Night Guided Visit in Sintra
Sintra, Crimes & Mysteries
♦ NIGHT GUIDED VISIT IN SINTRA ♦
~ Sintra, Crimes & Mysteries ~
- History, Legends, Heritage -
Organization and Historial Research:
Miguel Boim, O Caminheiro de Sintra ("Sintra's Wanderer")
author of the book Legendary Sintra - Legends and Stories of the Mountain of the Moon
::: www.miguelboim.com
::: rnaat 1808/2017
::: Available days for the night walks and night guided visits in Sintra: Mondays to Sundays - all subject to availability.
::: Starting time for this night guided visit: between 19h30 and 20h15, although it's possible to start sooner
::: Group size for this private activity: from just one to twenty people.
::: A cultural activity, in legal accordance to Nature Tourism.
::: Legal notice: rnaat 1808/2017
::: No smoking; no disruptive noise.
A very well hidden symbol, traceable to the century when it was carved.
picture by Migue Boim
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The old Royal Palace of Sintra, in a full moon night.
picture by Miguel Boim
♦♦♦ Your host, Sintra's writer Miguel Boim, in some Portuguese TV shows:
➤ at RTP2
giving body to Mr. Sommer (Patrick Süskind's)
The reading of some excerpts from Mr Sommer, by Patrick Süskind (best known for The Perfume), in Literatura Aqui programme.
➤ at SIC
in the TV series "Boa Cama Boa Mesa"
A brief appearance on SIC's "Boa Cama Boa Mesa" programme, presented by Martim Cabral, and as always talking about the curious stories of the Sintra Mountains past.
➤ at TVI
in Jornal Nacional, at Sintra's Capuchos Convent
A brief appearance by Miguel Boim, O Caminheiro de Sintra, on TVI's Jornal Nacional, in a report that also involves the Convento dos Capuchos and its curious stories from the distant past.
A group listening to Miguel Boim's accounts on the theme Sintra Crimes & Mysteries.
picture by Esraíta Araújo
A part of the route of this night guided visit, in one foggy night.
picture by Miguel Boim
♦♦♦ Important information:
. This night guided visit in Sintra will last around 2 and a half hours (or less, if you require it beforehand), including stopping points, for which you should bring comfortable clothing and footwear. The distance is around 2 kilometres or less. It is possible to go to other reasonable points of interest upon request (which will increase the activity's distance). The pace will be the one that best suits you, with stops at which you can rest.
. All you need is water and comfortable clothing and footwear. These night guided visits are designed to be done by almost anyone (including the most sedentary), with the exception of heart conditions. If pregnant, special care will be taken with the route and points of interest. If you have any questions, you can ask them by email or telephone. It is advisable to book as far in advance as possible (the month before is best, but you can try - with no guarantee of success - up to 15 days before).
. This is a private activity. The group is formed only by you and yours.
. We start in the old town (Sintra historic centre), there will be streets with some steep areas. The pavement is regular, but if it rains before the activity, it can be slippery.
. Upon booking, you will know the exact starting time, since it varies according to the season of the year and the sunset time. It can start before sunset, so you can still appreciate some interesting details in the old town. If you want the activity to start sooner or later, you can check if it's possible to do so.
. If you don't feel comfortable in the rain, you can postpone the guided visit. If the activity has to be cancelled due to weather limitations (in Summer and Winter) or access limitations (imposed by the Civil Protection or other governmental authority), you will receive a refund, or we can reschedule for a later date if both parties are available.
. During the booking process, you will receive further information about data protection, your safety and the preservation of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
The old Royal Palace with the full moon by its side.
picture by Miguel Boim
One of the hidden symbols of the old Royal Palace, a symbol that could be linked to the name of an ancient king of Portugal - or someone with the same name.
picture by Miguel Boim
♦♦♦ This tour has the seal Clean & Safe, issued by Turismo de Portugal.
► MEETING POINT:
The meeting point will be at the old town (Sintra historic centre) and you will receive more information (including maps and images of the meeting point) during the booking process.
► HOW TO MAKE A BOOKING:
Please send an email (caminheiro.de.sintra@gmail.com) with the following subject:
Sintra, Crimes and Mysteries - [YOUR PREFERRED DATE] - [NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS].
Payment will be done through Paypal (or if living in Portugal, other national mean of payment such as MBway), and you will have between three and seven days to make the payment and provide the information requested.
