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Holiday guide to Sintra


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Sintra, a beautiful town nestled in the hills of the Portuguese Riviera, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its fairy-tale palaces, romantic gardens, and historic estates.
Beach in Sintra Portugal
See our guides to the best holiday locations and places to visit in Portugal:-
Algarve:- Albufeira - Alvor - Carvoeiro - Faro - Lagos - Loule - Olhos de Agua - Praia da Rocha - Praia da Luz - Quarteira - Silves - Tavira - Vilamoura :: Lisbon and Coastline:- Cascais - Coimbra - Estoril - Ericeira - Lisbon - Nazaré - Óbidos - Sintra - Sesimbra - Setubal - Tomar - Tróia

Exploring Sintra:


For a holiday that you’ll never want to forget, look no further than Sintra. This breathtaking resort is sure to provide you with endless wonder, magic and charm.

Getting to Sintra
From Lisbon: Sintra is about a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon’s Rossio Station, making it an ideal day trip. Trains are frequent, and you can also reach Sintra by car or a guided tour.
Transportation in Sintra: Sintra’s main attractions are scattered throughout the town and surrounding hills. Local buses and tuk-tuks make it easier to navigate the area, especially to reach higher-altitude sites.

Top Attractions in Sintra
Pena Palace SintraPena Palace
The crown jewel of Sintra, Pena Palace is a vibrant, romantic castle perched atop a hill. It’s known for its colourful towers, intricate details, and stunning panoramic views. Highlights: Moorish arches, tile work, gardens, and sweeping views over Sintra.
Try to visit early to avoid crowds, and bring a camera for capturing the vibrant colours against the surrounding greenery.
Quinta da Regaleira
A Gothic, mysterious estate famous for its architecture and lush, symbolic gardens. The highlight is the Initiation Well, a spiral staircase descending into the earth with symbolic connections to freemasonry. Take time to explore the underground tunnels, grottoes, statues, and elaborate architecture.
Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)
Built in the 8th century by the Moors, this castle offers incredible views of Pena Palace and the surrounding landscapes. Its ruined walls are a reminder of Portugal’s long history. Walk along the castle walls, panoramic views of Sintra and beyond. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as there’s a bit of a hike involved to reach the top.
Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra)
Located in the town centre, this medieval royal palace is known for its twin chimneys and mix of Gothic, Manueline, and Mudéjar architecture. Highlights to visit are the Swan Room, Magpie Room, intricate tilework, and impressive chimneys. A more low-key option compared to the hilltop sites, ideal if you prefer less hiking.
Monserrate Palace and Gardens
A beautiful blend of Moorish, Gothic, and Indian influences surrounded by exotic gardens.
The detailed interiors, tranquil gardens with waterfalls and rare plants are amazing. Ideal for a more relaxed visit and enjoying the gardens at your own pace.

Explore the Town of Sintra
Sintra Town (Vila de Sintra) Old Town (Vila de Sintra): Wander through narrow streets filled with traditional Portuguese cafes, shops, and bakeries.
Try Travesseiros, Sintra’s famous pastry made of puff pastry filled with almond cream. Grab one at Casa Piriquita, an iconic pastry shop in town. Golfers will relish the opportunity to tackle the many courses on offer near the town. Shoppers, meanwhile, can explore the boutiques, local markets and shopping outlets in easy reach of the town.
You could be mere steps from the extraordinary sights of Sintra with a stay in one of the hotels in the historic old town. Head slightly higher up the mountainside and you could stay in a luxurious hotel with panoramic views out over the countryside. For views of the Atlantic, head out of the town limits and stay in a hotel near the lovely Maçãs Beach found along the picturesque Lisbon Coast.

Best Times to Visit
Peak Season (Summer): June to August brings warm weather, but the town can get crowded. Visiting early in the morning helps avoid crowds.
Mid Season (Spring and Fall): April to May and September to October offer milder weather and fewer tourists.
Off-Season (Winter): Winter is quiet, and while some rain is expected, the attractions are open, and crowds are minimal.
Although summer is traditionally the time when people particularly enjoy Sintra holidays, there are plenty of things to do in the area throughout the year. The cool mountain breeze makes it the perfect spot to escape the sweltering summer heat in the cities and the beauty of the town makes it a great place for a holiday all year round.

Tips for a Great Visit
Wear Comfortable Shoes: There’s a lot of walking and some steep hills, especially if you’re exploring the castles.
Tickets in Advance: To avoid long queues, especially at Pena Palace, it’s worth purchasing tickets in advance.
Allow Enough Time: Sintra can easily take more than a day, especially if you want to visit multiple sites and take time to enjoy the scenery.
Consider a Tour: If you’re on a tight schedule or want to visit all main sites in a day, a guided tour can help you cover more ground efficiently.

Nearby Attractions
Praia da Adraga Sintra Cabo da Roca: The westernmost point of mainland Europe, with rugged cliffs and stunning ocean views. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Sintra.
Praia da Adraga and Praia Grande: Beautiful beaches nearby if you’re looking to relax by the Atlantic coast.
Before your trip, check out the programme at the Centro Cultural Olga Cadaval, the area’s local theatre. With concerts, dance and theatre on offer, there's something for everyone.
From sinfully tempting bakeries and restaurants serving fresh, grilled fish to traditional Portuguese cuisine, travelers are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to eat. The nightlife is tranquil in Sintra, with a selection of cozy pubs and bars boasting live music and a fantastic atmosphere.

Surrounded by lush green forest and dotted with picture perfect palaces and castles, Sintra holidays seem to be straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. Whether you want to walk hand-in-hand with your significant other through the beautiful gardens of Pena Palace admiring the Romantic period architecture, or take the little ones to the enchanting toy museum, or spend days lazing on the beautiful nearby beaches, holidays to Sintra have it all.

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