International Lodging Corporation

Customized travel services in Spain & Portugal

Sites to See…Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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ILC-blog-Sites-to-See-Portugals-UNESCO-World-Heritage-SitesPortugal has 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with most of them located on the mainland and 3 located on the islands of Madeira and the Azores. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) administers the World Heritage Programme that designates and catalogs places that are of significant cultural or natural importance.

To help you plan your itinerary for your next trip to Portugal, the following is a list of the World Heritage Sites located in Portugal:

Lisbon and environs

  • Monastery dos Jerónimos and Tower of Belém (Lisbon) – for more information, click here
  • Cultural Landscape of Sintra – for more information, click here
  • Monastery of Alcobaça
  • Monastery of Batalha
  • Convent of Christ in Tomar
  • University of Coimbra –  for more information, click here

Alentejo region

  • Historic Center of Évora – for more information, click here
  • Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications

Porto and environs

  • Historic Center of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar – for more information, click here
  • Historic Center of Guimarães – for more information, click here
  • Alto Douro Wine Region
  • Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde

Madeira and the Azores

  • Laurisilva of Madeira
  • Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores
  • Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (Azores)

For more information on Portugal’s World Heritage Sites, click here.

Photo Credit: © Posto de Turismo de Alcobaça (Tourism Office of Alcobaça). Photo of Mosteiro.

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On The Menu…Travesseiros de Sintra (Portugal)

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ILC-blog-On-the-Menu-Piriquita-Antiga-Sintra-PortugalThe beautiful town of Sintra, located just 30 minutes from Lisbon, is perhaps best known for the Palácio Nacional de Pena that sits on a hilltop overlooking the city.  It is also well known for the delicious baked treat called Travesseiros de Sintra.

The sweet puff pastries filled with egg yolks, almond cream and sugar take their name from their resemblance to a pillow (“travesseiro” in Portuguese). Piriquita, a local Sintra bakery that was established in 1862, and was already famous for its traditional queijadas (cheesecakes), began producing their version of Travesseiros in the 1940’s. While you can find Travesseiros in bakeries throughout Sintra, many would say that you have to go to Piriquita, which is considered a local landmark, to try the authentic ones. If you’re lucky enough to get a warm Travesseriros served right out of the oven at Piriquita you’ll understand why people wait in line to get this local delicacy.

Piriquita is located in the heart of Sintra – their contact information is:

  • Piriquita – Antiga Fábrica de Queijadas Lda
  • Rua Padarias 1
  • Sintra, Portugal
  • Phone: (21) 923 0626

Photo credit: Piriquita – Antiga Fábrica de Queijadas Lda

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Private Tours from Lisbon: Sintra, Cascais and Estoril – 8 Hours

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There are a number of wonderful places located within an hour of Lisbon that make for a perfect day trip outside of the city. One tour to include in your Lisbon itinerary includes visits to the historic town of Sintra, and the charming Portuguese Riviera towns of Cascais and Estoril. These areas were popular places for royals, aristocrats and film stars to spend their luxurious holidays.

Sintra is home to the iconic Palácio Nacional de Pena, a stunning palace that overlooks the city. Cascais was a tiny fishing village that has grown into an elegant and cosmopolitan town that attracts many visitors with its sandy beaches, pedestrian streets and trendy boutiques. Estoril is a fashionable seaside town that is home to the Casino Estoril, Europe’s largest casino and the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond and Casino Royale.

Your guide/driver will pick you up at your hotel to begin your 8 hour private tour. Your first stop will be Sintra, where you will visit the charming historic town center and tour the iconic Pena Palace. From there you will travel south, taking in the unspoiled countryside along the way, until arriving at the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. You will continue along the scenic shoreline until you reach the charming town of Cascais. Your tour will continue east along the coastline of the Portuguese Riviera to Estoril, before heading back along the panoramic road that connects Estoril and Lisbon.

During the day there will be time to stop for lunch. The private tour can be customized to meet your specific interests.

2017 Prices and other info:

Tour price for 1-3 People in a Sedan

  • US $345 – Daily (start time from 9:30am to 3:00pm)

Tour price for 4-7 People in a Minivan

  • US $499 – Daily (start time from 9:30am to 3:00pm)

All tours

  • Price includes a tour with a licensed guide/driver with transportation for 8 hours
  • Price does not include meals or entrance fees (if any), which are extra
  • Vehicles are insured, as required by Portuguese law
  • Common languages available: English, Spanish, French, Italian and German
  • Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the client
  • Prices are subject to change

Note: Guide/driver is not authorized to conduct tours inside of monuments or museums.

For more information and reservations, contact us.

Photo credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved. Photo of Pena Palace.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.