Essential Sintra, Portugal Travel Guide for 2024

Looking for a Sintra, Portugal Travel Guide as You Prepare for Your Trip?

Full of lush green trees with castles and palaces galore, you can’t miss this gem outside of Lisbon. Sintra is truly such a magical town and was the highlight of my 5 weeks in Portugal and one of my favorite places in the world. Get everything you need to plan your trip with this Sintra, Portugal travel guide.

Your Essential Sintra, Portugal Travel Guide

Here’s your Sintra, Portugal travel guide to help you figure out what to do, where to stay, what to eat, and more for your visit.

Why You Should Visit Sintra, Portugal

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sintra is full of numerous castles and palaces nestled in green mountains near the Portuguese coast. It’s a quiet town with much to explore, and it’s only about a 30-minute drive from Lisbon.

I only spent one day and one night in Sintra, but I wish I had spent a couple nights there because there’s so much to see.

Transportation Guide

Thankfully, it’s quite easy to get to Sintra and to get around once you’re there. Keep reading here in the Sintra, Portugal travel guide for all the ins and outs of transportation.

How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon

Sintra is quite close to Lisbon, making it fairly easy to travel between the two locations. You can either take a train or Uber/Bolt to Sintra.

I do NOT recommend driving as there aren’t many places to park in Sintra, many roads are closed to vehicles, and traffic can get quite bad.

Uber or Bolt

I personally took an Uber because there were train worker strikes going on in Portugal during my visit. It’s about a 30-minute drive and Ubers will often cost around €30 ($32.75).

Train

If you’d prefer a more cost-effective transportation option, take the train. There are two train lines servicing Lisbon to Sintra that leave from a few different stations in Lisbon:

• Rossio Station: This station is located in the historic city center.
• Oriente Route via Areeiro, Entrecampos, and Sete Rios Stations: This route is helpful for those coming in from the airport or another train or bus connection

These routes take around 40-45 minutes. Visit the train website to see the timetables and check that there are no rail disruptions due to strikes or anything else.

A one-way ticket costs €2,40 ($2.62), and round-trip costs €4,80 ($5.24). If you don’t already have a public transit card, that will cost an additional €0,50 ($0.55).

Note that you cannot buy tickets in advance and will need to purchase them at the train station.

How to Get Around Sintra

Once in Sintra, there are a number of ways to get around.

Walk

The main part of town is fairly walkable, but keep in mind that it can be quite hilly in some areas.

Unless you want a strenuous workout, I do not recommend hiking to some of the major sites to see—primarily Pena Palace or the Castle of the Moors. You’ll do quite a lot of walking at the attractions themselves so don’t want to tire yourself out too much on the journey there.

I’ll share more specific details on getting to each attraction in the things to do section of this Sintra, Portugal travel guide. In the meantime, here are some general tips for getting around.

Bus

One of the best ways to get around Sintra is by bus. In Sintra, there are two main routes servicing all of the main tourist attractions. Each route is run by Scotturb, and you can find more details on the Scotturb website.

Note that at times the buses can get quite crowded and service isn’t always predictable. Scotturb claims that buses depart every 5 minutes, but that isn’t always the case. You may have to wait in lines and possibly stand once on board.

Buses are still one of the best ways to travel around Sintra. That said, it may be easier and more cost effective to travel around via another mode of transportation if you have several others with you to split the cost.

434 Route

The 434 route travels in a loop, starting at the Sintra train station, going up the steep hill to the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace, and then returning.

A single fair costs €4,10 ($4.48), but if you think you’ll be using the bus frequently, I recommend the 24-hour ticket for €13,50 ($14.74) that allows unlimited use of the 434 and 435 buses.

435 Route

The 435 route departs near Sintra train station and drives by the Sintra National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Seteais Palace, and Monserrate Palace.

This is a hop-on, hop-off bus with a €5,50 ($6.00) ticket for the full loop. Alternatively, this is also included in the 24-hour ticket with the 434 for €13,50 ($14.74).

