Just outside the city of Lisbon in Portugal lies fairy-tale Sintra, a cluster of flamboyant palaces gathered on the wooded slopes of the Sintra hills. It’s a jaw-dropping must-see if you’re in the region.
Here are the best things to do in Sintra, plus the insider tips you need to navigate the area and enjoy the magic of Sintra with fewer crowds.
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Sintra: the making of a fairy tale
Perched in the misty hills close to Lisbon and Cascais lies a town that seems plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. Magical Sintra, with its candy-coloured palaces and mystical gardens, has captivated visitors for centuries.
The region first caught the imagination of the young Prince Ferdinand in the 1800s. The Portugese royal family summered in the coastal town of Cascais and Ferdinand fell in love with the landscape of mountains, mists and pine trees in the nearby Sintra hills.
In 1838, discovering a small abandoned monastery, he decided to turn it into a summertime retreat. He hired the well-travelled Baron Von Eschwege, who shared Ferdinand’s interest in symbolism and architectural styles. Together they conceived Pena Palace.
As an art lover, Ferdinand encouraged musicians, artists and writers to visit and word spread. The Romantic movement was big in Europe at the time and Sintra was completely in tune. The rich and famous built fashionable mansions and restored the old houses and monuments, creating a unique and magical area. A hundred years later in 1995 the Cultural Landscape of Sintra was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sintra: what to know before you go
Sintra is one of the most stunning landmarks in Portugal and it’s a must-see if you’re in the Lisbon area. But there’s one snag – Sintra is extremely popular. This means that at peak times you need to be well-prepared if you want to avoid long queues and frustrating waits for shuttle buses between the palaces.
Although it’s a relatively compact area, the main attractions of Sintra are scattered across the hills. This makes it hard to fit them all into just one day. So you need to plan your visit carefully to optimise your time and see the very best of Sintra.
| ✅ Why you should visit Sintra | ❌ What to look out for |
|---|---|
| Extravagant romantic palaces and villas | Over-crowding especially at peak times |
| Rich history of architecture and crafts | Long wait times at popular palaces |
| Lush, dramatic scenery for walks and views | High admission prices |
| Mystical and mysterious features | Key sites are scattered across the hillside |
| Pretty historic centre of town | Parking near historic sites is very difficult |
| Easy to reach from Lisbon and Cascais | Public transport options can be complicated |
Tips and Tricks for visiting Sintra
I visited Sintra with my friends Freya and Eva. The wonderful bonus for Freya and I on that visit was the fact that Eva is an expert private tour guide. In fact there isn’t much that Eva doesn’t know about Sintra. She effortlessly delivered us to the best sights and shared lots of insights and anecdotes that really brought the whole area to life for us. Thanks to Eva I can now pass on some excellent tips and tricks for visiting Sintra.
Visit Sintra outside peak season
Try to visit Sintra in shoulder season. We went in May and had beautiful weather and blue skies, perfect for exploring the colourful and flamboyant palaces.
Keep an eye on the weather
You can’t book perfect weather but be aware that Sintra’s mountain location makes it more prone to humidity, mists and rain than nearby Lisbon. This cooler micro-climate is what attracted its wealthy and artistic community and has helped create its lush landscapes.
Arrive early and pre-book tickets
I can’t stress this enough. Thanks to Eva’s know-how we arrived at the entrance to the park of Pena Palace at 8.50am, 10 minutes before opening time with timed entry tickets ready. Just a handful of people were already waiting. Keep in mind that getting to the Palace entrance from the park gates requires an uphill walk of around 20 minutes, or you can queue for the shuttle bus.
We walked up to the Palace as soon as the gates opened and were able to get photos up on the brightly coloured terraces before the main crowds arrived.
Book Pena Palace standard timed entry tickets here.
Plan where to go and how to get around Sintra
Arrive by train, bus or car You can travel to Sintra by train from Lisbon or by bus from Cascais. If you come by car you’ll need to leave it in Sintra town as the major sights no longer have public parking. It’s worth knowing as well that in peak season parking in Sintra town may not be easy.
The attractions of Sintra are scattered across the hills making it difficult to walk between them due to the distances and gradient. So visitors need to rely on buses, tuk-tuks, taxis or Uber to get around. But queues can be long and traffic slow-moving and there’s a complicated one-way system to navigate. It can take an hour or more to move between properties on public transport.
Is a Sintra tour worth it?
I like to explore independently but there are some places where you can really benefit from joining a tour. Sintra is one of those places.
Join a Group Tour A group tour of Sintra may not avoid the crowds but it will solve your transport issues. And bear in mind that hassle aside, the cost of hop on hop off buses, tuk-tuks and taxis can really add up. Many Sintra group tours take you to the highlights and then on to the coast.
