Sintra Tourist Guide

Sintra is possible the most picturesque town in Portugal and should be high on the itinerary list of all visitors to Lisbon or the Estoril coastline. Sintra is nestled within the lush forested hills of the Serra de Sintra providing refreshing walks with stunning scenery.

The main draw of Sintra are the three palaces; the royal National (Village) Palace, the ancient Moorish Castle and the stunning Pena Palace. The National Palace with its two distinctive chimneys was the longest habited castle in Portugal and stands right at the heart of Sintra. The Moorish castle stands high above Sintra and once provided protection to the important trading town before the Christian conquest in the 12th century. Many of the battlements have been restored to their former glory and the site is a joy to explore.

The Pena Palace is by far the most stunning of the three palaces, designed to reflect an opera, the walls are decoratively carved and painted in vivid colors. Inside the stately rooms have been returned to how they were before the Portuguese royal court where forced to fee in to exile in. These three palaces are connected by a convenient bus service meaning the whole town can be rushed and viewed in one day but there is so much more to Sintra.

There is the beautiful Quinta da Regaleira with its extensive and decorative grounds, the Moghul-inspired Monserrate Palace the traditional summer resort of the Portuguese court and the Seteais Palace which has been transformed into a luxury hotel. All of these could take another day to discover combine this with the pleasant walks Sintra there is a lot to see in this town.

Sintra is conveniently located close to both Lisbon and the resort towns of Cascais and Estoril. Lisbon is only 30 minutes away by direct train with the station in the centre of the capital. The journey time to the coast is even shorter and there are numerous public bus services. This short distance means that most visitors can discover Sintra as day trips from the excellent accommodation bases of the capital and coast.