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Sintra is magical. It’s only a 40-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Portugal’s capital city, yet entering Sintra was like turning a page in a childhood fantasy book and stepping into an enchanted village. This tiny town boasting three palaces and a castle is an unexpected delight.

The cultural landscape of Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it is the first centre of European Romantic architecture. It is home to 10 national monuments, ancient ruins, hours of hiking trails, beaches, and impressive architecture. There is no shortage of things to do in Sintra.

We had only a day in Sintra. Our highlight, Palácio Nacional da Pena (National Palace of Pena), is not the only place to visit, but clearly the most popular. One glance at the striking mix of colourful terraces, ornamental battlements, and mythological statues and this castle will pull you in like a magnet.

The easiest way to get to the Palace of Pena, the other castles, and major sites is with the Hop-on Hop-off Sintra bus.

→ Check prices and get advanced tickets for the Hop-on Hop-off Bus 

Colourful Pena Palace in Sintra Portugal
Palácio Nacional da Pena exemplifies the 19th-century Romanticism style of architecture.

 

The gate to Pena Palace in Sintra Portugal
Welcoming us, this is the entrance to Palácio Nacional da Pena.
Holding up one of Pena Palace's window is this mythological triton in Sintra Portugal
Holding up one of Pena’s windows is this mythological Triton symbolising the story of the creation of the world.
Pena Palace in Sintra Portugal
I was fascinated by the twisted columns of this neo-Manueline entrance inside the palace.
Pena Palace in Sintra Portugal
A view from Pena Palace.
Lushly forested grounds leading to Pena Palace in Sintra Portugal
The 20-minute uphill walk through the lushly forested park that surrounds the palace is filled with ornate surprises and hidden pathways.

We hadn’t originally planned a day in Sintra. Our time constraint was a pre-booked apartment an hours drive north in Obidos, another charming and recommended village. We had only enough time to visit two of the three palaces.

The Moorish Castle in Sintra Portugal
If I could redo our visit, we would have climbed to the Castelo dos Mouros (the Moorish Castle) rather than taking this photo from a distance.
The National Palace of Sintra in Portugal
The Palacio National de Sintra (National Palace) is in the centre of the historic district. Cobblestone streets lead to shops, restaurants, and other tourist destinations, intermixed with old homes and businesses.
The two massive twin chimneys identify The National Palace of Sintra in Portugal
The two massive twin chimneys are the most noted characteristic of the Palácio Nacional.
Great Hall in The National Palace of Sintra in Portugal
Great Hall
Staircase in The National Palace of Sintra in Portugal
Staircase
Kitchen in The National Palace of Sintra in Portugal
Kitchen in Palácio Nacional

Getting to Sintra

  • It’s easy to get to here from Lisbon, and it makes for a great day trip.
  • Primary transportation options are the train to Sintra, the public bus, a rental car, or a private guide.
  • We had a car included in our home exchange (we swapped cars as well as houses) and our agreement allowed us to use their vehicle to travel through Spain, Portugal and France. The home exchange saved us money on both our lodging and car rental.

→ Learn more about Home Exchange 

Sintra Travel Tips:

  • While we had only a day in Sintra, if I went back I would stay a week (or at least a few days). With nearly 200 accommodation options, there is one to fit every budget.

→ Check prices and availability for local hotels on Booking.com 

  • The old town area is crowded with limited parking, while we had a car, we didn’t use it. We parked once and walked or took various busses.
  • The Hop-on Hop-off Sintra bus is an ideal option. Its seven stops include: Estação de Caminhos de Ferro, Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Portão dos Lagos, Castelo dos Mouros, Palácio Nacional da Pena, Igreja de S. Pedro de Penaferrim, and Volta do Duche

→ Check prices and get advanced tickets for the Hop-on Hop-off Bus 

  • Large crowds visit Pena Palace, especially in summer. Parking is difficult. There is a low-cost shuttle bus that runs from the entrance of Pena Park up or back down the hill. Otherwise, it’s a 20-minute easy, but uphill walk.

Neighbouring Regions – Our Itinerary

We visited Sintra amongst a handful of cities in Portugal as we drove up the coast. We started this journey as we drove south from our Costa Brava home-exchange through the centre of Spain, then headed west to Seville before entering Portugal where our first stop was Evora. From there we bypassed Lisbon, and headed straight to Sintra, before travelling north with our next two primary destinations being Obidos and Alcobaca, both in Portugal.

