Originally planning to take the bus up to Pena Palace on a 1 way journey, we were told that it would cost €11 and no other cheaper ticket was available. 
You will notice there are 3 very distinct parts to the building - the red on the left was created with inspiration from The Big Ben in UK, followed by The Taj Mahal in India (centre), and finally the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City (right).
We even met a Malaysian working in Prague that was travelling with her friend originally from India. She caught our attention as she was dressed in an Indian outfit and posing for pics beautifully in the area.
Still in the Pena Palace Park, we made the walk towards Valley of the Lakes our final stop.
As we walked down, we also spotted a building which had not been marked but looked rather impressive as well.
We could also not say no to Nata when we spotted one enroute down. And for good reason too! It was served fresh out of the oven piping hot, the custard was soft and creamy and that crust was just so crisp!
We also needed to stop to try Ginja, a local cherry brandy served in a chocolate cup!
This was the last stop that we needed to visit before it closes.
I overheard a guide explaining some features of the architecture and it has to do with life and rebirth, and heaven and hell. Very symbolic.
Met a couple of Singaporeans who are on a student exchange programme in Barcelona, and in Lisbon for their spring break. Recognised them quite easily from the accent - Singapore accent is one of a kind!
So instead of squeezing on the bus, we took a Tuk Tuk ride, and the driver gave us some additional information on some of the sights around the area and even stopped at a viewpoint of Pena Palace, where we can see all 3 sections quite distinctly.
You will notice there are 3 very distinct parts to the building - the red on the left was created with inspiration from The Big Ben in UK, followed by The Taj Mahal in India (centre), and finally the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City (right).
The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It is also used for state occasions by the President of the Portuguese Republic and other government officials.
It was originally a monastery, but was damaged very badly in the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake.
The building remains was later transformed into a Palace in the mid 1800s that would later serve as a summer residence for the Portuguese Royal family.
This place is one of a kind, and said to have been the inspiration to the Neuschwanstein castle in Germany, which later inspired the creation of Disneyland.
There was the option of the Pena Palace Park or both Pena Palace and Park tickets. We opted for just the Park ticket, which also allowed us access to the foyer area of the Palace.
We took so many pictures here because it was so incredible.
There were so many intricate carvings on the building too, example this Triton arch symbolising the Creation.
We even met a Malaysian working in Prague that was travelling with her friend originally from India. She caught our attention as she was dressed in an Indian outfit and posing for pics beautifully in the area.
From here, we could also see the Castelo Dos Mouros, a hilltop medieval castle, built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries.
It was an important strategic point during the Reconquista, and was taken by Christian forces after the fall of Lisbon in 1147.
We then walked towards the High Cross, the highest point in the Sintra Hills standing 528 metres in altitude and had a good view of the Palace from here too. From this angle it really looks like Neuschwanstein Castle.
Still in the Pena Palace Park, we made the walk towards Valley of the Lakes our final stop.
There are still more areas we could have explored, but we wanted to cover 1 more attraction in Sintra before it gets dark.
We left the Pena Palace Park at 1.30pm and made our way down towards the city centre, stopping midway to get lunch from an idyllic cafe along the way - a Pork Sandwich. There was a very good image of Sintra in this cafe.
As we walked down, we also spotted a building which had not been marked but looked rather impressive as well.
We could also not say no to Nata when we spotted one enroute down. And for good reason too! It was served fresh out of the oven piping hot, the custard was soft and creamy and that crust was just so crisp!
As much as Belém Nata was the original, I personally preferred this one. It was missing the cinnamon though.
We also needed to stop to try Ginja, a local cherry brandy served in a chocolate cup!
Quinta da Regaleira
This was the last stop that we needed to visit before it closes.
The property consists of a Romantic palace and chapel, and a luxurious 4 hectare park that features lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and a vast array of exquisite constructions.
The most famous and iconic structure is this Initiation Well - this well was never used as a water source but for ceremonial purposes including Tarot initiation rites. A 27-metre spiral staircase with several small landings. The spacing of these landings, combined with the number of steps in the stairs, are linked to Tarot mysticism.
After wandering the grounds for a couple hours, we finally got to the palace! The palace is also known as "The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire", which is based on the nickname of its best known former owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. The palace was designed by the italian architect Luigi Manini.
Met a couple of Singaporeans who are on a student exchange programme in Barcelona, and in Lisbon for their spring break. Recognised them quite easily from the accent - Singapore accent is one of a kind!
They are the 1st Singaporeans I have met while on my trip in the last 4 months! It's good to see travel is starting to come back to normality again.
City Hall
One last pit stop before leaving Sintra as we came across this grand building - Even the City Hall is architecturally beautiful
We took the train back and back in Lisbon, I went out looking for dinner and found this quaint place which served a set menu for just Euro 10. What a steal! I was even given a complimentary night cap!
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