Portugal · City Guide
Sintra
Sintra is one of Europe's most romantic and extraordinary towns, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape of fairy tale palaces, royal gardens, dramatic clifftop fortifications and lush green hills just 40 minutes from Lisbon by train. From the colourful Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle to the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira and the dramatic westernmost point of continental Europe at Cabo da Roca, Sintra provides one of the most beautiful day trips or short break destinations in Portugal.
Elect's take
"Sintra is one of those destinations that makes you feel you have stepped inside a fairy tale. The combination of extraordinary palaces, lush gardens and dramatic Atlantic scenery creates an experience of genuine wonder that I find difficult to describe adequately."
The Pena Palace is the most extraordinary and colourful of Sintra's palaces, a 19th century Romanticist fantasy of turrets, battlements and brilliant colour perched dramatically above the forested hills. The Moorish Castle provides outstanding views across the Serra de Sintra landscape. Quinta da Regaleira is the most mysterious of Sintra's properties, a neo-Manueline palace with extraordinary gardens containing wells, tunnels and grottos connected to Masonic symbolism. The National Palace in the town centre with its famous twin chimneys is beautiful. The drive to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, provides spectacular Atlantic cliff scenery. Cascais, a beautiful coastal town, is nearby.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Pena Palace
A dramatic 19th century Romanticist fantasy of colour and turrets above the forested hills.
Moorish Castle
A 10th century castle with extraordinary views across the UNESCO landscape.
Quinta da Regaleira
A mysterious neo-Manueline estate of gardens, wells and Masonic symbolism.
National Palace
Sintra's iconic medieval palace with famous twin chimneys in the heart of the town.
Cabo da Roca
The westernmost point of continental Europe with spectacular Atlantic cliff scenery.
Serra de Sintra
A lush UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape of forests, palaces and gardens.
