Sintra

Fairytale palaces, misty forest hills and cobbled lanes above the Atlantic coast

Browse Sintra

Find hotels in Sintra Book tours & experiences

Sintra is the fairytale hill town outside Lisbon where Portuguese royalty once escaped the summer heat, and it shows in the cluster of palaces, follies and gardens scattered through its forested hills. The cobbled historic centre is small enough to explore on foot, with queijada bakeries, family-run restaurants and independent shops tucked along Rua das Padarias. Our local picks cover the ticketed palaces worth queuing for, the free viewpoints that aren’t, and the restaurants locals actually go back to. Filter by category and budget below.

Sintra at a glance

Ideal stay: 1 to 2 days
Best time to visit: April to June or September to October
Highlights: Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and Castelo dos Mouros
Where to stay: the historic centre near Rua das Padarias
Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
Getting around: a walkable centre, plus tuk-tuks or bus 434 up to the palaces

Where to stay in Sintra

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Apeadeiro Restaurant

Apeadeiro has been feeding Sintra locals near the town hall for decades, with a straightforward menu of grilled fish, hearty stews and traditional rice dishes served in generous portions.

★ 4.4

$$$

Cabo da Roca

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Europe, a raw Atlantic headland in the Colares parish of Sintra municipality, free to visit and open to the wind and cliffs at…

★ 4.8

Café Saudade

Café Saudade occupies the old Queijadas da Mathilde cheesecake factory, the bakery that once supplied Sintra’s famous queijadas to King Ferdinand II, and the building still carries that history in its worked…

★ 4.6

Cantinho de São Pedro

This family-run restaurant sits on the square in São Pedro de Penaferrim, the parish just south of Sintra’s historic centre best known for its antiques market, and it serves soul-warming Portuguese cooking…

★ 4.5

$$$

Casa Piriquita

Casa Piriquita has been baking Sintra’s signature pastries on Rua das Padarias since 1862, making it one of the oldest continuously operating pastry shops in Portugal.

★ 4.4

Castelo dos Mouros

The Castelo dos Mouros is a ninth or tenth-century Moorish hilltop fortification whose crumbling stone walls now snake along a wooded ridge above Sintra, holding 4.6 on Google across more than 25,000…

★ 4.6

Feira de São Pedro de Sintra

The Feira de São Pedro de Sintra is a long-running market held on the second and fourth Sunday of each month in the São Pedro de Penaferrim parish, just south of the…

★ 4.1

Ferraria Taproom

Ferraria Taproom sits on the steep, cobbled Rua Ferraria in Sintra’s old town, pouring a changing selection of craft beers alongside tapas built to share.

★ 4.6

Fonte Mourisca

Fonte Mourisca is a Moorish-inspired stone water fountain on the walk between Sintra’s train station and its historic centre, free to see and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.

★ 4.5

Hotel Casa Holstein

Hotel Casa Holstein occupies a characterful property on Rua São Sebastião, close enough to the historic centre for an easy walk but set back enough to feel like a quieter retreat.

★ 4.4

Mercado Municipal da Estefânia

Mercado Municipal da Estefânia is Sintra’s working municipal market, where local vendors sell fresh produce, fish, meat and household basics rather than souvenirs.

★ 4.3

Monserrate Palace

Monserrate Palace was built in the 1850s for wealthy English merchant Sir Francis Cook, blending Moorish, Gothic and Indian architectural influences into one of the more eclectic palaces in a town full…

★ 4.7

Palácio de Sintra Boutique House

Palácio de Sintra Boutique House is about a mile from Quinta da Regaleira and the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, with air-conditioned rooms and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout.

★ 4.3

Palácio Nacional de Sintra

The Palácio Nacional de Sintra, recognisable from the historic centre by its two enormous conical chimneys, is the best-preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal and was in continuous use by the Portuguese…

★ 4.5

Parque da Liberdade

Parque da Liberdade is a free public park a short walk from Sintra’s historic centre, laid out with shaded paths, ponds and mature trees that make it a genuine break from the…

★ 4.6

Pena Palace

Built in the 1840s for King Ferdinand II on the ruins of a hilltop monastery, Pena Palace is Sintra’s single most visited sight, holding 4.4 on Google across more than 107,000 reviews…

★ 4.4

Before you go

Things we recommend sorting before any trip. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Travel medical insuranceSafetyWing's Nomad Insurance works like a subscription: pay by the month, cover in most countries worldwide, and you can sign up even after your trip has started.Check prices on SafetyWing

Data the moment you landAn Airalo eSIM gets your phone online in 200+ destinations before you even leave the airport - no SIM swap, no surprise roaming bill. Use code UNLIMITED4YOU for 15% off your first Unlimited eSIM (through Sept 30, 2026).Get an eSIM on Airalo

Book your trip to Sintra

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Sintra Book tours and experiences

Sintra travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Sintra?

One full day covers the historic centre and one or two palaces. Two days lets you add Monserrate Palace and a trip out to Cabo da Roca without rushing.

Where is the best area to stay in Sintra?

The historic centre near Rua das Padarias keeps the palaces, restaurants and train station within walking distance.

What are the best things to do in Sintra?

Browse the local picks above, from Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira to the free viewpoints at Cabo da Roca and the historic pastry shops on Rua das Padarias.

What is the best time to visit Sintra?

April to June and September to October bring milder weather and thinner queues at the palaces than high summer. Arrive at opening time in July and August, when the day-trip coaches from Lisbon fill the historic centre by mid-morning.