Buses to Get Out of Town

There are several bus routes available for exploring more of Sintra outside of the town. All are run by Carris Metropolitana.

Take the 1624 bus to get to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe, or Cascais. This bus typically departs every 30 minutes.

The 1253 bus is another option for getting get to Cabo da Roca, but it takes slightly longer. This bus often departs every 20 or 30 minutes.

Lastly, bus 1623 is an option for traveling from Sintra to Cascais and nearby beaches.

Uber, Bolt, or Taxi

You might also consider taking an Uber, Bolt, or taxi around parts of Sintra. Know that traffic can sometimes get quite bad, which may cause your rates to go up. That said, I personally found Uber to still be a fairly affordable option.

I’ll also add that apparently sometimes the road to Pena Palace may be shut down to vehicles aside from the 434 bus, so if you have any issues, the bus may be your best bet.

Personally, I was going to Uber down from Pena Palace but had to walk back to town instead. The road is so small with only one lane going in one direction, and a car broke down, completely blocking all traffic.

Tuk Tuk

You’ll see tuk tuk drivers out offering rides. These can be fun but are often the most expensive option.

Main Sights to See in Sintra, Portugal

Sintra, Portugal truly has so many sights to see, so if you’re tight on time, here are the main attractions I recommend for this Sintra, Portugal travel guide.

Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena)

Pena Palace is the crown jewel of attractions in Sintra. If you see anything there, this is the #1 thing you must see.

The stunning, colorful palace sits on top of a hill, and your ticket will allow you to explore many of its rooms and its extensive exotic gardens.

How to Get Tickets

Because Pena Palace is so popular, you must purchase a timed-entry ticket. Tickets cost $21.70. Tickets often sell out in advance, so I recommend purchasing your ticket well ahead of time.

How Much Time to Allow

I recommend planning to spend around 3 hours here. If you have time and think you want to see more of the grounds, then perhaps plan to spend a bit longer there.

The gardens are bursting with so much to see, and I feel like I barely scratched the surface in the few hours I spent there.

How to Get There

Do not plan to walk there from town. It is a steep and strenuous hike, and you don’t want to be too tired when you finally get to the palace.

Instead, plan to take an Uber or Bolt if traffic seems ok or the 434 bus from the train station.

I suggest leaving with extra time to spare in case there’s traffic. Know that it can also take as long as 15 minutes to walk from the initial entrance to the area where your timed tickets are scanned to enter the palace.

Your ticket will not allow late entry, which is why it’s so critical to buffer in plenty of extra time to ensure you make it in on time.

If you get there early with time to kill, enjoy it in the gardens until it’s time for you to enter.

How to Avoid Crowds

Pena Palace will undoubtedly get crowded during your visit as it’s the most popular tourist attraction in Sintra. This is especially true during peak tourist season in the summer. It’s best to get there as early in the morning as you can as it will start getting crowded quite early.

That said, as long as you have a timed-entry ticket purchased in advance, even if you visit later in the day, you should still be able to enjoy your visit. Just know that more people will be there.

I personally went in the afternoon because of my sister’s flight time, and we still enjoyed ourselves even though it was peak season.

History

The site of the palace was originally home to a chapel in the 12^th century that was later converted to a royal monastery in the 16^th century.

In 1755 Lisbon and the surrounding area was hit by a devastating earthquake that destroyed most of the monastery. The monastery remained active but was abandoned in 1834 with the abolition of religious orders in Portugal.

Shortly afterwards, Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha married Portugal’s Queen Maria II in 1836. A lover of the arts, Ferdinand was drawn to the ruins and hills in Sintra.

In 1838, he purchased the crumbling monastery and surrounding grounds to build a summer home for the royal family. He built a palace featuring Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance elements.

In addition to building the palace, he took great care in curating the surrounding grounds, planting rare and exotic tree species from all over the world.

