Palace of Sintra on a beautiful summer day, Portugal

Things to do in  Sintra

King of the castles

Sintra looks like a fairytale come to life. Just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean, this region of granite mountains and verdant scenery has been a favored retreat for Portugal’s kings and queens for centuries. Today, the UNESCO-listed destination is home to a wealth of royal residences—from the candy-colored Pena National Palace (Palacio National de Pena) and the ruins of the 11th-century Castle of the Moors to the lavish Monserrate Palace and the Sintra National Palace, renowned for its extravagant azulejo tiles. Palace-hopping is the thing to do in Sintra—but don’t overlook its lush parks, monasteries, and museums.

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Top 7 attractions in Sintra

#1

Sintra

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Once a hot-spot destination for Portuguese royalty and other famous figures—Lord Byron called it a "glorious Eden"—Sintra is widely acclaimed as one of the country's most beautiful locales. Its gardens, tiled villas, colorful palaces, and neo-Gothic structures are all surrounded by verdant hills rolling toward the Atlantic Ocean.More
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#2

Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena)

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The crown jewel of UNESCO-listed Sintra, Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena) never fails to inspire. The fanciful red and yellow palace is an exotic mix of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance elements, commissioned by King Ferdinand II and completed in 1854 on a hilltop high above Sintra.More
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#3

Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros)

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Perched atop Sintra with stunning views to the Atlantic, the 8th-century Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros) was built by the eponymous people during their reign in Portugal. It fell into disrepair after the Christian conquest, yet the partially restored fortress is a favorite among travelers for its rich history and panoramic views.More
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#4

Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra)

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For more than 1,000 years, Sintra National Palace has presided over the town center. Notable for its white facade, conical chimneys, and intricately tiled chapel, this house-museum is one of the best-preserved medieval royal residences in Portugal and serves as a quieter alternative to nearby Pena Palace.More
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#5

Monserrate Palace (Palacio de Monserrate)

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Tucked away in the mountains of Sintra is Monserrate Palace (Palacio de Monserrate), once the summer resort of the Portuguese court. The villa, designed with Indian, Moorish, and Gothic influences, is also home to a garden filled with exotic plants from all over the world—one of the most extensive botanic gardens in Portugal and Europe.More
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#6

Quinta da Regaleira

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An elegant Romantic-era palace estate, the Quinta da Regaleira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highly popular attraction within the cultural landscape of Sintra. The palace is surrounded by elaborate gardens filled with grottoes and fountains; but the quinta’s spiraling Initiation Well is its most iconic—and most mysterious—feature.More
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#7

Chalet and Garden of the Countess D'Edla (Chalet e Jardim da Condessa D'Edla)

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The Chalet of the Countess d’Edla is an Alpine-style building set in the forested grounds of Pena Park that surround the UNESCO-listed Pena National Palace. Visit to see the building’s Portuguese azulejo tiles, murals, and traditional cork decor and to take in views of the surrounding park.More
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Top activities in Sintra

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The most complete day trip from Sintra to Cabo da Roca

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Lisbon Shore Excursion: Full Day Small Group Sintra & Cascais with Local Food

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1h sight seeing - Sintra Mountain Tour (price per car) - max 4persons

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Fátima & the West coast of Portugal - Private Van Tour

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Professional Photographer Portugal (@ivetta_photos)

Professional Photographer Portugal (@ivetta_photos)

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Small Group FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR Sintra + Cascais+Roca Cape

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Private Getaway in Sintra - Through the Hills to the Coast
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Magical Sintra

Magical Sintra

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E-ticket to Quinta da Regaleira with audio and Sintra city audio

E-ticket to Quinta da Regaleira with audio and Sintra city audio

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Rock Climbing in Sintra, Lisbon

Rock Climbing in Sintra, Lisbon

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All about Sintra

When to visit

Sintra is one of Portugal’s top tourist destinations. That’s especially true in the summer (June-August) when visitors flock to Sintra’s palaces in between sunning themselves at nearby beaches and classical music lovers come to attend the annual Festival de Sintra. But if you’d rather escape the crowds (and the sometimes-searing summer heat), the best time to visit Sintra is during the spring and autumn shoulder seasons, which are cooler and calmer.

Getting around

Sintra is within day-trip distance of Lisbon, making exploring easy. Direct trains run frequently between Lisbon’s Rossio Railway Station and Sintra Station, and the journey takes less than an hour. The Sintra Tourist Bus 434 is the easiest way to get from Sintra’s town center up to hilltop attractions such as Pena National Palace (Palacio National de Pena) and the Castle of the Moors, while Bus 435 also visits several attractions. Driving to Sintra isn’t recommended—much of the historic center is closed to traffic, and parking can be scarce—but guided tours from Lisbon offer another easy way to get there.

Traveler tips

Portugal takes its pastries seriously—and that’s especially true of Sintra, which is known for two signature treats. One is the travesseiro, whose name translates to “pillow” and is fittingly rectangular and airy, filled with a sweet mixture of egg yolks and almonds. Then there’s the queijada, a custardy pastry that somewhat resembles the more famous pastel de nata, but also contains cheese (and comes in many flavors). Visit fifth-generation Sintra bakery Casa Piriquita to try both—and pick your favorite.

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People Also Ask

Is Sintra, Portugal worth visiting?

Yes, Sintra is worth visiting. One of Portugal’s top tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area is home to historic palaces, castles, and monuments, including the Pena Palace, Initiation Well, Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira. It’s also known for its lush parks and gardens.

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How much time do you need for Sintra?

The absolute minimum amount of time you should set aside for Sintra—especially if you want to visit more than one palace—is one full day, departing early in the morning from Lisbon. However, the sheer wealth of attractions in Sintra could fill a weekend of sightseeing.

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Can you just walk around Sintra?

Technically, yes, you can walk around Sintra—however, the area’s steep hills and the distance between its highlight palaces and the town center make other forms of transit advisable. The 434 and 435 buses link many of Sintra’s top tourist attractions, while local taxis and rideshare services are also available.

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Is Lisbon or Sintra better?

That depends on what you’re after. If you want metropolitan cool, diverse neighborhoods and restaurants, and riverfront splendor, then Lisbon is the place for you. However, if you’re looking for a nature retreat with lavish palaces and other historical monuments, Sintra is a great choice.

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Is Sintra expensive?

Sintra is one of Portugal’s most popular tourist destinations so its prices are higher than most other parts of the country. Many of Sintra’s palaces and attractions also charge individual entry fees, which means a getaway can add up quickly. It’s best to pick two or three key attractions and budget around them.

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Does Sintra have a beach?

No, Sintra does not have a beach—but many top beaches are nearby. Highlights include the Praia da Ursa (near the Cabo da Roca, continental Europe’s westernmost point), the Praia Grande (one of the biggest beaches in the area), and the dramatic Praia do Guincho. Cascais is another nearby beach resort.

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