10 Best Places To Eat In Sintra, Portugal (2023)

FAQs

How many days do you need in Sintra? ›

While you can see the main highlights of Sintra in one day, we recommend at least two days in Sintra. This will allow you to see the most popular castles such as Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, or Quinta de Regaleira, but also explore the area deeper and visit some lesser-known gems such as Monserrate Palace.

It Could Get Boring If You Don't Like Palaces And Castles

If you're not into palaces and castles, then Sintra might not be the best place for you. There isn't much else to do in the town, so you might get bored pretty quickly. We recommend visiting Sintra if you're interested in its history and culture.

Sintra town is divided into two separate areas…. the new and old town. Both areas are small and very walkable. The old town centers around the National Palace of Sintra and the original village.

If you didn't purchase a combo ticket, you'll need to get a Sintra bus ticket. The best option will be the 24-hour hop-on, hop-off ticket for €11.50. Then make your way onto a 434 bus (it will be marked with an orange circle that says 434, and will say “Circuito da Pena”).

Don't be like me—wear sneakers, or at least sturdier sandals. Due to its altitude and location closer to the coast, Sintra is often chillier than Lisbon, which was definitely the case when we visited. I recommend dressing in layers, and bringing a light jacket or sweater.

The best time to visit Sintra is April-June due to the excellent all-round weather conditions, and it's also not during the height of peak travel periods, so it's not likely to be as busy. The very hottest temperatures in Sintra get to around 26℃ (79℉) in the height of summer.

The best day to visit Sintra would be either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. This will help you avoid the Lisbon cruise ship tourists and the locals who visit as part of a long weekend. Bring good walking shoes, especially if you're doing the hike from Castle of the Moors to Sintra town center.

Cascais and Sintra are both amazing in their own right, but the simple answer for 'Sintra or Cascais? ' is: Sintra is the better destination for a day trip, but Cascais is the better location for a holiday. Sintra has many more varied sights and attractions than Cascais, which makes it the best choice for a day trip.

Moorish Castle

It is a Moorish-style castle in Europe. It is across the bank from Pena Palace. It was listed as a Portuguese national monument in 1910 , has become a must-see tourist attraction in Sintra.

Should I go to Sintra in the morning or afternoon? ›

If you are heading to Sintra from Lisbon, it's best to visit Sintra in the early morning at 9 am or late afternoon at 5 pm when the crowds leave. Most tourists will come in the morning to explore Sintra and go back to Lisbon before dinner time.

Pena Palace is the town's colourful Romanticist castle which stands on top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains.

A personalized tour will take you the monuments of Sintra and to the discovery of the the mysteries and legends in this mountain. Prices starting 30€/hour per TukTuk (2 pax) Book your tour with at Turistuk or ask us about personalized programs.

Taxis and Ubers

Taxis and other taxi apps like Uber, Bolt, and Free Now are available in Sintra. You can use these to get to and from attractions, and also to get to and from Lisbon and other surrounding areas.

Skip-the-line tickets to Sintra attractions

In this case, to visit the main attractions of Sintra we recommend that you buy individual tickets online; Being among the most visited attractions in Portugal, buying your ticket online in advance will allow you to skip the lines at the ticket offices and ensure your visit.

The reason for this is that, like Lisbon, Sintra is very hilly and there is a lot of uphill walking on cobble stoned streets to get between the major points of the area. Therefore to save your feet hurting and to be most comfortable on the terrain sneakers are without doubt the best shoe.

Palacio Nacional Sintra Tourist Information. The Palacio Nacional de Sintra is open every day from 9:30 until 19:00 and the last entrance at 18:30. The entrance fee is €10.00/€8.50/€8.50/€33.00 (adult/child/senior/family).

No matter what you've seen or read, half a day is not long enough to fully appreciate Sintra. Three hours is only just enough time to see the historic centre and the Quinta da Regaleira (or Palácio Nacional de Sintra).

If visiting the Sintra region during the summer plan to head to Sintra either early or late in the day to avoid the crowds and the intense sun. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays and all of the main sights of Sintra are open every day during the high season.

The Palacio da Pena (The Pena Palace) The exquisite Palacio da Pena is one of the finest tourist attractions of Portugal and is a highlight of any visit to Sintra. This vividly-painted palace was commissioned in 1842 by King Ferdinand II, who championed the arts, literature and music.

Is Sintra expensive? ›

Luckily, in terms of rental and property prices, Sintra is still a lot less expensive than Lisbon. In Sintra you can easily find a small T2 (two-bedroom) or T3 (three-bedroom) apartment for two or three people starting at about €650 per month with higher quality accommodation being available for about €800 per month.

In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new sensitivity was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees.

How long to spend in the Palacio da Pena? A visit to the Palacio da Pena will take at least two and half hours, and could be much longer. The staterooms and interior of the palace take 40 minutes to fully appreciate, while the terraces need another 30 minutes.

Sintra is considered a must on any Portugal itinerary, and it's easy to see why. It's the home to many gorgeous and unique castles, which make it one of the most interesting places to visit in Portugal. Being only a 45-minute journey away from Lisbon, most travellers visit Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon.

National Palace of Sintra (Palacio Nacional) Best known for the two iconic chimneys defining Sintra's skyline, the National Palace of Sintra is the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal.