Portugal declared Pena Palace a National Monument in 1910, and UNESCO named the “Cultural Landscape of Sintra” a World Heritage Site in 1995.

Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros)

Situated on the edge of Sintra’s hills (they seem more like mountains to me), the Castle of the Moors feels like something straight out of Game of Thrones. I loved exploring the castle walls and checking out views of the coast and Pena Palace.

Note: If you’re scared of heights like me, you may feel a little uncomfortable in some parts of the castle walls. Overall, I felt fine, but there were a few moments where I was holding tightly onto the walls and trying to move through a section as quickly as I could.

How to Get Tickets

The castle is another top tourist attraction in Sintra, but it’s usually not quite as busy as Pena Palace. It’s not always necessary to purchase tickets in advance, but I think it can be a good idea to be safe, especially if you’re visiting during peak season in the summer.

If you choose to buy the tickets the same day, note that there is an area to purchase tickets close to the road and another at the entrance to the Castle of the Moors. Lines to buy tickets are typically shorter at the entrance.

An adult ticket purchased in advance costs €12($13.10). If you want tickets with an audio guide for your phone, those cost $20.63 each. Tickets to the castle allow you to enter anytime that day. Unlike Pena Palace, the tickets are not timed.

There aren’t many signs up throughout to explain things, so I recommend you buy the ticket that includes the audio guide if you want to understand the significance of what you’re seeing. I personally purchased that ticket and appreciated being able to get that background on everything I was seeing.

How Much Time to Allow

I recommend visiting the castle after Pena Palace and spending around 1-2 hours there. There are quite a lot of steps and it can get tiring, so take your time and enjoy.

How to Get There

If you’re coming from Pena Palace, the castle is a lovely walk that takes about 10 minutes. When you exit Pena Palace, look for signs for the Moorish Castle.

If you’re coming from town, I recommend taking an Uber or Bolt if traffic seems ok or hopping on the 434 bus that leaves from the train station in town.

How to Avoid Crowds

I personally found the Castle of the Moors to be much less crowded than Pena Palace. That said, it’s still one of the top tourist attractions in Sintra, Portugal, so you’re bound to encounter some crowds.

If you really want to avoid crowds, it’s best to go early in the morning or later in the day.

History

The castle walls are said to date back to the 8^th or 9^th century when the Moors ruled over the area. The Moors built the walls strategically on one of the highest peaks in the hill range to help defend the surrounding territory and water routes to Lisbon.

Moorish records indicate that the castle was one of the most important in the region at the time due to the rich farming around it.

The Christians initially took control of the castle in 1093 after the first Christian crusade, but the Moors drove them back out in the next year. The Christians later succeeded in the second crusade in 1147 when the first King of Portugal Afonso Henriques took control of Lisbon and Santarém.

Over the years, the population in the Castle of the Moors diminished as people no longer needed the protection of the walls following the end of Moorish and Christian conflict.

Jewish settlers were the only inhabitants by the 15^th century until they were expelled from Portugal in 1497 and had to abandon the castle.

The castle was neglected and sections of it started collapsing. In 1636 a lightning strike caused a fire that destroyed most of the castle keep, and then the 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the castle walls.

The Castle of the Moors was fated to be forgotten, but when King Ferdinand fell in love with Sintra, he restored the castle in the 19^th century. It’s now one of the top destinations in Sintra and contributed to UNESCO’s designation of the “Cultural Landscape of Sintra” as a World Heritage site in 1995.

Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira should absolutely be on your list and is one of the key sights to see that I’m including in this Sintra, Portugal travel guide. It’s up for debate, but many consider this 19^th-century palace to be the second or third best attraction in Sintra after Pena Palace.

The villa is beautiful, blending Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance architecture.

However, what makes Quinta da Regaleira even more special is its mysterious gardens. Enjoy walking along the paths to various lakes, a chapel, and the main highlight—the Poço Iniciático “Initiation Well.”

