Sintra, in the hills just outside Lisbon, was the summer residence of the kings of Portugal; their imaginative palaces and villas give the city a fairytale atmosphere. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay An air of unreality pervades this royal enclave, where the rich, powerful and eccentric gathered to escape the Lisbon heat. Today it is the most popular day trip from Lisbon, close and easy to reach. Sintra is located on three levels along a steep slope. On the lower level there is the train station where passengers arrive from Lisbon; above is the Pena Palace. Between them lies Sintra-Vila, the main village clustered around the Palacio Nacional. These two royal palaces and the numerous private villas that royalty always attract are surrounded by lush parks and gardens, their greenery punctuated by towers and turrets. The National Palace is a catalog of Portuguese architectural and decorative styles, ranging from Mudejar (Arabic style created by Spanish artisans after the fall of Islamic rule in Iberia) to Manueline (a nautical-inspired baroque decorative style). A tour of the palace reveals the changing tastes and times of different kings who lived there. The result is best described as exuberant and eclectic Portuguese. Even if it were not the hub of the city, the palace would be easy to spot thanks to its two very tall conical chimneys. The simple facade leaves little clue to its richly embellished interior. Its azulejos, decorative tiles found throughout Portugal, are stunning, especially in the Moorish dining room. These tiles range from the 15th century to the 18th century and include Moorish bas-reliefs, majolica and polychrome examples. The Moorish style of some rooms does not date from the Arab occupation of Iberia, but was added later by Manuel the Fortunate, who had traveled to Spain and admired the water-filled Moorish patios, round arches and arabesques. He employed artists from North Africa to give his palace its Moorish style and also imported dancers to entertain his court. These personal touches from each successive king give the palace a human dimension. In 1840, during the reign of Queen Mary II, her husband, German Prince Ferdinand, purchased a hill above Sintra, with a ruined Moorish castle, and began building the Pena Palace. In his enthusiasm for the project, the young king incorporated almost all the architectural and decorative elements favored by the Victorian taste and romanticism of that era. The result is a fantastic castle, made even more fantastic by the colors that decorate its external walls and towers, giving it the appearance of a giant frosted cake. Visiting it is a must. The rooms aren't large, but they are memorable, filled with whimsical and playful decorations. One room is made of concrete to simulate wood, another with porcelain furniture, yet another in papier-mâché. Every surface is decorated, so there's plenty to look at. Kids love it: Pena Place has everything a child has ever dreamed of in a fairytale castle, from the moat to the battlements and turrets. Sintra has other places to visit, including the hilltop botanical garden of Monserrate and the slightly spooky stone castle and gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, built by a 19th-century eccentric obsessed with the Knights Templar. Elegant boutiques and cafes line the square in front of the Palacio Nacional and the surrounding streets, along with galleries showcasing the work of Portuguese artists and artisans. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get custom essayTrains depart from.