Best Places to Visit in Sintra
A fairy-tale hillside of palaces cloaked in Atlantic mist, 40 minutes from Lisbon. Pena Palace's colours are Instagram gold; Quinta da Regaleira's spiral 'initiation well' is pure magic.
Neighbourhoods to know
Centro Histórico
The pastel village around Palácio Nacional de Sintra, best browsed on foot.
Serra de Sintra
Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and Convent of the Capuchos among cork oaks.
Cabo da Roca
Continental Europe's westernmost point — dramatic cliffs and a wind-whipped lighthouse.
Top things to do
- 1.Palácio da Pena (buy timed tickets in advance)
- 2.Quinta da Regaleira & the initiation well
- 3.Castelo dos Mouros ramparts
- 4.Travesseiros pastries at Casa Piriquita
- 5.Praia da Adraga after the palaces
Local tips
- • Take the CP train from Rossio — parking in Sintra is a nightmare.
- • Do Pena first thing (opens 09:30) then work back downhill.
- • Bus 434 loops the main sights; a Hop-On day pass pays for itself.
Where to eat, sleep and go in Sintra
A few real places from our free directory. Every listing has address and contact info.