The 9 things to do in Sintra

During your stay in Lisbon, would you like to discover another facet of Portugal? Here are the 9 things to do in Sintra!

Visiting Sintra is a must during your stay in Lisbon! Exuberant palaces, stone castles, rugged cliffs overlooking a tumultuous ocean... Sintra seems straight out of a fairy tale. Often considered a one-day trip to Lisbon during a stay in Lisbon, she still deserves several days of visit. Indeed, Sintra is a unique city of its kind that must not be missed to grasp the complexity of Portugal.

What to do in Sintra? Here are the 9 essentials!

1. Pena National Palace

El palacio Pena was ordered by King Ferdinand II , great amateur of art, theatre and literature. Falled under the charm of an opera decor, he will ask for a similar rendering. This is what makes the Palace of Pena such a special monument. It embraces multiple influences: neoromantism, manulin, gothic, baroque, maureque, Renaissance, etc. The result is exceptional.

As a result of fate, the Pena National Palace will be completed the year of King’s death in 1885. Today you can still see it at the top of one of the peaks of the Sintra Mountains. He kept all his splendor. We recommend visiting the interior to appreciate the incredible diversity of its rooms.

2. The Château des Maures

Visiting Sintra is discovering a wide range of Portugal’s history. Don't miss the Château des Maures! Its first fortifications appear around the 8th century, during the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The so-called Sintra Castle was then an important observation post on the coast.

After being abandoned during the Christian Crusades, he knows different natural disasters. Yet the fires and earthquakes will not be right for him. During the nineteenth century, a certain interest in the Middle Ages, shaped by romanticism, appears. The castle is then restored and it becomes a must in the domain of Pena.

Go to his discovery! In addition to its old history stones, it offers spectacular views of the region.

3. The Capuchos convent

What to visit in Sintra to enjoy the beautiful nature of the region? The convent of the Capuchins is a visit a little other than to do during your stay. Here you leave the opulence of Sintra’s residences and monuments. Nestled in a green setting, the site was thought of as a meditative retreat for the Franciscan monks of the sixteenth century.

For the few visitors who visit it, it is a parenthesis of tranquility in the very tourist Sintra. The stone and the cork blend with vegetation, offering a picturesque setting that is worth a visit.

4. Azenhas do Mar

If you are looking for a visit to Sintra to escape a moment of its tourist agitation, go to Azenhas do Mar. It is a beautiful village, located not far from the city. Nestled on a cliff, it faces the Atlantic Ocean.

You can go there from one pedestrian path which offers a spectacular view of the village as a whole. He then trains you in his pretty alleys. The walk among these small white houses is very pleasant. The smell of the clutch, the blue flaps, the laughter of the seagulls... Azenhas do Mar has a crazy pill.

5. Sintra National Palace

Symbol of Sintra, the national palace, or Palácio da Vila , is a must. Its silhouette is characterized by two white conical chimneys which rise to 33 meters high. They are a real landmark in the city centre.

Built by the Moors, the palace has several renovations that mark its history. Its rooms are decorated with paintings and mosaics whose refinement is remarkable. You will also find the largest collection of mudéjars azulejos worldwide! In addition, the interior of the palace has been built in a museum since 1940. By visiting it, you will thus have the opportunity to admire the period furniture, as well as paintings and tapestries.

6. The Palace of Regaleira

If you're looking for a priority visit to Sintra, don't miss the Quinta da Regaleira. This vast architectural complex is a true Gothic jewel. He checks all the boxes related to the sulphurous imagination of this school. Walking through the manor house, gardens, caves and secret passages, you will see many amazing details. Religious and mystical symbolism, references to Freemasons and Templars, esoteric and alchemical practices...

A striking example is the initiatory well. The latter was emptied and arranged, most likely to host occult ceremonies. Like the rest of the field, it offers a decor that seems straight out of a work of fiction!

