Sintra's imposing mountain range, bestrewn with palaces, churches and country estates stretches out in splendorous green down to the ocean. Its microclimate differs quite drastically from the climate in the surrounding area. In mid-summer, when the sun increasingly scorches the regions around Lisbon, one can be sure that the fragrance in Sintra is fresh and green. It became even more famous in 1995 when UNESCO awarded it a World Heritage status.