There’s an air of mystery to Quinta da Regaleira. Between the Initiation Well and a series of underground passageways, you’re left wondering what exactly took place there. Some believe that the original owner would have secretive ceremonies on the grounds as a member of the Knights Templar.

How to Get Tickets

Some people recommend buying tickets on arrival because if you see a long line, then it’s better to come back later in the day so you can enjoy it when it’s less crowded.

That said, if you’re tight on time and know you really want to see it, I would consider purchasing tickets in advance. This is especially true if you’re visiting during peak season in the summer, where attractions in Sintra are likely to be much busier.

Tickets are €12 ($13.10) in advance for adults. If you’d like to spend slightly more to have an audio guide, you can for around $23.

How Much Time to Allow

I recommend allowing 2-3 hours to explore Quinta da Regaleira, including not only the palace but the mysterious gardens as well.

How to Get There

If you’re heading to Quinta da Regaleira from town, it’s a fairly easy walk and is typically faster than taking the bus.

That said, if you don’t feel like walking or if you’re coming from Pena Palace or the Castle of the Moors, then you can take bus 435 to get to Quinta da Regaleira.

If you’re tired and want to take an Uber or Bolt to Quinta da Regaleira, that’s also an option.

How to Avoid Crowds

Quinta da Regaleira can definitely get crowded as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sintra. I recommend visiting either early or late in the day.

History

One of the wealthiest men in Portugal at the time, António Augusto Caravalho Monteiro, purchased the property in 1893 and built the palace around 1904-1910.

People speculate that Carvalho Monteiro was a member of the Knights Templar. At the very least, he had an interest in it and built Quinta da Regaleira with numerous pagan and Christian symbols included throughout.

Unfortunately, Carvalho Monteiro did not have much time at Quinta da Regaleira before he died in 1920. After his death, the estate had several owners before the Sintra City Council took over ownership in 1997 and opened it to the public the next year.

Additional Attractions

While Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors, and Quinta da Regaleira are certainly some of the top highlights of Sintra, they’re certainly not all. The city and surrounding area is full of SO many things to do, so here’s a list of those additional attractions that are worth noting in this Sintra, Portugal travel guide.

Palace of Monserrate (Palácio de Monserrate)

The Palace of Monserrate is a unique hidden gem in Sintra and features a mix of Moorish, Gothic, and Indian architectural styles. The palace has sprawling gardens with plant species from all over the world, including Mexico.

It’s typically not very crowded, so you can buy tickets easily when you arrive for €12 ($13.10) for adults. To get there, take the 435 bus.

Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra)

The Sintra National Palace is the oldest palace in Portugal with its first building likely built by the Moors in the 10^th or 11^th century. Over the years, Portuguese royals added on to the palace, making it what it is today.

Tickets are €13 ($14.19) and can be purchased onsite. Sintra National Palace is located right in the center of town and can easily be reached on foot.

Convent of the Capuchos (Convento dos Capuchos)

The Convent of the Capuchos is a Franciscan monastery originally built in the 16^th century. It’s known for the large amounts of cork used to adorn its spaces as well as its natural feel.

Tickets are €11 ($12.01) for adults. There is no public transit to the convent, so you will need to take Uber, Bolt, or a taxi.

Biester Palace (Palácio Biester)

Biester Palace only recently opened its doors to the public in 2022. It was built by the same Italian architect Luigi Manini who designed Quinta da Regaleira located nearby.

Tickets are €12 ($13.10) for adults. The palace is a quick walk from town or can be reached via the 435 bus—just get off at the stops for Quinta da Regaleira and walk the rest of the way to Biester Palace from there.

Liberty Park (Park da Liberdade)

Liberty Park is a lovely botanical garden located in Sintra’s town center. No tickets are needed as this attraction is free.

Vila Sassetti Trail

The Vila Sassetti trail is a 1.5-mile route that takes you through the lush green trees between town and the Castle of the Moors and Pena Palace. It’s a challenging hike up, so I recommend instead only planning to hike it down back to town after visiting the Castle of the Moors or Pena Palace.

