospitality project in the country We plan to continue to invest in Portuguese hotels as we deploy capital from Fund VII our real estate fund that invests in transitioning properties with value-add strategies." Carlos Vasconcellos and Cristóbal de Castro at Quest Capital added: "Our vision for this development is to create a destination that showcases the beauty and spirit of Portugal while delivering an unmatched guest experience "Collaborating with Cycas Hospitality on this project aligns perfectly with our ambition to bring a world-class hotel to the region we are creating a truly memorable experience for our guests." Chief Operating Officer at Cycas Hospitality commented: "We're extremely pleased to bring our renowned hospitality expertise to Portugal This new signing is an important milestone for Cycas Hospitality as we continue to expand across Europe into the dynamic Iberian Peninsula region and grow our presence in this region with our partners Marriott International." Autograph Collection's portfolio currently features over 290 hotels globally Each hotel is a product of passion and a personal realization of its individual founder's vision The addition of this new singular and special property joins the Cycas portfolio of Marriott International hotels across Europe including the 161-room flagship Autograph London Bankside hotel and the recently opened Moxy Paris Clamart "Autograph Collection features curated properties that celebrate individuality and we look forward to working with Patron and Cycas Hospitality to bring the brand's distinct perspective on design and hospitality to Sintra," said Gianleo Bosticco "Portugal remains a sought-after travel destination and we continue to see demand for our renowned brands across the country." Brand OwnerMarriott International, Inc. The dynamics are changing rapidly and companies staying up-to-date with the trends will remain afloat in the future In the sea of incompatible providers, Sintra comes out as the most trusted solution for all your business needs. To overcome the lagging and shortcomings of your staff and business structure Sintra provides an automated AI-powered solution in the form of AI Helpers From customer support to personal mentor, Sintra’s AI Helpers will make your work and personal life easy while promoting work-life balance this is not the only benefit business owners and entrepreneurs can get from this all-in-one AI platform Sintra is much more than an AI platform fulfilling your staffing needs Below is the run-down of the top 10 of those features Where previously businesses had to train employees extensively and still did not have any guarantee of profitable outcomes All 12 AI Helpers are at your service and are already trained with thousands of data pieces This approach minimizes the training and onboarding time and saves the cost that companies have spent on employee training before All you have to do is customize the helper’s data according to your needs and preferences and this only takes a few minutes Tired of making employee training and updating videos Frustrated by the fact that you have to call a meeting to convey every minor detail It’s just like commanding an employee over texts and you can expect successful task delivery if choosing Soshie to handle the social media you can simply text her to prepare a social media calendar for the upcoming month and consider it done if any one aspect is compromised even for a day it can easily affect work productivity and outcomes that is not the case with Sintra’s AI Helpers All AI employees will be available to work non-stop around the clock Whether you need to work according to the time zone of Japan or Finland these workers will be there to maximize your business operations without compromising on work quality Do you like how ChatGPT has changed the business dynamics in almost every field What if there’s something 3x more accurate than that Sintra uses the most powerful LLM currently available All AI employees use the same model and provide top-notch results for all the tasks you don’t have to worry about accuracy or authenticity when using Sintra you are required to feed it some information The feature that makes Sintra exceed industry expectations is the compatibility of the multiple input format Whether it’s collecting information from websites you can easily feed files to your Brain AI in formats like PDF We all get frustrated when employees don’t respond on time or show a lack of acknowledgement Sintra has eradicated this cause of annoyance from the root by increasing the response time of all AI employees to 190ms you don’t have to wait even minutes to get an update or acknowledgement from employees where there’s no control over personalizing your answers Sintra has made things advanced and more human-like with On and Off Switch to use the data fed to Brain AI If you want a general response to any task or question if you wish to have a personalized response using your data With platform integrations powered by over 100 power-ups AI helpers can further increase the efficiency of their responses he can use a video ads script writer to take inspiration from your preferred ad and write an inspired script the working is smooth and you don’t need to give instructions again every time because all power-ups are empowered by your brain AI Are you enthusiastic about AI and want to grow your business There are many people who are just as frantic about technology as you are and many of them are a part of the Sintra Community you become a part of this extraordinary community where businesses and entrepreneurs are working with AI you can also request new features and pitch your ideas to make this space more advanced How would you feel if you had the two best options to help you in your time of need Sintra focuses on customer experience the most Sintra will always be available to help you If you ever get stuck somewhere understanding or using AI helpers or just need some guidance along the way, Sintra’s AI customer support (Cassie) and human live support are available at all times to help Sintra is designed to integrate seamlessly with a variety of software tools and platforms Whether you’re using project management software Sintra can connect with your existing systems allowing for smooth data flow and enhanced efficiency transforming businesses by increasing productivity and reducing costs Sintra uses industry-leading encryption and adheres to best security practices ensuring your data remains protected and compliant with privacy standards the AI helpers are smarter than the smartest experts in any industry and you get a 14-day money-back guarantee to experience that All the helpers are trained on thousands of unique data points according to their niche and industry to make them work efficiently and with precision Take your next big step with AI; start with Sintra TNT Magazine has been guiding independent travellers around the world for 35 years TNT Magazine has been regarded by many as the youth travellers bible offering a mix of inspiring travel content Our mantra is live life & travel which encompasses what we are all about and help young adults navigate the tribulations of working living and experiencing adventure through travel We have developed a great reputation throughout the world as an independent and trusted source of quality content and advice TNT Magazine has been guiding independent travellers around the world for over 40 years Terms & Conditions TNT Jobs At UKC/UKH we are all experienced internet users and as such we understand why some people want to use Ad Block to remove annoying and distracting advertising that proliferates on some web sites We don't feel that UKC/UKH should be considered as such a site We have developed a site that has subtle and appropriate advertising; we don't use pop-ups we don't force you to read adverts before you can see content and we don't use third party ad servers dishing up totally inappropriate advertising We have worked incredibly hard over the years to make sure that we keep a good balance between advertising and editorial content Please could you consider disabling Adblock when visiting UKC/UKH Will Bosi has made the first ascent of El Dorado Sit The ascent comes just three sessions after he made the first ascent of the standing start a two-move testpiece of crimp strength and body tension that was one of Sintra's oldest projects.  the sit-start only adds four moves to the 8A+ stand the crux move of the stand start felt like it 'almost went up a grade each extra move I added' 'Although the trip had a lot of rain which meant I couldn't try my main project this wasn't such a bad thing as it meant I got to check out a new area This area was awesome with many good established lines and with a lot of projects'.  which wasn't a lot but meant my skin could be good for each one - which helps a lot in Sintra I tried El Dorado on the first day and managed to send the stand start I started working the sit but didn't make much progress' 'Second session the moves were starting to come together but I still felt quite far away Somehow on the third session it all clicked together and I found myself falling from the stand start really early into the session A couple tries later and I managed to pull it out the bag' 'The line felt really hard and definitely harder than Mito 8B+ which was Sintra's hardest line until now So I think 8C is fair but it's really hard to know With so much time dedicated to hard repeats - four 9A repeats in the space of just twenty-four months, and 9b+ repeat last month - it's been a while since we've seen Will put up a first ascent of this difficulty, with his most recent First Ascent at 8C or harder coming in April 2023, when he climbed The Wild South (f8C) at Raven Tor Edinburgh born Will Bosi is one of the world's top climbers Will became the youngest Brit to have climbed 9a with his repeat of Rainshadow at Malham Cove Will Bosi has made the first repeat of Daniel Woods Return of the Sleepwalker For our final Friday Night Video slot of 2023 we're taking a look back at some of our favourites from.. Get our fun 5-minute roundup of happenings in African and global tech Powered by AI and perfected by seasoned editors Every story blends AI speed with human judgment Fredrick Eghosa I was scrolling through r/automation on Reddit when I stumbled upon a heated discussion about Sintra AI People were raving about its specialized AI assistants but let’s be real—AI tools promise the world all the time no special treatment—I gave them real tasks I usually do myself I’ll share exactly what happened—what impressed me I’m doing this myself.” If you’re curious whether Sintra AI is worth your time Sintra AI is an AI-powered business assistant that automates business tasks Instead of one general assistant trying to do it all Sintra gives you a squad of specialized bots each designed for specific tasks like sales An e-commerce store can use it to automate customer service and fine-tune product listings Even a marketing team might rely on it for outreach emails and campaign analysis The bottom line is if you’ve ever wished you had a few extra hands As soon as I clicked “Get Started,” I was taken straight to the payment page I spotted a 14-day money-back guarantee and a 60% off offer which gives you access to 12 AI assistants and that’s plenty to test things out I created an account with just an email and password There were no long forms or unnecessary steps so far which is basically Sintra AI’s command center This is where you chat with your AI employees The interface was so clean and had fun colors that weren’t overwhelming Each assistant has a profile with a brief description of what they do What stood out was how interactive the system is Instead of just throwing a bunch of automation settings at you the AI actually asks guided questions to understand your business needs better Instead of manually picking which AI assistant to use you can just type a task into the text box on the dashboard and Sintra AI automatically assigns the best bot for the job It figures out which AI employee is best suited to handle your request so you don’t have to you can still choose an assistant manually and start working with them But the automatic selection makes it feel like you’re managing a real team Sintra AI currently offers three key automations that can save a ton of time: The daily inbox summary is something I didn’t know I needed Instead of digging through countless emails Sintra AI sends me a neatly packaged summary of key messages Sintra AI has some very impressive features I was so excited to try out these functionalities: One of the biggest selling points of Sintra AI is its AI Employees These are the virtual assistants designed for specific business functions I don’t have to pick which AI employee handles a task manually Power-Ups are specialized tools inside Sintra AI that take automation a step further these Power-Ups can automate entire workflows the social media Power-Up lets me schedule posts across platforms while the inbox summary Power-Up makes sure I never miss an important email The Brain AI is like the memory bank of the platform the more personalized the experience becomes If you’re running multiple businesses (or handling different projects) Sintra AI lets you create up to five separate profiles Instead of switching between different tools for different projects I was eager to see how it would handle real-world business tasks I’ve used automation tools like HubSpot and Buffer to schedule posts so I was curious if Sintra AI’s Soshie handles social media just as well analyzing the best times to post and automating the whole process But what caught my attention was that the AI responded to comments like “Thanks for sharing!” with a polite “Glad you found it helpful!” It wasn’t mind-blowing but it kept the engagement going without me lifting a finger Forgive me if I sound a bit pouty but unlike HubSpot if you want an AI-powered assistant to keep your social media active Or would it just throw generic replies at people because that is usually the case I set up the AI assistant to manage incoming emails and respond to customer inquiries I just had to define the type of responses I wanted Then came the moment of truth when a customer emailed about a delayed order apologizing for the delay and providing an estimated arrival date I only had to glance over it before hitting send Another customer sent a more complicated request I had to step in and manually tweak the reply My take on this performance is that Sintra AI is great for handling basic inquiries and saving time I’d like to sleep peacefully and not stress over messy spreadsheets If Sintra AI could handle analysis and report flawlessly processing everything and generating a neat summary But