🏰 Think You've Done Sintra? Think Again

Happy Sunday, amigos 😎

One of the things I love most about living in Portugal is that there always seems to be somewhere new to discover. And that’s where our monthly travel features from the wonderful Marga at Discover Portugal are often a great reminder of just how much there is still to explore!

Last month, Marga took us to the famous anchor graveyard at Praia do Barril in the Algarve, and this week she's taking us somewhere a little closer to Lisbon: Sintra. But not the Sintra you already know. Instead, she's sharing some of the area's lesser-known gems for those of us who may have already ticked Pena Palace and the usual classics off the list. In fact, after reading her article, I'm already planning my next visit!

Also on the menu today, our wonderful language tutor, Mia Esmeriz, is giving us a Portuguese lesson on the difference between depois and após, and how to use these words correctly in a sentence.

So, whether you're looking for inspiration for your next Portugal adventure or simply hoping to add another little piece to your Portuguese language puzzle, there's something for you in today's edition.

So grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let's dive in, shall we?

Today's local travel guide is brought to you by Marga from Discover Portugal. Last time, she took us south to the eastern Algarve to explore Praia do Barril, a beautiful beach that's home to over 100 rusty anchors.

This week, Marga is heading to one of Portugal's most iconic destinations: Sintra. But instead of revisiting the usual tourist hotspots, she's sharing some of the area's lesser-known gems, from elegant palaces and tranquil gardens to a hidden convent tucked away in the forest. Whether you're planning a day out with visiting family or simply looking to experience a different side of Sintra, this guide is packed with inspiration for your next adventure.

And do yourself a favour, don't just read the article, click through to view the full guide online. Marga's guides are always incredibly detailed, full of practical tips and local insights that help you discover places beyond the obvious and make the most of exploring Portugal.

🏰

Sintra is one of those places almost everyone wants to see when they visit Portugal. And honestly, fair enough! Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and the Moorish Castle are famous for a reason.

But if you live in Portugal, there comes a point where every visiting friend or family member says: "We really want to go to Sintra!"

And you think… lovely. But maybe not Pena Palace again.

The good news is that Sintra has much more to offer than the most famous sights. So whether you’re planning your own day out, showing visitors around, or trying to combine one classic stop with somewhere new, there are plenty of places that feel a little different.

Monserrate Palace is still one of our favourite places in Sintra, even though it’s not exactly a hidden secret anymore.

It’s quieter than Pena Palace, the gardens are beautiful, and the palace has a completely different style, with Moorish, Gothic, and Indian-inspired details.

It feels romantic, slightly exotic, and very Sintra, but without the same level of chaos you often get at the biggest monuments.

That said, there’s one important thing to know if you’re planning a visit soon: restoration work is currently taking place at Monserrate, with scaffolding expected to remain until spring 2027. After that, I cannot wait to photograph proposals there again!

Would we still go? Yes, especially for the gardens.

The park itself is a big part of the experience, with winding paths, exotic plants, little viewpoints, and a much calmer atmosphere than the busiest parts of Sintra. Just go knowing that the palace may not look as picture-perfect from every angle right now.

→ Read our full Monserrate Palace guide here

Queluz Palace is one of those places many people somehow miss, probably because it isn’t in the historic centre of Sintra.

But if you like palaces, gardens, tiles, and royal history, it’s very much worth knowing about.

It’s often called Portugal’s answer to Versailles, although I’d say it has its own quieter Portuguese charm. You’ll find elegant rooms, formal gardens, fountains, azulejos, and far fewer visitors than at Pena Palace. Read: we went in December and we were alone!

It’s also easier to combine with Lisbon, as it's located between Lisbon and Sintra rather than deep in the mountain area. That makes it a great option if you want a royal palace experience without dealing with the full Sintra day-trip logistics.

→ Plan your visit to Queluz Palace here

Biester Palace is another interesting one if you’ve already done the obvious Sintra sights.

It only opened to the public relatively recently, so many people still don’t know about it. The palace is close to the historic centre and has a slightly mysterious, romantic feel, with beautiful architecture, gardens, and views.

It’s also a good option if you’re visiting Sintra with someone who wants to see Quinta da Regaleira, but you want to add something different to the day. You can keep the famous stop, but still discover a place that feels new.

