Relax in a pleasant garden enjoying the fantastic landscape.

CASA DA TORRE is inside Sintra Natural Park

Sintra, one of the most beautiful towns in the world, and certainly one of the most romantic. Enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage and discover the mysteries of the mountains.

Just 30 km away from central Lisbon, the "Cultural Landscape of Sintra" is part of the World Heritage List - http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/723 -, displaying a unique mixture of nature and architectural treasures.

From escarpments to baroque Palaces, between imposing crags and luxurious greenery, Sintra-Cascais, on the Lisbon Coast, concentrates and symbolizes the enchantment of a heritage that must be preserved.

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Situated close to the capital, the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park houses the tourist centres of Cascais and Sintra, the town of Colares, the Raso and Roca Capes, the Mouth of Hell and the Sintra Mountain. As well as a string of holiday beaches from Foz do Falcao to Forte da Cidadela. From the northern edge of the Park to the Roca Cape there are beaches below the cliffs, such as the Praia das Macas or Azenhas do Mar.

At the most westerly point of the continent of Europe, where the land ends and the sea begins the granite prow of the Roca Cape rises. To the south, around the Guia Lighthouse and the Mouth of Hell, is an expanse of sands and dunes, such as the Consolidated Dune of Crismina in Oitavos, considered to be the largest in Europe.

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From the sea to the mountain, the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is full of amazing contrasts. The Sintra Mountain, which rises to an altitude of 529m at Cruz Alta, houses around it a series of climatic phenomena that create exceptional natural conditions. Nature’s exuberance made it a place of cult worship for the primitive Iberian people, who called it the Mountain of the Moon. It later became the area of summer residence for the nobility of Lisbon, who built palaces of rare beauty there.

The microclimate of the Sintra Mountain also served to create exotic gardens, with the Monserrate park displaying the greatest concentration of species of vegetation introduced. The strength of the thuja firs and the enormous sequoias and arucarias contrast with the rustic modesty of the indigenous species.

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Around CASA DA TORRE, Janas - Colares, is easy to find some beautiful beaches not too populated, several golf courses and restaurants with excellent food. From Guincho (World Championship of Windsurf) to Ericeira, passing by Adraga (Europe most beautiful beach in 2003), Azenhas do Mar (a village built on the rocks with sea water swimming-pool and panoramic restaurants), Praia Grande (World Championship of Bodyboard), Praia da Ursa (beautiful naturist beach near Cabo da Roca), Praia das Macas, Samarra, Aguda or Magoito, the scenery is gorgeous. Water’s temperature varies is between 16 and 20 centigrade degrees.

Ribeira D'Ilhas
Located between Ericeira and Ribamar - about 30 minutes, by car, from Sintra - this beach is internationally renowned as one of the best surfing spots in Europe.

Colares
Demarcated wine-growing region. You can visit Adega Regional de Colares and taste the famed excellent wine.

Rural and Country Markets.

Golf courses, 30 minutes drive from Janas - Colares: Penha Longa Golf, Quinta da Marinha Golf, Estoril Golf, Beloura Golf.

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Sintra is a small town that looks like an illustration in a fairy tale. Made famous by Lord Byron, Sintra was once the royal town of Portugal. Many castles and palaces can be found in its vicinity. One of them is Pena Palace, perched atop a steep hill and straight out of Disneyland. It is a yellow heap of small domes and turrets filled with a wide array of decorative arts. The most notable palace is the Sintra National Palace, whose white twin towers are the most distinctive landmark in Sintra. It is a combination of Moorish, Gothic and Manuelian styles. Inside is a beautiful collection of ancient and rare tiles and murals.
The Castelo dos Mouros, unlike the two palaces, is a ruin. Even so it should be regarded as a requisite stop when the bus arrives there on its way to Pena. The old battlements stretch for some way along a ridge and offer magnificent views of the town, Pena Palace and the area generally.

Sintra also has a fine collection of international contemporary art in the Sintra Museu de Arte Moderna. Other museums include the Toy Museum, the International Sculpture Centre, with Portuguese sculpture, and the Sao Miguel de Odrinhas Museum and Archaeological Site. In fact, the whole town looks a bit like a museum, filled with amazing buildings.
 

