Although Sintra is known as a small village there is much to see.
The Sintra Heritage is one of the richest in Portugal. Based in many opinions, Sintra is a delightful paradise, combining landscapes and gardens with palaces and country houses, forests and beaches. Sintra is one of the biggest cultural heritage destinations of our country.
For many inhabitants of Lisbon It has been and still is the favourite mountain retreat during the hot days of summer. It is such a magical area that over the centuries it has inspired artists across the globe.
Wandering through Sintra feels like stepping through the pages of a Portuguese fairy tale. The meandering paths through the gardens drives you in a journey of discovery. Escape to a spiral staircase down into a deep well and explore a bat colonies. Discover ancient hermitages and meditation retreats, where people sought the wisdom of Nature. Uncover rare and exotic plant and tree species from around the world, planted centuries ago by kings and princesses. Admire majestic panoramas from grand balconies looking onto hedge mazes. The various parks and gardens all make for an incredible romantic journey in nature.
There are multiple gardens, palaces and castles to explore in Sintra, so it is advisable to spend a few days here to truly appreciate this iconic landscape.
SINTRA NATIONAL PALACE
Sintra National Palace is also known as Palácio da Vila (Town Palace) and was one of the Portuguese royal palaces. It's a unique monument, distinguished by its outstanding historical, architectural and artistic value. Sintra National Palace still maintain the same essential features of its shape and outline since the mid-16th century but author of its design is unknown.
The palace has characteristics of medieval, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance and Romantic architecture.
It is located in the centre of the town.
Time table & Prices
09h30 - 19h00.
Last ticket and last entry 18h30.
8,5€ - 10,00€
moorish castle
The Moorish Castle is a fine point from which to admire the view from Sintra to the atlantic sea.
Located on one of the hilltops of the Serra de Sintra, the Moorish Castle is a fortress built in around the 10th century after the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
The granite blocks of the Serra are ringed by two irregular-shaped walls, erected amid huge boulders and standing on the top of sheer cliffs. All along the paths encircling the castle, you can admire spectacular views over a unique landscape, with the town centre, the Palace of Sintra, the Palace of Pena and, stretching out beyond these, the vast plains to the north and the Atlantic Ocean.
Time table & Prices
09h30 - 19h00.
Last ticket and last entry 18h30.
8,5€ - 10,00€
regaleira palace and estate
Regaleira Palace also known as Quinta da Regaleira (Regaleira Estate) is one of the most surprising of all Sintra's monuments. It's a place that has to experienced. It is not enough to describe the memories, landscape and mysteries. You have to discover it, contemplate the design of the gardens and buildings, admire the palace a true philosophers mansion of alchemical inspiration and walk around the exotic park and experience its spirituality.
Regaleira Estate is also known too as Palácio (palace) do Monteiro dos Milhões (Millions Monteiro) due to its former owner.
This romantic property formerly belonging to the Viscondessa da Regaleira, was acquired and enlarged by António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro (1848-1920) as his favourite country estate.
Located on the outskirts of the town, not far from Sintras historical centre, it was built between 1904 and 1910. This unique project of a house and all the landscape surroundings was commissioned from the Italian set-designer and architect Luigi Manini (1848-1936). The buildings have varied styles and evokes Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline architecture.
It has been classified as a Building of Public Interest since 2002.
Time table & Prices
Apr - Sep 09h30 - 20h00.
Last entry 19h00.
Oct - Mar 09h30 - 18h00
Last entry 17h00
Free - 35,00€
Capuchos Convent
The Franciscan spirit at one with nature.
At Capuchos, located at Santa Cruz da Serra, you will discover a convent which dates back to the 16th century. The Capuchos Convent, also known as the “Cork Convent”, was founded in 1560 by Dom Álvaro de Castro, a State Councillor to King Sebastião, with the name of Convento de Santa Cruz da Serra de Sintra, and was placed in the hands of Franciscan friars in fulfilment of a vow that he had made to his father, Dom João de Castro, the fourth viceroy of India.
The Convent embodies the universal ideals of fraternity and brotherhood inherent in the values held by the Fransiscan priests who inhabited it. Once here, it is easy to cast your mind back and imagine the lives that these men lived.
Time table & Prices
Apr - Sep 09h30 - 20h00.
Last entry 19h00.
5,5€ - 22,00€
NATIONAL PALACE OF PENA
Pena National Palace, in the historical town of Sintra and part of the Pena park, represents one of the best expressions in the world of 19th-century architectural Romanticism.
On 7 July 2007, it was selected as one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
It was the first Romantic palace in Europe. The Palace of Pena stands atop a rocky peak, which is the second highest point in the Sintra hills (the only place higher than the palace itself is the Cruz Alta, 528 metres above sea level). The palace is situated in the eastern part of the Park of Pena. The palace itself is composed of two wings: the former Manueline monastery of the Order of St. Jerome and the wing built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II.
Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla
The Chalet was built by King Ferdinand II and his second wife Elise Hensler, Countess of Edla, between 1864 and 1869. Inspired by the romantic influences at the time, the construction resulted in one of the most idyllic and picturesque areas within what is considered to be the largest and most emblematic romantic park ever designed in Portugal.
Its eclectic decoration consists most notably of mural paintings, stucco work, glazed decorative tiles and an exhaustive use of cork as an ornamental feature.
The Chalet's location is noteworthy as it is situated at the opposite end of the park in relation to the Palace, thereby maintaining an important visual relationship with it. The surrounding garden (as well as Pena gardens) combines indigenous vegetation with botanical species from all over the world, forming an exotic landscape that includes such delights as the Countess’s Fernery, the Restharrow Garden, the Pergola and the lakes, as well as viewpoints overlooking the Palace, the Chalet and the Mourish Castle.
Time table & Prices
09h30 - 19h00.
Last ticket and last entry 18h30.
This ticket is included in national park and pena palace ticket.
monserrat palace
The palace was designed by the architects Thomas James Knowles (father and son) and built in 1858, having been commissioned by Sir Francis Cook, Viscount of Monserrate. The design of the gardens took advantage of the unique microclimates of the mountains to produce a magnificent park in which over 3,000 exotic species can still be seen today.
This palace, the Cook familys summer residence, was constructed on the ruins of the neo-Gothic mansion built by the English merchant, Gerard de Visme, who built the first palace of Monserrate.
Displaying distinctly medieval and oriental-style influences, the decoration of the Palace of Monserrate makes it, along with the Palace of Pena, one of the most important examples of Romantic architecture in Portugal.
Palace of Monserrate shows in its building interior a decoration that encompasses exotic vegetal motifs that extends harmoniously to the gardens outside. The Park offers you a journey of discovering one of the richest botanical gardens and one of the most beautiful Romantic landscapes ever created in Portugal.
Time table & Prices
09h30 - 20h00.
Last ticket and last entry 18h30.
6€ - 26,00€
Time table & Prices
09h30 - 19h00.
Last ticket and last entry 18h30.
7,5€ - 14,00€
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Cape da Roca
Cape da Roca (Cabo da Roca) is the westernmost point of the european mainland. It is a belvedere with stunning view of the atlantic ocean and the rugged coastline.
At the Tourist Office you could obtain a certificate of attendance at this iconic location.
Praia Grande and the Dinosaur Footprints
Known for the good formation of waves, surfers and body boarders reign here. The world Bodyboard Championship takes place here, every year. At the south end of Praia Grande you will be able to see visible footprints of dinosaurs in a limestone cliff wall.
Adraga, the beach accessible to all
With its stone arch, it is one ofthe most beautiful beaches of Sintra, almost wild, having been awarded several years ago the classification of accessible beach. The quality of water is classified as excellent and it is one of the ideal places to visit even after the bathing season.
Tram Tour to Praia das Maçãs
The Sintra tram is so much more than a means of transportation. its a way full of senses and histories. It all started in the 2nd half of the 19th century when the railway reached Sintra...
The journey begins near Vila Velha de Sintra and goes to Praia das Maçãs by an old and very well preserved eletric tram.
You Don't Want To Loose This
IF you come to Sintra you definitely don´t wanna loose the iconic sweets of the region. You can taste two types of the delicious "Queijadas" and the crispy and light "Travesseiros".
These delicacies are best tried in the "A Piriquita" not far from Sintra's main sight, the National Palace of Sintra and in the "Fabrica das Verdadeiras Queijadas da Sapa" that are located a few meters ahead of city town hall.
A Piriquita is located in the old town at the beginning of the Rua Padaria (Bakery Street). Both sweets are served fresh and still slightly warm in this old confectionery. Since the rather small place is very quickly full a 'Piriquita Dois' (number 2) has been opened a bit further up on Rua Padaria. There also a terrace.
Then there are several other sites where yo can taste them and buy them to bring with you as for instance "A casa do Preto" and "O Gregório".
Queijadas
The origin and history of the delicious Queijadas de Sintra dating back to medieval times. In that time they were used as a payment form, due to the excellent pastures that Sintra had.
Queijadas of Sintra are a small and delicious pies made from fresh cheese, sugar, eggs, flour and a little cinnamon wrapped in a crispy batter.
Travesseiros of Sintra is a delicious cake made of a slight dough-based pastry with egg cream and almond.
It´s a funny cake due it's shape that seems or is inspired of a cushion or a pillow. The history tell us that this cake has a secret ingredient that makes it appealing to the mouths of the whole world.
Travesseiro is one of the old cake recipes which now gives reputation to Sintra and have being the ex-libris of the Village.
Travesseiros