If you prefer, you can first ask as many questions as you like, so that you can feel comfortable (caminheiro.de.sintra@gmail.com), either you are alone, or with a group.
► PRICING:
Monday to Thursday // 1 to 4 people // 140€
Monday to Thursday // 5 to 8 people // 200€
Monday to Thursday // 9 to 12 people // 300€
~ ~ ~
Friday to Sunday // 1 to 4 people // 200€
Friday to Sunday // 5 to 8 people // 280€
Friday to Sunday // 9 to 12 people // 420€
You can go through the reviews in TripAdvisor here:
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Some symbols are common to different cultures due to services that nowadays are basic. However, the places where they are located can tell a very different story.
picture by Miguel Boim
Some of the sculptures from the 16th retell different habits and different mentalities, even when regarding people's imagination.
picture by Miguel Boim
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♦♦♦ Synopsis:
Life is, in itself, a mystery.
We know we are human, that we live on planet Earth, but we do not know what that means in the context of the Universe. As life goes on, we are surprised by each person's individual limits. At other times, by the boundaries of certain stories we come to know. And despite everything, we always think that there has never been a time as bad as our own.
On the night of this visit, you will discover some aspects of stories of those who broke the law in the past, along with the unexpected nature of certain habits of our ancestors, which may take you by surprise.
You will also encounter some mysteries that history may have dismissed as the work of charlatans, who hoped to pursue ambitions they believed to be greater than the truth.
A night full of historical surprises awaits you, and anyone who joins you!
Quintas - "estates" - have several details and dispositions that seem mysterious today, but were used for practical purposes.
picture by Miguel Boim
The symbols from the 16th century also encapsulate some of the mentality of those days, even when in stone, as in this case.
picture by Miguel Boim
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your cicerone:
the author and researcher
Miguel Boim
Miguel Boim at the national tv channel SIC, in the tv series "Meia-Noite", aired on the night of the New Years Eve
100% dedicated to researching Sintra’s local history, Miguel Boim focuses on the human stories woven through the chronicles of Portugal’s former kingdom. Legends, customs, traditions, civil and religious laws, and mystical experiences within monasteries and convents are just some of the elements he sees as essential to understanding the “tree of life” that is Sintra’s past.
In addition to contributing numerous articles over the years to share the history - and stories from the history - of the Sintra Mountains, Miguel has co-authored various literary works and published his own, including the iconic Sintra Lendária, now in its seventh edition.
Living in the past, as he likes to say, Miguel claims that all his best friends are long dead - yet very much alive within the pages of old books and manuscripts. These "friends" have all the time in the world - both in this one and beyond - to tell him their stories of what once happened in the Sintra Mountains and who once wandered its valleys and hills.
Driven by a mission to share Sintra’s history in captivating yet well-researched formats - both written and spoken - Miguel has, in recent years, been involved in projects that have significantly broadened public awareness of the region’s historical richness.
Miguel Boim being received by the students of a Sintra council school
Although research is at the heart of his work, Miguel believes that history truly comes alive when it’s shared. Through night walks, storytelling sessions, and school visits, he brings the past into the present in ways that enchant and inspire. Whether he’s guiding adults through the forested trails of Sintra at night or captivating young students with tales of old, Miguel’s mission remains the same: to reconnect people with history by igniting their sense of wonder.
In one such project, supported by the Sintra City Council, he visits schools to share the legends and folk traditions woven into the region’s cultural heritage—an initiative that proves history, when told with heart, can still spark the imagination of a new generation.
Miguel Boim in the filming of the french documentary
Le Mont de la Lune
Recognition matters - not just from the public, but from the institutions that help preserve cultural memory. When Sintra Lendária was first released in 2015, the launch was held at the Grémio Literário de Lisboa, a venerable literary society founded in 1856, and was presented by Sintra’s mayor, Basílio Horta. It marked not only the publication of a book, but the public validation of a journey that had long been unfolding behind the scenes.
the presentation of the book Sintra Lendária, in the Grémio Literário, by Basílio Horta, Mayor of Sintra Municipality
Due to his deep knowledge of historical accounts by foreign travelers in Portugal, Miguel was invited to contribute a chapter to Mafra Sacra, a book published under the high patronage of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The book commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Palace and Convent of Mafra.
cover of Mafra Sacra, a book with the high patronage of the President of the Portuguese Republic
Miguel also served as historical consultant for the Sintra Myths and Legends Museum / Interactive Centre, contributing his expertise and earned public trust to the development of its content.
