The Best Palaces and Castles in Sintra, Portugal to See

Sintra is a small town up in the mountains located just a short trip outside of Lisbon, Portugal. It’s one of the most popular day trips and for good reason, especially if you’re staying about 4 days in Lisbon. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural landscape. Traveling from Lisbon to Sintra takes about 40 minutes and is well worth the trip. The quaint town is tucked away in lush foliage but the draw is the many palaces and castles in Sintra that you can explore.

Though most people come over on a day trip, there are quite a few places to see in the area and it would be easy to spend a few days here. The town center is easily walkable with outdoor cafes and coffee shops. The walks to some of the main attraction take you through the forest and past tiled houses. There’s a lot to discover and it’s a really enjoyable place to visit. Our trip to Sintra was one of our favorite days in Portugal.

How to Get from Lisbon to Sintra

There are a few ways to get from Lisbon to Sintra for a day trip or longer stay. If you’ve already decided to rent a car in Lisbon, you’ll obviously be driving to Sintra. And if you’ve already tackled driving through the streets of Lisbon, bless you. I can’t count the number of times we commented on how happy we were to not have a car in Lisbon.

Driving in Sintra is probably a little better but most people advise against it for several reasons: small mountain roads, traffic, little to no parking and apparently the road to the Pena Palace is closed to non-residents during busy times.

Unless you’re wanting to rent a car to drive to other places beyond Sintra, I would stick to the train. It’s very easy and you won’t have to deal with parking.

Additionally, you can also take a bus. Line 35 leaves from Marques de Pombal in Lisbon and you’ll arrive at the train station in Sintra. It is a coach bus, but it’s probably 2-3x more expensive than the train and leaves about every four hours. Just take the train.

Taking the train from Lisbon to Sintra

There are two options when taking a train from Lisbon to Sintra. You can either take a train from the Oriente Station, which is near the airport, or from Rossio Station, which is near the historic center. Most people take the train from Rossio Station as it’s centrally located.

You can buy a €5 return ticket at the counter or through an automatic machine. You’ll tap your card when you enter and exit, and just follow the boards for platform information (or you can just follow the throngs of tourists that will likely be going there with you). The platform is not very big and I think most trains go towards Sintra, so it’s hard to get it wrong. Sintra is the very last stop on the train route and the trip takes 40 minutes.

Trains run about every 15-20 minutes as well so even if it takes you awhile to figure out tickets or you’re running behind, it’s not a big deal. The next train will be right behind it. Trains start running at around 5:20am and go until nearly midnight, so you can spend the entire day there (just remember that most things don’t open until 9:00am!).

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Getting Around Sintra

By Bus

There are two tourist bus lines that will take you around to the main palaces and castles in Sintra. This is probably your most economical option if you are traveling alone. You’ll want to make sure you either have coins or small bills on hand to buy a ticket from the bus driver. The downsides of taking the bus? You’re on the buses time schedule and you risk waiting in long lines where you may or may not get on the first bus available.

434 Route- Departs from outside the Sintra Station and runs every 15 minutes stopping at the following: Moorish Castle, Pena Palace, Sintra National Palace and Natural History Museum. Buses on this route are large coach buses.

Tickets are €3.90 per ride, €7.00 for a roundtrip, or €15.20 for a ‘Hop on, Hop off’ 24-hour pass. Buses run from 9:15am-6:20pm (or 7:50pm in summer).

435 Route- Departs from Rua Dr. Alfredo da Costa, which is just down the road from the train station. This is a smaller, mini bus that runs every 20 minutes and stops at the following: Sintra National Palace, Regaleira Palace, Seteais Palace and Monserrate Palace.

Tickets are €5 per person and includes one stop at each attraction. Buses run from 9:30am-6:10pm (or 7:50pm in summer).

By Tuk Tuk

You can find tuk-tuks outside of the train station when you arrive and outside of nearly all of the palaces and castles in Sintra. The standard fee is €5 per person from point A to B–usually from the city center to whichever attraction you’re going to. We were at the Moorish Castle and got quoted €7.50 per person to go back to the train station, but by that point, we were exhausted, our legs were on fire and we just wanted to make the next train. He booked it back to the train station and we wouldn’t have made it otherwise, so we couldn’t complain.

