About Sintra, Portugal
Sintra, Portugal is a stunning place to visit. With its lush green hills, its stunning views, and its wealth of historic palaces, you will feel like you have stepped into a fairytale. Perched atop a mountain peak and surrounded by magnificent gardens, Sintra offers a stunningly beautiful backdrop. The historic center of Sintra is filled with charming cobblestone streets, brightly colored buildings, and small shops and cafes. You’ll love the quaint ambiance and exploring the narrow alleyways. Since this charming city is only a 40-minute train or Uber ride from Lisbon, you can easily make it a day trip.
There are plenty of things to do in Sintra Portugal and the surrounding areas. In addition to exploring the sights, you’ll also enjoy sampling the local cuisine. Sintra is known for its delicious seafood and pastry treats.
If you only have a day or two to visit Sintra, check out these 7 amazing options below to help you plan and make the most of your short visit. Check out #5 and #6 because they are very unique and aren’t likely to come up in searches for things to do in Sintra, Portugal. particularly if you are traveling with kids!
7 Best Things to Do in Sintra, Portugal
1. Pena Palace
By far, the most popular place to visit in Sintra is the Pena Palace. This vibrant palace, built in the 19th century, is an impressive example of Romantic architecture, and its bright colors make it a sight to behold. Inside the palace, you can explore its many rooms, including the former royal apartments and the chapel. Outside the palace, you can explore the lovely gardens and take in the breathtaking view of Sintra.
Photo courtsey of Mylo Kaye.
While the inside of the palace is beautiful and luxurious, in our opinion, you can skip the inside tour of the Pena Palace, especially if you are traveling with kids. The experience is not like what you expect when visiting a palace and moving from room to room at your own pace. Instead, we literally spent most of an hour INCHING our way through the palace. Our recommendation is to skip the interior tour and spend your time outside the palace and in its gardens!
You can see from the above photos the line that wrapped around the inner courtyard of the Pena Palace.
Interior of Pena Palace
Some examples of the rooms inside Pena Palace. If you enjoy seeing this, then perhaps the interior tour of the Pena Palace is for you!
Exterior of Pena Palace
If you are pressed for time, traveling with kids, or simply not interested in a slow-moving tour, skip the interior Pena Palace tour and check out the surrounding views…
…and gardens!
We HIGHLY recommend purchasing your tickets online before you go. When we visited in 2022, you were required to sign up for an entry time to the Palace and they only have so many slots available for each time frame. Therefore, it’s a good idea to purchase your tickets ahead of time to avoid long lines and to ensure you get a ticket. They do not have a tolerancce for showing up outside of your time frame. so be sure to show up EARLY!
2. Quinta da Regaleira
Another popular attraction in Sintra is the Quinta da Regaleira. This sprawling estate is home to a unique garden, complete with a series of underground tunnels and a giant well, known as the Initiation Well. This is a spiraling staircase, or an inverted tower, that descends deep into the ground. The purpose of the well is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have been used for ceremonial purposes by the Portuguese Masonic Order.
The gardens cover over 4 hectares and are filled with winding paths, hidden tunnels, grottos, and fountains. It would be easy to spend an entire day winding your way through all of the garden’s different paths.
Quinta da Regaleira offers a unique and fascinating glimpse into the history and mysteries of the region, and its gardens and architecture are truly breathtaking.
3. Sintra National Palace
The Sintra National Palace, also known as the Royal Palace of Sintra, is another iconic landmark in the town and is known for its distinctive twin chimneys. It’s believed that the first part of the palace was built in the 10th or 11th century when the area was an Islamic territory. However, there were many additions and adaptations over the centuries as it was inhabited by different monarchs; the palace features a unique blend of Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish architecture. Inside, visitors can explore the palace’s ornate rooms and admire the beautiful tilework.
