The Top Things to Do in Sintra: 5 Stunning Palaces You Need to See
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Planning a day trip from Lisbon but wondering if Sintra should be your destination?
Sintra is truly a magical place! With so many castles preserved or created because of Ferdinand II of Portugal, it is a wonderful escape from bustling Lisbon and feels like a fairytale.
After walking the equivalent of 96 floors in a single day (according to my Fitbit), I can advise on transportation, accommodation, and reveal which palaces are worth the climb and which can be skipped.
Whether you’re a history buff drawn to centuries-old Moorish castles, an Instagrammer hunting for that perfect shot of the famous Initiation Well, or simply someone who wants to step into a real-life fairytale for a day, this guide is designed for travelers who value both magical experiences and budgetary planning.
I understand that your time is precious, your feet will get tired, and you want to make every moment count without missing the must-see highlights that make Sintra truly unforgettable.
Quick Guide to Sintra
⏳ Short on time? My top tips for what to do in Sintra are:
🏨 Where to Stay:
– Casa do Vinho Sintra Guest House
💸 Save Money (save 15%):
– Pena Palace
– Moorish Castle
– Monserrate Palace
– Sintra National Palace
🎟️ Book ASAP:
– Quinta da Regaleira
📍Day Trips:
– Lisbon
📲 Must-Have Apps:
– Maps.me for offline maps
– Citymapper for transport info
🗣️ Language: Portuguese is spoken, though English is prevalent in tourist areas
Planning a Trip to Sintra
How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon
If you get the Lisboa Card, you’ll also get a round-trip train ticket from Lisbon to Sintra. The train takes approximately 40 minutes to travel from Lisbon to Sintra. From the Rossio train station, which is located in central Lisbon, you can get a direct train. Trains leave frequently throughout the day. You can find the train schedule here.
- Nearest train stop: Portela de Sintra – Largo Vasco da Gama, 2710-450
- Nearest bus stop: Estação de Sintra – 2710-590 Sintra, Portugal
I did not do this option. Why? Because I was already tired of dragging my suitcase across Greece and up Lisbon’s hills. I instead opted to take an Uber, as they are super cheap in Portugal. Could I have done the train option? Yes. But for the cost, I knew just walking out of my hotel into an Uber and then into my next hotel in Sintra would save my energy, which I definitely needed in Sintra.
How Long to Spend in Sintra
How long to spend in Sintra is a tricky question as it depends on when you go. When I went in 2021, it was still bouncing back from the pandemic, so in contrast to the many blogs I read telling me how busy Sintra was, it was relatively empty.
I’d wager that’s no longer the case, so I recommend 2-3 days in Sintra, as I was able to get through everything I wanted on my list in a day and a half.
How to Travel Around Sintra
Once you’ve arrived at the Sintra train station, you can walk to many things to do in Sintra. Still, I advise taking advantage of the local public transportation because some of the attractions listed below are uphill.
Sintra has a great public transportation system! It runs about every 15 minutes and takes you to all the main attractions, such as Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, and Monserrate Palace.
A ticket allows you to travel for 24 hours and use it as many times as you want. The only bus lines you need to be aware of are 434 and 435, as that’ll help you accomplish all the sites listed in this what to do in Sintra guide. You can find a map of their routes here. Currently, their online price is €13.50.
Aside from the bus, you’d have to walk uphill, take a taxi, or join a tour.
Tuk-tuks are also a popular and convenient mode of transportation in Sintra, especially for those looking to explore the town’s attractions and sightsee while riding along.
Driving in Sintra isn’t recommended as there are few parking spots. The narrow uphill roads are also a challenge. I got a bit dizzy with the bus looping back and forth at one point, so keep that in mind if you get car sick.
Before I went, several blogs said there were long queues for the buses. I didn’t find that so, but I visited in 2021 when it was still bouncing back from the pandemic. I’d expect it would be a bit busier now, so you may want to be an early bird when planning what to see in Sintra.
Where to Stay in Sintra
I stayed at a LOVELY guest house in Sintra called Casa do Vinho. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the loveliest woman, who welcomed me with coffee and biscuits. Sintra is a small place, so this homey vibe she and the accommodation gave off made me feel at home.