By Uber

Uber is very inexpensive in Portugal and a great option if you have international service. Depending on where you’re going in Sintra, a trip might be €8-10, which is roughly the same as a tuk-tuk for two people, slightly more than the bus but likely cheaper if there are 2 or more of you in a group.

A lot of the attractions have wifi you can jump on at the entrance as well, so you can hop on to get an Uber real quick.

By Car

I’ve already suggested NOT having a car in Sintra, but if you do, know that there are some small parking lots available. I’ve read though that it can be pretty difficult to find parking and that the downside is that the mountain roads are one-way in many areas. So if you aren’t able to find parking in a lot, you may end up driving all over since you won’t be able to take the street you came on.

Another popular suggestion for people driving cars is to park in the city center, where you’re more likely to find parking, and then take public transportation from there.

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Exploring Sintra

Sintra is known for it’s cooler climates and throughout history, it was an ideal location for the wealthy and nobility to spend their summer. Because of that, you’ll find all sorts of palaces and castles in Sintra that give it a fairytale-like appearance. There’s a brightly colored castle sitting atop the mountains in the clouds, a 9th century medieval castle wall and a gothic estate hidden in the forest. Each place has it’s own historical significance and different architectural appeal.

Here’s a little map of Sintra and some of the top places to see. Though some of them look far away, they are all relatively close–you just may have some more winding mountain roads to get to them.

If you’re only in Sintra for a day, you’ll have to choose which places you want to see, but here are some of the top historical landmarks in the area:

1. Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional)

The Sintra National Palace is the oldest palace in Portugal and is located in the heart of the city in the town square. It’s identifiable by its two, large cone chimneys. The palace has been added on to over the years so it’s been hard for historians to pinpoint an exact construction date, though it’s believed that it was built sometime in the 10th or 11th centuries. Through earthquakes and periods of reconstruction, nearly every Portuguese royal has spent time here.

Today the palace is open to the public to get a glimpse of its royal past. A ticket inside lets you wander through the decorative state rooms. You’ll see paintings and Portuguese tiles adorning the walls as well as a mix of architecture.

How to get there: From the Sintra train station, you’ll take a short walk to the center of town. The National Palace is right in the center of the square.

2. Regaleira Palace (Quinta da Regaleira)

Quinta da Regaleira is a short 10-minute walk from the city center of Sintra and a beautiful walk to take. You’ll pass tiled houses and quickly feel like you are walking through the forest–though it feels like a tropical jungle. Shortly into the walk, you’ll start noticing stone nooks and tiled fountains which are actually part of the grounds at Quinta da Regaleira.

The property and grounds of Quinta da Regaleira are incredibly fascinating as there are hidden stairways, secret grottoes and mysterious symbols all over. It was once owned by a wealthy Brazilian named António Augusto de Carvalho Monteiro who incorporated his ideologies into the building of the property, specifically that of the Knights Templar and Free Masonry.

Most people attribute the Pena Palace as having fairytale qualities but Quinta da Regaleira is just as magical in my opinion. It’s like exploring a secret garden full of castle turrets and hideaways. We decided to go here first on our foggy morning and it made the grounds and buildings that much more mystical.

The architecture of the palace and chapel are a gothic style and intricately designed. Both are open to tourists to take a look inside. The entirety of Quinta da Regaleira seems to just be hidden away which makes exploring really fun.

One of the more famous sections of the estate is the Initiation Well–which has become a popular shot for photographers. The mysterious ‘well’ (it was never a well) is a spiral staircase that leads to underground tunnels and may or may not have been used for ceremonial purposes.

3. Palace of Monserrate

Another interesting palace tucked away in the natural surroundings is the Palace of Monserrate. The palace is a mixture of Gothic and Indian influences with intricate archways and ceilings. It sits on a hilltop surrounded by gardens and greenery in which you can explore and get lost among the many pathways.

Ownership of the palace changed hands many times but it was badly damaged in the 1755 earthquake. In 1793, the home was rented out to writer William Beckford who tried to restore some of it, but it was ultimately abandoned again several years later. Most notably though (and perhaps what boosted its popularity) is that Lord Byron wrote a poem about visiting the estate.