then I took a closer look at the output I noticed that there were no in-depth breakdowns Sintra AI gave me the “what,” but not always the “why.” It highlighted trends but didn’t really analyze them like I’d say Sintra AI is great for quick reports and spotting trends at a glance you’ll still want a dedicated analytics tool Sintra AI proved to be a valuable tool in automating various business processes the efficiency gains and time savings it offers make it a worthwhile consideration for businesses looking to leverage AI in their operations but Sintra AI’s AI employees concept felt different Instead of just a chatbot that spits out generic responses these assistants actually specialize in tasks The fact that they can choose who’s best suited for a job The social media automation alone was a win I could focus on strategy while Sintra AI took care of execution I was expecting a complicated setup process Sintra AI was refreshingly easy to get started with No coding and no technical know-how required Just a few clicks and some task assignments Running different businesses or managing multiple brands Sintra AI lets you create separate profiles for each Super useful if you juggle multiple ventures While I was impressed with its capabilities a few things left me wishing for improvements I had to commit to a paid plan before even seeing what Sintra AI could do but that still means putting money down upfront I noticed some slowdowns when using Sintra AI during what seemed like peak hours and responses from AI assistants had slight delays especially when trying to get quick insights or automate tasks on the fly Sintra AI might take a bit of time to get used to I had to explore and test different functions before getting the hang of it Some onboarding tutorials or walkthroughs would definitely help ease new users into the system but I wished for more personality customization a customer support AI that could adopt a specific brand tone would be ideal These drawbacks don’t make Sintra AI a bad tool but they’re things to keep in mind before jumping in Sintra AI is an interesting automation tool but how does it stack up against other well-known platforms like MateGenius AI I was pleasantly surprised by its straightforward structure I opted for the Individual Plan at $39/month which grants access to 12 specialized AI employees What put me at ease was the 14-day money-back guarantee While the cost may seem steep compared to basic automation tools From automating social media and customer support to generating insightful data reports these AI assistants saved me time and effort For any business owner looking to streamline operations the investment in Sintra AI feels like a smart move I’d say it’s a solid automation tool with actual unique features like occasional lags and a slight learning curve the overall experience has been impressive If you’re looking for a hands-free way to boost efficiency Give it a try; you might just find it’s the missing piece in your automation strategy I tried Cursor vs VSCode for vibe coding; here’s my review I’ll share my honest experience setting up and using both editors walk you through 6 simple vibe coding prompts I tried and tell you which tool gave me the best “vibe.” I tried out Cheaterbuster AI, and here’s my candid review  I’ll lean into my firsthand experience as I unpack its core features and evaluate its performance I tested Pictory AI for content creation: Here’s what this video tool gets right (and wrong) and whether Pictory is useful for content creators in 2025 Meta unveils standalone AI assistant across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Meta has launched a dedicated AI assistant powered by Llama 4 I tested Claude vs ChatGPT for writing: Which performed better? I’m putting Claude and ChatGPT head to head across 10 real-world writing prompts covering everything from press releases and blog posts to email drafts and social media copy Kenya hits pause on gambling ads for the next 30 days What is Legend Internet, Nigeria’s newest broadband player on the NGX? Glovo and Salad Africa partner to provide financing worth ₦100m for SMEs Access Holdings’ consolidation to boost Access Bank’s digital and retail growth Sintra.ai is a suite of AI-powered assistants revolutionizing business automation across eCommerce The company has reached over 5,000 active users and continues to grow at a rapid pace In the sea of narrowly specialized AI tools, programs, and apps, Sintra.ai stands out as the world’s first suite of AI assistants unifying 12 essential automation solutions under one roof Sintra made waves by empowering SME owners and solopreneurs empowering businesses with sophisticated tools of automation all powered by cutting-edge machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies.  From a fully automated customer support bot Cassie and a self-governing business development expert Buddy to the diligent recruiter Scouty and a personal coach Gigi and beyond Sintra’s AI assistants help fill crucial roles in understaffed businesses.  Unlike human employees that typically require months of training and adjustment Sintra’s platform boasts a single source of truth that makes all 12 AI assistants interlinked at all times They work together following surgically accurate protocols to significantly reduce the time needed to complete a broad spectrum of core tasks.  Sintra Assistants have been trained on over 100,000+ data points across their respective roles and superiorly efficient when compared to even the most seasoned experts in eCommerce Instead of “selling” one AI assistant at a time, Sintra went with a more holistic approach, unifying all 12 assistants in a single SintraX subscription while keeping the pricing extremely competitive Even companies and brands that already have in-house customer support and sales management teams can benefit from the unrivaled expertise of Sintra’s groundbreaking Helpers.  underscored that the company’s AI assistants were invaluable assets to skyrocketing the growth and improving efficiency in his firm “Sintra Helpers take the experience a step further As specialized GPTs trained for distinct roles they outperform standard interactions with platforms like ChatGPT This specialization translates to superior results making Sintra Helpers invaluable to anyone looking to leverage the power of AI more effectively,” David said.  To elevate the performance of its AI Helpers even further Sintra.ai launched a series of “power-ups” – specialized apps and tools designed to unlock special abilities of each AI Assistant More information about Sintra.ai is available on the company’s official website or concerns related to the content contained within this press release that necessitate action or if a press release requires takedown we strongly encourage you to reach out without delay by contacting error@releasecontact.com (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request) Our committed team will be readily accessible round-the-clock to address your concerns within 8 hours and take appropriate actions to rectify identified issues or support with press release removals Ensuring accurate and reliable information remains our unwavering commitment Indices Commodities Currencies Stocks Cascais and Sintra are jewels sparkling just west of Lisbon with beaches and forests just waiting to be explored Of the coastlines in Europe awarded "Riviera" status Portugal's may not be the first that comes to mind although its location on Lisbon's doorstep along with its revitalising climate and natural beauty always made it a prime candidate for the distinction The international gateway to the riviera is the Lisbon Humberto Delgado airport Cascais is a short train journey west from Cais do Sodré station in Lisbon while Sintra is connected from Rossio station sometimes windier microclimate at its highest points From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox Crowning one of the riviera's highest peaks in the historic town of Sintra is the extraordinary Pena Palace it wouldn't look out of place in a big-budget medieval fantasy especially when surrounded by moody early morning clouds It can be uncomfortably busy in peak season but like many buildings of regal imagination it's a far more peaceful alternative to Pena and on a fine day arguably even more photogenic inside and out On the road from Sintra to Cascais, which is blessed with several spectacular trails for hiking and cycling the soaring view from the cliffs of Cabo Da Rocha is officially the westernmost point in continental Europe Gazing out into the Atlantic – uninterrupted all the way to Central America – in the face of the rousing ocean winds is invigorating to say the least In the former royal enclaves of Cascais and Estoril, old money has mostly made way for the holiday homes of a new wave of Portuguese royalty, like superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo But that's not to imply that its soul and personality have been eclipsed only by gauche extravagance. Just behind the main promenade are snug grids of fishermen's cottages, like you might find in a weathered and sleepy Algarve town pedestrianised streets lined with appealing restaurants and bars Locals delight in telling the full story to visitors Cascais is also home to the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego where a significant collection of works from the important Portuguese-British artist is on display Her provocative subjects and restless artistic style are excellently represented here Penha Longa is a grand hotel resort immersed in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and it has belonged to the Ritz-Carlton group since 2012 making the level of service and quality unfalteringly world-class at every turn which unwinds over 220 hectares of cascading hills below the mountains the course enriches the hotel's verdant panorama and replenishing remoteness the hotel is fine-tuned to the outside: supremely comfortable suites allowing the naturally vibrant colours of the landscape and sky to filter through their generous terrace windows What Penha Longa lacks in a boutique's intimacy it more than makes up for with its facilities You can get married in a beautiful 15th-century Manueline monastery and hold the reception on one of its many landscaped lawns all of which have arresting views into the valleys Families are extremely well looked after in peak season hi-tech gym and adults-only parts of the pool area make it an equally indulgent and restorative escape for couples Penha Longa is also home to two of the finest restaurants anywhere in Portugal Both are Michelin-starred but offer very different experiences Midori is a stylish meditation on Portugal's relationship with Japanese cuisine Floor-to-ceiling windows in the mostly monochrome dining room allow the dramatic views to frame the experience seafood-centric tasting menus stand out not just for their meticulous design but how Santo orchestrates flavour pensive interludes before a nimono of pear cod and umeshu and shisho – paired with a top-shelf Sake – detonate over layers of hair-raising intensity Veiga personally orientates guests to Portugal's finest ingredients in a separate room placing imaginative hors d'oeuvres on a tabletop map of the country Those ingredients are reprised in spectacular style in the intimate dining room in dishes such as carabiner prawn with Tomé vanilla foam dish presentation and sommelier Diego Apolinário's centrepiece wine cellar make it a visually absorbing spectacle everything is simple and honest: wonderfully bright and spacious inside the produce and ocean view take centre stage and any fish big enough to feed two can be salt-baked in the proud Portuguese tradition In any Cascais or Sintra restaurant, look out for wine made in nearby Colares, rarely found outside of Portugal. A rugged terroir of sand and salty ocean air produces grapes that are uniquely evocative of the coastal elements. Casal Santa Maria offers tasting experiences to put that to the test mineral-rich sauvignon blanc being a sensible place to start It's wildly popular but don't let that put you off: some things are worth the hype and A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com A new cultural destination dedicated to ceramics The Albuquerque Foundation by Bernardes Arquitetura opens its doors in Sintra The brand-new Albuquerque Foundation was envisioned by Brazilian collector Renato de Albuquerque and his granddaughter Mariana Teixeira de Carvalho Conceived as a permanent home for ceramics from all corners of the earth the institution hosts and displays the renowned Albuquerque Collection of Chinese Ceramics one of the world’s most significant collections of Ming and Qing dynasties export porcelain on public show together for the first time the precious items will be available to enjoy after the foundation's opening on 22 February 2025 Temporary shows will include a contemporary programme, bridging old and new art and craft. The opening show, overseen by director Jacopo Crivelli Visconti, will be a solo exhibition by acclaimed US artist Theaster Gates the new complex's architecture also combines past and present blends traditional elements and historical fabric with a modern new wing features exhibition areas but also a specialist library a restaurant serving sustainable local produce albuquerquefoundation.pt Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox. Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper* She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006 visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas Ellie has also taken part in judging panels such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022) Shauna Coxsey has secured the third ascent of Mito Sit 8B+/V14 the hardest boulder problem line in Sintra The problem follows the obvious distinctive natural line on the boulder and was first climbed by Jun Shiba in 2022 taking just two sessions before she stood on the top of the boulder the 32-year-old from Sheffield said: “Mito is one of the most impressive lines I’ve ever seen The boulder was so much bigger and much steeper than I expected and the holds so much smaller It’s a striking line straight through a steep face on a huge boulder the start moves are on holds that are so small they only just work” from romantic royal palaces to the best of Portuguese cuisine I joined a foraging hike in Sintra-Cascais nature park a former municipal wasteland and now thriving ecosystem on the outskirts of Cascais in Portugal thanks to our passionate guide – ecologist Fernanda Botelho Portugal’s foremost herbalist and wild forager We’d barely made it out of the park’s welcome centre when she lunged at a bush and held a spiky leaf ahoy but it too often gets confused with the dandelion.” Everything has its uses from pine needles for sauces and honey to ash trees for flour and berries of the Peruvian Pink Pepper tree – “planted as an ornamental tree Sintra-Cascais nature park is home to wild horses and deer, 15 hiking trails, including the West Route, a three-day hike (with optional glamping) up to the Sintra mountains. Nippers can ride on a brown, cuddly, cute-as (and, sadly) endangered Miranda donkey. You can also pick organic veg at Pisão Farm As someone who can recognise a Brussels-sprout tower but very little else in the edible wild I think doing so might help with that 30-plants-a-week health malarkey back home Visitors swarmed around bucolic trestle tables as Food Lab chefs talked through the locally sourced dishes The “everything” included: sourdough served with butter creamed with the leaves of the sunburst-yellow inula flower; pine nut and red onion pie; wild-berry burrata with blackberry caviar; and focaccia made with fig-infused rapeseed oil Cascais itself is a well-heeled gem of a Lisbon outpost, 32km from the capital on the Atlantic coast. Once a summer spot for Portuguese royalty, there is still plenty of wealth in Cascais and big villas, old and new, to show for it. They surround the Paula Rego Museum: House of Stories (Casa das Histórias Paula Rego) geometric aesthetic and two red concrete towers gesture to the National Palace in nearby Sintra shaped as they were by the fascist Portugal of her childhood Feel the heat: the Chefs on Fire festival Photograph: Henrique IsidoroI chased off thoughts of oppression with a stroll through the Marechal Carmona park across the road peacocks wandered among the statues – very cheering I popped into the Condes de Castro de Guimarães Museum at the edge of the park turreted folly showcasing Portuguese art and furniture The sea is a stone’s throw away and there are lovely promenades in both directions sandy beaches of Praia do Guincho and on to another celebration of Romanticism the hilltop town of Sintra 18km to the north sautéed wild mushrooms on open flames and the park turned into a boho hoe-down.Evening fell and it was time to feel the heat at Chefs on Fire an annual nighttime music and culinary weekend festival in neighbouring Estoril sautéed wild mushrooms on open flames or seared seafood and the park itself had been turned into a boho hoe-down Others joined strangers at trestle tables or took their sizzling plates to the live-music stage The next day, back in Cascais, there were more culinary treats to come. A morning swim in the pool of my ocean-view hotel, the Cascais Miragem, and a walk through the tourist-heavy old town and along the sea battlements set me up for lunch of scallops, sea bass and a green salad at Marisco na Praça a lively seafood restaurant popular with locals in Cascais market I had to forego dessert in order to squeeze in our afternoon in Sintra for the view from the upstairs terrace over the narrow the poet’s face painted on the hanging sign we made a cliff-top pitstop at Cape Roca and watched the famous mist sweep across the sea and engulf a sailing boat Our fact-tastic guide turned poet himself as he told us about local Colares wine made from the native Ramisco grape; how its vines are planted into the sand dunes relying on sea mist for moisture; how these grapes become an earthy to round off an excellent dinner of sea bream with sea urchin sauce at the Cascais Mirage hotel restaurant we tried a bottle of Ramisco Arenæ Colares 2014 and found that Hotel Cascais Miragem has rooms with buffet breakfast from £250 per night, cascaismirage.com. This year’s Chefs on Fire (chefsonfire.pt) is on 20-21 September. For further information on Cascais, go to visitcascais.com This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025 The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information 2024 at 10:36 AM EDTBookmarkSaveThe European Central Bank wants to present the results of its next monetary-policy strategy review already at next year’s annual forum in Portugal according to people familiar with the matter While the ECB will only likely communicate completion in the second half of 2025 to maintain flexibility internally the idea is to finish the exercise in time for the Sintra gathering that’s supposed to take place at the start of July 2025 asking not to be identified as talks are private and no final decisions have been taken Following Saint Sintra’s technicolored NYFW spring 2022 debut, designer Sintra Martins is focusing her label on becoming “a sustainable, long term business and design house” this season The 25-year-old visionary was met with tremendous anticipation and support for her ready-to-wear fall/winter collection’s offsite show.  Presented at The Palace Saint Sintra’s fall 2022 show was nothing short of breathtaking Showcasing an extensive selection of textures Martins honed in on her tailoring while staying true to her romantic silhouettes and beloved bows A Parsons School of Design graduate — who previously interned with the likes of Thom Browne and Wiederhoeft — Martins has staked her claim with style Image Courtesy: Serichai Traipoom/ W Magazine Martins’ work has been omnipresent within Gen Z culture with a wave of editorial and celebrity  style placements lusting after the hyper-pop twee look brought to life through her previous collections.  as she used her sophomore show to make a statement and the battle for its synergy with fashion was undoubtedly a standout of this collection Martins has spoken of the climb to becoming a reliable label with an environmentally friendly conscience No longer interested in custom-made orders the independent brand is focusing on everyday wear that will sit well and long with its consumers Contextualizing the sustainability conflict models illuminated the runway with shoes that were wound with wire the detailed tailoring and array of textures seamed together moments of thoughtfulness and optimism as the models walked at a staggered pace Image Courtesy: @double3xposure on Instagram The show’s environment allowed the fantasy to come to life with a glitter disco ball looming from the ceiling of the night lounge and mirrors casing the room Shades of indigo and crimson permitted Martins’ dream-like magic to take over The music was illusive and full of exaggerated shimmer entrancing the audience with a sense of nostalgia evident and dripping from the collection Masculine touches had more pull this time, as a spectrum of suited looks graced the tiled runway. Shifting from the zip-up style of the 2000’s reminiscence seen in the previous collection, Saint Sintra seems to be moving past the Y2K digital look. Designing “romantic pieces inspired by nostalgia,” the 2022 collection combined codes of delicacy Closing the show was the “onion bride.” Beautifully silhouetted adorning the commodity with loose white fabric trailing behind the model’s hands and feet Sintra Martins might have pruned her range of colors, but she undoubtedly broadened the vision behind her brand. The designer has been characterized as “aggressive femininity that transcends gender.” Opting for a palatable playness, Martins’ collection offers a reconstructed view of gender expression. Remaining both fantastical and accessible, Saint Sintra lived up to the anticipation with material magic. On March 11, Will Bosi made the first ascent of El Dorado Sit V15 (8C) in Sintra, Portugal. The problem adds four hard moves into the start of El Dorado V12, which Bosi established on March 4. Before Bosi’s first ascent, El Dorado had been one of Sintra’s oldest projects. The line is a two-move crimp problem that Bosi said is difficult to grade. “What an incredible line!” said Bosi on Instagram about El Dorado Sit. “Super psyched to manage to get this done and establish potentially Sintra’s hardest line? It felt harder than Mito [V14] which I sent last year but I feel like it’s so hard to know with the rock type here. In total it’s just 6 moves and all comes down [to] the stand crux move which felt like it almost went up a grade each extra move I added.” Bosi also visited Sintra in April last year. His highlight of the visit was making the second ascent of Jun Shibanuma’s Mito V14. He also repeated Pena Perpetua V13 and made the first ascent of Eye of Fire V12. A post shared by William Bosi (@will_bosi) Get the digital edition of Gripped for your chosen platform: The preserved rooms at Palácio da Pena offer a glimpse into late-1800s royal life A truly beautiful village and nature park, Sintra is one of the most popular places in Portugal. Only 30km (19 miles) from Lisbon this must-see destination draws millions – yes These are our favorite mix of big-ticket and low-key attractions in Sintra Palácio da Pena is Sintra's most instantly recognizable landmark Built in 1854 by Fernando II on the bones of an old monastery it's one of the best examples of Romanticism architecture in Europe. The palace's golden onion domes rise above dense woodland in the Sintra Mountain and inside the preserved rooms offer a glimpse into late-1800s royal life complete with some unexpected modern touches There's one of Europe's earliest telephone exchanges and Portugal's first hot water shower in the king's bathroom. It's open daily to visitors for tours (€17 for adults) Pro tip: Visit at the end of the day to avoid the crowds. You can avoid queues at the palace by purchasing your ticket through the website and receive a 15% discount if you book three days in advance A property from 1541 and an example of Manueline civil architecture, Quinta da Ribafria sits on the outskirts of the Parque Natural Sintra-Cascais inviting visitors to wander through its once-neglected woods and gardens Follow along a charming path adorned with sculptures by both Portuguese and international artists – including Stefano Beccari from Italy and Amparo Luis from Spain – or stop on one of the benches to enjoy the peace and quiet Perhaps because it only opened to the public in 2022, the Palácio Biester still slips under the radar for many Sintra visitors Together with its better-known (and busier) neighbor Quinta da Regaleira is a textbook example of the romantic architecture that characterizes the buildings hidden within the dense Sintra forest The botanical park covers 6 hectares (15 acres) and boasts trees from all over the world with stunning views of the Castelo dos Mouros and the town of Sintra from its viewpoints The palace itself is full of original and strikking details like the decorative paintings by the artist Luigi Manini and the French master Paul Baudry that adorn the walls and ceilings of each room mysticism and the occult are very present here with stories of the Knights Templar and initiation chambers that feed the imagination Budget several hours to fully appreciate the beauty of the Biester property Planning tip: Start your visit at the entrance on Avenida Almeida Garrett and walk through the gardens until you reach the palace Book a 90-minute guided tour by emailing reservations@biester.pt to learn about the property’s history or skip the queues by buying tickets online before your visit Yet the natural beauty of the route and its countless nooks old buildings and viewpoints will make it well worth the effort visit the tourist office in Praça da República and ask for the maps of Villa Sassetti and Parque da Pena before embarking on your journey Detour: Don’t care to do the whole route or short on time? Start at the entrance to the Vale dos Lagos Remember to bring comfortable trail shoes and water to keep you hydrated take the streetcar at Rua General Alves Roçadas in Estefânia You can buy the ticket for the ride at Vila Alda – Casa do Elétrico located next to the streetcar stop (excluding weekends and public holidays when you can buy it directly on the transport) remember to get your ticket from the driver The old fishing village of Azenhas do Mar offers a simplicity beauty and communion with the landscape that never ceases to amaze About 10km (6 miles) from the village of Sintra and 40km (25 miles) from Lisbon this small group of white houses perched along the cliffs seems part of a painting many Portuguese painters have come here for inspiration including Júlio Pomar; arriving from Praia das Maçãs stop at the viewpoint facing the town and you’ll understand why you can enjoy the natural pool on the beach at the foot of the cliff – the same beach that feast on just-caught fish and seafood while enjoying the breathtaking views and beautiful sunsets at Azenhas do Mar restaurant Praia do Magoito is an excellent option to escape Sintra’s busiest beaches (such as Praia Grande or Praia das Maçãs) Along this long sandy beach that stretches along the imposing cliffs leading to Praia da Aguda there’s plenty of space to lay out your towel Another way to explore this landscape is to walk along the cliff-top path that links the two beaches This lake is far from an unknown place – not least because of its proximity to the town of Cascais it's a great option if you’re looking for a green area to have a picnic or just take a stroll through the landscapes of the Serra de Sintra This serene lagoon takes on beautiful hues of green and blue as the day passes disturbed only by the splashing of ducks in the water the sound of dogs walking by with their owners The place is also popular as a starting point for mountain-bike rides Planning tip: The parking lot is small and you may not find a space if you go during a busy hour At one of the highest points in Serra de Sintra – almost 500m (1640ft) above sea level – the Santuário da Peninha has the best views in the Parque Natural Sintra-Cascais Walk along dirt tracks until you come to the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Peninha where you can enjoy a wide panorama of the surrounding landscape: on clear days you can see from Cabo Espichel in the south to Cabo Carvoeiro in the north Next to the chapel is a mansion built in 1918 by the same owner of Quinta da Regaleira (closed to visitors) and Planning tip: This area is very exposed to winds The Convento dos Capuchos (also known as the “Cork Convent” due to cork used in its construction and decoration) is a place for contemplation and introspection – appropriate for a 16th-century convent that followed the religious philosophy of the Order of St Francis of Assisi Franciscan monks walked the paths that extended between large granite blocks and dense vegetation welcoming the few men of faith who lived there and visitors alike you’ll encounter chapels and hermitages that have weathered with time yet still retain a spiritual power that will time slow your pace Planning tip: To make entry easier, purchase your ticket online which will assist you in navigating the landmark Sintra has garnered support from artists like Keinemusik while his music has been featured on Ultra