Sintra - Palacio da Pena

This palace was next stop on the loop after the castle, but lesson was that we should have got here earlier and done it first. We could have got tickets to enter the palace , but only if we were prepared to wait over two hors. It was that busy. So we opted instead just to visit the park (rather expensive for a walk in the woods) 

As a fantasy palace it looked great from the outside. All we got into was the cafeteria for self service lunch.

In the grounds we made our way to this cross (which has been several times rebuilt) which marks the highest point in the area - under 700 metres which felt a surprise for all the climbing we had been doing

 

Sintra - the Moorish Castle

I wish I had known more about Sintra before heading out there. First it is really a two day trip, not one. Not because it is a long journey but because there is too much to see. Secondly, there is a hop on hop off bus service that links the sites in two loops. Which both take in the station so we didn't need to do the walk into town.

We took the bus that took in the Moorish Castle and Pena, which seemed the logical order in which to do things, given the castle was first stop.

This is the tiny chapel at the Moorish castle

Now the castle is indeed a Moorish construction, but it has been massively restored originally in the 19th century to be a romantic spot to visit rather than with the aim of historic restoration. Which means it makes for a very pleasant place to wander around, but its not an authentic ruin.

One can see why it was built here. A commanding view of the area. Although a hell of a place to haul up that much rock