Mythical Sintra and its key travel tips
Sintra is a mythical town located about 30 kilometers from Lisbon. It is one of the most enchanting places in Portugal, full of castles, palaces, gardens and forests. Sintra has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1995 and attracts thousands of visitors every year who want to immerse themselves in the magical atmosphere of this place.
How to travel around in Sintra
The hop-on hop-off bus is the most practical and economical option to see the sights of Sintra. There are two bus lines that leave from the train station or historic city center every 30 minutes. You can get on and off at each stop as often as you want as long as you have bought a ticket. To save time, you can buy the bus tickets in advance and they are valid for 24 hours from the first use.
- The bus 434 takes you to the historic center, the Moorish Castle, the Pena Palace and back to the train station.
- The bus 435 takes you to the historic center, the Quinta da Regaleira, the Palacio Seteais, the Palace of Monserrate and back to the train station.
What sights are there in Sintra
Sintra is a wonderful place to visit and has many beautiful places to discover. We have listed the most beautiful ones for you.
Pena Palace
Pena Palace is Sintra’s most iconic palace and one of the finest examples of Romantic architecture. The palace is located on top of a hill and is visible from all over the area. It has a colorful mix of styles, colors and decorations, which give it a fairytale appearance. You can admire the palace inside and out, as well as the surrounding gardens where you can find all kinds of exotic plants and animals.
Tip: Due to crowds, you can only visit the Pena Palace at a fixed time that you choose when purchasing your ticket. You will notice that you will not be allowed access to the palace before then but can walk around the beautiful gardens to pass the time.
Moorish Castle
The Moorish Castle is Sintra’s oldest castle, dating back to the 9th century and it is a few minutes’ walk from Pena Palace. This castle was built by the Arab conquerors who dominated this area until the 12th century. It consists of a series of walls and towers that wind along the hill, all of which you can climb. From the castle you have a beautiful view over Sintra, Pena Palace and the surrounding valleys.
National Palace of Sintra
The National Palace of Sintra is Portugal’s best-preserved royal palace and the only one that still shows its medieval origins. This palace was used as a residence by several Portuguese kings from the 15th to the 19th century. You can visit various halls and rooms, which are decorated with azulejos (blue and white tiles), frescoes, wood carvings and paintings. A striking feature of the palace are the two enormous chimneys that rise above the roof.
Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira is one of the most mysterious and fascinating places in Sintra. It is an estate built in the early 20th century by a wealthy merchant. You will find a palace, chapel, aquarium, waterfall and a cave, all connected by a network of underground tunnels. The highlight of this garden is the ‘Initiation Well’. This is an impressive well that is 27 meters deep and that takes you to nine underground floors via a spiral staircase. Interestingly, the well was never intended to provide water, but to perform rituals. Descend to the bottom of the well and there you will find secret tunnels that lead you to another place in the garden.
Tip: Make sure you get to the gates of Quinta da Regaleira early. You will notice that it is a busy estate. As soon as you enter, walk straight to the ‘Initiation Well’ so you don’t have to wait in a long line.
Palacio Seteais
Palacio Seteais is a beautiful palace from 1783. The palace consists of two wings connected by a triumphal arch. You have a view of the Palácio da Pena in the distance. The palace is surrounded by a beautiful garden with fruit trees and romantic elements that you can visit for free. But now it is a luxurious hotel known as the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais Hotel. Absolutely fantastic to spend the night there, but the price is worth it. We recommend that you only visit the surrounding garden if you have time to spare in Sintra.
Monserrate Palace
The Monserrate Palace is another gem of romantic architecture in Sintra. This palace was built in the 19th century by an English nobleman, who expressed his passion for art and nature. The palace has a special style, which combines elements from Gothic, Renaissance, Moorish and Indian art. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden, where you can find more than 3000 species of plants from different parts of the world. This is a lovely place to walk, relax and enjoy a picnic.
