Francisco Batista

Experience the mystique and magic of Sintra and the surrounding terrain by vintage jeep with our Local Legend Francisco ‘Chico’ Batista. From a young age, Chico has been exploring the region and is ready to introduce you to the secret corners, romantic palaces, and breathtaking nature on offer.

Highlights

Discover Unknown Places: Explore the hidden corners of Sintra not accessible by car.
A Wild Ride: Travel in the back of an open-air, vintage Portuguese UMM Jeep.
Meet other Local Legends: Meet Chico’s childhood friends who are now local chefs, business owners, and national park rangers.

Story

Chico grew up in the beautiful Portuguese town of Sintra, set in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra mountains. A national park stretches through the region from the hills to the beaches, and the forested terrain is scattered with charming pastel-coloured villas and palaces. As a boy, Chico was captivated by the mystery and magic of Sintra’s landscapes, his ‘playground’. Due to his wild streak, Chico frequently returned home tired, dirty, bruised, and even with the odd broken arm! Regardless, Chico’s determination to explore every inch of his homeland only grew stronger, developing into a passion for extreme sports, vintage jeeps, and nature.

These days, Chico has successfully managed to combine all these passions and uses them as a way to introduce his beloved Sintra to visitors from around the world. The result is a unique, fascinating, and intimate guided tour of the region.

During this experience, guests can discover the romantic palaces, mystical forests, and hidden corners of Sintra and Cascais by vintage jeep, all guided by a true Local Legend who has been exploring the region since he was a child.

I’ve been called a Jack-of-all-trades, but you can call me ‘Chico’. Some kids grow up dreaming of fairy tales. They imagine kings and queens living in mountain-top palaces, a kaleidoscope of colours. Or maybe they picture magical forests filled with fairies, hidden treasure, or even ghosts! I didn’t have to imagine - all those mysterious legends surrounded me as a little Portuguese kid, exploring his wild streak. I always try to show Sintra’s secret spots, those intriguing places where no one else goes. That is what keeps our experiences so unique and compelling. I also love to incorporate surprises during the tour for the guests to make the experience memorable.

Francisco Batista