Sintra, Municipality in Greater Lisbon, Portugal
Sintra is a town in the Lisbon region, located about 16 miles (25 kilometers) west of the capital and surrounded by forested hills that rise several hundred meters. The town extends from the coast to the mountainous interior and includes several smaller settlements scattered along the slopes.
The first traces of human settlement reach back to the Stone Age, while Romans settled here from the 1st century BC. After Moorish rule, Portuguese forces conquered the region in 1147 and turned it into a favored summer retreat for kings.
The town carries a name shaped by Roman settlers and later refined through Moorish influence. Today visitors associate it with the colorful facades of its palaces and the dense vegetation that keeps temperatures cool even in summer.
The town sits higher than the surrounding area, so visitors should bring comfortable shoes and a light jacket even on warm days. Many landmarks are spread across the slopes, so plan for some walking or short bus rides between sites.
The mountains create a particular climate where plants like the Pyrenean oak and hazel thrive, species usually found farther north. Fog often rolls through the valleys in the morning and leaves moisture that is essential for the vegetation.
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