In one of the upstairs rooms, there’s a video you can watch which is an interview with Richard Kingsbury–an elderly man who lived at the Palace of Monserrate as a boy and recalls what it was like growing up there. There are some really interesting facts and insight in the video–if you have time, I’d definitely sit down and watch for a little bit.

The grounds are quite expansive and you can take different pathways that will lead you to different gardens like the Mexican Garden and Rose Garden. Something else you’ll find on the grounds are the chapel ruins which are depicted as ‘false ruins’ that were designed on top of the former chapel. Nonetheless, they are interesting to see and are one with nature.

4. Pena Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena)

One of the most famous attractions in Sintra is the Pena Palace, known for its brightly colored red and yellow castle walls. It’s often referred to as a fairytale-like castle for its 19th-century Romantic architecture. The towers and castle walls have different textures and colors that make it incredibly unique. It also sits high up in the hills with amazing views of Sintra and beyond.

At one point in history, there was a chapel and then a monastery that sat upon the hill. They too were ruined by the 1755 earthquake and eventually the land was bought by King Ferdinand II (when he was married to Queen Maria II). He originally wanted to restore the monastery as a summer residence but ended up building a palace instead.

Visiting the Pena Palace

Today you can explore both inside and outside of the Pena Palace. But one important thing to note is the difference in ticket options. The park ticket allows you to explore outside the castle walls and terraces, and is not only for Pena Park. The park and palace ticket lets you explore outside plus take a tour of the inside of the palace, which you currently have to book at a scheduled time.

It’s a bit confusing because Pena Park is actually located down the road. But just know that if you purchase the park ticket, it does let you get up close to the castle and is not just for Pena Park. With the park ticket, you can explore the terraces, the watch towers and walk along the castle wall that takes you around the palace.

I also have to note that we came here on a very poor day weather-wise. The views we had were a wall of white fog. But it’s said that on a clear day in Lisbon, you can see the Pena Palace in the distance. The fog did not clear up by the afternoon and it had sprinkled off and on. This did not really help the castle much. It looked dirty and dingy and not anything like the brightly colored photographs I had seen with the clear blue skies. HA.

I thought it was a neat castle to explore and definitely unique. My European husband said it looked like they ran out of paint and materials lol.

5. Chalet of the Countess of Edla (Chalet da Condessa d’Edla)

Within the grounds of Pena Park, you’ll find a yellow colored chalet with Portuguese cork known as the Chalet of the Countess of Edla. Elise was an opera singer who became the second wife of King Ferdinand II in 1869 and gained the title of Countess of Edla. Their marriage was not always supported by the public and the couple eventually built the chalet as a cozy escape on the grounds of Pena Park, a short ways from the palace.

After King Ferdinand II died, Elise sold the Pena Palace and Moorish Castle to the government as they wanted to protect the property of the crown. Elise was still able to use the chalet until 1904. After a fire destroyed the chalet in 1999, it officially reopened to the public in 2011.

While you’re at Pena Park, you can explore the rest of the grounds as well! Wander the footpaths through the gardens, find the statue of King Ferdinand II and take in the famous (and gorgeous) views of the Pena Palace from afar.

6. Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)

The Moorish Castle ruins are fortification walls that line the hills of Sintra. The ruins date back to the Moorish era (8th-12th centuries) and the castle walls once defended the region. The high vantage point gives you a view of the surrounding area and a direct view of the town center below. It’s one of the more popular castles in Sintra and usually visited just after the Pena Palace.

It’s sort of like a miniature Great Wall and one of the fun parts about visiting is hiking along the wall. If you really want to get a workout in, you can hike to the higher towers. On clear days, you can see the Pena Palace right next door. If you aren’t keen on hiking all the way to the top, you can wander around the lower part and still take in the views of the town center below.

How to get there: The Moorish Castle is located right before the Pena Palace and is one of the stops on the 434 bus route, so you can take the bus directly there from town. BUT if you decide to go to the Pena Palace first by bus, then it will be continuing along the one-way route and not backtracking to the Moorish Castle. However, it’s a short, 10-minute downhill walk from the Pena Palace, so I’d recommend going to the Pena Palace first, then walking to the Moorish Castle.

7. Seteais Palace (Palácio de Seteais)

The Seteais Palace is a neoclassical palace turned luxury hotel formally called the Tivoli Palacio de Seteais Sintra Hotel. So if you’ve ever wanted to stay in a former palace–you can!

