Sintra is not a party town; the most intriguing soirees are private. A worthy bar in the center of town, where you might meet people from any country in Europe, is Adega das Caves, Praça da República 2-10 (tel. 21/923-08-48). The establishment is a restaurant that does a busy lunch trade. After dark, it mellows into a likable bar and bodega, specializing in beer and Portuguese wine. It's open every day until around 2am. A nearby competitor is the Taverna dos Trovadores, Largo D. Fernando II, São Pedro (tel. 21/923-35-48; www.taverna-trovadores.com), which lies in the center of the tiny hamlet of São Pedro, less than 2km (1 1/4 miles) south from the center of Sintra. Popular and convivial, it incorporates aspects of an old-fashioned tasca (tavern) with a modern singles bar and it features recorded and (on rare occasions) live music, a long drink list, and a cross section of residents from throughout the region.

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