Music and Tomorrowland’s One World Radio Drawing inspiration from his Peruvian heritage—which he incorporates through elements like the traditional cajón percussion—Sintra has steadily built his presence through performances at venues and festivals across North America Sintra is also the founder of House of Sin Records a platform he created to foster unrestricted creativity in electronic music Fresh off the success of his latest single ‘Wait For Me,’ a collaboration with Howie Conyack and with his track ‘Brighter Days’ featured on Nora En Pure’s Purified Best of 2024 compilation EG sat down with Sintra to discuss his recent achievements It’s a pleasure to have you here with us It’s a pleasure to be here and I’ve been great There’s so much going on here and lots to be inspired by congratulations on the release of your latest single ‘Wait For Me’ What has the initial reception been like so far Do you remember the first time you played this one live This one has been a personal favorite of mine for some time now and I’m really glad we were able to share it with the world I think the first time I played this one out was actually in Nashville—we did a set on the top of a highrise in the city at night The track itself sounded a little different at the time what can your fans expect to find on ‘Wait For Me’ What was that collaborative experience like Did you guys have a clear horizon in mind before you got started Sintra: What you can expect to find on ‘Wait For Me’ is a blend of lush synths and crisp songwriting that tells a story of heartbreak but that everything is going to be okay and we had a pretty good idea of where we wanted to take things Howie coming from more of a pop background and myself being heavily inspired by some of the deeper sounds in house and Afro we wanted to meet somewhere in the middle and were both thrilled with the final outcome EG: This new drop is already available via your own House of Sin Records Where do you imagine the brand in 5 years’ time What can we expect from House of Sin moving forward Sintra: House of Sin honestly just started as a way for me to self-release I noticed that a lot of labels had a ‘sound’ or wanted records that fit their catalog and I felt like that was a big deterrent to creativity I never set out to make a song with the intention of sounding like another artist or label it was always about making the best music I can I do have plans to release more work on the label and start bringing other acts in as well as throwing well-curated events The brand has definitely started to take on a life of its own I imagine us contributing to the scene in a meaningful way “I noticed that a lot of labels had a “sound” or wanted records that fit their catalog and I felt like that was a big deterrent to creativity” EG: Also ‘Brighter Days’ got a spot on Nora En Pure’s Purified Best of 2024 compilation Sintra: I was really honored when I heard the news It’s funny the way the Purified release ended up happening I had initially written ‘Brighter Days’ for an album and someone on our team had casually played it for her A couple of weeks later she asked about it and the next thing I knew she was supporting it on Purified Radio and playing it out It only felt right releasing it under Purified and we have been very grateful for the home and support they have given the track The Best of 2024 compilation just goes to show how much they believe in this record as well Are you making the music that you thought you’d be making when you first started producing/mixing Do you find your Peruvian heritage in your music I’m definitely not making the music I had set out to make when I started producing and I feel like the music we make is influenced by so many things like how we are feeling I would describe my sound as a blend of deep house such as ‘La Calma,’ I spend a lot of time on percussion because this is where I pull a lot of influence internationally Especially for records that lean a bit more Afro which was primarily used in Afro-Peruvian music I really enjoy using this instrument for fills and transitions so anytime I get a chance to blend Peruvian or Latin sounds in my music It just depends on what the record is telling me you had just played at Space Miami’s The Ground with Kasablanca only a few weeks ago Sintra: That one was really exciting for me Club Space is one of my favorite clubs in the world so playing the first level at The Ground was such an honor I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a bit of pressure but I did what I would for any other set and prepared to play the best show I could My sets are typically a mix of my own records or records I’m currently connecting with that live within the world I’m trying to create This could be anywhere from an indie dance record to Deep House It all depends on what the room is telling me and how I am feeling EG: On to a hot topic now… how do you feel about the current state of the scene Is social media too closely related to one’s ascension in this industry What’s your personal relationship with social media like Sintra: I think it’s an exciting time in the scene we are always going to have trends of what’s in and what’s out but the way music is evolving is very exciting to me you’re hearing a lot of genres and sounds being blended and tried in a way that hasn’t been done before I do believe it is a powerful tool that can help artists build audiences I personally don’t have the best relationship with it but This is definitely an area of growth for us and we’re always looking for creative ways to use it that feel genuine and help us connect with fans “Anytime I get a chance to blend Peruvian or Latin sounds in my music what can we expect from Sintra in the next few months Sintra: I’ve got a big one coming up on New Year’s at Avant Gardner and I’ve already asked all of my friends for recommendations After that we’re in Miami at Jolene Soundroom but it’s overseas at a location I’ve always wanted to play Sintra’s ‘Wait For Me’ is now available on Speed Dial Records. Stream and download here. Follow Sintra: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook  Overtourism posters read ‘Sintra: a traffic jam in paradise’ and compare the wealthy town to Disneyland I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Residents in one picturesque Portuguese town are protesting to protect its historic centre in an ongoing battle against overtourism For years, summer tourism to Sintra’s Unesco world heritage site has threatened to overwhelm residents with congested traffic preventing locals from running everyday errands in the town centre Local association QSintra says that traffic and disrespectful tourists have made Sintra a “congested amusement park” and are calling on the council to take action QSintra’s manifesto said: “To all who live in Sintra and to all who like to visit it It is urgent to defend Sintra and the Serra [mountain range] Last weekend the group placed posters in the area that read ‘Sintra: a traffic jam in paradise’ and compared the town to Disneyland while other messages promised to hold Camara Municipal de Sintra “accountable for sustainable policies with measurable outcomes” “Sintra belongs to everyone and needs everyone,” says the association which is protesting for quality rather than quantity tourism The wealthy Portuguese area has a large expatriate community One British resident told The Times that emergencies would be “frightening” for fire engines or ambulances trying to navigate gridlocked traffic on the narrow medieval streets in the face of inaction from the authorities a member of a resident group said “guerrilla action is needed” Another local said she wakes up at 5am every day to walk her dogs in “peace and quiet” before the stampedes of tourists arrive, in an interview with SIC TV News QSintra said in a statement: “We want Sintra and the people of Sintra to be able to live with tourism but a type of tourism that respects and improves the lives of those who live here and does not harm their daily lives and make them flee from what remains of their own life in the neighbourhoods in the mountains and the surrounding area up to the Atlantic coast “Mechanisms must be created to discourage mass tourism and the flow of people that congest monuments Over 350 Sintra citizens recently signed a protest against the construction of a new hotel and car park in the town’s historic centre that QSintra called “an attack on the cultural landscape” The protest follows a string of similar anti-tourist demonstrations across Europe this summer Thousands protested in Spain’s Palma de Mallorca last Sunday in the latest demonstration against overtourism Carrying makeshift models of planes and cruise ships, protesters walked through the streets of the capital Mallorca with posters reading “No to mass tourism” and “Stop private jets” For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies {"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/in_travel/in_news-and-advice/image/gallery_mpu_sb","autoGallery":true,"disableAds":false,"gallery":[{"data":{"title":"223be777-1c95-401b-8400-374daeb1.jpg","description":"QSintra","caption":"Protest posters call on the council for ‘sustainable policies with measurable outcomes’ Protest posters call on the council for ‘sustainable policies with measurable outcomes’ govt and politics"},{"score":0.677791,"label":"/travel/business travel"},{"score":0.665256,"label":"/law Home » Cycas signs Portuguese hotel European hotel management company Cycas Hospitality has signed to operate its first hotel in Portugal The development in Sintra, near Lisbon will introduce Marriott International’s Autograph Collection to the country With a capacity of up to 260 guests across rooms the hotel is expected to open in summer 2026 The development, being created by project partners Patron Capital and Quest Capital will repurpose a former employee holiday complex that was operated by Compania Uniao Fabril one of Portugal’s largest and oldest industrial conglomerates with distinctive features designed by original architect Antonio Lino Guests will enjoy sun terraces and gardens for the most romantic of ceremonies.  “Partnering with Cycas Hospitality and Marriott International on this exciting new hotel and spa reflects our shared vision to create a landmark destination in Sintra,” said Wiktor Lesinski investment director and partner at Patron Capital “Portugal is a key market for Patron Capital where we have been successfully investing since 2015 our real estate fund that invests in transitioning properties with value-add strategies.” In early 2025, the brand was off to a strong start with two openings during January. These were The Islano, the first Autograph Collection hotel in Croatia, which opened in Cres overlooking the Adriatic Sea. And it was quickly joined in the collection by Veranda Resort Phuket the 159 room hotel includes stunning pools the addition of the Sintra hotel will mean the group now has a presence in 13 European countries operating more than 55 hotels for a variety of owners Its pipeline includes the upcoming 133 room GRIDX hotel in Luxembourg In the UK, Cycas is supporting Marriott as its builds its presence, recently opening a Four Points Flex by Sheraton hotel in London’s Shoreditch. And in early 2026, Cycas will open the UK’s first Fairfield by Marriott hotel a 142 room property adjacent to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon Start a free trial of THP’s database with over 8,500 hotel projects and key contact details You are currently viewing a placeholder content from HubSpot Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers THP is a subsidiary of Sleeper Media © 2025 copyright TOPHOTELPROJECTS GmbH – all rights reserved ShareSaveCommentLifestyleArts7 Inspiring Exhibitions To See In Bilbao, Florence, Lisbon, London And SintraByLee Sharrock Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights My mission is to spotlight great art and culture globally.Follow AuthorJan 16 10:40am ESTShareSaveComment@font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders/schnyders-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-bold-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 700; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Schnyder"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-light-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/schnyders/schnyders-light-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Merriweather"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-regular-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/merriweather/merriweather-regular-webfont.woff") format("woff"); font-weight: 400; font-style: normal;} @font-face{font-family: "Euclid"; src: url("https://i.forbesimg.com/assets/fonts/euclidcircularb/euclidcircularb-regular-webfont.woff2") format("woff2") #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .color-accent{color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.color-base #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .color-base{color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.bg-base #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .bg-base{background-color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.font-base #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .font-base{} #article-stream-0 .headline-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .headline-embed .font-size{font-size: 54px;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .color-accent{color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #FFFFFF;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.color-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .color-base{color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.bg-base #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .bg-base{background-color: #000000;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-accent{font-family: Schnyder,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .quote-embed.font-size p #article-stream-0 .quote-embed .font-size p{font-size: 36px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.color-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .color-accent{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.bg-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .bg-accent{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;} #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed.font-size #article-stream-0 .subhead-embed .font-size{font-size: 26px;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body{color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .color-body-border{border-top-color: rgba(51,51,51 0.8);} .bg-body{background-color: #333333;} #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed.font-accent #article-stream-0 .subhead3-embed .font-accent{font-family: Euclid,"Noto Sans","Droid Sans","Helvetica Neue",Corbel,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;}Grayson Perry (c) Richard Ansett shot exclusively for the Wallace Collection From London’s esteemed arts institutions Tate Modern Royal Academy of Arts and the Wallace Collection to acclaimed European museums including the Guggenheim in Bilbao Centro de Arte Moderna in Lisbon and Palazzo Strozzi in Florence there are a wealth of new exhibitions to see in Spring 2024 Legendary Australian performance artist and fashion designer who was a fixture on London’s vibrant 1980s clubbing scene is given a posthumous Swan song in the form of a retrospective at Tate Modern which will celebrate its 25th birthday this year the former renegade YBA turned national treasure and newly appointed Dame will be exhibiting at Florence’s historic Palazzo Strozzi the Turner Prize-winning Potter who revolutionised traditional ceramic art with his radical social commentary and went on to be Knighted in 2023 takes over the Wallace Collection in London with his contemporary ceramics as he celebrates his 65th birthday which has a historic appreciation of ceramic art dating back to the 15th Century when the Portuguese began importing Chinese porcelain The Albuquerque Foundation in Sintra will open in February with an inaugural exhibition by US Artist Theaster Gates The foundation will house Brazilian collector Renato de Albuquerque’s world-class collection of Chinese Ming and Qing Dynasty Export ceramics the art of Paula Rego and Adriana Varejao will be featured at the Centro de Arte Moderna in Lisbon The Guggenheim Bilbao will present a retrospective survey show of Tarsila do Amaral an important figure in the Brazilian Modernism movement Tarsila do Amaral will also be featured in Brasil a major group exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London Here is my selection of exhibition highlights to provide some creative inspiration during the dark winter months as we head towards the more hopeful light-filled days of Spring Equinox Leigh Bowery Session I Look 2 1988 © Fergus Greer model and musician Leigh Bowery (1961-1994) was a Renaissance man who pushed the boundaries of art and gender bursting onto the London post-punk club scene in the 1980s and making an impact on the worlds of fashion and art gender fluid persona and unique fashion sense paved the way for Avant-Garde fashion designers and performers including Alexander McQueen ‘Tracey Emin: Sex and Solitude’ at Palazzo Strozzi Tracey Emin Naked photos – Life Model Goes Mad I 1996 giclée on photo rag paper 53,5 × 53 cm edition of 3 Curated by Arturo Galansino and enigmatically titled ‘Sex and Solitude’ Tracey Emin’s solo exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence will be her debut show in an Italian institution Seminal works from Emin’s early career will be juxtaposed with contemporary works including paintings A deep dive into Emin’s oeuvre from the past thirty years visceral depictions of the female body and often deeply personal images of love ‘Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur’ at the Wallace Collection placed amongst masterpieces from the Wallace Collection that provided inspiration for the artist Perry pays homage to Outsider artists in the exhibition and includes works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill who exhibited at the Wallace Collection in 1942 More than 40 new works will be exhibited including handcrafted and digitally created pieces that pose questions about the very act of making art Envisioned by Brazilian collector Renato de Albuquerque and his granddaughter Mariana Teixeira de Carvalho the Albuquerque Foundation is a new center dedicated to ceramics opening to public in Sintra on 22nd February 2025 American artist Theaster Gates will inaugurate the contemporary program with a solo exhibition of curated sculptural ceramics The Albuquerque Foundation will be the permanent home to the world’s largest private collection of Chinese Ming and Qing Dynasty Export ceramics which took Renato more than six decades to assemble and comprises over 2,600 rare pieces Portugal played an important role in the cross-cultural exchange between East and West 15th Century when the Portuguese began to import Chinese porcelain The Albuquerque Foundation is situated on the fringes of Lisbon in Sintra a UNESCO World Heritage site and as well as the permanent collection of ceramics will house a pavilion dedicated to temporary exhibitions of contemporary ceramics The Birth of Modernism at the Royal Academy of Arts Brazil’s modernist movement kicked off in the 1910s and peaked in the 1970s capturing the diversity of the country and referring to indigenous identity and Afro-Brazilian experience whilst embracing international trends The Birth of Modernism will present works from Brazilian private and public collections for the first time in the UK Afro-Brazilian artist Rubem Valentim and performance artist Flávio de Carvalho will feature as well as self-taught artists Alfredo Volpi and Djanira da Motta e Silva Anita Malfatti spearheaded the movement and will feature prominently in the exhibition as well as Tarsila do Amaral a leading female figure of Brazilian Modernism Tarsila do Amaral: Painting Modern Brazil at Guggenheim Bilbao Tarsila do Amaral Seamstresses (Costureiras) 1950 Oil on canvas 73.3 × 100.2 cm Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo ©Tarsila do Amaral Licenciamento e Empreendimentos S.A a key figure of Brazilian modernism whose work is also being featured in Brasil The Birth of Modernism at the Royal Academy of Arts in London is co-organised by the Réunion des Musées Nationaux–Grand Palais and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and was first presented at the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris in autumn 2024 do Amaral’s oeuvre was infused with indigenous imagery and a sense of activism and it referenced the modernizing forces of a rapidly-transforming Brazil Her painting was the root of the Pau-Brasil and ‘Anthropophagic’ movements multicultural and multiracial Brazil aimed to refound the country's relationship with the European ‘centers’ of colonization do Amaral divided her time between avant-garde São Paulo and Paris in the 1920s and was influenced by the avant-garde of these two cultural capitals at a time when Cubism and Primitivism were dominant artistic movements ‘Paula Rego & Adriana Varejão: Entre os vossos dentes’ at Centro de Arte Moderna Paula Rego & Adriana Varejão: Entre os vossos dentes (Between Your Teeth) foregrounds the works of two women artists who came from different generations but occupied a similar space with themes of colonisation and identity The starting point of the exhibition is Paula Rego’s 1993 painting A Primeira Missa no Brasil (The First Mass in Brazil) a rarely exhibited work belonging to a private British collection the exhibition creates a dialogue between the work of Adriana Varejão a contemporary Brazilian artist who continues on a path of pioneering work developed on post-colonial research and the politically charged art of the late Portuguese artist Paula Rego Insights into our work on financial stability and payments and market infrastructures Access to all ECB statistics and background information All you need to know about our common currency In-depth studies and expert analyses covering diverse topics and fields High-quality images of the ECB Forum are available via Flickr We want to open up the debate on social media and we encourage everyone to get involved in the discussions Join the conversation by using hashtags #ECBForum and #YoungEconomistPrize their backgrounds and their diverse expertise and professional experience The participants will ask questions and cast their vote for the Young economists' competition.  Dinner hosted by the Executive Board of the European Central Bank Live streaming of the speech will begin at 20:00 Author: Giorgio Primiceri Northwestern University(together with Domenico Giannone Discussant: Fernanda Nechio, Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of San FranciscoDiscussion of “The drivers of post-pandemic inflation” Author: Theresa Kuchler Stern School of Business(together with Stefano Giglio Discussant: Katia Karousakis, Biodiversity Programme Leader, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and DevelopmentComment on “The Economics of Biodiversity Loss”  Coffee break and poster session for the Young Economist Prize Informal dinner hosted by the Executive Board of the European Central Bank Poster session for the Young Economist Prize Author: Kristin Forbes Massachusetts Institute of Technology (together with Ayhan Kose and Jongrim Ha Discussant: Paolo Surico, Professor, London Business SchoolDiscussion of “Rate Cycles” Author: Antonin Bergeaud Discussant: Kalina Manova, Professor, University College LondonDiscussion of Past, Present and Future of European Productivity Award ceremony for the Young Economist Prize Reception and dinner hosted by the Banco de PortugalThe bus to the dinner venue departs at 18:00 You can find more information on this year's Forum on the dedicated landing page From there you have access to all related content including our answers to some frequently asked questions.  We use functional cookies to store user preferences; analytics cookies to improve website performance; third-party cookies set by third-party services integrated into the website You have the choice to accept or reject them For more information or to review your preference on the cookies and server logs we use Read our privacy statement Learn more about how we use cookies Jackie Daly selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter A terracotta-hued villa in labyrinthine gardens sweeps into view as the gates to the Albuquerque Foundation open – a postcard view one might expect of a quinta in Sintra the Portuguese town close to Lisbon noted for its romantic architecture The monolithic glass box wedged into landscaping beside it goes wildly off-script – its undulating roof soars over the building like a sunhat almost touching the shoulder of its sun-worn neighbour The duality is striking: past and present facing the future side by side The entrance to the Albuquerque Foundation © Matilde ViegasThe entrance hall of the quinta with Portuguese azulejo tiles © Matilde Viegas“Ceramics have everything to do with community,” she says of the motivation for the project “They are produced for the most convivial moments in life Teixeira de Carvalho lives and breathes art. The sculptural heels of her Dries Van Noten pumps and the splashes of colour on her coat hint at a calling that she’s pursued since 2009, leading her to work as a director at a number of prominent galleries, including Hauser & Wirth She lives in London with her seven-year-old daughter but as the co-founder of the foundation and chair of the board she will be travelling between countries She chats with easy candour as we take a tour of the grounds pausing briefly to watch a gardener shuffle between lavender flowerbeds as the sound of hammering rings out from the surrounding buildings – a flurry of final preparations Check your internet connection or browser settings and includes rare examples of First Orders – the earliest commissions of Chinese porcelain by the Portuguese featuring European iconography which will showcase up to 20 per cent of the hitherto rarely seen works “We will have different shows relating to different aspects of the collection so people will always have something new to see,” says Teixeira de Carvalho “But we’ll also probe the more difficult questions raised by it: it represents a period in a history of trade between two empires one with the skills and resources to make porcelain the other seafarers who mapped the world but also colonised many parts of it.” A view of the museum from the lower gardens © Matilde ViegasQing-dynasty copper inkstand decorated with famille rose enamels and gold from the Albuquerque Collection of Chinese Ceramics © Matilde ViegasA spiral staircase descends into the gallery © Matilde ViegasAnother part of the narrative is how her 97-year-old grandfather came by the artefacts a true storyteller with so many anecdotes,” says Teixeira de Carvalho as we descend a spiral staircase into the wood-lined gallery serene and punctured by foliage-filled windows “I love his story about how he came across a pair of 18th-century eagles,” she continues “He searched for 40 years to find them and bring them back together!”  initially had to be “strongarmed” to take part in Teixeira de Carvalho’s grand scheme fearful it would be seen as an ego project and for years no one knew who owned the collection It was only when the Met organised a show in 2016 but could not proceed with an anonymous owner that he agreed to be named it was simply known as the RA collection.”  We peer through treasure-filled glass cases that stretch through the mid-section of the building there’s the crab,” Teixeira de Carvalho says excitedly spotting a crustacean-shaped tureen produced c1770 during the Qing dynasty There are only two other such examples in the world “They feature the coats of arms of various European families The collection is so diverse – some pieces are super-traditional others quirky – but what strikes you most is how these delicate objects have survived over decades To finally have everything together in Portugal where many of the pieces were first commissioned Teixeira de Carvalho sneaks us into a temperature-controlled unit that is typically out of bounds: a trove filled with objets of all kinds In one corner is a giant wooden horse brazenly baring its teeth and But she heads straight to a drawer filled with her favourite pieces “Look,” she says almost whispering as she holds a hand mirror up to the light the frame and handle painted with delicate flowers carefully returning the mirror before lifting the tiny lid of an ornate inkwell next to it Teixeira de Carvalho has inherited her grandfather’s collecting genes even taking a course at the V&A in Chinese ceramics with a view to helping to safeguard the collection But her own interests are also reflected at the foundation which will show both modern and traditional work “I live in the contemporary world,” she says as we leave the gallery and head to another new building at the far end of the gardens a changing roster of shows will spotlight emerging and established ceramic artists “This entire region is attracting a much more international crowd and this is what most of them will want to see.”  “It’s a ceramic floor made from black clay where Gates will install a series of his own sculptures and a selection of pieces he personally chose from the Albuquerque Collection The layered histories that each of those objects carry will meet and clash which is all very present in his work in general.”  