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the Sintra Myths and Legends Museum / Interactive Centre, in the old town
In 2015, before becoming a regular contributor to Jornal de Sintra, the oldest regional newspaper in Portugal, Miguel was interviewed about his early work and motivations. For almost ten years, he penned monthly columns that brought to light forgotten narratives and curious historical insights, steadily building bridges between Sintra’s past and present.
At the University of Évora, Miguel was invited to speak about the history of Sintra and the craft of writing both fiction and non-fiction. His audience: Literature bachelor's and master's degree students eager to understand how lived history and narrative technique can meet in a meaningful, respectful - and sometimes magical - way.
Miguel Boim giving a lecture at the University of Évora for
Literature bachelor's and master's degree students
Mistakes can give us a better understanding of the past.
picture by Miguel Boim
Some symbols can induce people in error, particularly when they are part of meaningful places.
picture by Miguel Boim
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♦♦♦ About These Activities
These activities are born out of Miguel Boim’s extensive research into Sintra’s history - bringing to life the events that shaped Portugal, particularly those rooted in this mystical landscape.
The night walks aim to immerse participants in the nocturnal atmosphere of the Sintra Mountains, fostering awareness of its natural environment and offering a deeper connection to the historical events once lived and recorded here. The night guided visits - like this one - have as a goal for people to make a travel in time with the atmosphere of the old town at night.
No outside elements will surprise you, nor is it intended to make people feel threatened or afraid. There are no theatrical scares or jump scares. You are going to be surprised simply by the odd stories from History.
Participants on one of Miguel Boim's walks, at the end of a foggy day in the mountains.
picture by Paula Custódio
Miguel Boim during the filming of a documentary about the Sintra Mountains, which was to be presented (before the war) in Russia and Ukraine.
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Elucidation of this Night Guided Visit in Sintra
Why is this not considered a "ghost tour"?
The reason why this walk can't be considered a ghost tour is because there will always be a strong bond between the accounts and the historical references behind. What you are going to hear are not stories that came up among the people - but they can be mentioned for you to see the contrast in beliefs and the reason for certain wrong accounts - but reports, accounts, memories, with several centuries, that were noted down or published several centuries ago. Also, you will have the behaviour and habits from the past context which can only be described accurately by Miguel Boim.
Do we visit the interior of any monument?
No interior visits are included. However, you’ll enjoy unique nighttime views - from the outside - of the Castle, the old Royal Palace, and other monuments.
Can I ask about other aspects of Sintra’s history?
Absolutely. You’re encouraged to ask anything about Sintra - even beyond the night walk’s specific theme.
Books from the 16th and 18th century used by Miguel Boim in
his historical research on the Sintra Mountains - with the facts also used in the night walks in Sintra.
Wouldn't we know those accounts in any other form?
To a better understanding of this travel to the past, you will be furnished with pieces of information - curious pieces of information - which can be only known by those who study the local and the reign's history continually and which permit your eyes to have the right filters - which are very different from the ones our imagination supplies us with, and are usually far from the reality lived in the past.
Real People From the Past Vs the formal bombardment of dates and facts
More than talking about dates and times from the portuguese past that people are not familiarized with due to being from different cultures, life observed from a mundane perspective can give you a better insight into the impact monuments and changes had in Sintra. Life was different in many aspects, but not that much in others. Religious orders were a freezer that kept some mundane habits and stories from history that we can listen to today. They are felt as very enthusiastic, and moreover, when they have their background here in Sintra. Some individuals from religious orders are going to be mentioned, as well as their own liturgy (that may sound strange for the common people today) and some habits and religious/mystical experiences.
People who have lived in Sintra in the past are going to be mentioned, due to their role in strange circumstances. Those circumstances reveal how the portuguese - and the people from Sintra - were in the past and how they were seen by the foreigners in distant centuries. The telling of those circumstances and accounts will give you a rare insight into how the village and mountains were, as well as some of the differences between then and the monuments you see today.
