Why visit Sintra?
Sintra, a mere 30-minute drive from Lisbon, uniquely blends natural beauty and architectural splendor. Nestled within the Serra de Sintra, a mountain range with a lush, green backdrop, the town’s beautiful landmarks are a sight to behold. Most monuments are in the Cultural Landscape of Sintra(opens in a new tab), a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, adding to the town’s allure.
One of Sintra’s most iconic attractions is the Pena National Palace,(opens in a new tab) perched high on top of one of the city’s hills. The palace is brightly colored with terraces and elaborate details, which makes it seem like something out of a dream. The surrounding Pena Park’s winding paths and different plant species further enhance the palace’s fairy-tale feel.
Another must-visit site in Sintra is the Quinta da Regaleira(opens in a new tab), an estate with a palace and chapel. The highlights of Quinta da Regaleira are the expansive gardens filled with grottoes, fountains, and tunnels. The Initiation Well, an inverted tower with a spiral staircase, is particularly famous for its enigmatic looks.
The Moorish Castle(opens in a new tab) offers a glimpse into Sintra’s medieval past. The castle’s strategic location, on top of a hill, provides fantastic views over the town and the surrounding countryside.
For those interested in the more recent history, the Palace of Monserrate(opens in a new tab) is an excellent example of Romanticism in Sintra. This 19th-century Palace is surrounded by unique gardens with rare and exotic plants from around the world, reflecting the spirit of its former owners.
Another must-visit in Sintra is the National Palace of Sintra(opens in a new tab), located in the town center. It is considered to be one of the most well-preserved medieval residences in Portugal. It is easily recognizable by its two massive conical chimneys, which can be seen from almost anywhere in the town. Inside, visitors can explore rooms with painted ceilings, a unique glimpse into Portuguese heraldry, and the most complete tile history of Portugal. As the oldest surviving palace in Portugal, it offers a fascinating view into the lives of Portuguese royalty over the centuries.
Sintra’s historic center is a charming labyrinth of narrow streets lined with traditional Portuguese houses, artisanal shops, cafeterias and restaurants. Here, visitors can sample local delicacies such as travesseiros (flaky pastries filled with egg-yolk and almond) and queijadas (cottage cheese tarts), both of which are specialties of the region.
Join us at Portuguese For a Day Tours as we discover the secrets and stories of this beautiful town!
Our Tours to Sintra
Sintra Shared Group Tour
Private Sintra Tour | Customizable
Afternoon Wonders of Sintra | Private w/ Pena Palace & Quinta da Regaleira
Local Tips For Visiting Sintra
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sintra is spring and fall, as it is also the time of the year when the town is less crowded. These seasons provide an ideal climate for exploring Sintra’s historical sites and enjoying our tours. The blooming flowers in spring and the vibrant foliage in fall add to the town’s charm, making every stroll picturesque. The sun shining after the mist is the perfect ambiance to visit Sintra.
However, visiting during the summer months or in December can be rewarding. Each season offers a unique perspective of this beautiful town: Summer provides a lively and energetic vibe, with more visitors, while winter offers a cozy and magical experience with fewer crowds.
August is the busiest month, with thousands of visitors and hotter days.
Weather in Sintra
Sintra’s weather is very different from that in Lisbon. Regardless of the time of year, rainfall and fog are higher than in the rest of Lisbon.
The temperatures are cooler than in the capital, with foggy mornings even in the Summer. Take an extra layer with you for the cold mornings.
In case of extremely hot weather in the Summer, most monuments will be closed, and you won’t have access to any of the parks in Sintra.
Beautiful, Hilly and Steep
Sintra’s landscapes and monuments are breathtaking, but most are located within the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, a mountainous region. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk steep uphill paths. If you go on your own, it is not guaranteed that your transportation will take you to the entrance of each site. Visitors with mobility impairments should plan and consider their transportation options.
The hills also offer fantastic photography spots where you can capture the timeless beauty of this town.
Shopping for Souvenirs
Sintra has many shops with local crafts, from hand-painted tiles to ceramics, jewelry shops, and family-owned businesses, perfect for unique souvenirs and gifts.
Our expert guides know the best shopping spots and can take you to the finest shops where you can find items and traditional crafts.
