Sintra Attractions: 10 Top Highlights You Can’t Miss

The 10 Most Beautiful Sights in Sintra

Sintra is packed with incredible places to visit. Here are the 10 most beautiful attractions in Sintra that you simply have to see.

The Sights in Sintra on a Map

For a better overview, we’ve marked all the highlights in Sintra on a map.

Palácio Nacional da Pena

The Palácio Nacional da Pena is Sintra’s most iconic landmark. Perched on the hill above the town, with its turrets and colorful façade in yellow, blue, and red, the palace looks like something straight out of a storybook.

Originally built as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family, today it draws millions of visitors every year — and honestly, it’s easy to see why.

Make sure you set aside plenty of time here, because the lavish interiors are absolutely worth seeing too. We’d recommend around three hours. There are also gorgeous terraces surrounding the palace where you can soak up a fantastic panorama over Sintra.

Our tip: Be prepared for crowds! Your best bet is to arrive before 10 AM or after 3 PM. You’ll also need to book a timed entry slot in advance.

Get tickets for the Palácio Nacional da Pena

Castelo dos Mouros

Right across from the Pena National Palace sits the Castelo dos Mouros — and the two couldn’t be more different.

Instead of grandeur and luxury, what you’ll find here is the ruin of an ancient Moorish fortress built purely for military purposes. You can discover more traces of Moorish history over in Andalusia.

Even without the glitz and glamour, the castle has something deeply romantic about it. It’s also one of the most beautiful vantage points in the city — the views are seriously stunning.

Tickets for the Castelo dos Mouros

Quinta da Regaleira

The Quinta da Regaleira is a manor house built by a millionaire with a serious weakness for secret societies. The little palace is every bit as mysterious as that sounds — being inside feels like falling down the rabbit hole with Alice.

The gardens are filled with strange sculptures, underground caves, and a small waterfall. The building itself is delicate and ornate, with an endless number of tiny details to discover.

The standout of this fantasy landscape is the well known as the Poço Iniciático — actually an upside-down tower. A spiral staircase descends 27 meters down into it, just like the inside of a tower. Completely wild, and absolutely unforgettable.

Get tickets for Quinta da Regaleira incl. guided tour

Palácio Nacional de Sintra

Right in the center of Sintra stands another seriously impressive structure: the National Palace of Sintra. You can’t miss it — its trademark is two 33-meter-tall chimneys above the palace kitchen, rising into the sky like inverted ice cream cones.

You should definitely see the National Palace from the inside. The rooms are incredibly elaborately decorated, and the names alone — like the Swan Room or the Coat of Arms Room — have a certain charm to them.

Honestly, it can’t quite compete with the Pena Palace or the Quinta da Regaleira in terms of wow factor. That said, it’s still well worth your time.

Get tickets for the Palácio Nacional de Sintra

Palácio de Monserrate

The Palácio de Monserrate is a true original: Indian influences meet Arabic architecture and English gardens in one stunning package. We love this multicultural combination, and those three charming little turrets are absolutely adorable.

Inside, you can explore elaborately designed rooms full of ornate details and golden decor. But don’t skip the gardens — they’re home to plants from all over the world, including rare varieties of palm trees.

Here’s the best part: the Palácio de Monserrate is one of the least-visited places to see in Sintra. So if you need a break from the tourist crowds, this is your spot.

Our tip: Plan your visit here between 11 AM and 3 PM — that’s when the other palaces are at their busiest, so Monserrate is at its most peaceful.

Get tickets for the Monserrate Palace

Villa Sassetti

Villa Sassetti is one of Sintra’s best-kept secrets — a real under-the-radar pick that most visitors walk right past. It’s tucked away in a pretty secluded spot surrounded by lush greenery.

In the middle of it all stands a manor house built from terracotta-colored stone with a distinctly Mediterranean feel. A circular turret rises above the treetops — the only hint from a distance that a building is hiding in all that green.

You can’t go inside, but that’s no problem at all. The surrounding gardens are well worth a wander, and it’s the perfect spot for a quiet breather away from the crowds.

Cruz Alta

At 529 meters, Cruz Alta is the highest point in the Sintra hills and one of the most breathtaking overlooks in the area. From the summit cross, the Palácio Nacional da Pena looks like a castle straight out of Disneyland — simply stunning!

The short hike leads through the Parque da Pena, past dense forests with exotic plants, small waterfalls, and fountains. It’s a really lovely walk.

You’ll find plenty of signposts near the Pena Palace, so you can hardly miss the trail. At a leisurely pace, plan on about half an hour each way. It’s also totally manageable for families with kids.

