Almaa Sintra Hostel, Sintra, Portugal

Almáa Sintra Hostel is a retreat centre and a Eco Hostel located in the heart of the Sintra Mountain Range which cultural landscape is classified by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.

Our house is sited in a property considered the oldest in Sintra, dated back to the 12st century, with 3.5 ha (8.6 acre) of luxurious gardens.

The Hostel was named Almáa which means “The Water” in Arabic due to the influence of the moors in this region and the fantastic natural spring water that supplies the house, the gardens and waters our home-grown organic vegetables. “Alma” also means soul in Portuguese.

Our beliefs in sustainability and in helping one another, made us manufacture our furniture with recycled materials done by local artists with the help of third sector entities (charities, voluntary organizations and social enterprises), that are also our main suppliers.

Our rooms range from 2 bed privates to 3 to 8 (made out of recycled pallets) bed dorms in a heavenly environment.

We are located 10 minutes walking from town center and 40 minutes by train from Lisbon Almáa Sintra Hostel is the perfect place to be.

Walking from Village Center:

1. Follow the directions of Palácio da Regaleira / Seteais;

2. At the front door of Palácio da Regaleira turn right (passing through a car park in front of Quinta do Relógio) and enter in Rua da Trindade (it has a “dead end” sign);

3. Follow that road for about 500 meters and you’ll get to Caminho dos Frades;

4. Keep going for 10 meters (don’t turn at Caminho da Fonte dos Amores)” and you’ll find at your left hand the gate of the Hostel.

By train:

40 minutes by train from Rossio Railway Station (downtown Lisbon) get off at Sintra (last stop).

• Take the 435 bus to Palácio da Regaleira;

• Follow the instructions “Walking from Village Center “ (from number 2)

By car:

• From Lisbon take the road Segunda Circular/IC19 in the direction of Sintra. It's about 20km from the airport. When you reach the end of the highway continue straight ahead. Take the first exit at the roundabout, go past the BP Petrol Station towards Sintra and drive past the railway station to the town center.

• Follow the instructions “Walking from Village Center “ (from number 2)