If you’re into mountains, nature, hiking, but also fairy tales and castles, you must visit Sintra! I have never met anyone who was disappointed by it! From the Rossio Train Station in Lisbon, we boarded a tourist-packed train and 40 minutes later we were there!
Quinta da Regaleira
From the Sintra train station, we took a taxi directly to Quinta da Regaleira. It was funny the taxi driver almost didn’t want to take us and tried to convince us that it was near enough to walk. He didn’t realize we were all a little tired by this point in the trip, and we had planned a full day exploring Sintra so any energy we could conserve was worth it.
A cool wall made with cut tree trunks.
I don’t know how I completely missed this place last time I was in Sintra because it’s like one of the most “Instagrammable” spots in this little mountain town. (Seriously, what guide was I reading? Tripadvisor?) We quickly found the waterfall with the rock steps and tunnels that everyone takes photos with. The architect must have been a fun little child at heart. I could imagine kids having the best time playing hide and seek in this garden!
I was so glad we got there early because just an hour later there was definitely a major traffic jam on the stone path to cross the pond. Also, it was very dark inside the tunnels and mom accidentally stepped off the path into some water. Either bring a flashlight or use your phone! But I simply just adored this place!
I took a shortcut up to the Initiation Well. The outside of the well entrance was unassuming, but my jaw dropped as soon as I stepped inside. I evesdropped on a tour guide telling her group something about leaving bad luck at the bottom and death from a nearby “Poison Tree”. I should probably look up the legend sometime.
Didn’t know it was a shortcut when I decided to go this way.
Initiation Well Entrance 
At the top of the well 
We spent most of the time here exploring the gardens and only breezed through the mansion itself. While the inside was ornate and beautiful, it was really outside of the palace that held the most interest for me.
Small chapel outside of the mansion.
Pena Palace
After a quick lunch in
Now that I had learned a little bit more about the Moorish influences in all of Iberia, I was starting to pick out all the different styles and elements. It was just as breathtaking the second time around but I paid more attention inside the palace this time and noticed more about the decor. The kitchen was open to tourists now which I didn’t think it was last time.
How short were these people? 
Looks safe to me. 
Candelabras 
Massive Kitchen
Moorish Castle
A short-ish walk from Pena led us to the entrance to the Moorish Castle, but it was a steep climb to the top! It almost reminded me of climbing the Great Wall of China.
On the way back to town, we stopped in a Ginja shop and sampled the local specialty of sweet cherry liqueur in chocolate cups. Yum!
Cabo do Roca
A 30-minute car ride from Sintra was the westernmost point of Europe. It was cliffy, windy and absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset. I was so pleased with our timing because it didn’t always work out that way while traveling. There weren’t always fences along the cliff, which made my legs a little tingly. Strongly recommend taking Ubers while in Portugal, they were so cheap! It was only €15 each way from Sintra. Definitely worth it for four people to save time and hassle.
And just like that, our trip came to an end, and so ends this series in the Claire the Explorer blog. A huge sigh of relief, now I can rest easy knowing I finished them before our baby boy arrives!!
The End (For Now).
C.