Sintra's tram to the coast

The idea of a tram line connecting Sintra to Colares and Praia das Macas (Apples' Beach) dates back to 1886, but it was only in 1904 that the tram started working, with a total track's extension of more than 12 km. By the late 1940's, the tramway begins to decay and completely stops working in 1974, being replaced by regular buses. Since the mid-80's small sections of the track restarted working. In 2004, the year of its 100th birthday, the entire track, connecting Sintra to Praia das Macas, was finally reopened.
The tramway starts at Estefania, near Sintra's Modern Art Museum.

Opening days: Regular trips on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the trams are available for private hire (Telephone: (+351) 21 923 87 89).
Prices: 2 euros (standard); 1 euro (> 65 yr); Free (< 4 yr).

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From Lisbon Airport it is straightforward to get to Sintra. You can take the airport shuttle (AEROBUS - number 91), which leaves the airport every 20 min (every day, between 07h45 and 20h45). The ticket, sold on board, costs 3.30 euros. Leave the bus at the first stop ("Estacao Entrecampos" -- Entrecampos station), and take the train to Sintra (last stop of the urban Sintra line). The train leaves Entrecampos every 10 min at weekdays and every 30 min at weekends, and takes 30 minutes to arrive at Sintra's station. The ticket, sold on the ticket booths at the station, costs 1.55 euros.

You can also take a taxi straight from Lisbon airport to CASA DA TORRE - Janas. That should cost around 45 euros.


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A car is essential.
 

The country house comprises 6 bedrooms in total; 3 double, 2 twin, 1 single and 1 cots, 1 of the bedrooms with en-suite facilities. The property also has 3 double sofa beds located in the room, bed-room and living-room. This gives room for up to 15 people. Bed linen and towels are provided for your use.

The country house has 4 bathrooms and 3 WCs for your party's use.

The country house has television video, dvd, satellite/cable. The music system will play cassettes, cds.

There is room for 10 in the living room and 15 in the dining room. The open fire can be used to create a comfortable atmosphere. To prepare food you will find a cooker, an oven, a microwave, a fridge, a freezer, a kettle, a toaster. You will also find a dish washer, a washing machine, an iron and ironing board. The owner has also provided cutlery, crockery, glassware, cooking utensils.

Smoking is allowed in this country house.

Pets are welcome
It's a big house with large gardens. 

Not suitable for wheelchairs 

The country house is in a very quiet area. It has a south facing garden, a south facing patio area, a south facing balcony, panoramic views. If you are driving there is a garage.

The country house is right beside ...nothing specified.

Close to the country house you will find a beach, swimming, wind surfing, fishing, climbing, walking, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, tennis, historic sites, a museum, a theatre/cinema, a restaurant, a food shop.

Within easy reach of the country house you will find sailing, water skiing, boat hire, flying, golf, a sports center, scuba diving, a zoo, shopping areas.

Hiking Trekking

Sintra Palace-Pena Palace-Moorish Castle - Monserrate-Regaleira Palace Gardens-Toy Museum

The country house is....

30 min from Lisbon airport.
10 min from Sintra.
5 min from Praia Grande (beach).
15 min from Cascais - Guincho.
5 min from Azenhas do Mar (beach).

Laura says: "We could not have been happier with this house and our time spent in it. There were beautiful views from every room. This house was clearly lovingly built, with careful thought taken to the layout which allowed fluidity from room to room. Everything was provided for us and the location was extremely convenient. We barbequed every day and were able to eat outside on one of the many balconies to enjoy the surrounding nature. At night, we built fires and enjoyed the view from indoors. There are lovely views of Pena Palace and the surrounding Sintra Mountains. We completely fell in love with this house. Although Sintra is the most beautiful place that I've ever seen, it became a difficult decision as to whether to make the very short trip to town or simply remain at the house. There are many family activities to enjoy in the surrounding area, including walks through breathtaking palaces, gardens and landscapes. Upon our return, my family was immediately asking when we could go back to Casa da Torre."

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