When we first visited Portugal back in 2011, our host told us we had to visit Sintra, specifically Pena Palace. As it is always wise to follow the advice of locals, we took the train to Sintra and had a fabulous day touring Pena Palace, Sintra Palace, and Castelo dos Mouros. We also did some great hiking in the nearby woods. That was almost 15 years ago, when you could just visit Pena Palace leisurely. Back then, Pena Palace was so quiet. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been able to visit Pena Palace then. As a result, Sintra became one of our favorite places in Portugal after that visit. Everything about it was so magical, it really cast a spell on us!
Fast forward it to 2021, and we are back in Lisbon with our children. We had told them so much about Sintra, and they were excited to visit. Imagine our shock when we arrived to Pena Palace on a drizzly December morning to find a lot more people visiting! We also were surprised to find areas in the palace were now off limits for visitors. While we still enjoyed our visit, and I think winter is a much better time to visit to avoid crowds these days!
Then, on the Spring of 2025, my family was visiting and they asked to visit Pena Palace–I get it, it’s one of the most visited sites in Portugal and people want to see it with their own eyes. So, off we went to the palace on a warm May morning. We spent so much time in so many lines before entering the palace and during our tour of the palace that we were exhausted by the end. It was too much, and I told myself it’d be a very long time before I’d want to visit Pena Palace again.
Fortunately, not wanting to go to Pena Palace doesn’t mean I can’t still go to Sintra to enjoy the magic. There is so much to see and do in Sintra beyond Pena Palace, and most of it doesn’t have any of the crowds you find at the famous palace.
About Sintra
A Unesco World Heritage Site, Sintra is definitely one of the top day-trip destinations for those visiting Lisbon. Sintra’s cultural landscape became the first centre of European Romantic Architecture in the 19th century when Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle using elements of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance. In addition to the elaborate interior, he surrounded the palace with a romantic park filled with rare and exotic trees and plants, decorated with fountains, water features and more . This led to the creation of other fine palaces and Quintas in the surrounding mountains, creating a unique combination of parks and gardens that went on to influence the development of landscape architecture around Europe.
In addition to all the magical Romantic palaces, Sintra also has structures that date all the way back to megalithic times and everything in between. This is really a place for history lovers and fantasy enthusiasts alike, as every place you visit in Sintra is filled with a lot of history and a dusting of magic!
What To Do And See In Sintra
Most people visit Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon. If you have the time, I’d recommend you spend a night or two in Sintra as there really is so much to do there. We are lucky to be a quick 1-hour drive or train ride from it, so we can visit as often as we like.
Our family has really been enjoying exploring Sintra. We’ve mostly gone there to hike because of its many fabulous trails. A unique feature of hiking in Sintra is that you can hike from one historic monument to the next, while enjoying beautiful forest paths, or epic trails with ocean views. It feels like a really unique place!
These are some of the places we recommend you check out when visiting Sintra:
Castelo dos Mouros
The Moorish Castle is popular, but it’s never felt crowded when we’ve visited it. In total, we’ve been to the castle three or four times at different times of the year. We actually really enjoy bringing visitors there!
Sitting high on a peak of the Serra, this castle might be of Visigothic origin, and was used during the 9th century during the Moorish occupation. After the Reconquista de Portugal, the castle was abandoned, and it now sits in ruins that are still very much worth a visit. Our family really enjoys exploring the walls and enjoying the stunning views from up there. Also, part of the fun is walking up to the castle from Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, or straight from the train station.
Quinta da Regaleira
Also one of the more popular sites in Sintra, (and our kids’ favorite so far!) Quinta da Regaleira definitely deserves a visit! This beautiful estate was built between 1904 and 1910 by Italian architect Luigi Manini, and it blends Gothic, Renaissance, Manueline and Romantic architectural styles. It is filled with mysticism, alchemy and secret symbolism! The palace is the centerpiece of the estate filled with lush gardens, grottoes, fountains, winding paths and more!
One of the most popular (and most intriguing) features of the Quinta da Regalaira is the Initiation Well. Compared to Dante’s seven circles of hell, this deep spiral staircase descends seven stories underground, symbolizing a spiritual journey of rebirth. At the bottom there is a network of underground tunnels connecting the chapel, wells and hidden grottoes! Some of the tunnels have lots of puddles, so make sure you step carefully or wear waterproof shoes when visiting!
Parque e Palácio de Monserrate
The Parque e Palácio de Monserrate is one of Sintra’s most enchanting examples of 19th-century Romantic architecture, and it is definitely one of my own personal favorites! The palace was built in the mid-1800s by an English nobleman, and it combines Gothic, Moorish, and Indian influences into a stunning masterpiece of domes and arches. The main hallway is jaw-dropping beautiful, and it makes you feel like you’ve traveled to a different place.
The palace sits on 50 hectares of land and is surrounded by sprawling gardens that reflect the Romantic fascination with nature—lush landscapes featuring exotic plants from around the world, winding paths, waterfalls, and ornamental ruins.
Visiting the palace took us about an hour. We spent a couple of hours walking around the gardens, which include a rose garden, a Mexican garden, a fern garden, and more! A highlight of our visit was walking around the ruins of the Capela de Monserrate, which have been completely taken over by the forest. The way the trees have established within the cracks of the stone ruins reminded me of visiting Angkor Wat over a decade ago!
Convento dos Capuchos
Just when we thought we’d seen most of the main sites in Sintra we visited the Convento dos Capuchos! This Franciscan convent stands out for its sheer simplicity, lacking any unnecessary luxuries or comforts, a dramatic contrast with most other buildings in Sintra.