Before you go, be sure to check out and download The Sintra Palace Treasure Hunt app which will help make your visit more fun for your kiddos. Our daughter was hoping for a stuffed animal as the prize for finishing the hunt, so she was VERY disappointed when she was awarded a magnet with the National Palace on it. She has since recovered. 🙂
“It’s a fun, innovative way of visiting the National Palace of Sintra. Sintra Palace Treasure Hunt, a free game designed specially for a young audience, combines entertainment and learning. In this virtual treasure hunt using augmented reality, players can discover the 9 treasures hidden along the course of the tour and read content about the history of the National Palace of Sintra, presented by the character of King Manuel I. At the end of the game, you can pick your prize at the store or the ticket office of the Palace.”
Parques de Sintra
From left to right: Gardens and a view from the Sintra National Palace, a model of the Palace, an interior room.
4. Moorish Castle
The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) is a historical castle located in Sintra and is another popular tourist attraction and an important part of the town’s cultural heritage. The castle dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries when the Moors controlled the Iberian Peninsula. It was originally built as a strategic military fortification to defend the area against invading forces. The castle was expanded and renovated during the 10th and 11th centuries, with the addition of walls, towers, and other structures.
It is important to note that it is often VERY windy at The Moorish Castle, so it’s a good idea to take a jacket, even if it’s warm down in the center of Sintra. Also, there aren’t guardrails or safety measures in place, so if you are traveling with little kids, you need to keep a close eye on them at ALL TIMES. In fact, if your little one is prone to simply running off and not listening to you telling them, “stop” or “no”, you may want to skip this one so they don’t accidentally run off the edge of the castle.
Tickets must be purchased in order to access the Moorish Castle, and you can do so at kiosks at the main entrance on the road or even after you’ve arrived at the castle. You must use a trail that starts from the road and takes around a 10-15 minute walk to reach the castle. Along the journey, the view is lovely! You must provide your tickets when you finally access the castle itself at the end of this path.
We would have saved a lot of time if we hadn’t had to wait at the main ticket booth beside the road because there was a ticket machine at the castle entrance when we visited in 2022. Of course, there is always the chance that the kiosk at the entrance won’t operate, in which case you’ll have to go back to the main door.
5. Museum of Natural History
The Museu de História Natural de Sintra or The Museum of Natural History isn’t likely to show up in most searches of things to do in Sintra, Portugal. It is a small museum that features exhibits on the local flora and fauna of the region, as well as geology and mineralogy exhibits. Visitors can explore the museum’s collection of specimens, including fossils, rocks, and minerals. The museum also has exhibits on the history of human settlement in the region, including prehistoric artifacts and information on the region’s agricultural practices.
Overall, while the Museu de História Natural de Sintra may not be as large or famous as some of the other attractions in Sintra, it can be an interesting stop for those interested in natural history and the local environment. And if memory serves me correctly, it was FREE to get in!
6. Sintra Science Workshop
The Sintra Science Workshop, another awesome attraction that is not well known in Sintra, is a hands-on science center that offers interactive exhibits and activities for visitors of all ages. It’s a great place to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in a fun and engaging way.
Some of the exhibits and activities at the Sintra Science Workshop include exploring the solar system, learning about electricity and magnetism, experimenting with sound waves, and discovering the science behind optical illusions.
The museum also offers workshops, science camps, and other educational programs throughout the year. It is a great place for families and anyone interested in science to visit and learn something new!
7. Park and Palace of Monserrate
While we did not personally visit this palace, is it another very popular place to visit in Sintra.
The Monserrate Palace is a beautiful 19th-century palace set within a stunning 30-hectare park, which is home to a variety of exotic plants and trees.
The Monserrate Palace is known for its unique architectural style, which blends Gothic, Moorish, and Indian influences. It features intricate carvings, colorful tiles, and ornate ceilings. The interior of the palace is just as impressive as the exterior, with beautiful rooms decorated with fine furniture, tapestries, and artwork.
Summary
Sintra, Portugal is a destination that offers an array of fun activities for visitors to enjoy. From exploring the picturesque Pena Palace to exploring the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, to the Sintra Science Workshop, there is something for everyone in Sintra. Visitors can also indulge in the local cuisine and wine, take a dip in the nearby beaches, or explore the charming town center with its colorful buildings and quaint streets. With its combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance, Sintra is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Portugal.
