This charming village is one of a kind! From Ericeira, it takes about 25 mins to get there by car during which you will pass by seemingly never ending hills and farmer`s ancient stone walls.

Park the car in Azenhas and discover the cobblestone paths that take you uphill until you get rewarded with awesome views over the waterfront.

Enjoy lunch at Azenhas do Mar Restaurant (wonderful food, rather chique but comfortable) or have a drink at their beach bar on your way back to celebrate the sunset with a cocktail under a bamboo umbrella. Isn’t life so good!!

Not far from Sintra’s historical centre, Carvalho Monteiro transformed this 4-hectare estate into a palace. You’ll experience enigmatic constructions with hidden alchemical meanings, such as those evoked by the Freemasons, Templars and Rosicrucians – all based on a design by the Italian architect Luigi Manini. The varied styles of his work evoke Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline architecture. Walk around the exotic park and experience its lush gardens, lakes and grottoes – a true philosopher’s mansion of alchemical inspiration!

☝️ Our hot tip: If you don’t have much time, make sure to visit at least the Quinta de Regaleira!

Not very far from the historic centre you’ll find this representative building of 19th century eclecticism. The palace combines gothic and indian influences as well as moorish suggestions together with exotic and plant motifs which are harmoniously extended to the exterior.

The front garden of the palace not only provides a well-deserved rest, but one of the richest Portuguese botanical gardens, with species from all corners of the world, planted according to their geographical origin.