He gleefully recounts the story of how Gates fooled the world with a fictional Japanese ceramicist called Shoji Yamaguchi a figure supposedly married to a Black civil-rights activist who he invented to spark conversations about the marginalisation of certain ethnic groups and artistic mediums The ruse was only revealed when Gates turned up at the opening of Yamaguchi’s real-life exhibition and announced it was his work at the end of the evening “He’s a very contemporary and extremely urgent artist,” says Visconti “We want people to visit the permanent collection and then come down here and make the connection.” “Plus, Gates began with ceramics,” Teixeira de Carvalho chimes in, “and he’s acutely preoccupied with community-based projects.” She recalls being influenced by the work of Brazilian artist Anna Maria Maiolino at Documenta 13 in 2012; she had filled a former gardener’s home with abstract “I guess that unconsciously sparked the idea of doing something with this house but I was also struck by the juxtaposition of ceramics as both high art and domestic objects but also a familiarity that most can relate to People can be intimidated by huge canvases but there’s an ancestral memory in ceramics.”  A 19th-century chapel in the quinta dedicated to San Antonio © Matilde ViegasA Qing-dynasty porcelain dish from the Albuquerque Collection of Chinese Ceramics © Matilde ViegasMariana Teixeira de Carvalho at the Foundation © Matilde ViegasWe enter the old villa where she and her sister shared a bedroom when returning from their studies in Brazil; generations of her family gathered for celebrations here around a long table in what was the dining area Both have now become part of a residency where we’ve created space for three residents.” Downstairs, the store is set to be a go-to for Portuguese artists such as Beatriz Horta Correia, Vania R Goncalves and design practice Ther while the hope is that the bar and restaurant will draw families wanting to stay for the day nostalgia creeps in when we enter the old chapel adorned with Portuguese azulejo tiles beneath a frescoed ceiling it will be a quiet space to sit and watch presentations about the project “We’ve been careful to embrace the past and bring it with us,” Teixeira de Carvalho says “I had mixed feelings when we closed down the house and I came with my grandfather and my daughter and we were dealing with the possibility of losing my grandmother [she died in January 2023] and the loss of this place; but at the same time we were together and we knew we were going to turn this into something amazing That was a rite of passage,” she says looking around the villa “The moment this stopped being a family home and became something bigger than us.”  Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email The full restoration of the water supply in some areas of the municipality of Sintra should happen this afternoon after the supply was cut due to the power outage on Monday but municipal services expect “all situations to be progressively regularised by 3 pm today” The same source stated that, due to the blackout, the Portuguese Water Company (EPAL) cut off the water supply to some municipalities around Lisbon including the municipal services of Sintra “This connection was only made again today at 8:30 but rather because the water reservoirs are filling up and in some places the water is still not at a level that can supply people’s homes,” he explained According to the Sintra City Council, “everything else is functioning normally”, after the electricity was restored. Lusa carried out a round-up of the effects of the power outage in municipalities around Lisbon, with Oeiras stating that all services had been restored and were fully operational since 11:30 pm on Monday. In Odivelas, electricity was restored throughout the municipality at 00:23, according to the municipality. The water supply in Odivelas was restored, but residents in Vale Nogueira, in the parish of Caneças, were without water until 12 pm. A widespread power outage affected Lisbon, Portugal and Spain on Monday, starting at 11:30 am, and the authorities have yet to provide an explanation. We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to, we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small. You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time. Send us your comments or opinion on this article. Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal, written in English, Dutch, German, French, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese. Planning a holiday or a day trip to Sintra This is our list of the best things to see and do has long been a favourite destination of Portuguese royalty and it’s known for its many whimsical palaces and villas – including the Palácio Nacional de Sintra and the magical garden of Quinta da Regaleira You’ll also find hidden coves and towering mountains in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park as well as the westernmost point of the country Cabo da Roca – all just a half-hour drive from Lisbon33 777 / Unspalsh Quinta da Regaleira Tours A long-time royal retreat Sintra is full of beautiful 19th-century villas and palaces – but none are as magical as Quinta da Regaleira The romantic palace was designed by Italian architect Luigi Manini in the late 19th century grottoes and follies – and both the house and garden are full of mystic symbology is also known as the Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire in a nod to its most-famous former owner businessman António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro Visit a Royal Palace Architectural Landmark The earliest surviving part of the palace was built in the early 14th century and the palace was almost continuously inhabited from the 15th century until the late 19th century As the best-preserved medieval royal residence in the country Skip the queues and buy tickets in advance online then spend a few hours wandering through the ornate interiors Shreyas Nair / Unsplash Cabo da Roca Tours It feels like you’re standing at the edge of the world at this remote and rugged headland in Sintra – so it’s no surprise that Cabo da Roca was believed to be the edge of the world up until the 14th century The cape marks the westernmost point of Portugal and features a notable lighthouse that dates back to 1842 it’s a popular spot to watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean challenging clifftop hiking trails lead to secluded coves If you have to choose one place to visit in Sintra head to the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais Alongside spectacular natural beauty that combines dramatic mountains and coastal cliffs with sandy beaches and forests you’ll find some of the region’s most interesting historic attractions including the fairytale-like pink and ochre Pena Palace – regarded as one of the country’s Seven Wonders There’s also plenty of hiking trails and even fossilised dinosaur tracks Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Take in the Views From the Highest Point in the Serra de Sintra Natural Feature in the forested Parque da Pena marks the highest point in the Serra de Sintra mountain range A cross was originally placed here in the early 16th century The replica that stands here today was erected in 2008 and is carved from a single block of limestone Hike up to the 528m (1,732ft) summit for views over Lisbon Mark Lawson / Unsplash Sintra Tours This Moorish castle sits high on a hilltop overlooking Sintra and dates back to the eighth and ninth centuries While some ruins of the original structure remain – including a mosque and several houses – the main walls and towers that stand today were built and restored in the 19th century under the direction of King Ferdinand II you can see all the way out to Arrabida in the south Cabo da Roca in the west and Peniche in the north import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_2"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Admire the Dramatic Coastline at Praia da Adraga Natural Feature Maksim Shutov / Unsplash Portugal Tours Nestled between towering cliffs in the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais this pristine golden cove is known as one of the best beaches in the Sintra region for good reason Alongside the dramatic landscape – which features wind- and sea-carved rock formations – there’s a beachside restaurant shower facilities and a lifeguard in the summer months You can only reach Praia da Adraga by car and the small carpark can fill up quickly so it’s best to arrive early in the morning Located at the Sintra Air Base – with additional sites at Ovar and Alverca – the Museu do Ar (Air Museum) is a fascinating insight into more than 100 years of aviation in Portugal The main museum features more than 40 historic planes and helicopters propellers and engines in an expansive space – along with the Pioneers Room which is devoted to Portugal’s most famous aviators There are also exhibitions detailing the history of TAP Air Portugal the airport authority of Portugal – and which include the original model of Lisbon Airport © pdropinto / Getty Images This 313m (1,027ft) summit in Sintra is home to several excellent hiking trails including the easy Rota Circular do Pedra Amarela for the nearby Pedra Amarela Base Camp – an adrenaline-fueling adventure camp on the southern slopes of the Serra de Sintra in the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais follow a canopy trail or give archery a go Shutterstock / Obcykany Portugal Trips and Tours Planning a visit to the beautiful Portugal If you’re keen to see as many of these gorgeous sites on this list as you can you’re best off booking a multi-day tour that shows you the very best this country has to offer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October See & Do Lesser-Known Summer Destinations to Visit in Europe See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Spring Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in August Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd The municipal executive of Sintra has approved the cooperation contract with the PSP for the urban video surveillance system in several parishes in the municipality but the installation of the 144 cameras depends on the public tender for their acquisition According to a proposal by the vice-president of the council, Bruno Parreira (PSD), the draft of the inter-administrative cooperation contract with the PSP was unanimously approved which aims to “regulate the use of equipment related to the video surveillance system” intended for the protection of “people and public and private property as well as the “personal data subcontracting agreement” The municipality of Sintra and the PSP have identified the locations where the installation of video surveillance cameras is justified “with the aim of preventing and repressing crime and combating the feeling of insecurity experienced in some parishes in the municipality” according to the draft inter-administrative contract video surveillance systems can only be used “to protect the safety of people in public places or places with public access and to prevent the commission of acts classified by law as crimes in places where there is a reasonable risk of their occurrence” The project submitted by the National Directorate of the PSP and the municipality for approval “foreseen the installation of 144 video cameras at points identified by the PSP as necessary taking into account the number of criminal incidents” in each of the locations The National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) ruled on the “compliance of the proposed system with the technical requirements of the equipment” provided as well as on “compliance with the principles of use of the cameras” the municipality installs the entire video monitoring system through the acquisition of the private fiber optic network to be used by the National Internal Security Network while a management and control centre is created at the PSP facilities for recording and viewing the collected images The approved system is authorized to operate for three years starting from the effective start of operations when the contract between the municipality and the PSP comes into force “The cameras will not be on every street or every corner” we will start “living in a kind of ‘Big Brother’” We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time Send us your comments or opinion on this article Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal we follow Shauna Coxsey as she attempts to make the 3rd ascent of Mito Sit (8B+/V14) in Sintra The boulder was first climbed in March 2022 by Jun Shibanuma and adds five moves to the 7C crouching start almost all of which involve pulling hard on small Will Bosi made the second ascent of the boulder during a short trip to Sintra in the summer of 2024 Overall 1st place in the 2016 and 2017 IFSC Bouldering World Cup Britain's first Sport Climbing athlete in Tokyo 2020 Shauna Coxsey has made the second ascent of Lupin on Stanton Moor in the Peak District just one month after Jim Pope put up the problem There's only a single hold on the entire problem The boulder took Shauna a total of just two sessions to complete Shauna Coxsey has been the figurehead of UK Climbing for over a decade winning multiple IFSC World Cup titles and representing Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics Now transitioning from the high-intensity world of competition climbing to the raw,.. Shauna Coxsey has just returned from a fruitful trip to La Pedriza FRI NIGHT VID we get front row seats to Babsi Zangerl's historic flash of Freerider on El Capitan Setting off on a ground-up attempt this past November Babsi and her partner Jacopo spent three days battling polished slabs.. fresh from his ascent of the 9A Soudain Seul Adam Ondra heads out with the aim of flashing some hard boulder problems We get an insight into the preparation before these attempts and also a little look at.. Pertex's new documentary 'Adra' explores the history ttwo local climbers set their sights upon a visionary.. This week's Friday Night Video is a deeply personal and inspiring story about Danny Giovale "The adverse weather conditions caused by the Martinho depression which were felt with great intensity last morning caused considerable damage in the Serra de Sintra," stressed the PSML adding that there were "numerous falls of trees which prevent circulation in the forest perimeter of the Serra According to the survey of the public capital society that manages the historical parks and monuments of the mountains Therefore today "the parks and monuments located in this area will