Summary
West of the capital, Agualva-Cacém is a municipality located in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. In this residential suburb, you are approximately thirty minutes away from the heart of Lisbon, yet in proximity to Sintra as well. This town, situated beneath a mountain range, served as a preferred summer retreat for the Portuguese court.
If you have an interest in palatial architecture, you are in luck, for both Sintra and the western hills of Lisbon are abundant with historic estates belonging to kings and aristocrats. You will require three days to adequately explore the palaces surrounding Sintra. Moreover, there is the splendid Carcavelos Beach and the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble of the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, located merely 15 minutes away.
Let us explore the most notable attractions in Agualva-Cacém:
1. Quinta da Regaleira
This enchanting estate is one cultural landmark you cannot overlook when visiting Sintra.
The visionary and affluent businessman, Carvalho Monteiro, let his creativity and interest in Freemasonry flourish here, creating a marvelous world replete with enigmatic symbols, tunnels, and caves.
There is an abundance of features to explore, such that you could easily spend an entire day wandering through its nooks, grottoes, gazebos, and whimsical decorations.
Within the park lies an “initiation well,” a haunting stone cavity featuring a spiral staircase that is the site of esoteric rituals.
The palace showcases a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline-revival architecture, executed with opulence.
2. Castelo dos Mouros
The name of this formidable fortress indicates its origins, having been constructed by the Moors during the 700s and 800s.
It came under Christian control in 1147 and became a vital stronghold during the Reconquista.
Although the castle now exists mostly in ruins, its long crenellated wall remains intact along the cliff top, connecting four towers.
The location is paramount, situated on a rocky spur on the northern edge of the Sintra Mountains.
The views from the Royal Tower are breathtaking, and you will discover numerous archaeological remains, including a Romanesque chapel and the remnants of a cistern.
3. Palace of Queluz
Located less than ten minutes by road from Agualva-Cacém, this magnificent rococo palace was commissioned by Dom Pedro of Braganza in the 1740s.
He later married his own niece, Queen Maria I, thereby becoming King Consort.
The palace thereafter served as a royal residence until the royal family sought refuge in Brazil following the French invasion of Portugal in 1807. Today, Queluz functions as a decorative arts museum, with rooms that illuminate the wealth Portugal experienced in this period.
The Sala de Mangas illustrates the opulence of Portugal’s colonies, while the Hall of Ambassadors and the Ballroom feature abundant gilded plasterwork.
The gardens are beautifully maintained and showcase a 100-meter-long canal adorned with exquisite azulejos.
4. Sintra National Palace
Similar to Sintra’s castle, this palace has a history that traces back to the Moorish occupation.
Following the Reconquista, it became associated with the Portuguese monarchy, serving as a residence from the 12th century until the 19th century.
Most of the original architecture has since vanished, owing to significant renovations in the 15th and 16th centuries that established its current blend of Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance styles.
The two conical white chimneys atop the roof have become symbols of Sintra, while the interior courtyards exhibit a distinct Mudéjar influence alongside geometric tiles produced in Seville.
5. Old Sintra
Situated beneath the National Palace, and nestled amid a crucible of towering wooded hills, lies the historic heart of Sintra.
As Sintra is a favored tourist destination, it is advisable to arrive early to avoid the crowds.
The area features a winding maze of narrow streets and stairways waiting to be explored; however, due to the incline, be prepared to pause and enjoy the views.
Additionally, given Sintra’s history as a summer retreat for the Portuguese court, there is no shortage of palatial architecture to capture, in a town that inspired English poet Lord Byron to write “The Giaour” during his Grand Tour.
6. Belém Tower
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Belém Tower is located a mere 15 minutes from Agualva-Cacém.
This structure was constructed on an island in the Tagus River at the dawn of the 16th century.
The tower played a significant defensive role for the city, safeguarding the approach to Lisbon’s harbor.
Moreover, its architecture is opulent, epitomizing the Manueline style prevalent during the early 1500s.
This architectural style draws inspiration from the Moorish period, evident in the dome features of the tower’s turrets.
A beautifully crafted Venetian loggia overlooks the river, embellished with intricate carvings.
The tower swiftly became a renowned landmark for voyagers departing for and returning from extensive journeys.
7. Jerónimos Monastery
In close proximity to the Belém Tower is this remarkable monastery, part of the same World Heritage Site and recognized as one of Portugal’s “Seven Wonders.” Similar to its neighbor, this monument reflects the affluence and confidence of the era when Vasco da Gama returned from India with invaluable wealth.
This is evident in the southern and western portals, adorned with an array of Manueline and Renaissance ornamentation and sculpture.
The Church of Santa Maria is equally astonishing, featuring ethereal vaulting and housing the tombs of Vasco da Gama and the esteemed poet Luís de Camões, who chronicled the Age of Discovery.
