Sintra

Travel Guide

Ursa Beach showing a sunset, general coastal views and rugged coastline
Sintra
Sintra featuring chateau or palace and heritage architecture
Sintra as well as a small group of people
Moorish Castle showing tranquil scenes, heritage elements and chateau or palace

Medieval castles, royal parklands and forested mountains surround historic streetscapes just a short drive from the fresh seafood and surf of the Portugal coast.

Sintra is a mountain region a short train ride from Lisbon with Moorish castles, royal palaces, aristocratic estates and manicured gardens. Make the scenic 30-minute drive from Sintra to Adraga Beach, known for its restaurant terraces and fresh seafood.

Start your adventure in Sintra in the Sintra National Palace near the center of town, easily located by its two distinctive domed chimneys. Explore the 1,000-year-old history of the palace from Moorish times to the house arrest of mad King Alfonso VI in the 17th century. The Moorish style was carried over in later extensions with decorative geometric tiles.

Wander through the famous Pena National Palace, a 19th-century pink-and-yellow palace that lies on a hill overlooking Sintra. Discover its opulent rooms with original Edwardian and late-Victorian furniture, paintings and decoration. The palace is surrounded by forested parkland created by Ferdinand II and features exotic trees from Japan, Australia, China and North America.

Go to the 9th-century Moorish Castle on the south side of Sintra for panoramic views over the Pena and Sintra Palaces and across the town. King Ferdinand II, a lover of medieval history, restored the castle in the 20th century.

Each of Sintra’s many historic buildings has its own distinctive style and charm. Visit the 18th-century National Palace of Queluz and the eclectic 19th-century Palace of Monserrate.

Explore tiny rooms constructed using cork at the Convento dos Capuchos (Convent of the Capuchos). Picturesque forest, mossy boulders and carved rock tables and chairs surround the convent.

Explore the nearby Sintra-Cascais Natural Park on foot, by mountain-bike or on horseback. Continue west through the park for a day of surfing and seafood on the coast. The area is known for its goose-barnacles and other fresh seafood dishes. Enjoy sunsets over the stunning Adraga Beach from restaurant terraces.

Where to stay in Sintra

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Azenhas do Mar

Though Azenhas do Mar might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Magoito Beach and Macas Beach.

Azenhas do Mar
Moorish Castle featuring tranquil scenes and a castle

Santa Maria e São Miguel

If you're spending time in Santa Maria e São Miguel, check out sights like Castle of the Moors or Sintra Mountains and hop on the metro to see more the city at Sintra Tram Stop or Monte Santos Tram Stop.

Santa Maria e São Miguel
An extense beach with an pleasant landscape, good for surf, fishing or photography.
#BVStrove

São João das Lampas

While there might not be top attractions in São João das Lampas, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Magoito Beach and Foz de Lizandro Beach.

São João das Lampas
Pena Palace

São Pedro de Penaferrim

If you're spending some time in São Pedro de Penaferrim, Quinta da Beloura and Penha Longa Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

São Pedro de Penaferrim
Sintra National Palace which includes tranquil scenes, a sunset and a park

Historic Center

While visiting Historic Center, you might make a stop by sights like Sintra Mountains and Sao Martinho Church.

Historic Center
Macas Beach showing a beach, waves and general coastal views

Praia das Macas

The beaches and restaurants make Praia das Macas worth a stop. Make a stop by Macas Beach, and jump on the metro at Praia das Maçãs Tram Stop to get around the area.

Praia das Macas
NH Sintra Centro
NH Sintra Centro
4 out of 5
Praca da Republica, Sintra
$165 nightly
The price is $179 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$179 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Sintra. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (992 reviews)
"Great location for shopping, dining and having access to all the main attractions. Enjoyed being able to walk directly from the hotel to explore the town. Property is a bit dated but a good value for what you’re getting."

Reviewed on Jun 18, 2025

NH Sintra Centro
Pestana Sintra Golf Conference & Spa Resort
Pestana Sintra Golf Conference & Spa Resort
4 out of 5
Quinta de Beloura, Rua Mato da Mina, 19, Sintra
$169 nightly
The price is $184 total per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
$184 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Sintra. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (566 reviews)
Great location
"Pleasant"

Reviewed on Jun 24, 2025

Pestana Sintra Golf Conference & Spa Resort
Villas de Cintra
Villas de Cintra
3 out of 5
Rua Conde Ferreira, 11 A, Sintra
$88 nightly
The price is $99 total per night from Jul 8 to Jul 9
$99 total
Jul 8 - Jul 9
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Sintra. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Sintra National Palace and Pena Palace are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (117 reviews)
"Close to all attractions and dining options. Helpful and friendly staff."

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Villas de Cintra
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casa da Pendôa
Casa da Pendôa
4 out of 5
Rua da Pendôa nº 17, Sintra
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Sintra. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Sintra National Palace ...
9/10 Wonderful! (318 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Casa da Pendôa
Sintra Sol - Apartamentos Turisticos
Sintra Sol - Apartamentos Turisticos
3 out of 5
Avenida Eugene Levy, 29, Praia das Maçãs, Colares, Sintra, Lisbon
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Sintra. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Sintra National Palace and Pena Palace ...
7.4/10 Good! (61 reviews)
Don’t stay here. Nasty!
"This place is a dump. Do not stay here, and don’t trust the reviews that say otherwise! This place might have been great in the 90s, but that’s the last time anything was maintained and/or cleaned thoroughly. Our first room was dark and filthy, and located on the maintenance side of the property. ..."

Reviewed on Oct 22, 2023

Sintra Sol - Apartamentos Turisticos
Sintra Retreat Residences
Sintra Retreat Residences
3.5 out of 5
R. Tomé de Barros Queirós 14, Sintra, Lisboa
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Sintra. Enjoy free WiFi, cable TV channels, and an in-room espresso maker. Popular attractions Sintra National Palace and ...
"Close to interesting places to visit in Sintra and the train if you want to go to Lisbon. While the floor tiling just inside the door needs repair, the space was in otherwise great shape.;"

Reviewed on Sep 13, 2024

Sintra Retreat Residences
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sintra

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
131
5 - Excellent 78%
4 - Good
33
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

CS

We did the opposite of most people visiting this area. We stayed in Sintra and did day trip to Lisbon by train.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The outskirts of the city give a bad first impression, but the old center is incredible. There is so much to do in the area that it’s almost unbelievable. I had a day and a half and could have spent a week

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Hired a rock climbing guide and climbed in the park.

5/5 - Excellent

LA

Sintra is a great place to visit. However very challenging for people with mobility issues.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Sintra is magical. Full of history, beuatiful, great food, and lovely people!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Must visit if you're in the Lisbon area.

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