remain closed the Capuchos Convent and the Monserrate park and Palace which have already been closed to the public" since Wednesday The park and Palace of Monserrate should reopen on Saturday but the visit to these historic gardens "will be conditioned to the delimited routes The Pena National Palace is expected to reopen on Sunday as well as the Castelo dos Mouros and the Convento dos Capuchos These decisions are related to "the need to ensure the safety of visitors and employees which is the company's absolute priority," said Sofia Cruz adding that the teams on the ground are "developing efforts to remove fallen trees and branches The official stressed that the monuments did not suffer any damage "only some secondary structures were affected and "the reopening of the spaces will only occur when all security conditions are restored" because they are located outside the forest perimeter of the Serra de Sintra the National Palace and the Jardins de Queluz and the facilities of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in Belém It is unfortunate that I have traveled all the way from Florida USA to not be able to go the main places I came for-Pena Palace and The Moorish Castle No fault of this country but totally disappointed This was a once in a lifetime visit that cannot be duplicated ceramicists and furniture makers are exhibiting and selling their wares in new stores and galleries that celebrate the skills of talented locals in between eating and drinking you’ll want to see Lisbon’s sights – from the Belém Tower to Castelo de S Jorge – but there’s plenty more to experience in this wonderful Here are the best things to do in Lisbon on your next trip which tumble down the hillside below the castle Winding lanes are flanked by beautifully tiled palaces and dotted with shady squares lined with fragrant orange trees and bars and cafés with sardines grilling over the coals outside Don’t worry about navigating a route; aim to get lost and you’re bound to discover a pretty corner with striking views across the city – just pack your trainers In the evening head for Casa de Fados in Mouraria Formerly the home of 19th-century singer Maria Severa it’s one of the best places in town to listen to the soulful sounds of fado it’s a wonder – a place of colourful palaces The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the Vila Palace with its two distinctive cone-shaped chimneys Fado is a music genre that is thought to have originated in the 19th century in Portugal (although it’s likely to have been much earlier) and no visit to Lisbon is complete without experiencing the melodic tunes If you wander through the old town of Alfama you’ll likely hear it entirely by accident Website: clubedefado.pt and the one that gives the best look at the city for those visiting for the first time the route was designed to take residents from the central Baixa district to neighbourhoods like Graca and Estrela and subsequently goes through many sights and charming neighbourhoods and you can expect to queue – taking the ride early will help ease the wait a little Website: ceramicasnalinha.pt but there’s more to the city’s ceramic history than patterned house-fronts and has been making ceramics for centuries – in fact where you can shop the vast offering and pay per kilogram – expect to find plates Along with fifth-floor BAHR restaurant (exemplary dishes served alongside wide river views) which offers original and delicious takes on traditional pastries the castle underwent a huge renovation in the 1940s and is now arguably the most popular tourist attraction in all of Lisbon means that it's always busy – so we recommend visiting in the morning or late afternoon and buying tickets online to skip the queue there's nothing quite like standing above all of Lisbon and taking in the view of the city's terracotta roofs to the River Tagus and beyond – if you're a first-time visitor to the city we highly recommend visiting this wonderful monument The area retains its industrial warehouse vibe making it a great place to spend an afternoon head to the top of the hostel to the rooftop bar and enjoy a caipirinha or two in the sunshine Website: lxfactory.com instantly recognisable with its white dome ceiling Visitors can enter the pantheon and climb to the top where they’ll have a perfect view of the stunning symmetrical design from above It’s also a great place to see the city from above with views stretching way across the Tagus river Website: panteaonacional.gov.pt including colourful vegan leather wallets and backpacks by emerging Lisbon brand We the Knot local designer and former pro-surfer Ana Costa creates T-shirts and sweatshirts in muted tones or check out homegrown menswear brand La Paz for clothing that channels the city’s Atlantic coast location Eyewear company Fora stocks a range of glasses and sunglasses designed in Lisbon and hand-made in the north of Portugal which is held every Tuesday and Saturday and has an eclectic selection of craft and design vintage collectibles and second-hand clothing every visitor should take in the view of Lisbon from above slow DJ sets and sharing menus and you have all the ingredients for long but the tower – built between the years 1515 and 1521 – is not to be missed It was designed to serve as both a gateway to the city of Lisbon and as a defence against possible invasions and attacks from the Tagus visitors can enter the fort and enjoy the architecture up-close hire a bike and cycle along the river until you reach the tower locals tend to frequent the free miradouros – or viewpoints – dotted around the city to watch the sun go down The Miradouro das Portas do Sol is the one you’re most likely to have seen on social media thanks to its tiled decor and bougainvillea but for a more quiet experience we recommend the Miradouro da Graça Bring a drink and a picnic to enjoy while you soak up the vibes of the city the Museu do Fado – Lisbon has seemingly endless museums to visit If your trip is a fleeting one and you’re forced to prioritise we recommend the National Museum of Ancient Art and silverware capture Portugal’s riveting history from the Middle Ages through the 19th century but there's so much more to see in this area a short train ride from Lisbon's city centre The Gothic-style Jerónimos Monastery is a massive imposing but beautiful building that was designed by the Portuguese architect Diogo de Boitaca to commemorate the return of Vasco da Gama from India The construction began on 6 January 1501 but wasn’t completed until the 17th century when it became home to the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome (who are said to be responsible for the famous Portuguese tart recipe) Website: lisbon.net There are a number of different walking trails in the 50 hectare park depending on the length and difficulty that works for you but each is beautiful and makes for an ideal escape from the crowds that congregate in the city centre plus learn about local plates and traditions You can go from nibbling sardines on street corners of the old town to tasting house-made hot sauces and taking a shot of ginjinha – a sour cherry liqueur loved by locals and tourists alike Website: culinarybackstreets.com but makes for a wonderful day trip for history buffs and architecture fans which was once the summer residence of the royal family Italian and Portuguese paintings and an impressive library containing 16th There's so much to explore that you could easily spend the majority of the day here stroll around the town and take lunch at one of the typical tascas serving up classic Portuguese dishes the River Tagus is undoubtedly one of the most photographed parts of Lisbon But just admiring it from solid ground doesn't quite give the full experience which is why we highly recommend booking a sunset boat cruise for an unforgettable memory but booking through Airbnb is a solid option where you can choose between more intimate tours or party trips there have been dolphins spotted in the Tagus – so if you're extremely lucky you might be one of the few who get to spot them in the wild without even leaving the vicinity of Lisbon and given that Portugal has the highest rate of wine consumption by country in the world the locals certainly have a thing or two to teach visitors While you'd have to travel to reach a vineyard from Lisbon Nova Wine Bar is a must-visit for those looking to learn a little more about the many grape varieties and the growing wine industry here Owner Pedro (who once worked in advertising before realising his love for wines) tailors his recommendations to the tastes of guests – and if you don't know exactly what you like chances are he'll figure it out for you He also pairs wines with small plates brilliantly – expect Portuguese classics like sardines and meats – leaving you wanting more so you'll still have a taste of Portugal once you've left Website: novawinebar.pt but the view from the top of Parque Eduardo is still unparalleled The viewpoint at the highest point of the park looks down towards Avenida da Liberdade and over the River Tagus and while the city centre tends to be a busy place this part of Lisbon feels like a peaceful escape from the crowds If you get tired of strolling and admiring the view including visiting La Estufa Fría – the botanical gardens – and The Amalia Rodrigues Garden a green space dedicated to the protagonist of fado in Lisbon you're almost guaranteed to be in need of refreshments after the incline so pop into Praia no Parque for a spot of lunch in the most picturesque of locations which took place on All Saints’ Day and killed around 60,000 people interactive look at the events that led to the disaster what locals may have experienced during those few days and the impact the event had on the city's architecture and town planning featuring simulations and a look at what future earthquakes in the vicinity could look like it's located in Belém near the Torre de Belém Pastéis de Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery so you can make a day of it and tick off multiple attractions in one go a small cave-like bar with knowledgeable and friendly staff Be warned: you'll certainly be tempted to take a bottle or two home While plenty of places in the city now offer panoramic views of the famous skyline few have the history of this 19th-century Neo-Gothic structure Built in 1902 as one of the city's public transport systems it once allowed residents to easily access the higher parts of the city of seven hills back when it was notoriously difficult to do so Lisbon’s inhabitants were so excited to try this novelty at the time that you can expect similar lines of people queueing up to experience the lift – smart tourists will visit first thing in the morning to try to avoid these long lines here's a top tip: head to Carmo Convent turn right on Travessa Dom Pedro de Menezes climb a flight of stairs and cross the bridge connecting the elevator Renato de Albuquerque raised his arm to make his first bid at an auction It was a sale in the interior of São Paulo and he was completely oblivious to the fact that the seemingly perfect Chinese porcelain was broken on the back you acquired it in that condition,’ the auctioneer replied over the phone to his frustrated bidder The São Paulo engineer barely knew that it would be the cornerstone of one of the most important Chinese porcelain collections in the world his rather unique passion for ‘export ceramics’ would earn him a dedicated museum on the other side of the ocean ‘’This collection consists of numerous objects for domestic use, and it seems to make sense for it to be on display in a home environment, where my grandfather lived for some time. It also provides an inviting and familiar atmosphere for those who have never seen or heard of a collection of this kind,” Mariana, herself a beginner on the subject (“I’m going to visit mainland China for the first time now in March and I honestly cannot wait!”), she says. During one of his TED Talks, Theaster said: “I spent about 15 years making pots… You quickly learn how to make amazing things out of nothing. As a potter, I feel you also start to learn how to shape the world.” Mariana went to meet her daughter and grandfather at the end of the interview for this article: “There are four generations of the family gathered here”. The thousand-year-old pieces are now building a new chapter in their history. is a journalist and researcher specializing in contemporary art Driven by a fervent commitment to making contemporary art more accessible Julia established the digital platform Bigorna (@bigorna_art) She holds positions as the primary writer at the global network for art curators and as Curator & Writer of the Portuguese group Cultural Affairs Julia has worked as an art journalist and critic at Veja São Paulo and contributed to celebrated cultural projects including the Creative Europe-funded initiative 4Cs She holds degrees in Journalism from Universidade Mackenzie and a Master's degree in Culture Studies from Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Lisbon Subscribe to the Newsletter (EN Version)! I accept the Privacy Policy Subscribe Umbigo Portugal — When Europe’s most powerful technocrats gathered this week at a secluded mountain resort near Lisbon to discuss their deepest concerns you'd have expected them to focus on the election in nearby France.  But instead their gaze was fixed on developments across the Atlantic where uncertainty over the direction of the world’s largest economy has been growing since U.S President Joe Biden’s poor showing at a debate last week against Republican rival Donald Trump.  “I think everybody in Europe is watching the U.S “Concern about France would be related to the high cost of borrowing — [whereas] concern about Donald Trump is concern about the fragmentation of the global economy.”  as with every Sintra invitee interviewed for this story asked to remain anonymous on the grounds that central bankers — and other financial policymakers —  have a tradition of independence that bars them from commenting on national politics. Even as political turmoil intrudes ever more on their turf Since Sunday's first round of voting in the French general election much of the European establishment has been fixating on the prospect of political breakdown in the country A final election round on July 7 may yet reward the far right with control of parliament for the first time in the country’s postwar history.  But at this year’s ECB Forum on Central Banking — an annual elite gathering near the town of Sintra featuring top central bankers from four continents — the prospect of French financial turmoil drew a collective “meh.” In private discussions — including over veal rump with rosemary seabass and creamy salmon — mention of France elicited at most a shrug with some policymakers even confessing they weren't following the situation that closely.  