I ended up staying only one night instead of the two I had booked because I got through everything quickly. The only thing on this what to do in Sintra guide I passed over was the Moorish Castle, and that’s cause I could see it from Pena Palace, but more on that later.
The woman who ran the place was concerned with my leaving because she thought I had a bad time. I did my best to assure her it wasn’t her or her place, but merely that I didn’t need as much time as I had thought. My only issue with this guest house, which I also told her, was that the back entrance, the most convenient way to get to my room, could have been better lit at night. But she may have changed that since. All in all, I highly recommend Casa do Vinho.
Should I Get the Sintra Pass?
Now, on to the main attractions of this guide! But before I do, I wanted to mention the Sintra Pass. I’ve seen this mentioned in some places on the web. However, it always redirects back to the Lisboa Card, so maybe they used to be separate things.
I’m not sure, but either way, what you need is the Lisboa Card, which grants you free entrance to 51 museums, monuments, and places of interest, as well as skip-the-line access to 12 of those places in Lisbon. As well as free transportation and discounts.
Or, you can get the Lisboa-Sintra Pass, which will give you the aforementioned, plus Pena Palace, Pena Park, and the Chalet of the Countess of Edla.
I did the former because the Sintra Pass only covered attractions on the grounds of Pena Palace. Since I’d gotten the 72-hour Lisboa Pass and spent three days in Lisbon, I didn’t see the benefit. However, this decision will depend on how you plan your itinerary.
Tips for Visiting Sintra
- Even though it wasn’t extremely busy when I went, Sintra is still a very popular travel destination, so I highly recommend starting your day early to help avoid the crowds.
- Pena Palace is undoubtedly one of the most popular sites, if not the most popular, so starting your day there is highly recommended.
- As you’ll be exploring the grounds of castles, their interiors, and climbing many steps, you should wear sturdy shoes. I also suggest adding insoles if you need the extra cushion. They are musts on my packing list.
- Since this is such a popular destination, it is recommended that you book tickets in advance, which should save you some time and allow you to skip the line.
What to Do in Sintra
Pena Palace
Once you’ve taken the bus to Pena Palace, it is still an uphill climb to the colorful storybook castle. After my day here at Pena Palace, Chalet of the Countess of Edla, and Monserrate Palace, I had supposedly walked 96 floors, according to my Fitbit. For reference, the Empire State Building is 102 floors tall.
As I mentioned earlier, Ferdinand II spearheaded the transformation of Pena Palace from a former monastery into the colorful castle it is today. He had the upper floor refurbished, replacing the fourteen cells used by the monks with larger-sized rooms and covering them with vaulted ceilings. In 1843, he decided to enlarge the palace by building a new wing (the New Palace) with even larger rooms (one of them being the Great Hall), ending in a circular tower next to the new kitchens.
From the audioguide, I listened to it while at Pena Palace, I learned that Ferdinand II is a bit of a hero in Sintra because of this. Their official site even features the quote, “The jewel in the crown of the artist king.” A note on the audioguide: it’s an app you can use on your phone, so make sure to bring headphones. It is an additional fee, however, which costs €1.09.
While Pena Palace’s exterior is world-famous, its interiors are just as interesting. Inside, you’ll find the chambers of King Carlos, Ferdinand II’s bedroom, Queen Amelia’s dressing room and tea room, the Great Hall, and much more.
And because it’s so famous, this should be the first on your list of things to do in Sintra, as it’ll likely get busy later in the day.
⏳ Duration: 3-4 hours
🎟️ Tickets: Buy your tickets online and get a 15% discount.
Chalet of the Countess of Edla
Pena Palace was built to be visible from any point in the park, which consists of a garden and forest with over five hundred different species of trees from all over the world. Within those gardens is the Chalet of the Countess of Edla.
After climbing down from Pena Palace, I headed over here. I highly recommend taking the map they give you at the entrance or finding one on your phone because these gardens are expansive! You can see so much in these gardens, including a lake, a waterwheel, a temple, a grotto, a farm, and, of course, the Chalet of the Countess of Edla.
