If you’re visiting Portugal, chances are that Lisbon will be on your itinerary and if you’re going to Lisbon, you must also go to Sintra. Not just because it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, although this is a good enough reason but because it is simply breathtaking!
Note: This post includes Booking affiliated links. If you decide to book a room at this hotel, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. I just really loved this place and had to tell you about it.
Maybe you shouldn’t be a tourist in Sintra…
Most tourists arrive with a morning train and leave at night. Like commuters who come to work, they fill the local buses which are going to take them from one Palacio to the next, packed like sardines and stuck in traffic. Hop off, snap pictures in a hurry, complain about the stairs, the weather, the queue, whatever… hop back on and to the next Palacio. Hurry hurry…
When comes lunch time, they probably eat a blunt sandwiches as there is no time to waste. The next Palacio awaits and they must take selfies or they will probably die…
You see, there are lots and lots of guided tours from Lisbon to Sintra. And most books and websites will recommend you to take a day trip or even a half day trip. I don’t think there is a right way and a wrong way to travel but this is most likely the wrong way to see Sintra and its wonders…
So if you decide to go to Sintra, make the most of it, stay in one of its charming hotel and enjoy the sights in a more relaxed atmosphere, before or after the tourists are gone. If you only booked one night, you will wish you had booked 2!
Instead stay in a hotel in Sintra
And if you need a hotel recommendation, here it is: Chalet Saudade. Extra tip: Book room 11!
Saudade is a Portuguese word describing a deep nostalgic state and that’s exactly how you will feel leaving this beautifully decorated hotel. The Art Deco touch mixed with antiques and modern equipment gives a peaceful and romantique look and feel.
Here are a few pictures of the hotel and room 11. You can find many more on their website.
You know how most of the time, it’s hard to really sleep in a hotel, especially the first night (the first night effect is a really thing!!) well it didn’t happen in this room. We slept incredibly well. It was so quiet, so peaceful and I guess we felt totally safe!
Morning coffee in the lounge was a treat!!
I loved every details of this room, from the stone wall, the contrast with the concrete ceiling, the old stain glassed and wrought iron doors separated the bedroom and the lounge and even the light switch!!
The entrance of the building and the reception are of course quite nice as well!
The little lounge area offers great views on the valley and you can sip as much porto as you want there!!
Could I take this camera home? pleaaase??? 😉
The Saudade hotel is just as charming outside as it is inside. The above picture is the front view.
On the side, you have the private access to the rooms if you want to sneak in late!
The rooms are facing the other side and that’s why they are so quiet and relaxing.
This is not a sponsored post. I just really enjoyed staying in this hotel. I’m not often recommending hotels because other sites do this very well but every now and then, there is a place which makes a trip that much more special. Chalet Saudade was one of these places so I wanted to share with you.
However, since I am now a Booking affiliate, some of the above links are affiliated links. If you book a room through this Booking link, I will get a small commission and you will be helping me finance my next road trip! Oh and yeah, I will be eternally grateful for it!
Stay tuned, I have so much to share with you about Sintra and Portugal!!
And a few maps of course 😉