Enjoy exploring stores that offer a variety of authentic Portuguese products, ensuring you bring home real products made in Portugal.
There are options for gifts for everyone!
Driving in Sintra
We strongly discourage you from driving to and from Sintra. The area is mountainous; most monuments are only accessible by authorized vehicles. The town center of Sintra is only accessible to residents, and there is barely any park near it.
There are plenty of options for navigating Sintra, such as tours, walking, public buses, and taxis. We recommend that you refrain from taking your car to Sintra.
Avoid Getting Scammed
Unfortunately, like every popular destination, there will be someone trying to trick visitors. Even though Portugal is a safe country, it is not immune to scams involving buying tickets or other services.
Always buy your tickets from official websites and avoid third-party bookings. We’ve met many visitors in Sintra who got scammed with tickets to enter the monuments. If you book a tour, opt for one with entrance tickets included. Otherwise, you’ll be paying for everything out of your pocket, which can add to your expenses. If you get on a UBER/Bolt, ensure the license number matches your request and that the driver is the same.
Hike in Sintra
For nature lovers, Sintra is the perfect place to escape the busy life of Lisbon. The microclimate and unique landscape, combined with the several hiking trails available, turn Sintra into a hiking paradise and great photo opportunities.
Sintra has 13 hiking trails, and you can learn about them here(opens in a new tab).
Local Cuisine
Start your culinary journey with suckling pig, roasted pork famous in the Negrais area of Sintra. Lamb and veal are common dishes in the region! Don’t miss the opportunity to try Bacalhau; several dishes are made from salted cod. This fish is a staple in Portuguese households and a must-try for visitors.
Since Sintra is by the Atlantic, fish dishes don’t get much fresher than this! So venture off in some local octopus, served with wine from Colares, Sintra’s wine region. There are several restaurants in Sintra, but not all serve good-quality food. Look for restaurants that have a local feel and that are run by local families; try some “petiscos,” which are smaller versions of our main dishes.
For dessert, indulge in Travesseiros, a puff pastry made with egg yolk, butter, almonds, and sugar. It’s still a family recipe! Queijadas are a must while in Sintra. But one of our favorites is the Pastel da Cruz Alta, a pastry made with white beans that is probably the best-kept secret in Sintra!
Frequently Asked Questions
SINTRA
Welcome to our Sintra FAQ! Here, we’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions about this fairy tale town. If you have questions that are not addressed here, feel free to contact us directly.
Sintra is a town outside Lisbon, Portugal. The town of Sintra is remarkable for its Romantic architecture and beautiful parks. Due to the location and climate, it was selected, for many centuries, as the summer destination for Royals and wealthy businessmen and women. Sintra’s main attractions include the National Palace of Pena, the Quinta da Regaleira – all within the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, a UNESCO-listed site since 1995 – and Capuchos Convent. The Westernmost Point of Continental Europe – Cabo da Roca – is also in the Sintra region.
A day trip to Sintra can be a rich and fulfilling experience. Here are the best ways to make the most of your visit:
- Pena Palace: Begin your journey in the morning, in the first time slots of the day, to experience the colorful palace adorned with beautiful azulejos (tiles).
- Stroll through the town center: Wander through cobblestone streets, taking in the charming houses and the numerous shops.
- Visit Quinta da Regaleira: Explore the estate of António Monteiro and go down the famous inverted tower.
- Enjoy the local cuisine: Indulge in traditional Portuguese dishes at the town’s cafes and restaurants.
- Taste Ginjinha: Don’t miss the cherry liqueur, Ginjinha, served in chocolate cups.
- Explore Artisan Shops: Discover local crafts and souvenirs in boutique shops.
- Try Local Pastries: Try the famous Travesseiro or the one-of-a-kind Queijada.
- Visit Historical Palaces: Explore the beautiful and historic National Palace of Sintra.
- Attend a Festival: If timing allows, experience one of Sintra’s Jazz Festivals, which take place at Monserrate Palace, or the Classical Music Events at Quinta da Regaleira.
- Capture the Moments: Bring your camera to capture the picturesque scenery and charming details of Sintra.
From exploring Sintra’s streets and historic palaces to tasting pastries and Ginjinha, every moment invites discovering something new. Enjoy your visit and create lasting memories in this town!