Old Town of Sintra

As spectacular as all the castles and palaces in Sintra are, make sure you carve out some time for the historic center too.

There’s always something going on in the narrow lanes with their colorful building facades. You’ll find charming cafés and restaurants around every corner, plus shops selling arts and crafts like the iconic Azulejos.

Just be aware that food and souvenirs in Sintra aren’t cheap. The constant influx of tourists has pushed prices up considerably — so set your expectations accordingly.

Convento dos Capuchos

If you love abandoned places, you’re going to love this one.

The Convento dos Capuchos is a former monastery set in the hills above Sintra. Today the site is heavily weathered, its walls blanketed in moss, and nature has reclaimed it everywhere you look.

The place radiates a remarkable sense of calm and stands in stark contrast to all the grand palaces of Sintra — its sheer simplicity is genuinely moving.

Get tickets for the Convento dos Capuchos

Cabo da Roca

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point in Europe, about 35 minutes by car from Sintra. The big draw is the spectacular vista over Portugal’s dramatic cliffside coastline, with its lighthouse and wild, crashing sea. We especially recommend coming at sunset — pure romance!

You can reach Cabo da Roca by taking bus line 1253 from Sintra.

That said, if you’re only doing a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, we’d advise skipping the detour to Cabo da Roca. The transfer eats up too much time and leaves you less of Sintra to explore.

It’s a different story with organized tours from Lisbon. These often combine Sintra with Cascais and include a stop at Cabo da Roca — which makes the logistics much easier.

Guided tour to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais from Lisbon

Day Trip from Lisbon to Sintra on Your Own

If you’re heading from Lisbon to Sintra for the day, we definitely recommend taking the train. Driving just means dealing with traffic and hunting for a parking spot — not worth it.

From Lisboa-Rossio station, CP trains depart for Sintra every 15 to 30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €2.55 and the journey takes about 40 minutes. Don’t forget to validate your ticket before boarding. If you have a Lisboa Card, your train ride is already included.

The first train from Lisbon departs at 5:41 AM, and the last train from Sintra leaves at 12:20 AM. You can find full schedule information on the CP website.

Guided Tour to Sintra from Lisbon

If you only have three or four days in Lisbon, we’d recommend booking a guided tour to Sintra so you can see as much as possible without the hassle.

Guided tours are pretty much the all-inclusive, stress-free option. Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits:

• Transfer to Sintra from Lisbon
• Transfer between Sintra’s attractions
• A knowledgeable local guide

Here are our two top picks for organized Sintra day trips from Lisbon.

Sintra Highlights Day Tour

This tour covers all of Sintra’s top must-sees, including the Pena Palace, the Monserrate Palace, and the Quinta da Regaleira. You’ll also get free time to explore the town center on your own.

Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais Tour

You’ll spend a bit less time in Sintra on this one, but you’ll combine your visit with a trip to Cabo da Roca and the coastal town of Cascais. Depending on the option you book, you’ll also visit the Palácio da Pena or the Quinta da Regaleira.

Getting Around in Sintra

Sintra is very hilly, and you simply can’t walk up to the Pena Palace or the Castelo dos Mouros. Luckily, you have plenty of options for getting around.

#1 By Bus

The most budget-friendly option is the bus. Line 434 takes you to the Pena Palace and the Castelo dos Mouros. Line 435 runs through the town center and stops at places like the Quinta da Regaleira — you can also cover that route on foot while taking in the historic quarter at the same time.

Note: These bus routes won’t show up on Google Maps because they’re tourist buses. You can find all the details on the Scotturb website.
#2 By Tuk Tuk

A bit pricier, but much more comfortable — you’ll have the little vehicle all to yourself.

Private Tuk Tuk Tour through Sintra

Lisbon-Sintra Pass: Save Money in Lisbon and Sintra

If you’d rather explore Sintra’s highlights on your own, the Lisbon-Sintra Pass is definitely worth checking out. It’s a great way to combine a trip to Lisbon with a day trip to Sintra.

What’s included in the Lisbon-Sintra Pass

• Palácio Nacional da Pena
• Castelo dos Mouros
• Audio guide through Sintra & Lisbon
• Many well-known sights in Lisbon (e.g. Torre de Belém, Castelo de São Jorge)
• Public transportation in Lisbon and the train to Sintra

If you were planning to do all of that anyway, the Lisbon-Sintra Pass will save you a few euros and keeps everything in one place. Totally worth it.

Get the Lisbon-Sintra Pass

Our Best Hotel Recommendations in Sintra

It’s really worth spending at least one night in Sintra — there’s genuinely so much to see, and staying overnight gives you far more time at each attraction than a day trip allows.

Here are three great hotels in Sintra with a super central location.