Sintra

Sintra is Lisbon's most romantic and picturesque neighbor. Its historic center and part of its mountain range are A UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth a visit.

The trip from Lisbon is well worth it, especially on a clear day — stroll through the streets of the town center, pause at every little surprise tucked around its corners, take in the sea from the top of the walls of the Castelo dos Mouros and visit the stunning Palácio da Pena, its yellow and pink walls contrasting with the lush nature that surrounds it.

If you don't have much time to organize the whole trip on your own, we recommend booking this full-day excursion. Or if you're exploring Sintra independently, book a free tour.

Sintra © ManuelHurtado – stock.adobe.com

This beautiful town stands out as one of the earliest and most important centers of European Romantic architecture.

It was one of the most cherished places among Portuguese royalty, as it became a royal residence and summer retreat for the kings.

What to See in Sintra?

Palácio da Pena

The Palácio da Pena is the greatest example of 19th-century Romanticism in Portugal and the most visited site in Sintra. It was listed as a National Monument in 1910 and is considered the most important landmark within the Sintra Cultural Landscape.

Its construction is the legacy of Ferdinand II, the Artist King, one of the most cultured men in 19th-century Portugal.

Inside the palace you can visit the terraces, the royal dining room, the king's chambers, the queen's chambers, various reception rooms, the kitchen, and the chapel.

©Shchipkova Elena – stock.adobe.com

After exploring its rooms, you can take a walk through the park surrounding the palace — the Parque Natural da Pena — home to more than five hundred species of trees from all over the world.

Once in the gardens, you can make your way to the Chalet da Condessa d'Edla, the love nest of the Countess of Edla and Ferdinand II, hidden away in a quiet corner of the park.

Learn more at What to See at Palácio da Pena.

Buy Tickets for Palácio da Pena.

Palácio Nacional de Sintra

Another spot well worth visiting in Sintra is the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, that building with its enormous white chimneys that stands out in the Sintra landscape.

Although records show that a structure serving as a residence for Moorish governors already existed on this site, the palace we see today is the result of construction campaigns undertaken during the reigns of Kings Dinis, João I, Manuel I, and João III.

©e55evu – stock.adobe.com

Its hexagonal hall, Sala dos Brasões, has walls lined with 18th-century azulejo tiles depicting courtly scenes, while the ceilings are painted with the coats of arms of the court's nobility.

One of the oldest parts of the palace is the Quarto de Urraca, painted with 136 species of birds, each carrying a rose and the phrase «Por Bem», which means «For the good of all».

Its organic architecture features examples of medieval, Gothic, Romantic, Manueline, and Renaissance styles, blending harmoniously throughout its corridors, rooms, and gardens.

You may recognize the site as the filming location of the Spanish film «El Perro del Hortelano» by Pilar Miró.

Buy Tickets for the National Palace of Sintra

Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra

In Sintra, we also recommend visiting the Quinta da Regaleira, a Romantic palace "invented" and filled with esoteric symbols. It is a charming place, full of mysteries and hidden corners waiting to be discovered.

©sakuron – stock.adobe.com

Throughout its four-hectare gardens you'll come across towers, lakes, a gazebo, tunnels, grottos, sculptures…

The five-story palace features rooms you can visit, such as the dining room, drawing room, billiard room, bedrooms, office, library, and many more.

The guided tour (available in Spanish) is well worth it, as without knowing the meaning of the symbols you would miss a great deal. More info here about the Quinta da Regaleira.

Moorish Castle in Sintra

The Moorish Castle is also known as the Castle of Sintra, and sits atop a rocky mountain peak. On clear days, it offers an incredible view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Construction of the Castelo dos Mouros began following the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula and was completed after the Christian Reconquista.

Some sections of the walls are still standing, along with their towers and ramps. You will need to climb and descend quite a few stone steps, so we do not recommend this visit if you have reduced mobility or are traveling with a stroller.

You can explore these main Sintra landmarks by following a circuit in your own car, on a tourist bus that departs from the train station, or even on foot along mountain trails (recommended for those who exercise regularly).

Buy Tickets for Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra

Natural History Museum of Sintra

If you enjoy fossils, or if you're visiting Sintra with children, you can stop by the Natural History Museum, housed in a beautiful 19th-century building, it presents a unique collection of thousands of fossils of significant cultural and scientific value.

Free admission

Address: R. Paço 20, 2710-602 Sintra

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 10:00–18:00 / Saturday and Sunday: 12:00–18:00

Last entry at 17:00 / Closed on Mondays and public holidays

How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon?

There are two easy ways to get to Sintra from Lisbon: by train or with a guided tour. Here we recommend and explain what to do in each case.

Getting to Sintra by Train

The fastest and cheapest way to get to Sintra is by taking the train from Lisbon's «Rossio» station.

• Trains depart every 30 minutes
• The journey takes approximately 40 minutes
• A round-trip ticket costs €4.60 on the official Portuguese rail website (cp.pt).  

Getting to Sintra by Car

Getting to Sintra by car is straightforward, as it is only a 30-minute drive of just over 28 kilometers. If you rent a car in Lisbon or are driving from Spain, follow the directions on googlemaps using as your final destination the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, which is the most central point of the historic town. Sintra is a large city, but the area of tourist interest — the one we care about — is its old town.

You can park at this car park in the center or at this car park next to the train station.

Guided Tours of Sintra

If you'd like to visit this beautiful area near Lisbon and its neighbor Cascais (with stunning beaches) with a Spanish-speaking guide and transfers included, we recommend booking one of the guided tours dedicated to the region. If the magic of the place captivates you, we recommend staying at one of the few hotels.

Where to Eat in Sintra?

Piriquita

Don't miss in Sintra the Casa Piriquita, a spot famous for its queijadas and travesseiros, traditional pastries served fresh out of the oven. There can be queues, so take a number and don't let the other eager sweet-seekers intimidate you — move quickly.

Address: R. Padarias 1, 2710-603 Sintra view on googlemaps

Hours:  9:00–19:30

Café Saudade

A beautiful and very popular café serving excellent breakfasts and pastries. They also offer lunches, all served by wonderfully friendly staff — we highly recommend it.

Address: Avenida Dr. Miguel Bombarda, 6. view on Google Maps

Hours: 8:30–18:00, closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Bacalhau na Vila

As the name suggests, cod is the star of this restaurant. Cod tapas cooked every way imaginable, along with sides, soup, and a meat dish for those who prefer to skip the fish. Prices are reasonable and the staff are very friendly.

Address: Arco do Terreirinho 3, 2710-623 Sintra view on Google Maps

Hours: 12:00–17:00, 19:00–22:00, closed Tuesdays

Incomum

Portuguese food made with dedication and served with care. Meat and fish dishes as well as vegetarian options. At lunchtime they offer a more affordable set menu.

Address: R. Dr. Alfredo da Costa 22, 2710-523 Sintra view on Google Maps

Hours: 12:00–24:00

Restaurante Bristol

A traditional Portuguese restaurant serving simple dishes ideal for lunch. We recommend going for the daily set menu, as it tends to be the freshest option — and the most affordable.

Address: R. Visconde de Monserrate, 16 – 22. view on Google Maps

Hours: 10:00–21:00, closed Mondays