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

FAQs

Is it worth it to go to Sintra? ›

Visiting Sintra is well worth doing during your trip to Lisbon but it's important to keep these tips in mind to make the most of your visit. What is this? From exploring the breathtaking Moorish Castle to the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra is a treasure trove of history, culture, and architectural beauty.

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.

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.

Since I don't recommend driving in Sintra, the most affordable way to get around is by taking the tourist buses that run regular routes to Sintra's most popular attractions. These buses are the 434 and 435. The 434 bus runs in a one-way loop and stops at: Sintra train station.

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.

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 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.

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.

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).

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.

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 Pena Palace of Sintra is a Romanticist castle completed in 1854. It is situated on a top of a hill above the town of Sintra and can be easily spotted from Lisbon on a clear day. The national monument known for its architectural features and vast forested park welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

It's a 19th-century palace that's painted in bright colors. It sits on top of a hill, so you'll get great views of the surrounding area. Sintra is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That means it has been recognized by the United Nations as being culturally significant.

Why is Sintra so famous? ›

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.

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.

Sintra's climate is cooler than Lisbon and also much more changeable due to its hillside elevation and proximity to the Atlantic.

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).

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.

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 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.

Exploring the main attractions in Sintra requires a lot of walking, so pack comfortable shoes. Bus and taxi options are available, but the best way to see this city is to explore on foot.

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.

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.

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.

Train frequency is of at least four trains per hour during the day, and the trip takes about 40 minutes. There are no reserved seats on any commuter train between Lisbon and Sintra, and tickets cannot be bought online. Sintra Station is a comfortable 10-minute walk (about 1km) from the town centre.

If you want to beat the crowds, make sure to arrive early or later in the afternoon. The best time to visit Sintra is spring and autumn when it is still warm but not as busy. The surrounding vegetation is at its greenest during these months, perfect for a rural Sintra hike.

There are several different ways to get from Lisbon to Sintra and back. By car it's only a 30- to 45-minute drive, depending on traffic. You can easily rent a car in Lisbon if you're thinking about doing some more traveling. However, traffic and parking in Sintra can be difficult, so it may not be worth the trouble.

As mentioned above, we recommend using Uber to get from Lisbon to Sintra, and to get to all the different spots you want to hit. Here's our itinerary, with the total prices of our Ubers included.

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.

NOTE: you cannot access these terraces without a palace and park ticket! The Queen's terrace: this is the highest terrace in the palace, and one of the most beautiful ones, from where you can get views of the rest of the palace, the Sintra Valley, and the Moorish Castle.

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.

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. The best advice I can give is to get there early.

How much is a tuk tuk from Sintra train station to Pena Palace? ›

Beware of the Tuk tuk drivers at the Sintra bus stop unless you really want to ride a tuk tuk. They will want 10 euro per person to take you to Pena Palace but you end up 10 minutes walk away down a steep track.

Getting to Sintra from Lisbon is easy. There are trains at least every 30 minutes on weekdays, every 30 minutes at weekends, from Lisbon's city centre Rossio station. The journey takes 39 minutes and a return (round-trip) ticket is €4.30 (tariff 2016). These are local suburban trains.

Yes, the views of Pena Palace are breathtaking, and it's definitely worth visiting the palace just for the views. You also get amazing views of the surrounding countryside and coast from the terrace of Pena Palace.

If you are planning to visit this city, avoid Monday! Reason: the palaces, museums, and castles are open Monday in Sintra. And in Lisbon, everything is closed. Conclusion: queues and traffic in Sintra are a nightmare!

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.

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.

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.

/ (ˈsɪntrə) / noun. a town in central Portugal, near Lisbon, in the Sintra mountains: noted for its castles and palaces and the beauty of its setting: tourismFormer name: Cintra.

What is this? There are numerous ways to get to the Sintra Castles, including driving yourself there and taking a bus, but the best 2 options (if you are coming from Lisbon) are either a guided tour or via a local commuter train. Both of these are easy and affordable.