Less than an hour from Lisbon, Sintra in portugal reveals incredible palaces and magnificent historical castles, with green hills as a backdrop. This picturesque little town invites you to enjoy a colorful experience in its fairytale setting…
Palace of Pena
If this incredible monument colored in yellow and red receives more than a million visitors each year, it is because it is without question the most beautiful palace in the country. A true architectural marvel perched on top of the Sintra mountain, the Pena Palace was classified as one of the “Seven Wonders of Portugal” in 2007 after having been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Built-in the middle of the 19th century on the orders of King Ferdinand II, a great lover of art, this majestic building owes its particularity to the mix of different architectural styles (Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance, Manueline, Baroque…). It is located in the heart of a 200-hectare forest area, which was landscaped with exotic trees, lakes, and ponds following the King’s wishes.
Tips for visiting and practical information
– Opening hours: the public is welcome every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last entrance at 6 p.m.).
– When to visit the Palace of Pena? In the morning, at the opening, to have the chance to enjoy it fully and to photograph the place without too many people. Avoid the busy hours, in the late morning (11 am/12 pm) and in the middle of the afternoon (3 pm/4 pm).
– Several restaurants and stores are present on the site.
– Shuttles and tuk-tuk make the trip between the ticket office and the entrance of the Palace of Pena, ideal with young children.
– How to get there from the center of Sintra? By bus (line 434) or by car (free parking, but quickly filled up in high season).
– Prices: 13.90 € / person for the entrance to the park and the visit to the National Palace of Pena (17.50 € with shuttle bus from the entrance to the palace and back).
– It is advisable to book your entrance ticket online in advance: 5% cheaper and no waiting at the ticket office.
Allow at least half a day to take the time to visit the palace and its gardens.
National Palace of Sintra in Portugal
It is also a symbol in Sintra. With its facades representing the Gothic and Manueline styles, and its two white conical chimneys rising 33 meters high, the National Palace of Sintra is a must-see in Sintra.
Located in the heart of the old town, the building with its white silhouette, also called the Royal Palace, was the royal summer residence of the Portuguese kings and a hunting lodge for 8 centuries before becoming a museum in 1940.
Inside, there is a beautiful collection of Mudejar tiles from Portugal, paintings, tapestries, and period furniture. The Hall of Coats of Arms is the most remarkable of the palace and offers from its windows fabulous views of the mountains of Sintra.
Tips for visiting and practical information
– Opening hours: public welcome from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm (last entry at 6 pm).
– Rates: 10 € per adult, 8.50 € per child, free for children under 6.
– How to get there? The National Palace of Sintra is located in the heart of the old town. It is therefore very easy to get there on foot. However, from the Sintra train station, it is possible to take bus 435 which stops at the palace.
– Booking your ticket online in advance allows you to avoid the queues on-site.
– It is best to visit at lunchtime to avoid the crowds of visitors, even if it means having lunch before or after.
What else to see in Sintra :
– The old town, its colorful facades, and picturesque streets at the foot of the Monte da Lua mountain. Not to be missed: the pastry shop Casa Piriquita, which since 1862, invites you to taste the culinary specialties of Sintra: the Queijadas and the Travesseiros.
– The Palace of Monserrate with its Arabic-inspired architecture and its themed gardens that stretch over 143 hectares.
– The Castle of the Moors or Castelo dos Mouros, this fortress dating from the 10th century built between rocks and cliffs.
– The Convent of the Capuchos, the remains of an ancient Franciscan convent hidden in the unspoiled nature of Sintra.
– The Quinta da Regaleira, is a gothic-style architectural complex with a beautiful manor house, magnificent gardens, caves, and secret passages.
How to get to Sintra from Lisbon?
- By train: departure from Rossio station in Lisbon – arrival at Sintra station, 1 km from the old town / 45-minute trip / 5 € round trip. The best option is to reach Sintra.
- By bus: departure from Oriente and Sete Rios train stations / 50-minute trip / 4 € round trip.
There are also buses from Cascais, Oeiras, Ericeira and Mafra.
- By car: Sintra is 25 km west of Lisbon. There are parking lots near the old town but they fill up quickly in high season. Free parking: Largo São Pedro Penaferrim is 1.5 km from the old town.
- Paid parking lots: Portela de Sintra (1.8 km from the old town), Sintra Parking (1.3 km from the old town), Rio do Porto (not allowed for motorhomes – 450m from the old town).
How to get around Sintra?
Take the bus to get around Sintra. Two lines cover the different tourist sites of the city:
– Line 434: Sintra Station – Historic Center – Castle of the Moors – National Palace of Pena – Historic Center – Sintra Station
– Line 435: Sintra Station – Historical Center – Regaleira Palace – Seteais Palace – Monserrate Palace – Seteais Palace – Regaleira Palace – Historical Center – Sintra Station. The old town can be visited on foot. In high season, parking is difficult in the city and around these emblematic sites.
Where to stay in Sintra?
The best thing to do is to book a stay in Lisbon and plan a day trip to Sintra. But if you want to spread your visit over two or more days, you will find accommodation in Sintra, booking well in advance, as the city is very small and does not have a lot of accommodation.
There are hotels in Sintra such as the Sintra Boutique Hotel with its rooms overlooking the old town and the Sintra Natural Park, and homestays such as the Chalet Saudade located near the Sintra train station in a 19th-century building with beautiful views.
Also Read: How To Make Best family Trip To Argentina
