A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sintra still retains its essentially medieval layout, with narrow and labyrinthine streets, steps and arcades. The old Moorish city was recaptured in 1147 by the Portuguese King Alfonso Henriques. It has been the summer residence of the Portuguese kings and the aristocracy for more than 600 years. Sintra's picturesque location at the foot of the Serra de Sintra and its wealth of historical landmarks such as the Palacio Nacional, Pena Palace and Castelo dos Mouros ensure the city's lasting popularity amongst visitors to the region.

In addition to Lisbon's long history, the city also has a lot to offer in terms of more contemporary attractions and architecture, such as the Parque das Nações which was developed from the Expo '98 site, the Vasco da Gama Tower, a 145m lattice tower, constructed from steel and representing the sail of a caravel ship and the Lisbon Oceanarium, Europe's largest aquarium with four biospheres, each recreating one of the world's coastal habitats.