Have you been to Sintra?

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Pena is one of three palaces in Sintra Portugal

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Comments

  2. Portugal looks lovely, and your photos have really cheered me up after looking out at our dreary, rainy weather. You and your family have had a lifetime of fabulous travels. Thanks for reposting this fun adventure, Rhonda!

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  3. Never heard of Sintra. After seeing your photos and reading your article, I have made a mental note of it, It is the unplanned destinations, we travellers love don’t we?

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  6. It is true that Sintra and its architecture has great photo opportunities but I also found it too much touristy. Did you taste the pasteis de queijo ? (cakes made of cheese) They are typical of Sintra

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  7. Amazing destination, we have been to Sintra twice and will certainly go again when we visit Portugal next time. There is no other place in the world like Sintra for castles and palaces in the one place

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  10. Hi Rhonda,
    Thanks for this post and the wonderful photos! My wife and I have been dreaming of visiting castles and going to Europe for quite sometime now. Portugal’s been on the list after we hosted a couple from Porto and we have this idea that there’s going to be some incredible food out there. The travel tips are much appreciate considering we’ll likely be out there during the summertime.
    Cheers,
    Mark

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  11. I’m a little surprised the Portuguese left to discover new places. I mean, we’re all dying to go TO Portugal and they wanted to leave? Granted, from a historical perspective, things are a little different now. 😉 Love your photos – very enticing!

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  12. Wow Sintra is really beautiful, not just the architecture, but also the nature and scenery outside of the architecture. I’m totally inspired to be there now!

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  13. Wow, this is really nice! I’m looking forward to my trip to Portugal in September, and the Palaces of Sintra is definitely on my must-visit list while staying in Lisbon. Your photos are convincing me that I made the right decision to add the Palaces to the list 🙂 #TheWeeklyPostcard

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  16. I can’t wait to visit Portugal, and now you have introduced me to a new region – Sintra. Thank you for the wonderful introduction. Your pics are amazing and there is so much natural beauty. Absolutely adding Sintra to my list of places to check out when we finally get to Portugal. Thanks for sharing.

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    • Lisbon is a city that we missed, but we did hit all of the key day trips from there. If I were to go back and base myself there, I would be sure to add at least three extra days just for the surrounding towns like Sintra.

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  17. First of all I would like to start off with u saying you have amazing shots of the palace. I loved them. And Sintra looks magical and spectacular. I will add it to my bucket list. I am sure to visit that place and I will refer your article back when I am planning.

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  18. Sintra looks like something out of a fairy tale. I especially like those arched openings looking out from Pena Palace and the photo of your girls in the mini castle in the forested park. I’ll have to keep it in mind for any Lisbon trip.

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  19. Places like this are what they use to build theme parks. It’s such a fairytale looking town. And so close to the city that it’s easy to visit. Love it.

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  20. Sintra does sound magical. The castles look right out of a fairytale. That window with Triton is outstanding. Your photo of the view framed by the walls is awesome.Adding Sintra to my list and will be sure to allow for several hours, if not an overnight.

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  21. Palaces and castles are my very favorite historical buildings! My first trips to Europe were all planned to just get inside as many of them as I could. Thanks for sharing these great photos.

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  22. I love Sintra. I have a framed photo hanging on my wall right now of the National Palace of Penes. There is something special about that location and the architecture that makes it such a unique site. Something any visitor to Lisbon should check out, that’s for sure!

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  23. Love what you have done with the Sintra post. We keep looking back at our old photos and imagine what it would take to bring them up to snuff. I shutter to think of the photos I was taking in 2012. Memories have a way of preserving the idea of me taking a great photo instead of the reality that’s on my hard drive.

    Your photos were well shot from the beginning and the digital remastering only served to bring out every more vibrate colors. Great article and it gives me hope that the gems I treasure in my memories might be dug from the depths of my hard drive one day.

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    • Thanks. Dig up the photos. You might be surprised. Mine needed a lot less editing than I would have thought. Actually more often than not, it was removing the original editing that improved the photos. I have done very little to the colour in these shots. For me, in the last five years, I think it is my post production abilities that have made the biggest change.

