Sintra Private Tour (Mercedes-Benz E/V Class)

Built in the 18th-century, the Palace of Queluz is one of the last great Rococo buildings to be designed in Europe. Following the destruction by fire of the Ajuda Palace, in 1794, Queluz Palace became the official residence of the Portuguese royal family until the monarch’s departure to Brazil, following the Napoleonic invasions in 1807. Often referred as the Portuguese Versailles, the palace was recently renovated. Today, one of the wings of the palace, the Pousada D. Maria I, is used for the reception of the head of states that visit the country.

The National Palace of Sintra is confused with the cultural landscape of the village. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 1992, this monument is the best preserved royal residence of the medieval age in Portugal. Between the XV century and XIX century there were several members of Portuguese royalty who inhabited this site — Queen Amélia (1885-1951), the last queen of Portugal, was very fond of the palace and made several drawings of it. After the great earthquake of 1755, the Palace underwent major renovations. With the foundation of the First Republic, in 1910, it became a national monument.

The National Palace of Pena is a symbol of the Portuguese 19th century romanticism. Its architecture contrasts with the deep forest that surrounds the Palace. The interior is also soaked in the romanticist spirit with painted terraces, decorative battlements, mythological statues, secret paths and ornate rooms. This monument was restored in 1910 when the Portuguese nobility fled to Brazil to escape the republican revolution and remains until today one of the most iconic places in Portugal.

Known by the Roman Empire as Promontorium Magnum, Cabo da Roca forms the most western mainland point of continental Europe. This cape is situated in Sintra, near Azóia. Luis Vaz de Camões, the greatest Portuguese poet of all time, referred to this place in his epic poem Os Lusíadas (The Lusiads) as “where the land ends and the sea starts”.

Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth) is located in the seaside cliffs close to Cascais. The seawater has access to the deep bottom of the chasm and it is known for its vigorously strikes on the rocks. This natural cave appeared in the 1896 British film A Sea Cave Near Lisbon, which shows sea waves breaking through the cliff rocks.

Estoril is known as a luxury entertainment destination nearby Cascais. Its Casino is one of the most famous in Portugal. During the 2nd World War, Estoril became a pole of espionage and diplomatic moves providing the region with a cosmopolitan, sophisticated and luxurious environment. The former Portuguese dictator, António de Oliveira Salazar, had a summer house in this location.

Cascais is a cosmopolitan village situated in Lisbon district. In the 19th century, when the Portuguese royal family made this seaside town their summer residence, the Portuguese aristocracy established a community there. King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, and King Umberto II of Italy are some of the distinguished European monarchy members that lived in this village. Besides this, Cascais is known for its beaches and historical center. Its coast view is one of the most popular tourist points in Portugal.