Santa Maria Trail

The Santa Maria trail is another option for walking down from Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. This trail is just over 1 mile and apparently tends to be better maintained than the Vila Sassetti trail so may be a bit of an easier hike down.

Museums

If you have time to spare and are interested in museums, there are several museums worth noting in this Sintra, Portugal travel guide that you may want to check out:

• Museu do Ar: Dive into Portuguese aviation at this museum. Tickets are €3 ($3.27) for adults.
• Museu das Artes de Sintra: Check out contemporary art at this museum that’s free to visit.
• News Museum: Learn about journalism at this interactive museum. Exhibits are in both English and Portuguese. Tickets are €6,50 ($7.10) for adults.
• Museu do Bonsai: Enjoy this tranquil museum featuring dozens of unique bonsai trees for free.
• Museu de História Natural: Immerse yourself in natural history at this small museum with a large collection of fossils. Admission is free.

Activities Outside of Town

While Sintra town and the immediate surrounding area are full of so many top attractions, the larger municipality of Sintra and areas nearby have much to offer as well that’s important to note in this Sintra, Portugal travel guide.

Here are some of the top things to do in Sintra outside of town.

Cabo Da Roca

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Europe and was once thought to be the end of the world before Europeans sailed to the Americas. Take in Lisbon’s oldest lighthouse and enjoy the beautiful ocean views.

To get there, take the 1624 bus or the 1253 bus.

Palace of Queluz (Palácio de Queluz)

The Palace of Queluz feels like a place you’d see on the show Bridgerton. It’s a massive palace with exquisite sprawling gardens built by Portuguese royals.

Tickets for adults cost €13 ($14.19).

This palace lies right between Sintra and Lisbon. Take the train to get there, getting off at the Monte Abraão train station if you’re coming from Sintra or the Queluz-Belas train station if you’re coming from Lisbon. Alternately, it’s a short Uber, Bolt, or taxi ride away from Sintra or Lisbon.

Viewpoint at the Sanctuary of Peninha (Santuário da Peninha)

The Sanctuary of Peninha offers breathtaking views of the Portuguese coastline. There is no public transportation to the sanctuary, so you will need to take a car to get there. It is just a 12-minute drive from Cabo da Roca.

Beaches

Some of the best beaches near Lisbon are located just outside of Sintra. Here are a few to consider checking out:

• Praia das Maçãs: This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sintra, and you can take a tram from Sintra to get there. This beach is at a small town with plenty of bars and restaurants.
• Praia da Ursa: This beautiful beach with cool rocky cliffs can be reached from the Sintra Coastal Trail starting at Cabo da Roca. It’s more remote and harder to reach, so there aren’t any restaurants nearby and it’s often not very crowded.
• Praia Grande: This is the largest beach in the area with plenty of room for everyone even during busy times in the summer. There’s a large pool at one end of the beach. It’s also a great spot for surfing, and you can rent surfboards and wetsuits at the beach.
• Cascais: Not far from Sintra, this beautiful town is one of the top beach destinations nearby.
• Estoril: Close to Cascais, this is another lovely resort town to consider checking out.
• Praia do Guincho: This beach is known for great waves for surfing and good conditions for kite surfing. It’s a great beach if you want to be active on the water but may not be as good for relaxing on the shore.

Hiking

With its lush green hills, the Sintra area can be great for hiking. Outside of town, here are two of the hot spots for hiking, but there are many more in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park:

• Sintra Coastal Trail: Hike along the Portuguese coast from Cabo da Roca for up to 6 miles to Azenhas do Mar, a picturesque fishing village. You can also reach Praia da Ursa from this trail.
• Santuario da Peninha Trail: This trail starts near the Sanctuary of Peninha and is a 3.6-mile loop through the woods. The loop takes you by what is believed to be a Stone Age burial structure.

Where to Eat and Drink

Sintra town may be small, but there are some wonderful places to eat and drink that I want to call out in this Sintra, Portugal travel guide. Here are some of the top spots to check out, including my favorites from my own visit.