One official on the ECB’s Governing Council dismissed the threat out of hand telling POLITICO that the leadership of Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally (RN) would be moderated by power — just as Italian PM Giorgia Meloni has been so far.  we would do as necessary,  but [currently] it doesn't look to be of extreme and major concern,” another Governing Council member told POLITICO Part of the initial worry for policymakers was that an RN majority would roll out major new spending plans and thwart President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to bring down France’s deficit turbulence in French bond markets has faded since Bardella watered down some of his spending proposals with one participant noting the drama was par for the course in an election period “The road to fiscal salvation is going to be bumpy — you will [inevitably] go through phases of dramatization that’s unavoidable,” the person said.  multiple ECB officials suggested to POLITICO that Frankfurt would be ready to deploy its crisis-fighting powers — the so-called Transmission Protection Instrument — should things go south.  those gathered at the opulent Ritz-Carlton Penha Longa resort were fretting about events across the Atlantic which — unlike affairs in France — they are powerless to influence Among their concerns was that a victory by Trump could see the U.S abandon Ukraine to its fate while burdening Europe — already suffering from chronic low growth — with the cost of defending the would-be EU member in its ongoing war against Russia.  It's still not clear that Trump would turn his back on Kyiv — and that “Trump comes with lots of uncertainty,” said the Governing Council member quoted above “And you never know if that is going to be good or bad.” Others worried that Trump’s trade and economic policy would accentuate both the protectionist drift and the fiscal slippage seen in the U.S Goldman Sachs chief economist Jan Hatzius warned that Trump’s proposed blanket tariff of 10 percent on imported goods — and up to 60 percent on Chinese goods — would ultimately have a bigger impact on Europe potentially depressing its economic growth by as much as 1 percent “The key is trade policy uncertainty,” Hatzius said “We consistently find that the euro area is more susceptible than the U.S.” as much of the academic discussion at the Sintra gathering made clear election is only one of many variables that might further convulse the global economy.  “People are broadly concerned that the world as we know it is going away,” another attendee said what cannot last forever cannot last forever.” is that waging a trade war at the behest of the U.S is a reasonable price to pay to keep the U.S But should a Trump administration leave Europe high and dry as it withdraws from Europe to focus on its own economic health that bargain could be exposed as catastrophically self-defeating top Vatican diplomat Pietro Parolin has become a point of convergence for cardinals looking to restore Vatican’s primacy the alt right are attempting a hostile takeover of the group deciding on the next pope A fight for control over a vast chunk of Italy’s debt pile tests Rome’s influence and could reshape the Italian financial system It’s the first time the Kremlin has acknowledged the estimated 11,000 North Korean troops fighting for Moscow in the region Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Lisboa instagramfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Time Out Market Lisboa Time Out Lisbon Go for a walk on Óbidos’ historic walls – just over an hour away from bustling Lisbon Meandering through Lisbon’s hilly, cobblestoned streets and neighborhoods is one the greatest travel pleasures there is Yet since people can use a break from even the most pleasant pastimes we’ve come up with a list of terrific day trips from Lisbon From surfing beaches and romantic hill towns to emerging art spots and heritage sites here are worthwhile ideas for exploring within the vicinity of the Portuguese capital – with each trip less than two hours away Mystical and romantic Sintra makes for one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. The small town is folded into lush mountains that contain ostentatious palaces – which form a UNESCO World Heritage site – and is home to an estate with a history of esotericism and secret rituals no trip to Sintra is complete without a stop for typical regional pastries Casa Piriquita has baked the famous travesseiros (a light puff pastry with an egg and almond filling shaped like a pillow) and the bite-size tarts known as queijadas de Sintra Take the suburban train from Rossio (Sintra line) or Oriente (Azambuja line) the shortest route is on IC19 – but bear in mind that only residents’ cars buses and taxis are allowed in Sintra’s historic center Sintra is 45 minutes from Lisbon by train and 30 minutes away by car Trains depart every 15 to 20 minutes on weekdays Surfers won’t mind the bad weather, however: after all, they’re here to ride this World Surfing Reserve’s famous waves. Ribeira d’Ilhas is a renowned beach for surfers and fans and often the stage of surfing championships Praia de São Sebastião is mostly used by local surf schools take a slow walk in the historic center; visit Capela da Boa Viagem with its walls covered in floor-to-ceiling tiles; and sit in the shade on one of the benches overlooking Praia dos Pescadores to people-watch Several Carris Metropolitana buses depart from Campo Grande Metro station to Ericeira’s bus terminal – and you can pay the fare with the reloadable Navegante card valid for all public transit in Lisbon Bus 2740 has the most scheduled departures; trips take at least one hour Parking spaces in the historic center are limited so the best option is to leave your car at the bus terminal and walk.  Stop for lunch at Casa Santiago – preferably trying the city’s signature dish, choco frito (deep-fried cuttlefish) – and afterward meet the dolphin family resident in the Sado estuary on a tour with the sustainable and responsible tour company Dolphin Bay Catch the Fertagus train from Entrecampos or Sete Rios, then walk from the Setúbal train station to Praça do Bocage. If you’re in downtown Lisbon, it’s easier to catch the ferry boat to Barreiro, then take the CP train from there to Setúbal getting off at Praça do Quebedo to be closer to the historic center The walled city of Óbidos draws large crowds of travelers – and it’s easy to see why it enchants so many. In its medieval core, fortified walls enclose cobbled streets flanked by whitewashed homes Walk atop the walls (if you dare) to enjoy amazing views of the town below and up to the Castelo de Óbidos a 13th-century structure that is now a hotel called the Pousada do Castelo Rua Direita – the town’s main road – is lined with shops selling chocolate and sour-cherry liqueur (ginjinha) to entice the many visitors Yet be sure to make time for a rewarding wander deeper into the winding streets Óbidos might be the biggest draw for bibliophiles. This atmospheric town is a UNESCO City of Literature and features a number of amazing bookstores operates in the 18th-century São Tiago church lending a spiritual air to the act of browsing While Óbidos is a popular day trip, visitors may be tempted to stay the night at The Literary Man. This book-lined hotel also boasts the Literary Gin Bar where even casual visitors can sip cocktails with suitably bookish names Óbidos is about 1¼ hours away from Lisbon via the A8. Take exit 15 and follow the signs to Óbidos. Travelers can take this same expressway to continue west to Peniche. If you prefer public transit, a bus operated by Rodoviária do Oeste departs from the Campo Grande bus station Departure schedules can be found online; tickets are purchased aboard the bus A once-industrial city on the south bank of the Rio Tejo, Barreiro is slowly emerging from its factory-heavy past – and has become an up-and-coming day-trip destination whose main attractions and tours pay tribute to its industrial heritage. In a sign of Barrerio’s transformation, the well-known street artist Vhils has moved his workshop to Baía do Tejo As you come out of the ferry, walk to the left until you reach the old train station. Beyond the building, you’ll notice the white-sand beach, Alburrica, famous for its windmills and a local favorite in the summer. Look for street art alongside Av Bento Gonçalves. On your way back to the ferry station, have a peek at ADAO a local arts-and-culture organization that occupies a refurbished fire headquarters this cafe-bar serves only Portuguese-made products Take the Transtejo ferry from Terreiro do Paço; a one-way ticket costs around €2.80 Ferries depart every 30 to 60 minutes on weekends and every 10 to 20 minutes on weekdays While many just pass through Cacilhas en route to the Cristo Rei viewpoint this colorful riverside borough of Almada is worth more than a pit stop Give into the enticement of freshly grilled fish at riverside restaurants – and stay for the picturesque small-town houses local amateur fisherman and a thriving cultural scene Traditional restaurants closer to the ferry boat station, like the famous Ponto Final you’ll find a greater variety of restaurants from pizzas and artisanal hamburger joints to ice cream shops and spots serving typical Portuguese fare Take the Transtejo ferry from Cais do Sodré. A one-way ticket costs around €1.50, and it takes 10 minutes. Ferries depart every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of the day and day of the week. It was a chance encounter during math class in school that led to Chandni Shah and Jack Dave’s storybook romance The duo grew up in the same town in New Jersey then each other’s first love; which blossomed over 15 long years as they experienced life’s special milestones together—from attending high-school prom to late night drives between their respective colleges in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and moving into their first apartment in New York City “There was something so charming and serene about our time there that we wanted to bottle it up and share it with our loved ones We soon started brainstorming locations for our wedding,” she adds After looking at venues in Italy and Spain Portugal for its sweeping mountain views and lush countryside laced with pastel-hued structures and historical charm an investment banker gathered 150 of their closest friends and family for a 3-day celebration at the luxurious Penha Longa Resort a palazzo-style estate set amidst the rolling hills of a nature reserve The bride worked with their wedding planners to create five different mood boards for the celebrations each leaning into her theme for something classic and regal The celebrations started with a playful haldi ceremony with the venue kitted out with marigold and peach florals they hosted a welcome party combined with the mehendi where guests were treated to a breezy evening with fresh Italian fare and an assortment of Portuguese wines the bride chose an embellished ivory lehenga with appliqué work by designer Aisha Rao while the groom complemented her in an ivory kurta set by JadeBlue set against the canvas of the Nuncio Gardens The serene space was transformed into a rustic paradise with a floating mandap built on a pond The minimalist design featured life-like paper flowers in shades of ivory and studded with pearls for a surreal “Having seen so many designs of traditional mandaps I just knew I wanted to do something different and whimsical,” Shah reveals She sat down with her wedding planner and designer exchanging ideas till they eventually decided on paper mache flowers “We lined these down the aisle and around us for the pheras weaving in perfectly with the tranquil setting.” accentuated with a classic bridal kundan necklace set and matching jhumkas The sangeet, which followed the same evening, was a spectacular affair, held at a 17th century castle with sweeping views of the sea. “We had kept the location of the sangeet a secret from our guests We started off with a cocktail hour at the terrace of the castle before opening doors to the inside of a tent where the event was held we invited guests back out on the terrace for a dazzling fireworks show above the sea,” the couple shares the bride chose a biscotti gold lehenga by Seema Gujral completing her look with a messy bun and sultry eyes The groom wore a mirrored sherwani with geometric motifs by stalwart designers Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla The celebrations wrapped up the next evening with a sophisticated cocktail and reception at the resort, with a theme that centred around moody, dramatic decor, lots of chandeliers and an intimate dinner seating. For this, the couple kept their look minimal and elegant with the bride donning a Maggie Sottero ivory gown with a tulle train mini bridal lace number by Rosie Etienne Bridal She slipped into crystal bow slingback pumps by Amina Muaddi completing her look with a chic pony and glowy makeup The duo recalls some of the most unforgettable moments from their wedding that might have seemed fleeting then but are now some of their fondest memories. Dave reminisces how the sun made a bright appearance at their haldi after a brief spell of rain The crowd around us cheered when I said at that moment “You can’t appreciate the sun without a little bit of rain,” he reveals it was witnessing a magical ‘strawberry moon’ at their sangeet as it coincided with the start of the summer solstice the couple celebrated with a champagne tower culminating their 3-day Portuguese fiesta that was one for the books The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast Monuments in the Sintra mountains are closed this morning for safety reasons which caused a tree to fall on Estrada de Monserrate According to a note from Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua (PSML) sent to Lusa “following the weather conditions” on Wednesday night and early morning today the Moorish Castle and the Capuchos Convent are and access to the Monserrate Park and Palace is restricted,” adds PSML between Sintra and Colares (Lisbon district) is closed to traffic due to the fall of a tree and it is expected that the removal and cleaning of the road will be completed by 11 am according to an official source from the company that manages Sintra's parks and monuments as visitors can access it via the EN375 on the Colares side The monuments will remain closed until 12 pm and “the information will be updated on the official channels of Parques de Sintra” The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) recorded 40 incidents related to strong winds between midnight and 7 am today