Founded in 1560, the convent embodies the ideals of the Franciscan Order, emphasizing poverty, humility, and harmony with nature. One distinctive feature of the convent is the use of cork as insulation and decoration, further showing their deep respect for the surrounding forest. The convent housed Franciscan friars for over two centuries until it was abandoned in 1834 when religious orders were abolished. It was acquired by the Portuguese government in 1949. It underwent a major restoration in 2013, and it truly a unique place to visit.
Anta de Adrenunes
The Anta de Adrenunes is believed to be a Stone Age burial chamber or megalithic monument. The monument sits atop of a hill at 426 meters above sea level, and visiting requires a walk of about one kilometer from the road. We chose to visit Anta de Adrenunes as part of a larger hike in the area that included Capuchos Convent and the next two sites on this list.
Sanctuary of Peninha
Perched high in the Sintra hills, the Sanctuary of Peninha blends history and legend. Tradition tells of a mute shepherd who, during the reign of King João III, encountered a mysterious lady returning his lost sheep. After she asked for bread, the shepherd miraculously gained his voice and found his home filled with enough bread to feed the village. In gratitude, locals built a statue of Our Lady, turning the site into a place of worship.
The Chapel was closed when we visited in the early afternoon on a Sunday, but we enjoyed exploring the chapel ruins at the bottom, and also the gorgeous views of the Sintra coastline. There is a parking lot just a short walk from the Sanctuary. This is a good place to start a shorter hike down to Alta de Adrenunes through the gorgeous forest.
Tholos do Monge
Located atop Monge Peak in the Sintra Hills, this megalithic tholos (ancient circular structure, most commonly used as a funerary monument) is a collective Chalcolithic funerary monument dating to around 2300–2000 BC. Featuring a circular stone chamber once topped by a false dome, a short corridor, and an irregular atrium, it is among the earliest and rarest tholoi identified in Portugal. Initially excavated by Carlos Ribeiro in 1878, the site revealed pottery fragments and signs of continued use into the Bronze Age. The tholos stand at 490m above sea level, and offers a powerful glimpse into prehistoric ritual life.
Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca owes its fame to being the most western point in continental Europe. The overlook sits at about 140 meters above sea level, giving panoramic views of the hills of Sintra and the coast. With such expansive views, it’s no surprise that this spot was used to guard the entrance to Lisbon harbor back in the 17th century. Today, you’ll find the very picturesque lighthouse that is still in use.
If you are planning on doing coastal hikes in Sintra, this is a great place to start as you’ll see there’s many paths leaving from there. If you drive to Cabo da Roca, there’s a parking lot, but arrive on the earlier side because it fills up.
Praia da Ursa
Praia da Ursa is a secluded and dramatic beach near Cabo da Roca on the Sintra Coast.It is only accessible on foot. You can reach this beach via a steep 3.9 km trail from the lighthouse. Check out this post for details.
The beach is surrounded by towering sea stacks and golden sands, offering a wild, picturesque landscape. While the waters can be cold and rough, and unsafe for swimming, we did manage to take a quick dip on the shore. Just be super careful if you decide to go in. Children should definitely be kept away from the water here. There are no facilities on-site, so come prepared (pack it in, pack it out). If you hike down to Praia da Ursa, I assure you your effort will be greatly rewarded with the stunning coastal scenery!
Another fun place to visit in the Municipality of Sintra is Palácio Nacional de Queluz, which is located between Lisbon and the town of Sintra. Because it’s not located nearby the other palaces and castles, and is closer to Lisbon, I wrote a separate post about visiting it. Queluz was a Royal Palace and not a private residence.
Tips For Visiting Sintra
Like with most popular places around the world, it is better to arrive to SIntra early to avoid the big crowds and tour buses. Early mornings, when the fog hasn’t lifted yet, are magical in Sintra!
You need to buy tickets to visit all the historical sites in Sintra. You should buy your tickets online beforehand to save yourself yet another line. Also, if you buy tickets far enough ahead, you get discounts on entrance prices.
If you plan on doing any walking in between the sights, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. In some cases, like the grottos at Quinta da Regaleira, waterproof shoes are best. If you plan is to spend the day hiking around, packing some snacks and a water bottle would be a good idea!
Finally, be strategic about the order in which you visit the sights. Go to the more popular ones before, and leave the lesser known ones for later to avoid crowds and long waits. A little planning ahead can go a long ways!
Getting Around Sintra
Hiring a car is the best and easiest way to get around Greater Sintra. If your plan is to explore just the historic city center and the palaces and castles, you have different options for getting around. An easy option is taking the hop on/hop off Sintra 434 bus which waits outside the train station and takes you on a one-way loop around the main sites. You could also hire a tuk-tuk to take you around, but make sure to negotiate the price beforehand. Another way, and also my favorite, it to simply walk. The hills of Sintra are beautifully connected by trails that run through the forest. The trails are hilly, so be ready for that, but the views and peaceful setting will make it worth it!
For hiking to some of the farther sites, you could hire a car for more flexibility, or you could probably use Uber to reach the trails.
Final Thoughts
Whether you go there for the day, or decide to spend the night, I strongly recommend you wear comfortable shoes if you plan on doing any walking in the hills, or walking from one monument to the next.
I hope you find these recommendations helpful! We’ve only been in Portugal for a bit over a year, and I know there is so much more to see than what I listed above, but it’s a good start! I’ll continue to update this post, and add other posts as we keep exploring more of Sintra!
To learn more about our adventures in Portugal, visit this page. For all of our other travels, visit this page.