Sintra’s town center is roughly 40 minutes outside Lisbon’s city center. The town center of Sintra is approximately 32km (20 miles) from Lisbon’s city center.
Several buses can take you to different attractions, and you can’t use only one mode of public transportation. If you decide to visit Sintra independently, you must switch between trains, buses, taxis, or Ubers to navigate in Sintra. Most monuments are in the mountain region of Sintra, which has steep hills. Avoid driving in Sintra, because most roads are restricted, and you will end up using other transportation.
Undoubtedly, joining a tour is the most popular way to explore Sintra, as it often leads to the most satisfying experiences. You can also explore the town center on foot, allowing you to discover Quinta da Regaleira or the National Palace of Sintra at your own pace. For other destinations, public transportation or taxis can be an option. We don’t recommend you drive in Sintra because most roads are of restricted access, and you will spend more time looking for a place to park and driving on windy roads than enjoying the beautiful town.
If you are not joining a tour, yes! The main attractions in Sintra have dated entrances, with the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira being the only ones with time-slot entrances. You should always buy your tickets in advance to guarantee your visit, and remember that some ticket offices close for lunch.
Make sure you buy your tickets only from official websites. To do this, visit the official websites for Pena Palace, National Palace of Sintra, Castle of the Moors, Monserrate Palace, Capuchos Convent, Queluz Palace, and Quinta da Regaleira. These links are the only official websites!
The best days to visit Sintra are Wednesday and Thursday, and here’s why:
- On Mondays, Sintra gets crowded because many monuments in Lisbon are closed, and visitors head to Sintra instead.
- On Tuesdays, it remains busy as people who avoid the crowded Mondays tend to visit the city the next day.
- Fridays and weekends are also packed, especially Sundays, when Portuguese residents have free entry to most of Sintra’s monuments, increasing the number of visitors.
Wednesday and Thursday, on the other hand, tend to be quieter, offering a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds.
Advice number one: always select Sintra on your weather app! Sintra’s climate is very different from Lisbon’s. Sintra is a town in a mountainous region with the highest point at more than 520m (1700ft.) above sea level. Sintra mountains are in the westernmost part of Portugal, so naturally, they are very close to the Atlantic Ocean.
The days can be foggy, and since you will spend most of the time in the several parks, the temperatures are cool. Wear a light jacket in the summer, and be prepared for thick fog even in the spring and summer days. Wear comfortable shoes because most of the paths are cobblestones. Sintra’s unique landscape was granted the UNESCO title in 1995 for the category of Cultural Landscape. Its unique vegetation also creates a cooler climate.
Guided tours are an excellent option for all types of travelers. Joining a tour takes away the stress of planning a visit to a destination, the pressure of buying tickets, and navigating public transport and queues. It’s the best option for time management. It is also the safest option to avoid being tricked with fake tickets and extra bus purchases. You are accompanied by a guide with a deep knowledge of the region who can enhance your experience in a different country.
Most negative feedback about Sintra comes from independent visitors, who complain about the waiting periods they encounter for public transportation, the endless hours they spend driving, tickets that can’t be used, or because they miss their timeslot and cannot see everything they had planned! With a guided tour, you won’t worry about any of that.
Booking a tour to Sintra with Portuguese For a Day is easy and offers several options to suit your preferences. You can choose from three main tour options:
- Sintra Tour: 8-hour shared tour with visits to the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. There is a scenic stop at Cabo da Roca after lunch.
- Sintra Private Tour: Enjoy a day in Sintra and visit Monserrate Palace and the Sintra National Palace. Customize your day to your interests.
- Sintra Private Afternoon Tour: For the last visit of the day, visit Quinta da Regaleira and the Pena Palace in the afternoon and have the Palace to yourself.
Additionally, we offer more options for private tours in Lisbon and other regions. Choose the option that best fits your interests and enjoy a memorable visit to Portugal with Portuguese For a Day!
We’ve been leading tours to Sintra for nine years, and our local expert guides offer personalized insights into the town’s history, vibrant culture, and hidden gems. We provide several tour options, including fully customizable tours with tickets included and guided visits, allowing you to tailor the experience to your preferences.
Join us for an immersive and hassle-free journey through this fairy-tale town, making your visit unforgettable!
Please access our FAQ page or contact us if you have any doubts.
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