The palace was built in the late 1700s for the Dutch Consul, Daniel Gildemeester and overlooks the countryside. Like most of the other palaces and castles in Sintra, ownership changed hands multiple times and the palace was expanded upon. Eventually the arch was added to connect the two wings. It’s been a luxury hotel since 1954 and has retained a lot of its historical charm.

Though you’ll need to be a guest to thoroughly explore the inside, you can get a glimpse by eating at the restaurant or by visiting the outside and the surrounding gardens. The gardens have maze-like shrubbery and a view of the countryside. There’s also a bar out on the terrace that is open to everyone as well.

8. Convent of the Capuchos (Convento dos Capuchos)

The Convent of the Capuchos is also known as the Cork Convent as cork was used in a lot of the decorative aspects. It was built in 1560 as a place of worship and reflection. It’s a simple structure hidden away by green foliage and large granite boulders. Though it’s much different than the other surrounding buildings, it’s a place to go to be closer to nature.

While visiting here, you can explore the former monk quarters, small chapels and other areas connected by small passageways.

How to get there: The convent is furthest away from the town center and you’ll need a car (or Uber) to reach it. The convent is about 10 minutes away from the Palace of Monserrate.

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Sintra Day Trip

Sintra is a popular town for a day trip from Lisbon. It’s a must-see in my opinion and absolutely worth going over for a day. There are quite a few palaces and castles in Sintra, so you could easily spend more time here too. If you’re coming over for a day trip, here’s how to spend one day in Sintra:

• Arrive early! There is a lot to see and do, so I would take an early train over to maximize your day. However, keep in mind that most attractions don’t open until 9:00am, so you don’t want to arrive too early.
• Stop 1: Pena Palace. The palace is very popular and you’re less likely to have a crowd there if you arrive first thing in the morning.
• Stop 2: The Moorish Castle. This castle is a short 10-minute walk from the Pena Palace. So, once you’re finished there, take a walk down the road to see these castle ruins.
• Stop 3: Sintra Town for lunch. There are several little cafes near the town center with outdoor seating. We ate at Cafe Paris right across from the National Palace. I ordered a €5 ham and cheese toastie that was large enough to feed two people. Walk around to explore the town and pop into the Sintra National Palace.
• Stop 4: Quinta da Regaleira. Walk up the road from the town and enjoy a nice nature walk to get to one of the most beautiful castles in Sintra.
• Stop 5: The Palace of Monserrate. Catch bus 435 or an Uber to the Palace of Monserrate where you can explore the grounds and palace.
• Return to Lisbon. Take the bus back to the stop nearest the train station or get an Uber or tuk-tuk directly there. 40-minutes later and you’re back in Lisbon!

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Weather in Sintra

While we were at the Palace of Monserrate, we sat down to watch a video that interviewed someone who used to live there. He was talking about growing up in Sintra and said the weather was always hot and sunny, never foggy. Which was ironic, because the day we went was entirely foggy and unnaturally cold. And we went in June, which is supposed to be great timing weather-wise.

There was a steady mist for most of the morning as well, which can soak you pretty quickly. I kept thinking that it would clear out by the afternoon, but the only blue section of sky we saw was right before we took the train home in the early evening. For the most part, the weather in Sintra is fairly nice, with summers being warm and sunny, and winter months being cooler with more possibility for rain and fog.

(The view from the Pena Palace is supposed to be pretty great, but this was our view on a foggy day!)

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Tips for visiting Sintra

• Grab an orange juice to go! If you plan on walking to any of the castles or need a break from walking, stop at a cafe and order a fresh orange juice. I live in Florida and I don’t think I’ve ever tasted orange juice so delicious. We ordered it everywhere we could!
• Get a 5% discount for ordering your tickets online. If you don’t want to wait in lines for tickets, you can buy most tickets online ahead of time, plus you get to save some money. Lots of attractions will have QR codes and information for buying tickets online when you arrive, but if you don’t have reliable phone service, it’s pretty hard to do that.
• Wear good walking shoes. If you’re coming from Lisbon–you’ll already know. Tennis shoes are highly recommended with all the walking you’ll be doing.

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