Sintra, Portugal is one of those places that looks like it was pulled out of a fairytale. It’s conveniently located 45 minutes outside of Lisbon and is a must-see on any Portugal itinerary! The ancient ruins of the Moorish Castle will leave you in awe & seeing the beauty of the famous Pena Palace will be a memory to last a lifetime. In this blog, we will go over some helpful information and recommendations for visiting Sintra.
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Best Things to Do in Sintra
Sintra is home to some of the most impressive structures in Portugal. Everything to see here is super old and has a ton of history… you definitely won’t get bored here. Below are the attractions that we recommend you do on your visit- scroll through them & then read about how to plan your trip!
Pena Palace | 14 Euros | Hours 9 am – 7 pm
The most well-known tourist attraction in Sintra is the marvelous Pena Palace. You’ve probably seen this place all over your Pinterest and Instagram feeds because this place is just that stunning.
With ruins dating back to the 12th century, the original grounds of this area were very important in Portuguese history. The Palace itself was not completed until 1854 and was built as a summer home for the King’s family.
Visiting this palace should be your first stop as early as possible because it gets very crowded here. The photo opportunities are endless here and we ended up spending close to 2 hours admiring this place.
Quinta da Regaleira | 11 Euros | Hours 10am-5:30pm
Quinta da Regaleira is well known for its super unique interior. More specifically, the spiral staircase lined well that has beautiful greenery along the walls. It’s a must-see spot for photography lovers! This villa has beautiful Gothic architecture and it is a local favorite.
Sintra National Palace | 10 Euros | Hours 9:30am-6:30pm
The National Palace of Sintra is a super cool building. Its two pointy white chimneys emerging from the palace’s kitchen make this palace the most iconic in Sintra town. It is conveniently located in the actual town and can be reached on foot. Do yourself a favor and spend some time here admiring all of the unique rooms behind the gothic exterior facade.
Moorish Castle | 8 Euros | Hours 9:30 am-6:30 pm
Visiting the Castelo Dos Mouros will feel like taking a trip back in time. You can literally feel the age of this structure and it is just so impressive.
The energy in this castle is historic and ancient feeling. A lot of people feel as if it resembles a set out of Lord of The Rings. The mossy greenery + other extravagant botanicals give off a very tropical vibe which is super pleasant and refreshing.
Be prepared to climb a lot of stairs as there is a huge stone wall surrounding the grounds of the castle. The views here are some of the best in all of Sintra! Plan to be here for 45min to 1 hour. We spent about 30 minutes here but we wish we had more time.
Park and Palace of Monserrate | 8 Euros | Hours 9 am – 7 pm
The palace and park grounds of Monserrate are an architectural gem. It has been admired by so many travelers for centuries because of its outstanding beauty. The gardens boast many exotic plants that have been imported from all over the world. Be sure to visit the sacred art room inside the palace!
How long to stay in Sintra
Now that you know of some of the best things to do in Sintra, let’s talk about how to make the most out of your time here! Most people choose to do a day trip from Lisbon. This is a great way to see a lot of what Sintra has to offer! You can easily see 2-4 of the best sights in a day trip. To see & experience all of Sintra, you should stay there for 2 or 3 nights. Accommodation can be found in Sintra town where the train drops you off and the town is a perfect home base.
How to get to Sintra
It is easiest to visit Sintra from Lisbon, either by train or car. The train is in our opinion the best option because, at 2.30 Euros per way, it is extremely affordable and quick. It takes just 45 minutes from Lisbon’s Rossio station. You can buy the ticket at the train station and there is no need to book it in advance. You can also get to Sintra by driving there. Either rent a car or book a day trip from Lisbon with a tour guide. The journey will take about 30 minutes.
Get there early!
Sintra is a super popular destination for tourists and it will get very crowded starting at 10 am when Pena Palace opens up. We recommend arriving before the main attractions open as you can still walk the grounds and get great photos. Hopping on the train between 8 and 9 will be perfect.
Getting around Sintra
There are a few different ways to travel between locations in Sintra. The most convenient way is by tuk-tuk or taxi/Uber. This will allow you to travel at your own pace and not wait around for the bus.
Speaking of the bus, Sintra has a really great hop-on hop-off bus system that you can use all day for 11 euros. Depending on how many attractions you want to see, this could save you a lot of money. The bus has a fixed route with stops in front of all the main tourist spots. We opted for this mode of transport and loved it! Make sure to take medicine if you get motion sick because the roads in Sintra are winding and steep. The bus will be located near the visitor’s center after you get off the train. Buy tickets for the bus as you are getting on and make sure not to lose them!
This is the official map of the hop-on hop-off bus that runs through Sintra!
When is the best time to visit?
There is no bad time to visit Sintra! This area of Portugal has its own miniature climate and weather system. It is always just a few degrees cooler than it is in Lisbon. Portugal experiences all four seasons with the months of April-June and September-October being the most ideal! You can expect the same in Sintra. We visited during the winter in the month of January and had a great time. The weather was not too cold and perfect for hours of walking around the area.
Comment your Sintra tips and experiences below!