The historic center of Sintra
In Sintra you can walk through the charming streets in the colorful center where you will find shops, cafes and restaurants. Although you can taste it in more cities in Portugal, it is very nice to order a shot of Ginja at the counter in one of the streets. This sweet drink made from fruit is served in a chocolate shot glass. This often only costs you one or one and a half euros. In the center itself you can hunt for souvenirs and eat or drink at a nice restaurant.
The best way to experience Sintra
We recommend you spend two days in Sintra. Yes, it is possible to see a lot in one day, but you will either have to do everything in a hurry or make choices that require you to skip something.
Day 1
On day one, hop on Bus 434 and get off at Pena Palace. Visit the palace and walk around the beautiful surrounding gardens. Then walk to the nearby medieval castle Castelo dos Mouros and climb the ancient walls for fantastic views of the area. For this you have to walk back a little from Pena Palace. After all the cultural violence, you get back on the bus and get off in the historic center of Sintra where you can buy nice souvenirs and eat in a good restaurant.
Day 2
On day two in Sintra it is wise to get up early so that you beat the real crowds. You will visit Quinta da Regaleira. Take bus 435 and get off at the stop of the same name. Here you will once again find a beautiful palace with surrounding garden. Upon entering, walk straight to the popular Initiation Well. After you have viewed and experienced this sight, you can wander around the estate in peace. After this you can continue to Palace of Monserrate, which has strong Arabic and Indian influences. The palace is located in the middle of a beautiful botanical garden where you can relax and have a picnic. Depending on your plans, you can continue to your next destination or stay another night in Sintra.
Note: The bus tickets are valid for 24 hours. If you stay in Sintra for two days, it is possible to get tickets again for the second day. If you want to avoid this and see as much as possible, we recommend that you take the bus for the first time around 12:00 on the first day. This way you have until noon the next day.
How to go to Sintra
You can easily drive to Sintra with a rental car. We recommend that you park your car at your overnight stay. You are not allowed to drive to the Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle with a car, and there is little parking space at the other sights.
Do you prefer to travel by train? The easiest way to do this is from Lisbon and the trains leave from the stations, Rossio, Lisboa-Sete Rios or Lisboa-Oriente station. From these platforms simply take the train towards Sintra. The ride takes 35 minutes and costs about two euros. If you have purchased the Lisbon City Card, this train ride is included. This is by far the cheapest option to travel to Sintra.
Are you staying in Lisbon? Amazing day trips to Sintra are organized from the capital. This is a great way to tick off the highlights and hear all about the history of Sintra from the guide. We recommend this full-day guided tour, where you visit Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira and end the day in beautiful Cascais.
Note: With many tours it is common that not all entrance tickets are included. Ask carefully about this. For example, the tour we recommend does not include the ticket for Quinta da Regaleira, which you buy together with the guide at the gate of the estate.
Save time at the palaces and castles
The sights in Sintra are very popular, and that means that there are sometimes lines before you can get in. If you buy your tickets in advance, you can skip the checkout line and go straight inside. This not only saves you time, but also money, because some tickets are cheaper online than at the door.
- Pena Palace Tickets
- Monserrate Palace Tickets
- Moorish Castle Tickets
- Quinta da Regaleira with audio tour tickets
Our favorite places to stay in Sintra
There are many options for where to stay in Sintra, to suit every budget and taste. A popular place to stay is directly in the historic center of Sintra. Our favorite accommodations in Sintra are:
- Moon Hill Hostel: a nice hostel in the center of Sintra with a cozy communal area. You can choose between a dormitory or a room for yourself.
- Chalet Saudade: This charming hotel is housed in a restored chalet from the 19th century that has a cozy and romantic atmosphere.
- Casa do Valle: This family-friendly hotel is housed in a modern building surrounded by a green garden with a swimming pool.
Sintra is an enchanting destination for anyone who loves history, culture, nature and fantasy. It is a place where you can be surprised by the beauty and diversity of the palaces and gardens, each with their own story and charm.
