After a long day of visiting many of the sites in Sintra including a lot of hill climbing, I walked back downhill from the Moorish Castle to the historical center of Sintra. And found the BEST surprise – Ginja!!!
Ginja in Sintra Portugal
Ginja or Ginjinha is a local liqueur specialty made by infusing ginja berries (sour cherry) in alcohol with other secret ingredients making a delicious concoction. To make this delicousness even better, it is served in a chocolate cup.
Ginja Chocolate Cups in Sintra Portugal
As I walked through the historic streets of Sintra, the ginja appeared on little tables & window ledges. The proprietors fill the chocolate cups to the top with ginja or a cherry port.
You sip off the top and then eat the chocolate cup and the remaining ginja – a great combination. I might have tried a few variations.
Definitely worthy of the 1 euro cost per chocolate cup shot.
Definitely cures the “angry feet” from all the walking up and down hills and cobblestones.
Sintra Portugal
Sintra was the summer retreat for the blue-bloods to escape the Lisbon heat. The elevation brought breezes and the wooded hillside kept the temperature down.
As you stroll the historic district, the buildings all have interesting architecture, angles and signs of the wealthy past with plaques to Lord Byron and other English expatriates.
Fado music streams from the bars. I found many quaint stores with locally-made products and delicious Portugese restaurants. Though it is a well-known tourist destination, Sintra seems to be still run by the locals with local crafts – a well spent day in Sintra.
Sidestreets in Sintra Portugal
