Photo: Singa Hitam · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sintra
Fairy-tale palaces and a Moorish castle in misty forested hills.
A hill town of romantic palaces, a ruined Moorish castle and mysterious gardens, half hidden in cool, misty forest above the plain west of Lisbon. Very busy in summer and at weekends: start early.
Places to see
- Pena PalaceSight · A palace painted red, yellow and grey on the top of a forested peak, all turrets, domes…≈ A$35
Moorish CastleSight · Ruined castle walls that snake along a rocky ridge, with steep steps up to the towers and…≈ A$21
Quinta da RegaleiraSight · A Gothic mansion and a steep wooded garden full of grottoes, towers, tunnels and lakes,…≈ A$26
Chalet of the Countess of Edla
When to go
- Jan13° / 7°Often wetQuiet
- Feb14° / 7°Often wetQuiet
- Mar16° / 8°Often wetBusy
- Apr17° / 9°Some rainBusy
- May19° / 11°Some rainBusy
- Jun22° / 13°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jul24° / 14°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug24° / 15°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The old town (Vila). The town centre around the National Palace: pastry shops and guesthouses, a short walk from the station.
Estefânia, by the station. The newer streets by the train station, about 10 minutes' walk from the old town: a little cheaper, with a few hostels.
Flying in
Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS): Metro red line to Oriente, then the Sintra line train, about 1 h 15 min, ≈ A$7. Or the metro into Rossio and the train from there (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Sintra; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$7. The old town is small and walkable, but Pena and the Moorish Castle are a steep 40–60-minute climb (or the bus loop up the hill), and Monserrate is a few kilometres west. Traffic jams in summer (check).
Tourist tax
Sintra charges a tourist tax: usually about €2 a person a night for the first few nights; young children don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