Café Saudade for Lunch

Café Saudade has a large selection of amazing sandwiches, salads, and more. The “XL” sandwiches, as they call them, are the perfect fuel for a long day of walking around Sintra.

The café has a homey atmosphere and is conveniently located in the middle of town not far from the train station.

I personally had the “peasant” sandwich, which had chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, and olive oil. It was so good!

Incomum for an Upscale Dinner

Incomum by Luis Santos is one of the top restaurants in Sintra. The restaurant offers a tasting menu for €52,50 ($57.31) per person or you can order a la carte.

After spending 5 weeks in Portugal, I have to say, this restaurant lived up to the hype and was one of my favorite meals.

The space has an upscale contemporary feel and the staff are exceptional. To start, they brought out a surprise free small bite for each of us. It was some sort of seafood dish, but they were able to accommodate my mom with a tortilla chips and guac alternative.

For the main dish, my sister and I split the 2 person pork ribs, recommended to us by our waitress.

If you plan to visit, I recommend calling or emailing to make a reservation, especially if you’ll be in town during peak season in the summer.

Romaria de Baco for Portuguese Food

Romaria de Baco is a popular Portuguese restaurant in town. It can be hard to get a table sometimes, so I recommend making a reservation in advance.

Tascantiga for Laid-Back Terrace Dining

Tascantiga is a tapas and wine bar on the edge of town with great food and a lovely outdoor terrace. They can get quite busy as well, so I recommend going early or making a reservation by calling or emailing them.

Casa Piriquita for Local Pastries

Casa Piriquita is considered by many to be the most famous pastry shop in Sintra. It’s known for its travesseiros, or pillow pastries, which are puff pastries filled with an almond cream. They’re unique to Sintra and a must try when visiting!

Sintra Terrace for Views

Sintra Terrace has a lovely view over the town from a covered patio. The restaurant has good food and drinks. Historically, the restaurant has offered a great happy hour deal on drinks from 5 to 7 p.m.

Ferraria Taproom for a Brewpub

Ferraria Taproom is a small brewpub in town perfect for beers and light bites after a long day of exploring Sintra.

Where to Stay

There are so many great hotels in Sintra at all budget ranges. Here are a few in this Sintra, Portugal travel guide for you to consider as you plan your trip.

Sintra Boutique Hotel

The Sintra Boutique Hotel is a charming hotel conveniently located in the center of town with very friendly and helpful staff. To me, it feels very affordable for the upscale feel that it has.

I personally stayed there myself with my mom and sister and would absolutely stay there again.

Villa Bela Vista

Villa Bela Vista translates to “beautiful view villa,” and that name definitely lives up to the hype. This hotel is situated on top of a hill overlooking the town and offers lovely views.

The rooms and bathrooms feel nice and clean, and the bathrooms even have heated floors. The staff here are welcoming, kind, and helpful.

Sintra Bliss Hotel

The lovely little Sintra Bliss Hotel is located right by the train station in the center of town and typically has very affordable room rates.

Hotel Sintra Jardim

If you want to relax in a pool after a long day of exploring Sintra, then Hotel Sintra Jardim is for you. Note that this hotel is located slightly further outside of town than many of the others and the rooms aren’t quite as nice as Sintra Boutique Hotel and Villa Bela Vista.

That said, this hotel is a great deal and you might find the pool and lovely gardens of the property to be worth the stay.

Guided Tours

While you don’t need to visit Sintra’s main attractions with a guide, it may make the experience less stressful and help you get more out of your visit.

I personally did not book a guided tour, but I think I will on my next visit. I find that I get so much more out of a visit to a historical site when I have a guide to give me all the background and explain the significance of the space.

The only downside to booking a guided tour is you may not have as much time in a location as you’d like, so keep that in mind.