8. Museu de Marinha
Located within the north and west wings of the monastery, this naval museum chronicles Portugal’s extensive and captivating maritime history.
The museum traces its origins to the 19th-century reign of Luís I, who showed great interest in navigation and Portugal’s seafaring legacy.
In this evocative setting, you can peruse approximately 6,000 artifacts, with particular emphasis on the Age of Discovery.
Exhibits include uniforms, nautical charts from various eras, navigation instruments, and countless miniature ship models dating back to the 1400s.
In the Galeotas Pavilion, you will find royal vessels, including a brigantine built in 1780, which was last sailed when Queen Elizabeth visited Lisbon in 1957.
9. Praia de Carcavelos
Traffic permitting, you should require no more than 15 minutes to reach this captivating beach situated along the Lisbon-Cascais coast.
Praia de Carcavelos, open to the Atlantic, experiences consistently excellent surf (you may have the chance to catch an event if you visit during winter). Additionally, the ocean temperatures can be invigorating, even during the peak of summer! However, the beach’s allure lies in its size; stretching 1.5 kilometers, you will likely find ample space even in the busiest months of July and August.
10. Pena Palace
Another of Portugal’s most cherished landmarks lies within a brief journey, approximately 20 minutes to the west.
The Palácio da Pena could be considered Portugal’s version of Neuschwanstein, despite being constructed 30 years earlier.
This palace is perched on one of the highest peaks in the Serra de Sintra, designed to be visually striking; you can even see it from Lisbon on clear days.
Exemplifying the “Eclecticist” style of the mid-19th century, it features an amalgamation of historical styles, including Moorish, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance.
The result is a whimsical blend of domes, turrets, and battlements.
The interior is equally ornate, particularly the Salão Nobre, adorned with stucco work, chandeliers, and stained glass dating from the 1300s to the 1800s.
11. Monserrate
If you still seek captivating architecture, another mid-19th-century palace awaits to enchant you, situated a short distance west of Sintra’s primary landmarks.
This estate was constructed for an Englishman, Sir Thomas Cook, and exhibits Sintra’s characteristic mixture of Moorish and Gothic Revival styles.
The interior features a stunning staircase with intricate stucco detailing, and a remarkable circular music room accessed via a corridor that could well be inspired by “The Lord of the Rings.”
The grounds embody a Romanticist design, with an array of imported bamboo, ferns, and cedars.
12. Lisbon
It is essential to devote as much time as possible to exploring this unparalleled city.
Transportation can be somewhat challenging. Rather than navigating by car, or opting for the commuter train, consider taking a cab to Reboleira station.
This station serves as the western terminus of the Metro’s Blue Line, allowing efficient access to the city center.
From there, you can choose to head directly to major attractions like the São Jorge Castle and the monumental Praça do Comércio.
Alternatively, follow your curiosity through the picturesque old neighborhoods of Alfama and Bairro Alto.
13. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The final entries on this list can be reached within minutes from either the Lisbon Metro’s Blue Line or the Sintra commuter train line.
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum was established in accordance with the wishes of its namesake, a businessman who amassed a fortune through oil exploitation in the Middle East and subsequently invested in an extraordinary art collection.
The museum showcases ancient art from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, and Armenia, along with an impressive array of European paintings and sculptures that defy expectations.
Noteworthy artists represented here include Rodin, Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet, Turner, Degas, and Camille Corot.
14. Lisbon Zoo
Situated on the western outskirts of the city, Lisbon’s zoo was inaugurated in 1882, with many of the animals initially sourced from the royal family’s private menageries.
Presently, it has evolved into a modern attraction with a strong emphasis on conservation.
The zoo is home to 332 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, featuring popular attractions such as African elephants, zebras, giraffes, and tigers.
The reptile enclosures have recently undergone renovations, and a bridge elevated several meters above pools is available for viewing alligators.
The zoo also features a cable car offering 20-minute panoramic views above the park. Furthermore, a free-flight aviary allows birds from all seven continents to soar in semi-freedom.
15. S.L. Benfica
The new Estádio da Luz was completed in time for Euro 2004 and has a seating capacity of 65,000. This stadium serves as the home ground for S.L. Benfica, a name synonymous with the legendary Eusébio and Béla Guttmann’s dominant teams of the 1960s.
Benfica remains the most successful team in Portuguese domestic football; however, they have not secured a European title since Guttmann’s departure in 1962, which allegedly cast a curse upon the club! You can familiarize yourself with their storied history via the stadium tour, or attend a match during the season from August to May.
In an intriguing pre-game ceremony, the bald eagle Águia Vitória circles the stadium before landing on the club crest.
