Introduction
Sintra's misty, forested hills hide a remarkable collection of palaces, castles, and gardens: the brightly coloured Pena Palace, the mystical gardens and initiation well of Quinta da Regaleira, the Moorish Castle on its ridge, and the Sintra National Palace in town. The whole area is a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape. Most visitors come for a day from Lisbon, but staying overnight lets you enjoy it when the crowds have gone.
Travel highlights
- Pena Palace and its park
- Quinta da Regaleira's gardens and initiation well
- The Moorish Castle's ridge-top walls
- The Cultural Landscape of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Local experiences
Pena Palace
Colourful 19th-century palace with timed-entry tickets; book ahead.
Quinta da Regaleira
Grottoes, tunnels, and a spiral initiation well in romantic gardens.
Moorish Castle
Walk the ramparts for views to the Atlantic.
Cabo da Roca
Mainland Europe's westernmost point, a short drive away.
Where to stay in Sintra
Sintra historic centre
Close to the National Palace and the bus up to Pena; quiet in the evening.
Around the hills
Quintas and guesthouses among the gardens; peaceful but car-dependent.
Colares & the coast
Wine villages and Atlantic beaches to the west, near Cabo da Roca.
Good to know before you go
- Very crowded on weekends and in summer — book palace tickets in advance.
- Steep roads and paths between the sights.
- Weather is often cooler, cloudier, and wetter than in Lisbon.