Book a Customised Private Tour Official private guides like Eva are full of knowledge about the sights, especially useful when it comes to the history and symbolism that abounds in Sintra. Importantly, they’re also allowed to park where others cannot. Eva has a parking permit and, for the greatest speed and efficiency, she has the option of booking a private driver to drop you off at entrances, pick you up at exits and minimise the delays between the attractions. This frees up lots more time to actually visit the sights.
By visiting with a private guide we were able to drive to the park gates of Pena Palace early, before the tour buses arrived.
Another advantage of a private tour is that you can choose which properties you want to see, how long to spend, where to have lunch etc. This is especially useful if you’re travelling in a family group!
Plan ahead: Book a private tour of Sintra Portugal
You can book your own fully personalised private tour with Eva, a very experienced private tour guide. Eva is passionate about sharing her love and knowledge of Portugal. She holds a post-graduate diploma in tour guiding and has spent her career working in education and language.
An engaging storyteller, Eva brings locations and history to life with her in-depth knowledge and humour. Eva trains local guides in Lisbon and is usually only available herself through certain luxury tour operators.
As a special offer for Map&Family readers you can book your own well-priced and personalised private tour of Sintra with Eva, directly through these links.
Book a fun and personalised private tour of all the best things to do in Sintra from £126 for half a day or £210 for a full day per group of up to 4. Message me for more info and to book a tour with Eva: Nancy(at)mapandfamily(dot)com
Top things to do in Sintra Portugal
These are the highlights of Sintra. Choose from flamboyant palaces, grand villas, ancient ruins, mysterious grottos, lush gardens and an historic old town centre.
1. Visit Pena Palace Sintra
Standing proudly on Sintra’s highest hill is Palácio da Pena with its bright yellow and red walls, turrets and castellations. Of all the historic sites in Sintra this is the one not to miss.
This romantic-style castle was built in the 1800s on the site of an old monastery. It combines ancient symbolism with architectural elements from many different cultures to create a stunning landmark.
The colours of the Palace might look gaudy but in fact they are true to the originals. Ferdinand chose a deep terracotta pink for the monastery and bright yellow for the New Palace.
The palace is now one of the world’s most important examples of 19th century Romanticism. And it’s drop dead gorgeous too, though even Disney might consider it a little over-the-top!
Best way to visit Pena Palace
The palace draws big crowds year-round. On Eva’s advice we bought Park and Palace tickets for the early morning. Late afternoon is also a less busy time. We concentrated on the exterior terraces and the surrounding gardens and parkland. You can visit the interior of the palace but it takes time to move through the rooms. And anyway the exterior of Pena Palace is the best bit!
It’s essential to book ahead for a timed entrance to Pena Palace. Don’t risk being disappointed! If you’re travelling independently book the Standard Timed Entry Tickets to Pena Palace here.
What to see at Pena Palace
Ferdinand purposely designed his pleasure palace with plenty of terraces and walkways so his guests could explore every corner. Today visitors can enjoy the same full effect, soaking up the glorious muddle of architectural styles and colours as well as the views that stretch out over the lush hillside. Up on the battlements – you’ll need a head for heights in places – we picked out landmarks like the Moorish castle, the High Cross and the Statue of the Warrior.
You can have fun spotting and de-coding the symbols and architectural styles from around the world. But you can also just gawp at the sheer spectacle of it. Ferdinand certainly knew how to do maximalism.
We walked the terraces with just a few other early risers. Then, as the palace filled up with visitors, we found a table on the little cafe terrace with a gorgeous view over the park. Here we tried a Sintra speciality, the delicious cake’y queijadas, with our coffees. The terraces of Pena Palace are one of the top things to do in Sintra.
2. Wander the pathways of Pena Park
There’s plenty of space at Pena to walk off one too many Portuguese pastries. Ferdinand and his wife, Maria II, Queen of Portugal, designed an entire park of walkways, viewpoints and arbors amongst plants they imported from all over the world. The jungly results include more than 2000 species from vibrant rhododendrons and camellias to lush ferns, towering sequoias and conifers. In the space of a hundred years or so the grounds have become a fantasy-style forest.
Follow the park map to find your way to St Catherine’s Heights for a lovely view of the Palace. Here you can sit on an asphalt seat installed by the architect Baron. It was a novel new building material at the time and the favourite spot of Queen Amelia, wife of Ferdinand’s grandson King Carlos.
Another must-see are the royal duck houses on a series of small lakes near the exit from the park. They’re almost as ornate as the Palace itself.
The park of Pena Palace is an under-rated attraction. You won’t find many crowds here yet it’s one of the best things to see in Sintra. This mature and verdant park is the culmination of King Ferdinand II’s vision, 150 years later.