The Chalet of the Countess of Edla was constructed by King Ferdinand II. It is a 30-minute walk from the Palace and takes around 20 minutes to explore, as it’s about the size of a large house. I added this to my Sintra itinerary partly because it was included in my ticket for Pena Palace and also because it looks like a house out of a storybook.
You can use the audioguide I mentioned for Pena Palace at the Chalet of the Countess of Edla.
It’s a 3.4-mile roundtrip walk from Pena Palace. They appear to have a bus around the grounds, but it wasn’t in operation when I went, and it appears to still be out of commission.
⏳ Duration: 1.5 hours
🎟️ Tickets: Included in the Pena Palace ticket price.
Moorish Castle
After visiting Pena Palace and the Chalet of the Countess of Edla, I headed to Monserrate Palace. Why? I don’t know, as it’s not the next stop on the bus route; that’s Moorish Castle. But alas, that’s what I did. I mention this because if you wish to visit the Moorish Castle, you can go directly after. I say after because even though it’s before Pena on the bus route, Pena will likely get busier than the Moorish Castle.
The Castelo dos Mouros, an important historical site from the 8th and 9th centuries, offers visitors the unique experience of walking along its castle walls, offering scenic views of Sintra.
The main reason I recall skipping the Moorish Castle is that you can see it from Pena Palace, and unlike Pena Palace, there’s no interior I felt I’d miss from a distant view. I was also hella tired!
However, if you find yourself more spry than I am, there’s a tomb, church, necropolis, cistern, and more you can see on a visit there.
Do I regret not going? Not really. But I think if I were to go again, I’d add it to my list of what to do in Sintra just cause.
The Moorish Castle is a fortification founded in the 10th century, during the period the Moors occupied the Iberian Peninsula. Its walls snaking across the hills resemble a location from Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon. Don’t bother Googling; I checked. It’s not the filming location; that honor goes to Spain‘s San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.
⏳ Duration: 1-1.5 hours
🎟️ Tickets: Buy your tickets online and get a 15% discount.
Monserrate Palace
The other reason I did the Monserrate Palace after Pena Palace and the Chalet of the Countess of Edla was because I only had so much time in the day after those two. A visit to Pena Palace and its grounds can take up a better part of a day, so remember that when planning what to do in Sintra.
Keeping with the theme of things that resemble filming locations from Game of Thrones, the Monserrate Palace looks a little like the Royal Alcázar of Seville, which stood in for Dorne. This is likely because the design was influenced by Romanticism and Mudéjar Moorish Revival architecture with neo-Gothic elements.
Intended as a retreat for writers, Monserrate attracted many international visitors, including Francis Cook, the 19th-century British industrialist and art collector. He transformed Monserrate into what we see today with its exotic gardens and romantic architecture throughout the palace.
As the day was waning, I didn’t explore the ground as much as I would have liked to, but I did enjoy the interior, which I found to be one of the most appealing things I saw. So, definitely add it to your what to see in Sintra list.
I loved the colorful ceilings in the main hall, the intricate wood carvings, and the long gallerys between. It felt like each corner of the palace had been truly thought out to be as beautiful as possible. Honestly, these photos say more than I ever could.
You can use the same audioguide I mentioned for Pena Palace and the Chalet of the Countess of Edla here at Monserrate Palace.
⏳ Duration: 1-2 hours
🎟️ Tickets: Buy your tickets online and get a 15% discount.
Quinta da Regaleira
I visited the Quinta da Regaleira during my half-day before returning to Lisbon. I didn’t bother with public transportation because it was just a 6-minute walk from my hotel. But if you stay further away, the bus can also take you here.
Quinta da Regaleira is so beautiful. It’s a must-see on your list of things to do in Sintra! It’s one of those places where you’re like, “Someone really lived here??” I had the same feeling when visiting Casa Batlló in Barcelona.
The architecture evokes Roman, Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline styles. In my opinion, the Gothic is what makes Quinta da Regaleira so unique. The interior is just as ornate as the exterior, with paintings, carvings, tile, and painted ceilings throughout. Only the main floor of Regaleira Palace is accessible to visitors. The upper floors are only open during temporary exhibitions.
