Top things to do in Sintra
Attractions, tours, and activities in Sintra
Recommended museums in Sintra
Where to find art and culture in Sintra
About Sintra
Including tips for the best time to visit Sintra
Located on the Portuguese Riviera, Sintra is incredibly enchanting. The city is famous for an impressive UNESCO-collection of palaces, castles and landscapes – listed as the Cultural Landscape of Sintra. It’s no wonder then, that Sintra attracts visitors from around the world to join its very real fairytale.
One of Sintra’s most iconic castles is the Pena Palace – a colourful Romanticist castle that is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. From its hilltop perch, you’ll be able to take some amazing photographs of the Sintra Mountains. Another highlight is the Palace of Sintra, renowned for being the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal. Built in the 15th-century, it’s located just outside the city and is a trip well worth it if only to admire its stunning white walls contrasted with orange and yellow rooftop hues.
Sintra is close to some of Portugal’s most scenic natural landscapes. Check out the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park for dramatic mountains, coastal cliffs, sandy beaches and lush forests. It offers plenty of hiking trails and even some fossilised dinosaur tracks. There's also Praia da Adraga, a pristine golden cove known as one of the best beaches in the Sintra region and for good reason.
Tonight
From per night
Next weekend
From per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.17 |
| Language | Portuguese |
| Average weekend price | $170 per night |
| Average weekday price | $171 per night |
| Average stay | 1 night |
Points of interest in Sintra
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Sintra
-
Convent of the Capuchos
2.8 miles from downtown
Sintra reviews
What other travelers say about Sintra
Sintra is a picturesque town in Portugal, nestled in the...
August 21, 2025
Sintra is a picturesque town in Portugal, nestled in the Sintra Mountains near Lisbon. Known for its romantic 19th-century architecture, lush forests, and misty hills, it's home to stunning landmarks like Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sintra blends natural beauty with rich cultural history. Its major beauty is nature all around. Fabulous
If you're traveling to Portugal, Sintra is a must-see...
July 29, 2025
If you're traveling to Portugal, Sintra is a must-see destination. While the Pena Palace and other famous historical sites offer plenty to see, nearby Cape Roca and the coastline, accessible within 30 minutes, offer a truly captivating experience.
Sintra is a beautiful, almost magical, place.
July 21, 2025
Sintra is a beautiful, almost magical, place. Get your walking legs on as there are many hills, but everywhere in the town and the hills is beautiful. Castles, ruins, gardens, the sculpture gallery, good food. Sintra is well-served by a very central railway station with frequent trains between there and Lisbon.
Sintra is wonderful , but busy with lots of queuing at the...
July 6, 2025
Sintra is wonderful , but busy with lots of queuing at the castles , but well worth the effort involved. Plan your time with care there is a lot of rushing around between venues. Make the most of the bus service this does work very well, but be aware off how busy everywhere is . Sintra is literally a breath of fresh area in a magical location after the crowds of Lisbon.
The friendly welcome and historic setting of the hotel...
June 29, 2025
The friendly welcome and historic setting of the hotel really made our visit to Sintra. Transport isn't easy. We walked from the town to Quinta Regalaria (15 mins) and then Pena Palace which takes an hour and was okay on a cool day. (We are 65+ but reasonably fit.) Rather than walk back, we got a tuk tuk from Pena Palace to the hotel for 10 euros. Taxis were 20 euro. The circular bus does an all day ticket which costs more for 2 people than the taxi, so wasn't good value for money if you were just doing one part of the journey. If you want to visit the botanical gardens at Monserrat there is a bus, but you won't easily fit the gardens in on the same day you visit the palaces, unless you got a taxi.
Sintra is an amazing place.
June 25, 2025
Sintra is an amazing place. There are many places to visit so it merits at least 2 full days. For example, visiting the Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle will take a full day. I spent 2 and a half days and still was short of at least one place to see. Also, there are some hidden gems, for example while Quinta da Regaleria was full, I visited Biester Palace, an amazing Neo-Gothic mansion with extensive gardens which was empty.
Popular places to stay in Sintra
Stay in some of the best accommodations Sintra has to offer
-
Quinta da Maquia Hotel Sintra, Portugal
From $246 per night
-
Vila Município, "Urban Chic", Sintra Sintra City Center, Sintra
From $171 per night
-
Azenhas do Mar West Coast Design and Surf Villas Sintra, Portugal
From $196 per night
-
Penha Longa Resort Sintra, Portugal
From $575 per night
-
Casa d Sintra Sintra City Center, Sintra
From $121 per night
-
Other accommodations in Sintra
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Sintra
-
Apartments
From $32 per night
-
Villas
From $141 per night
-
Cabins
From $69 per night
-
Cottages
From $35 per night
-
Glamping
From $17 per night
-
Vacation Homes
From $35 per night
-
Guest houses
From $18 per night
-
Hostels
From $13 per night
-
B&Bs
From $35 per night
-
Homestays
From $23 per night
-
Country Houses
From $56 per night
-
Farm Stays
From $84 per night
-
Self-catering Accommodations
From $35 per night