Here are some of the top tours in Sintra that I want to highlight for this Sintra, Portugal travel guide:

Sintra, Portugal Travel Guide Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions as you plan your trip? This Sintra, Portugal travel guide has you covered. Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions.

How many days do you need in Sintra, Portugal?

Ideally you should plan to spend two days and one night in Sintra, Portugal at a minimum. Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors can easily take up an entire day (or all of your energy), so it’s nice to reserve extra time to see more.

In addition, since many tourists only visit on a day trip, the mornings and evenings in Sintra tend to be a bit quieter, helping you enjoy the town a little bit more.

Is Sintra, Portugal worth visiting?

Sintra, Portugal is absolutely worth a visit! This UNESCO World Heritage Site is full of charm and has so much to see with its many castles, palaces, and nearby hikes and beaches.

Only a 30-minute drive or 40-minute train ride away from Lisbon, it would be a shame to miss Sintra on a trip to Portugal. I absolutely recommend prioritizing it for your trip.

For me, Sintra was my favorite place I visited when I spent 5 weeks in Portugal last summer. It’s also one of my favorite places I’ve ever been in this world, and I’ve traveled to almost 30 countries.

Should I book a tour for visiting Sintra? Do you need a guide to get into Pena Palace?

It’s up to you! A tour is not required for visiting Sintra, but a tour may help alleviate some of the logistical stress while also providing more background information on the history of each attraction.

The only downside to booking a tour, is you may not have as much time as you’d like to spend at each attraction. If you’re the kind of person who prefers to take things slowly, you may prefer to visit on your own instead of with a guide.

Does Sintra get crowded? What is the best day of the week to visit?

Given its proximity to Lisbon, Sintra is a very popular tourist spot, particularly for day trippers. It can get very crowded, especially at main attractions and during peak season in the summer.

If you’re visiting during peak season, it’s better to visit on a weekday if you can so you can avoid bigger crowds on the weekends.

What’s the best time of year to visit Sintra?

Summer is often the busiest (and hottest) time of year to visit Sintra. With that in mind, you may want to consider visiting in the spring or fall if you can so you can enjoy better weather and fewer crowds.

Are attractions in Sintra open on Sundays?

All the major attractions in Sintra are open on Sundays. Given Sintra is a popular day trip destination from Lisbon, Sundays tend to be one of the busier days to visit, especially in the high season in summer, so you may want to avoid visiting on a Sunday if possible.

Is Sintra expensive?

Compared to other tourist destinations in Europe, Sintra is quite affordable. Hotels and food are available in a range of prices.

Most of the tourist activities cost money, but are fairly affordable at around $10-30 per ticket. That said, if you plan to visit and stay for multiple days to see many of the sites, then paying for all of those tickets can add up.

What to wear in Sintra? Is there a dress code?

There’s no dress code to enter any of the attractions in Sintra other than dressing “respectfully.” Most importantly, I recommend dressing comfortably.

Definitely wear a good pair of comfortable walking shoes as you will walk a lot and it will be hilly! Also, know that most of the main attractions in Sintra are primarily outside, so be sure to wear clothes that you’ll be comfortable in given the weather.

How do I stay safe in Sintra?

Sintra, like the rest of Portugal, is generally very safe. According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Portugal is rated the 7^th safest country in the world.

Given Sintra is such a popular tourist destination, there are typically others out and about on the streets. I felt very safe when I was there and didn’t have any issues.

That said, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close, especially in crowded areas. Your biggest risk is probably pickpocketing, so keep this in mind.

Conclusion: Sintra, Portugal Travel Guide

There you have it! I hope you find this Sintra, Portugal travel guide helpful and that you enjoy every minute in this magical place!

Sources on Sintra’s History: Parques de Sintra – The History of Park and National Palace of Pena, Pena Palace Tickets, UNESCO, Parques de Sintra – The History of the Moorish Castle, Visit Sintra, Sintra-Portugal.com Castle Moors Sintra, Sintra-Portugal.com Quinta da Regaleira, Quinta da Regaleira, BBC