The Sintra coast is truly amazing, and Maria’s place is a nice spot to enjoy the rural charms of the villages in the Sintra region while still only being a beautiful half hour walk from the sea. You do not have to take the main road – there are pathways leading through flowering fields and with great views.
The whole area is a walker’s delight. You can walk along the coast all the way to Cabo da Roca, the Westernmost point of mainland Europe, and you will pass villages and great beaches along the way.
The house itself has genuine charm and – thank Heavens – does not look like an Ikea catalogue but like a rural Portuguese country home. It is not big, but everything you need is there, and there is a beautiful little garden spot as well.
In the village as well as on the beachfront you will find a couple of good restaurants, and the village also has a couple of small supermarkets.
It is the perfect spot to get away for a couple of days and enjoy simple living and nature. I came without a car, and it was no problem, as there is a bus service from Sintra, but for people who want to explore the region a car is recommended.