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Sintra, Portugal 🇵🇹
#825
,
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Sintra is a picturesque town located in the Lisbon District of Portugal, known for its romantic 19th-century architecture and stunning natural landscapes. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 38,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average speed of 50 Mbps, with many places offering reliable Wi-Fi |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; ATMs are widely available and most places accept credit/debit cards |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include MEO, NOS, and Vodafone, offering competitive prepaid plans |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | N26, Revolut, and local banks such as Caixa Geral de Depósitos |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hotels to Airbnb and local guesthouses, with average prices around €60-€120 per night |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local vacation rentals are popular; average prices start around €70 per night |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Monte da Lua hostel, offering beds starting at €25 per night |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Historic center around Sintra's Palácio Nacional |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | São Martinho or Almocageme, offering a mix of tranquility, accessibility to cafes, and coworking spaces |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Cowork Sintra, located near the town center, offering flexible plans and good Wi-Fi |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Saudade, known for its reliable internet and cozy atmosphere |
| 💼 Networking Events | Various informal meetups often occur at local cafes; social media groups provide updates |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Sintra Expats Meetup group for social gatherings and networking opportunities |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates in the area; local taxis are also available |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Rent a bike or electric scooter from local shops for exploring; rentals starting at €10 per day |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Praia das Maçãs, approximately 13 km from Sintra |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Edelweiss Air (flights to Switzerland) based at nearby Lisbon Airport |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | TAP Air Portugal, with flights to numerous global destinations from Lisbon |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A37 connects Sintra to Lisbon and Cascais, providing easy access |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Sintra Station, connecting to Lisbon via the Sintra-Lisbon line |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Lisbon card offers unlimited travel for 24/48/72 hours; useful for public transport |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to Lisbon (from Sintra Station) and buses to Cascais and other nearby towns |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, with comprehensive services about 20 km away in Setúbal |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Sintra, offering various classes and workshops |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Hut Sintra, with monthly memberships around €30 |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava e Encolhe, offering self-service and drop-off laundry services |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Glovo provide popular delivery options |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Travesseiros de Sintra, a sweet pastry filled with almond cream |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Tascardoso, featuring a range of vegetarian dishes |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Piriquita, famous for its traditional pastries |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets such as Mercado da Vila for fresh produce and snacks |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local delivery available from Continente and Pingo Doce for groceries |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermarket delivery available through the Continente online store |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Main nightlife around the historic center with bars like O Pássaro Verde |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cerveja Artesanal Sintra, with tasting opportunities |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Adega do Casal, featuring local wines |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Frequent food fairs in summer offer local dishes and snacks |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Italian restaurants such as Cantinho Italiano |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and the Moorish Castle |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museu de Arte Moderna, showcasing contemporary Portuguese art |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Palácio Nacional de Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Capela de São Martinho, known for its beautiful architecture |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Sintra Festival in July showcasing music and arts |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Historic center areas rich in traditional architecture and art galleries |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Centro Cultural de Belém, hosting local performances |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Feira de Sintra, an artisanal market open every Saturday |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Various local musicians perform in bars around the historic center |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals found throughout the town, particularly near the train station |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary workshops available at local institutions focusing on Portuguese cuisine |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria de Sintra, featuring local artists |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Moorish Castle offers stunning views and a glimpse into the past |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Sintra is known for its rich folklore and historical significance in Portuguese royalty |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Sintra-Cascais Natural Park offers hiking and outdoor activities |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Arrábida Natural Park, great for hiking and beaches |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Numerous trails throughout Sintra and the surrounding natural park |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Miradouro da Peninha offers breathtaking views of the coastline |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is a popular spot for birdwatching |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in the natural park allow bonfires in season |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | CTT, the national postal service, offers parcel delivery options |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Soluções Informáticas Sintra, providing computer and mobile repairs |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Available at local youth centers |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language school Sintra Instituto, offering various language lessons |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Municipal de Sintra, ideal for quiet reading and studying |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural de Sintra, hosting various community events |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Not widely available, but some cafes offer gaming setups |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Estoril is a large casino located approximately 20 km from Sintra |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €144,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €116,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €156,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €232,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €192,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 21% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 28% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive personal income tax based on residency |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 48% |
| 🧾 VAT | 23% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applies to foreign subsidiaries |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on 0.3% to 0.8% of property value |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% standard rate for property purchases |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Portugal offers a non-habitual resident tax status that can significantly reduce taxable income for new residents |