3. Discover the Countess of Edla’s Chalet
Tucked away in the Pena Palace grounds sits a charming Swiss-style chalet that tells a romantic story. King Ferdinand built this woodland retreat for his second wife, Countess of Edla. Its detailed decorative elements mirror traditional Alpine architecture.
The chalet shows off more creative touches like cork-lined walls and tromp d’oeil painted wood graining. Outside, the garden keeps its original design with winding paths, native plants, and quiet sitting areas where the royal couple once enjoyed mountain views.
Follow the signs through the park from the main palace to find this hidden gem. The walk takes about 20 or 30 minutes along beautiful forest paths, making it a peaceful break in a busy day.
4. Walk the ramparts of a medieval Castle
From the exit of Pena Palace it’s about a 10 minute walk to the medieval Castelo dos Mouros, Castle of the Moors. High above Sintra, the stone walls of this ancient fortress snake along the hilltop.
Today, its well-preserved battlements offer panoramic views in the area. Walk the stone ramparts for sweeping vistas of Sintra’s palaces, the Atlantic coastline, and on clear days, even Lisbon in the distance. This is a lovely place for a picnic and also a good spot to watch the sunset.
5. Explore the Mystical Quinta da Regaleira
Built at the turn of the 19th century, Quinta de Regaleira is a stunning Gothic palace with sprawling grounds. The estate sits close to Sintra’s old town, making it easy to reach on foot from the main square.
It was created by Italian architect and theatrical set designer, Luigi Manini, for a wealthy businessman. The main highlight of Quinta da Regaleira is its gardens and exploring here is high on the list of Sintra things to do.
Paths ramble through the grounds to lakes, grottoes, and underground tunnels. Each turn reveals new surprises and symbolic meanings.
The property’s most striking feature is the Initiation Well, a 27-meter-deep ceremonial site with a spiral staircase winding to its depths. The well’s design is said to be influenced by the traditions of the Knights Templar, the Masons, and even ancient alchemy.
Like Pena Palace this is a hugely popular site in Sintra and you must book ahead. If you’re travelling independently book timed entry tickets to Quinta da Regaleira with guided tour here.
6. Tour the National Palace of Sintra
Back in Sintra old town, the Sintra National Palace or Palácio Nacional de Sintra, dates back to the 10th century. Its most striking features, two tall white conical chimneys, rise high above the town square.
Inside, the palace shows off centuries of Portuguese craftsmanship. Beautiful blue and white azulejo tiles line many rooms, telling stories of life in Portugal’s golden age.
7. What to see in Sintra Old Town
It’s worth taking a walk through Sintra’s historic centre to experience the narrow cobblestone streets and pastel-coloured buildings. Local shops sell traditional Portuguese crafts, cork products and handmade tiles. Small cafés serve the custard tarts, pastéis de nata and ginjinha, the local cherry liqueur.
The main square buzzes with activity around the National Palace, while quieter side streets lead to hidden courtyards and old churches. Stop at the viewpoints to take in the hills dotted with palaces and mansions.
8.Chalet Biester
If the crowds at Quinta da Regaleira are too much there’s a much more peaceful villa to visit that’s right alongside. Chalet Biester, or Biester Palace, only opened to the public in 2022 and is a handsome Gothic and Romantic style property. The ornate interior still has much of its original furniture and decoration and, like its neighbour, features some mystical themes. Outside its lush and exotic sloping gardens have plenty to explore. And if it seems familiar it appears in the Johnny Depp film, Ninth Gate.
9. Discover Monserrate Palace and its Gardens
The exotic Palácio de Monserrate stands a little way out to the west from the centre of Sintra. But it matches the flamboyance of the better known palaces with its mix of Gothic, Indian, and Moorish styles. The building’s unique design features pointed arches, detailed stonework, and ornate domes.
The botanical gardens of the Palace of Monserrate are glorious and some of the best in Portugal. Winding paths lead visitors through different areas, each home to plants from around the world. Tall palms, ancient ferns, and rare flowers fill the grounds, which blend Victorian landscaping with Portuguese traditions.
Monserrate is an under-rated attraction and less crowded than some of the other palaces.
10. Convent of the Capuchos
On our visit, after we’d had our fill of the extravagances of Pena Palace, Eva wanted to show us somewhere very different. So we jumped in her car and headed through the Sintra Cascais Natural Park to the other side of the Sintra mountains. The landscape here is more arid, dotted with granite boulders and scented by resinous pine trees. Lots of visitors never find this part of Sintra but Eva knew a magical little place.
Legend says that in the 16th century a nobleman on a hunting trip fell asleep under a rock and had a vision. It inspired him to build a small monastery. It was austere even by the standards of the times, built into the natural stone landscape in accordance with the Franciscan monks’ beliefs.