And that’s often my favourite way to plan Sintra after you’ve lived in Portugal for a while: one classic, one lesser-known place, and enough breathing room for coffee, lunch, or travesseiros.

→ Add Biester Palace to your Sintra list here and discover what Johnny Depp has to do with this palace!

If Pena Palace is colourful, dramatic, and built to impress, the Convent of the Capuchos is the complete opposite.

This small Franciscan convent sits deep in the Sintra hills and feels simple, quiet, and very connected to nature. Instead of grand rooms and bright colours, you’ll find tiny spaces, stone walls, cork-lined interiors, forest paths, and a completely different side of Sintra.

It’s not the easiest place to reach without a car or taxi, but that’s also part of why it feels so peaceful compared with the busier monuments. Again, we were alone....

→ Discover the Convent of the Capuchos here

If your guests are visiting Portugal for the first time, they may still want to see one of the famous Sintra sights. I wouldn’t necessarily talk them out of it.

But you don’t have to plan the exact same day every time.

You could combine Pena Palace with Monserrate, Quinta da Regaleira with Biester Palace, or make it a quieter day with Monserrate and the Convent of the Capuchos. If you want something easier from Lisbon, Queluz Palace can be a great half-day trip without the full Sintra mountain logistics.

The trick with Sintra is not to overpack the day. Distances look short on a map, but transport, hills, queues, and crowds can slow everything down quickly.

So instead of trying to see five places in one go, choose one main sight and one extra stop you haven’t visited before.

That way your visitors still get their Sintra moment, and you get to discover something new too.

If you live in Portugal and feel like you’ve already "done" Sintra, this is your reminder that there’s still plenty more to explore.

Monserrate, Queluz, Biester, and the Convent of the Capuchos all show a different side of the area. Some are easier to visit, some take a bit more planning, but all of them are useful to keep in mind when guests come to stay and Sintra inevitably ends up on the itinerary again.

Start with our Sintra guides here:

→ More things to do in Sintra

🌴

With thanks to our collaborator for today’s travel article. Marga is a Dutch travel writer, photographer, and Portugal expert who founded Discover Portugal after falling in love with the country during a 2019 visit and relocating to Lisbon permanently in 2021. With over 25 years of travel experience and a background in tourism, aviation, and tech—including nearly eight years as an international flight attendant—Marga combines her storytelling skills, local insights, and photography expertise to help travelers discover both Portugal's famous sights and hidden gems. Through her website and personalized services, she offers travel planning assistance, Lisbon photography sessions, and authentic stories from her ongoing exploration of every corner of Portugal, helping curious travelers experience the country like a local rather than a tourist.

If you own, use, or are considering a U.S. LLC while living in Portugal, this upcoming webinar from FRESH may be well worth your attention. Following a significant Portuguese tax authority ruling in July 2026, the long-standing ambiguity around how income from single-member U.S. LLCs is treated in Portugal has largely been clarified—potentially changing the risk profile and tax implications for many business owners and entrepreneurs. The session will explore the treatment of different types of LLCs, transparency and opaque entity rules, potential exceptions and risks, reporting requirements, and what existing LLC owners may need to consider going forward. Thursday, 17 September at 4:00 PM Portugal time.

What’s the difference between DEPOIS and APÓS in European Portuguese?

Both words can mean “after”, but they aren’t always used in the same way. And there’s one very common mistake that Portuguese learners make.

In this video, I’ll explain how to use DEPOIS and APÓS correctly in European Portuguese, including:

Why we say “depois de”

Why “após de” is incorrect

The difference between depois and após in everyday Portuguese

Which one sounds more natural in conversation

Simple examples to help you remember the difference

If you’re learning Portuguese from Portugal and want to speak more naturally and avoid common grammar mistakes, this lesson is for you.

🗣 Want to learn more phrases like this? Check out Mia’s free Portuguese course “Kickstart Your Portuguese - The Basics”.

💡 Mia from Mia Esmeriz Academy is a Portuguese teacher from Porto with more than 15 years of experience teaching foreigners. She helps expats become fluent in Portuguese in a clear and practical way. Alongside her courses, she also shares free content on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Don’t miss next week’s scoop by signing up here.