Sintra, Portugal

Sintra

Fairytale palaces scattered over forested hills near Lisbon.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Sintra

Day 1

  1. MorningArrive at opening time to visit the colourful Pena Palace before the crowds.
  2. AfternoonExplore Quinta da Regaleira and walk down its spiral Initiation Well.
  3. EveningHave dinner in Sintra's old town, or return to Lisbon, 40 minutes by train.

Day 2

Visit the Moorish Castle walls and drive on to Cabo da Roca.

What to eat

Travesseiros, puff pastry 'pillows' with almond cream, and queijadas.

Local tips

Make the most of Sintra

Beat the crowds

Book timed tickets for Pena Palace and go at opening. Weekends and summer afternoons are very busy.

Best photo spot

Pena Palace from the High Cross, the highest point in the park. The Moorish Castle walls give great views too.

Getting there

Trains from Lisbon take about 40 minutes. Don't drive up to the palaces: roads are narrow and parking is scarce; use the local bus.

Don't miss nearby

Cabo da Roca, the most western point of mainland Europe, 20 minutes away.

Good to know

It's often cooler and foggier than Lisbon: bring a layer. Visit one or two palaces properly rather than rushing through all of them.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Sintra

Our most hidden places around Sintra: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Sintra to take with you.

9.6 km away
50 km away
66 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Sintra

Getting there

  • Cascais Airport (CAT)9 km away
  • Lisbon Airport (LIS)20 km away
  • Lisbon25 km away
  • Coimbra175 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypePopular town
Good forOld towns & architecture, Nature
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryPortugal

Questions

Sintra: good to know

Is Sintra worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and nature. Fairytale palaces scattered over forested hills near Lisbon.

How many days do you need in Sintra?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Sintra?

You can visit all year. Book timed tickets for Pena Palace and go at opening. Weekends and summer afternoons are very busy.

How do you get to Sintra?

The nearest airport is Cascais Airport (CAT), about 9 km away. Trains from Lisbon take about 40 minutes. Don't drive up to the palaces: roads are narrow and parking is scarce; use the local bus.

What is there to see near Sintra?

Nearby hidden places include Cascais (12 km), Lisbon (23 km) and Nazaré (93 km).

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