Portugal Diary Day 3-Sintra

To my delight, we decided to take a trip to a few small cities here in Portugal. Each city has a unique aspect about it. Sintra is my favorite so far, due to the quaint little houses and interesting little shops. Plus the city is just beautiful. The city is built into the hills, below the castle, so the streets are mainly only meant for walking and are small and cobbled. The streets also labyrinth around the shopping area where there are restaurants and small shops on the main level. The windows above, which I think are small apartments look directly across to their neighbor. The buildings are tall and skinny and nicely aged so the paint is cracked revealing the stucco and brick beneath. It actually reminds me of how Paris probably looked before Napoleon re- built the city. We had to walk through the gardens and up a flight of what felt like about a million steps. I think it was only close to a few hundred, but it was still exhausting.

(Sintra- steps into town)

(Sintra- City "blocks")

We didn't have the chance to tour the castle, but we were able to drive up to the main gates up an incredibly curvy road. We all got a little carsick. It was beautiful though, bright green forest surrounding the castle grounds. I hope next time we go back we get to tour the castle, but we must make sure to wear good walking shoes, because it certainly is a hike!

(The palace walls from the center of town looking up)

(The entrance of the Palace in Sintra)