Eight monks lived and worshipped here in total seclusion. They slept in tiny stone cells, lined with locally grown cork for warmth. Pleasantly cool in the sunshine, much less pleasant in winter.
Nowadays Convento dos Capuchos, though uninhabited, looks pretty much the same. It’s a peaceful hobbit-like place with a pretty courtyard and a cave-like chapel.
Even though the convent has been empty for nearly two centuries it’s easy to imagine the lives of the monks. The tiny frescoed chapel is at the heart of the building whilst the courtyard with its outdoor table and water from a spring is a welcoming place.
The monks were clearly clever men. With the most meagre of resources they engineered a water system to feed a cistern in the kitchen and even a set of stone toilets.
We loved the peace and quiet of the Capuchos Convent. We saw just a handful of other visitors there and got the chance to speak to one of the conservators too.
11. Drive to the coast from Sintra
Once we left the Convent of the Capuchos we were in a good position to drive down to the coast from the Sintra hills. We saw Cabo da Roca in the distance, as well as the broad and windswept beauty of Guincho beach. Eva had a plan for lunch so we carried on to Moinho Dom Quixote in Colares, a restored windmill that’s now a restaurant.
Indoors the decor is kitschy and eclectic, with a fireplace that makes it cosy on chilly days. Outdoors the terraces give wonderful views of the Atlantic coastline, Guincho, and the sunsets.
12. Visit Cabo da Roca
The mainland meets the Atlantic Ocean in dramatic fashion at Cabo da Roca the most westerly point of mainland Europe. Sheer cliffs drop 140 meters down to crashing waves below.
The drive from Sintra takes about 30 minutes along winding roads through the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. You can sample local wines in villages like Colares or pull over at marked viewpoints.
Once you arrive at Cabo da Roca paved paths lead to observation points and a stone monument that marks the cape’s coordinates. At the visitor centre you can claim a certificate to prove you’ve stood at the very edge of Europe.
The site stays open daily until sunset so you could plan your visit for late afternoon when the light turns golden over the ocean. And remember to bring a jacket; strong winds blow year-round at this exposed point.
If you’ve time to explore this wild Atlantic coastline you’ll find more secluded Sintra beaches like Praia das Maçǎs, Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga. Or head to Azenhas do Mar, a pretty whitewashed town clustered on the cliffs above the ocean.
Some guided tours include the coastline in their itinerary and it’s a fun thing to do in Sintra as a contrast to the extravagant palaces and gardens.
Where to Stay in Sintra
If you’d prefer to stay the night, enjoy the historic Old Town and see more of the amazing sights of Sintra these two hotels are both moderately priced, well-reviewed and offer some parking.
NH Sintra Centro A modern 4-star hotel set in the main square of Sintra opposite the National Palace. It’s 8 floors high and many rooms have balconies with views across the valley. Click here for reviews and to book.
Hotel Sintra Jardim An historic former summer residence with simple and traditionally decorated rooms, garden, outdoor pool and views of the Moorish castle. It’s a ten minute walk into the old town of Sintra. Click here for reviews and to book.
FAQs about Sintra
You can catch a train to Sintra from Rossio train station in Lisbon, the journey takes about 40 mins. From Sintra station a tourist hop on hop off bus runs to Pena Palace and the Moorish castle. It can however get very busy in summer. A direct bus service runs between Cascais and Sintra.
There’s an easy walk from the town centre to Quinta da Regaleira taking you past pretty houses and gardens. The uphill trails to Pena Palace and the Moorish castle are much more challenging and will take about an hour.
Take a packed lunch or buy supplies in town for a picnic on the go. Remember to wear comfortable shoes on your visit as the paths can be steep and the stone pavements slippery.
In half a day you could see two properties and get a sense of Sintra’s beauty, history and mystery. But a full day will give you a better overview. Stay the night if you want to visit all the main attractions in Sintra.
Please note that all visitor information here is for guidance only. Please check the venues’ websites for the most up to date information on tickets, entrance requirements, opening times etc.
What to read next about Portugal
- Cascais is just 30 minutes from Lisbon with lovely beaches and lots of cultural sights. It’s a great base for a holiday with days out to Lisbon and Sintra. Check out 21+Fun Things to Do in Cascais.
- Here’s our round up of unmissable things to do in Lisbon on a family holiday with more about Sintra too.
- Portugal’s surprisingly undiscovered province of Alentejo features in our guide to Where is Hot in Europe in September: 18 Sunny Places
About the author Nancy Roberts is a former women’s magazine editor and writer. She lives in London and is mum to two 20-something boys. In Map&Family she shares info and inspiration for curious travellers: singles and couples as well as families travelling with teens and young adults.
All photos are all rights reserved. Please do not reproduce these photos without prior written permission
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