Whether you are dreaming of immersing yourself in a fairy tale land, or whether you are just trying to escape Lisbon’s city heat, in Sintra you will find what you are looking for. This UNESCO World Heritage site is locaed in the cooling hills of Serra de Sintra. The area breathes history. Its many colourful villas take you back to the time when Sintra was a summer retreat for the Portuguese monarchy and nobility (before the 5 October 1910 revolution). Already long before that, the Moors left their mark with a strategically placed castle on top of one of the higher hills.
What to see in Sintra
This heading is actually misleading, is most of the attractions aren’t actually located in the village itself, but in the surrounding area/hills.
Pálacio da Pena (Pena Palace)
To many people Pálacio da Pena is the main highlight of Sintra, and for good reason. When you browse the Internet for “Sintra”, this dreamy yellow and red castle is bound to be in the top hits. Originally built as a monastery, but later ruined by the 1755 earthquake, king Ferdinand II saw the appeal of the ruins. He not only restored the original building, but extended the palace to suit his dreams of Romanticism. Nevertheless, some of the atmosphere of the original monastery remains, as parts of it are still there. For examle the Grotto of the Monk, the place where the monks went into secluded retreat.
The ideals of Romantiscism continue onto the forested grounds surrounding the Palace. The grounds are extensive and require some fitness to conquer the elevation that leads to some of the best spots to admire the palace from the outside: St Catherine’s Heights, and La Cruz Alta, the highest point in Pena Palace Park.
To be fair, I have only admired Pálacio da Pena from the outside. One of the reasons for this is that I had a limited amount of time in Sintra, and I didn’t really plan ahead. Pálacio da Pena is likely the most visisted spot in Sintra, meaning it will attract many people. If you want to be better prepared, check out some useful practical tips and tricks.
Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) – Practical Information
Just down the road from Pálacio da Pena you will find Castelo dos Mouros. As the name already reveals, this castle stems from the Moorish era. It’s not hard to guess why the North African rulers sought out this strategic location to build their fortress. Built on one of Sintra’s highest hills, the top of the castle allows views of Sintra all the way up to the Atlantic ocean. This advantage enabled the Moors to spot enemies coming from miles away, while enabling you to enjoy the stunning view of the area.
History of Christian attack and restoration of the walls. Fundaments stem from middle ages.
The getaway for nature-lovers
The Moorish castle offers more than rich history alone. The walls of the castle follow the mountain ridge on which the castle was built. This makes the fortress integrate well in the surrounding nature, creating an ambience of peace and tranquility. What helps with this, is that the extensive outdoor space attracts less visistors compared to Sintra’s other highlights. Walking along the walls of the Moorish castle really brings you to a place away from the busy streets of the village, the traffic jamming up the streets, and the crowded halls of Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
Many travel blogs and tourism websites try to tell you that Castelo dos Mouros is less fascinating than the highlights mentioned in the last paragraph. It might thus come as a surprise to you, that this was actually my favourite attraction in Sintra. It was also the first one I visited, and remained my favourite throughout the trip. Exploring the winding walls makes you feel like a true adventurer, while the many watchtowers reward you with breathtaking views of the surroundings. This includes good photoopportunities of Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. If you are more of an outdoor person, or if you want to escape the crowds in the midst of the summer high season, consider the Moorish castle worth your time. Or do not miss any of the highlights Sintra has to offer, and combine it with a visit to the neighbouring Pena Palace.
Quinta da Regaleira
Sintra National Palace
Not to be confused withm which is sometimes also called
Historical tram
What to see around Sintra
Palácio de Monserrate
The rugged coastline
New page: Now that you know all the things that this charming town has to offer, you might want to dive deeper into practicalities/food (maybe on this page?), how to get there. I think -where to eat and -how long to spend still on this page. As well as future list. Maybe also an example itinerary.
Where to eat
Gluten-free and vegan-friendly
Incomum (stars out of five)
– Closed on Wednesdays!
Mela Canela (stars out of five)
How long to spend in Sintra
On my list for future visits
Sights & activities
Food
Ekvilbro Club