7. Cabo da Roca

Visiting Sintra is an opportunity to crowd the most western tip of the European continent. Cabo da Roca and its lighthouse are important landmarks for browsers that engage on the coast. You can go there to enjoy this unique atmosphere, at the end of the world.

The Atlantic Ocean roars 150 metres below your feet, while Sintra-Cascais Nature Park stretches around you. An intense landscape that blends wildness and softness, all in shades of green and blue.

8. Monserrate Palace

At the heart of a huge garden, the palace of Monserrate is set to throne. Built in the 19th century, it is a remarkable example of neo-eastern architecture. From corridors to stairs, an atmosphere of fairy tale hangs on the palate. James Knowle, an English architect, is developing his vision of the Arab world in the continuity of the European romantic current.

Visiting Sintra is an opportunity to discover this unique monument, but also its theme garden. Indeed, the latter has a remarkable composition. The diversity of the essences that compose it will make you travel through the continents. A real moment of escape.

9. The beach of Ourse

It would be a shame to visit Sintra and miss the Praia da Ursa! Indeed, this small beach is considered by many as the most beautiful in Portugal. However, as you say right away: if you want to admire it, you will have to walk! An hour hike awaits you, but the game is worth the candle. The Urse beach offers a wild landscape of rare beauty.

Near the beach, huge rocky teeth emerge from the ocean. They are surrounded by a legend. It is said that very long ago, a bearded mother lived here with her little ones. The gods told her that the beach would be submerged. But the bear refused to leave his home. Emus, the latter gave her and the bears the form of rocks. Since then, they have been watching together on this little coastline.

How to go to Sintra?

Sintra is located only 25 kilometres west of the Portuguese capital Lisbon. The latter is very well served. Are you looking for the best flights to get there? Take a look at the offers on our partner's website Ulysses .

Once in Lisbon, several solutions are available to you to visit Sintra.

The train

The train is certainly the best solution to visit Sintra from Lisbon.

Two train lines connect the two cities:

• Rossio – Sintra (40 minutes)
• Oriente (near the airport) – Areeiro – Entrecampos – Sete Rios – Sintra50 minutes)

The price of the return trip is 5,00 €. You'll have to walk 15 minutes to reach the historic centre of Sintra. Otherwise, you can take the bus 434 , which will take you from the train station to the main tourist attractions. Note that this trip is offered if you take the Lisboa Card .

The bus

You can also take the bus to visit Sintra from Lisbon. For this, go to the Oriente or Sete Rios railway stations. Many local or international companies offer the route. It will cost you about 4 € and last 50 minutes On average.

The rental car

Rent a car is a good solution to visit Sintra freely. However, during the high season, it is almost impossible to park in Sintra.

However, it is difficult to find parking spaces in the city... Here are some ideas:

• place Dom Fernando II
• 1 rua Cidade de Lagos
• Estrada da Pena
• 97 avenida Aviaçao
• 8 rua Vergilio Ferreia

The rental price in Lisbon is about 15 euros per day in low season, and 35 euros per day in summer.

How to move to Sintra?

The easiest and cheapest way to get to Sintra is to take the bus. There are two bus lines depending on what you want to visit in Sintra:

The 434 bus passes through the following stops: Sintra Railway Station – Historic Centre – Maures Castle – Pena National Palace – Historic Centre – Sintra Station

The 435 bus passes through the following stops: Sintra Station – Historic Centre – Regaleira Palace – Seteais Palace – Monserrate Palace – Seteais Palace – Regaleira Palace – Historic Centre – Sintra Station

Where to stay in Sintra?

You will have to go ahead to sleep in Sintra. Indeed, the city is small and offers few accommodations. To be sure to find the best offers, use a hotel comparison .

Among the charming hotels you will find Chalet Saudade . This beautiful 19th century residence is ideally suited to the romantic tone of Sintra.

Nature lovers (and nature lovers) small prices ) can turn to the youth hostel Nice Way Sintra Palace .

Otherwise, you will find many possibilities to sleep at home, especially on Airbnb .