The distance from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to the historic resort town of Sintra is about 18 miles (29 km). Sintra is part of the Greater Lisbon Region, and is therefore quick and easy to reach. Most people travel to Sintra by commuter train, a journey of about 45 minutes.

Cascais's history as a popular seaside resort originated in the 1870s, when King Luís I of Portugal and the Portuguese royal family made the seaside town their residence every September, thus also attracting members of the Portuguese nobility, who established a summer community there.

Pena Palace is located in Sintra, around 4 km away from the Sintra National Palace and is easily accessible by bus, train, and car.

The Pena Palace is located in the municipality of Sintra, and is widely recognised as one of the best Romanticist castles in the world. Not only is it well known for its outlandish colourful appearance, but also for its towering views over the Sintra Mountains and the town of Sintra.

How do you get between castles in Sintra? ›

Getting around Sintra

There are two buses that run different loops to the castles in Sintra. I recommend deciding which castles you plan on seeing the day before your visit. You can buy the corresponding bus tickets the day you arrive, either on the bus or at the train station.

Sintra travel FAQ

Yes, you can easily do Sintra in a day and see some of the most beautiful Portuguese castles including Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. However, if you wish to see all of Sintra's beautiful palaces, plan to spend at least 2 days here.

Another tip to avoid the crowds is to visit the Palácio Nacional da Pena in the morning, as most visitors arrive in the afternoon when following the route of the 434-tourist bus. There are quieter monuments and attractions in Sintra, and the best is the Palácio de Monserrate.

Taking the Train From Lisbon to Sintra

Trains depart roughly every 30 minutes (more during weekday rush hours) and the journey takes just 40 minutes. Tickets between Lisbon and Sintra cost between €2-3 each way, and you can also grab a round trip ticket.

The best time to visit the Pena Palace is in the early morning (9 am) or late afternoon (after 4 pm), when it has fewer visitors. This is perfect if you want to avoid crowds and tours which usually arrive between 10 am to 3pm.

Although there are many palaces in Sintra, the Moorish Castle is the only castle in town, making it a unique and worthwhile stop. The views alone make it worth visiting the Castle of the Moors.

The taxi, Uber or private transfer from Lisbon airport to Sintra takes around 40 minutes but will be much longer during evening rush hour. As with all services in Portugal, if the driver has been courteous always consider a tip as Portuguese wages are so poor.

Câmara Municipal de Sintra

The building was completed in 1909 and boasts a decorative Manueline-inspired entrance and a flamboyant clock tower. Sadly, the interior of the building is not open to the public, but the exterior is free to see.

Lisbon Oriente to Sintra train schedule

Sintra station is very close to the historic Sintra town and from there you can either walk between the best things to see in Sintra, take a bus, the tourist bus or hire a tuk-tuk.

Sintra itself is a walkable town but honestly it might be a bit much to walk to every point of interest, especially when a lot of those paths are uphill. The castles in Sintra are quite spread out so it takes at least 30 minutes to go from one to another and 45 minutes to go from Pena Palace to the train station.

How to get to Sintra from downtown Lisbon? ›

To get to Sintra from downtown Lisbon, you can take the commuter train (Linha de Sintra) directly from Rossio Station. Rossio Station can be accessed using the green line of the Lisbon Metro. If you are staying farther out in Lisbon, there are several other train stations where you could connect to the Linha de Sintra.

Driving to Sintra is possible and parking is also possible. It's not easy but with a few of these tips, driving your car to Sintra can be done. The historic centre is not a good place to be driving and the roads all around the town are narrow, winding and many are one-way only.

Sintra is a hilly town and since some palaces and castles are located a bit far away from each other, it's not always possible to walk everywhere. For bigger distances, you can use local buses, tuk-tuks, and taxis.

Single tickets for both Rossio-Sintra and Oriente-Sintra cost €2.30, and can be bought at the ticket counters or machines. The tickets are magnetic cards called “Viva Viagem,” which you need to purchase the first time you take the train in Lisbon. In future journeys you just have to recharge it.

You can see all of Lisbon and Sintra in 5 – 6 days. If you have a whole week, you would be better off heading to the Algarve, spending some time in Fatima/Batalha, or even taking a train up to Porto.

If you want the quick answer for the average tourist, three days is the golden ticket. This will allow enough time to see the main sights in Lisbon, spend a a few hours in Belem, and spend half a day in Sintra. Continue reading for a more in-depth breakdown.

No matter what you've seen or read, half a day is not long enough to fully appreciate Sintra. Three hours is only just enough time to see the historic centre and the Quinta da Regaleira (or Palácio Nacional de Sintra).

Taking the Train From Lisbon to Sintra

Trains depart roughly every 30 minutes (more during weekday rush hours) and the journey takes just 40 minutes. Tickets between Lisbon and Sintra cost between €2-3 each way, and you can also grab a round trip ticket.

Situated only 25km from Lisbon, Sintra is easily reached via a regular train service, making the town an ideal choice for a day trip. The most popular day trip route takes in the Palácio da Pena, the Castelo dos Mouros (optional), the historic centre and the Quinta da Regaleira.

The direct drive from Lisbon to Sintra is 20.5 mi (33 km), and should have a drive time of 27 mins in normal traffic.

Can you do Cascais and Sintra the same day? ›

Insight: If you are considering a day trip to Sintra and Cascais, never try to combine them in a single day. Both towns need at least one day of sightseeing to fully appreciate, and two days could be easily spent in Sintra.