In addition to the main building, they also have a chapel and a massive park with lakes, grottoes, wells, fountains, and other exquisite constructions. If I recall correctly, they provided you with a map of the area, but you’re probably most keen on seeing the Initiation Well, as you’ve likely seen it on Instagram.
Initiation Well is a gothic spiral staircase that descends 88 feet underground and is believed to be used for ceremonial rituals. The famous well is one of the most iconic and intriguing features of Quinta da Regaleira, attracting visitors from around the world.
It’s been suggested that it’s connected to the Knights Templar, Freemasonry, and Rosicrucianism. The estate’s owner, Carvalho Monteiro, has been associated with the Templars. Not going to lie, I was a little terrified of dropping my phone down this well!
Much has changed since my visit in 2021, so be sure to check their website for the latest info. They now require you to choose a day and time for your visit but do not dictate the length of your visit. However, should you be late for your slot, you’re SOL.
Quinta da Regaleira has audioguides that can be rented at the ticket office. They cost an additional €5 and include a map.
⏳ Duration: 1.5-2 hours
🎟️ Tickets: DON’T forget to book online in advance as this is a popular attraction!
Sintra National Palace
The last thing on my list of what to do in Sintra is the Sintra National Palace, which you can also get to from the bus. But as it was only a 4-minute walk from my hotel, I didn’t bother with the bus.
Though maybe not as vibrant as some of the other palaces you’ll find on this list of things to do in Sintra, it’s no less important, especially as it’s the oldest palace in Portugal.
Located in the center of Sintra, it’s hard to miss, with its two conical chimneys crowning the royal kitchen. As the only palace that spans the entire history of Portugal, the National Palace of Sintra is a conglomeration of many royal palaces.
Adapted over many centuries and founded around the 10th or 11th century, when Sintra was under Moorish rule, the National Palace of Sintra has witnessed some of the most defining episodes in Portugal’s history. This makes it an excellent place to take visitors on a tour through that history.
The most notable rooms on the tour are the Swan, Magpie, and Coat of Arms Rooms, which are as unique as they are ornate. The Chapel and Anteroom of the Council Chamber are also worth a look.
If you’re looking for something to skip on this list, I’d advise the National Palace of Sintra. Unlike the others, it’s more of a history museum than a grand palace.
You can use the same audioguide I mentioned for Pena Palace, the Chalet of the Countess of Edla, and Monserrate Palace here at the National Palace of Sintra.
⏳ Duration: 30-60 minutes
🎟️ Tickets: Buy your tickets online and get a 15% discount.
Visiting Sintra FAQ
Is Sintra worth visiting?
Yes! I loved just how many amazing palaces were so centrally located in Sintra. It’s truly a convenient trip from Lisbon to see such magical, fairytale-looking castles.
Can you just walk around Sintra?
Can you? Yes. Would I recommend it? No. You’ll have enough walking to do, just seeing all the things to do in Sintra, so you won’t need the extra steps!
Can I do Sintra in half a day?
I highly doubt it. Even though it wasn’t busy when I went, it still took me a day and a half to see Pena Palace, the Chalet of the Countess of Edla, the Monserrate Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and the Sintra National Palace.
Can you do Sintra in a day?
If you narrowed down this list, maybe. However, I would not recommend it, especially if you’re going during the busy season. Just seeing Pena Palace and its grounds is the better part of a day, so I don’t think it’s possible unless you’re just doing that or just the other ones. However, I’ve listed my approximate durations for each destination, so please look at that as a guide.
What are some tips for staying safe while traveling in Sintra?
I found my time in Sintra to be very safe. Aside from mentioning to my hotel staff that the back path to my room was a bit dark at night, I didn’t have any concerns. It was rather chill while I was there, but still, I can’t imagine being concerned even in high season.
Where do you recommend eating in Sintra?
The one night I was there, I had dinner at Restaurante Alcobaça and found it adorable—its interior looks like a cave! It serves Portuguese cuisine. I ate breakfast at my hotel, and I found a local cafe for lunch.
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