Lisbon :: Day 4

Today we have decided to rent a car and drive outside Lisbon to go visiting Sintra and the coast, especially Cabo da Roca, the most western point of the continental Europe. How exciting! We can't wait to start driving around and see the portuguese countryside...

To drive out of the city is very easy, also thanks to our satellite navigation system. Sintra is only a 30 min. drive and as soon as we exit the highway, we start going up the hills passing by little built-up areas of delightful little houses that seem to have been taken inspiration from fairy tales. We also have the same impression of Sintra. The historical city centre has narrow steep alleys around the Royal Palace (it was the summer palace of the Portuguese Royalty). From the distance also the rest of the town is charming.

At the top of the hill, over Sintra, there is the Moorish Castle, that dominates all the area and from which it's possible to have a fantastic view of the country and the Ocean.

Not too fat from this castle, there is another palace, Palacio de Pena, another Royal summer retreat with a huge park and a bizarre architecture. We loved visiting this place.

We are quite in a hurry to visit Palacio de Pena, because we want to arrive at Cabo da Roca before the sunset. The place is another 30 min. drive from Sintra and the road to the Ocean passes through little villages of white houses. The first thing you see upon arrival at Cabo da Roca is the lighthouse. Then, walking closer, it's stunning to look down the cliffs and see this amazing landscape. We stayed in silence, hearing only the sound of the wind and of the waves against the rocks. In front of us the Atlantic Ocean and a sunset that takes our breath away. Ely can't just stop taking pictures, and I can't blame her. It's beautiful!!!

We wait until the sun is down to go back to the car, because it's cold now. On the way back to Lisbon, we decide to stopover in Cascais, a nice marine town on the coast. We are looking for a place where to eat something warm, but we are so tired that we decide to go back to our hotel in Lisbon and get ready for the trip back home tomorrow.

Goodbye Portugal! Goodbye Lisbon!