The Shadows and the Law
Another important layer of knowledge to better understand the past is the one related to the law and social power. Who would have the power here in Sintra, if not the state? But the state through who and how? People who talk only about the Pelourinho (pillory) in the portuguese society from the past, almost always end up not knowing its most common functions and roles. Also, what we see today - Sintra's Pelourinho - is a modern reconstruction. Who was the law here in the 16th century? And on the 17th? And on the 18th? And by whom were they helped? Would the law enforcers report only to the state, or also to the Holy Inquisition? In all the mentioned centuries, there were different formal names and functions, but how did they affect living in the Old Town, and where could you or couldn't you go?
The desired atmosphere for you to enjoy your travel to the past
Several of these visits' purposes are related to the ambiance that people can enjoy in the mountains and in the Historical Center in silence. With the sound of the wind in the trees and the running streams in the fresher seasons, you will know how Sintra (Historical Center) truly is. All the care is taken to avoid other nightly events from the council and/or other organizations (with its own margin of error, since some are private and others with almost no previous advertisement).
It is advisable that this walk start at night, either in the Summer or in the Winter, so that the silence can be enjoyed.
You may encounter a foggy night, the fog in the middle of the visit, or simply the fog roaming around some monuments (which is one of the best sceneries and memories one can take from Sintra).
What will happen?
On the Day of the Walk
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This guided visit/tour is a walking one. You'll have a circular route of around 2 kilometres (the effort to make it is very similar to an afternoon walking around Sintra's historical center), mainly in plain terrain. The pavement is regular, but it can be slippery if it rains before the activity. There are streets with some steep areas. You will have some stopping points where Miguel Boim will tell you stories, facts, and curiosities from the past related to the theme Sintra, Crimes & Mysteries. The total time will be around 2 and a half hours (or less, if you require it beforehand).
The route will have its meeting point with Miguel Boim at the historical center. You'll be informed how warm the clothes you'll need must be, since from night to night the weather can change significantly.
You will not visit any of the monuments inside, but you'll see from a distance the Castle, the Royal Palace of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira and other less known or less touristic monuments, but very important for Sintra's history, accounts, and cultural legacy. Also, you will be free to share your questions on the Sintra history, whether related to the theme or not.
Everything you will hear in this night guided visit is a product of Miguel Boim's everyday work as a historical researcher exclusively dedicated to Sintra's past (in the portuguese and european context). You will have the company of someone who breathes the same air as the people he will tell you about.
People from Sintra, drawn in the year 1821.
On Trust and Safety
This activity fully accomplishes what is required by law.
Participants must follow instructions given by the guide in the briefing as well as during the activity. Coordination is maintained with local authorities (hence, the need to book in advance) which patrol the mountains at night: the National Guard Republican (G.N.R.), security of Parques de Sintra Monte da Lua (in SUV or on foot), Portuguese Army (in SUV or on foot), Civil Protection (in SUV or on foot), ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e Florestas (in SUV or on foot).
You may ask general advice on safety and related to rented vehicles (special attention in this regard) and possible pickpockets (during the day and in crowded places).
Code of Conduct
No smoking or disruptive noise.
Taking species of fauna, flora, or geological ones is forbidden.
Please stay close to the person who is guiding the group and avoid being absent without previous communication, in any circumstance.
Safety
Personal data is necessary for insurance purposes and to comply fully with the legislation of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
Minimum age: 12
By booking this activity, you assume that your health conditions are perfect for walking (considering the route's ups and downs) between 200 and 470 meters above sea level for around two hours and a half.
A falconer in a portuguese book from the 16th century.
For Your Comfort
Do not hesitate to ask questions before this night guided visit in Sintra as well as during this tour; it is very important that you can notice the intended transparency.
Proper footwear and clothing (you'll be advised on the best of both, according to the time of year and near-date weather conditions).
The start time and end times can be exact, but please note that the end time can be inaccurate - if not otherwise strictly required.
You can inquire about the best place to have your meals.
You can request information on how to avoid tourist crowds during the day in Sintra.
Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellations with a full refund are possible if made until 72 hours before the beginning of the activity.
After cancellation, the refund can take up to 7 days to be made.
In case of rain (if not heavy rain) the activity will be maintained; in case of warning (Aviso) or alert (Alerta) by the authorities (Civil Protection, ICNF) the activity will be cancelled, being possible to reschedule it, or with the refund of the amount paid (100%).