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  24. We’ve been to Sintra and chose to go to the castle which was great. We didn’t see the palace as we only chose one place to visit. It would have been good to see more but we were happy with the castle and town.

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  25. Wow, I can see why Palácio Nacional da Pena is the most popular – such an incredible castle! Thanks for this post Rhonda – Portugal is not actually a country I had associated with incredible castles – I had more thought this would be Germany, Spain ,France, so I don’t know why I discounted Portugal! Obviously I need to re-asses and add it to this years travel list!

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  26. i visited Sintra with a girlfriend several years ago. I remember the long walk up to the palace more than i remember the palace it self. I’m enjoying your photos thought and they are jogging my memory a bit. I also remember the restaurant where we drank vino Verde and ate lunch after walking back down. It’s a lovely town and over all i recommend it as a day trip from Lisbon.

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    • The walk was long, and we took many of the side paths as we were not in a hurry, and we love walking. However, it is the colours of the palace that stayed with me.

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  27. Sintra has to be one of my favourite towns in Europe, full stop. The castles are amazing, the smaller palaces are charming and the forest is so peaceful to walk in, even if I did get kinda lost. I’m actually revisiting Portugal as we speak and was considering seeing Obidos and Albacoa so will take a look at your posts.

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    • I will be rewriting my post on Obidos on Tuesday, with more images, and less silliness. If you are heading north, I would recommend both destinations. We spent two nights in Obidos, as we arrived late and left early, so only one full day. My one warning, if you arrive late, there are limited choices for dinner.

      Reply

  28. Wow Sintra is stunning. I haven’t been to Portugal but I really must go, it looks so beautiful and your photos from Sintra are impressive.

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  29. Perfect timing on republishing this as I will be headed to Portugal in exactly one week. We are planning on doing a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon and your post is really helpful. Sounds like we need to get up early to really make the most of it. I am really excited.

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  30. Simply beautiful! I’ve heard and seen more about Portugal lately – and many have said that it’s a very underrated country that flies under the radar. I definitely would love to visit here!

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    • Our girls were teens when we visited. I imagine their experience would have been different if they were younger as they would have been sure there were fairies living in Pena Park.

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    • We were just talking about how we should go back to Portugal. Everywhere we did visit was special, in its own way. We didn’t have enough time to really explore the country.

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  38. I know the first castle! It’s on my Castles Screensaver and it’s very cool! lol The kitchen surprised me. Who puts an open fire in the middle of a room? Strange, huh? Thanks very much for sharing the great pics!

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  39. Fantastic pictures I love the spiral staircase and the Great Hall. I’m off to Portugal in a couple of weeks I don’t think we will make it to Sintra which is a real shame it looks like a place with a new discovery around every corner. I wonder what that little building covered in moss with the turret is? Thanks for hosting #Wkendtravelinspiration

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  41. I have wanted to visit Sintra (and Portugal) in ages. For what I have seen, I think I would prefer to stay in Sintra at least one night. There are so many wonderful places yo visit in there. #TPThursday #wkendtravelinspiration

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    • I would love to go back and spend significant time in Portugal. We went through too quickly, and loved everywhere we stopped. And I would also spend a night in Sintra.

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    • When my girls were little they would have been sure the grounds were fairy gardens and would have been looking under every rock and around every bend for some of the magic.

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  46. Yeah Sintra 🙂 I love this place, I hope we will come back soon and spend there more time. We haven’t visited Castelo dos Mouros and Palácio Nacional de Sintra. Thanks for your nice pics 🙂

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  48. Ah this is the one castle I want to go to the most!!!!!! A Portugal trip keeps getting pushed back bc too many other things keep coming up! 🙁 Such a beautiful castle! #wkendtravelinspiration

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  49. This palace is a mixture of Arab minarets, towers and domes. It was built between 1840 and 1850.Prince of Baviera D. Fernando of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, husband of D. Maria II ordered it to be build on the site of the ruins of the monastery of Our Lady of Pena.Inside the palace you can see a large ball room, the kitchen and several rooms.The palace has been painted yellow and pink in the 90’s. These were its original colors.

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    • Thanks Nancy. Weren’t we lucky to start chatting with people who were photographers. Actually, they initiated the conversation, all about my teen’s cool pants.

      Reply

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