Background
Sintra is a unique town with loads of history with various influences. The most famous aspect of Sintra is Pena Palace. This palace was rejuvenated in the 1800s, ultimately setting the stage for the rest of the town. Sintra was the summer destination for many wealthy people. They were attracted to this location because the clouds that surround the city protected their skin from the sun.
Sintra is just a 35-minute train ride from Lisbon making it an ideal day trip. However, after reading this article you will soon realize that you simply cannot see everything in one day.
Our experience
I went to Sintra for an afternoon with my family. We decided to participate in a Tuk-Tuk tour. I will explain what to expect in a Tuk-Tuk tour and whom to go to when seeking the service later in this article. If you seek to understand this historically relevant area, I recommend a tour. There is truly so much to learn about this area and how historical power completely reshaped the physical landscape of Sintra.
After our tour, we went to the city center to eat an early dinner. I recommend grabbing something to eat along the street of Rua Cons Segurado. It is a quaint little center with a good atmosphere. You will also be towered by the Castelo dos Mouros which sits on the hill overlooking the city. The city center is a short 10-minute walk from the train station.
Places to visit
Fonte da Sabuga (water fountain)
The Fonte da Sabuga is a necessary stop when visiting Sintra. It has historical relevance because when the earthquake of 1755 devastated Portugal, the water from this fountain never stopped running. The granite stone that Sintra sits on creates a natural filtration system, making the water fresh. It is said that if you have diarrhea, the fountain water will immediately cure it. Another myth states that if you drink the water of the Fonta a Sabuga, you will have the spirit of Sintra in your soul.
Casa dos Penedos and Viewpoint
This is not an official viewpoint but is noticeable because it overlooks the city and the National Palace of Sintra. From this view, you can see how each period in history affected the way Sintra looks today. Note that there are plenty of viewpoints throughout the hills of Sintra, so do not spend too much time seeking out this specific place.
Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish castle)
This is an astounding structure that sits on top of a hill overlooking the city of Sintra. You can also see Pena Palace from the castle (on a clear day). It was built in the 8th century to enable the Moors to establish strategic importance over Lisbon and the surrounding area. The walls are intact, and you can visit this destination on the hill for only about $8. If you are seeking adventure in Sintra, this should be at the top of your list!
Go tree hunting (if you’re into that)
Sintra’s forests are unlike anywhere else. Originally, much of the area was not heavily forested. It was not until King Ferdinand II decided to sprinkle his personal touch by planting numerous non-native tree species. Now, there are more than 2,000 species of trees in the forest. Sintra’s forests are also scattered with the famous cork tree that Portugal is proud to call their own. The famous kiwi Silver Fern can also be spotted through the forest, as the king had a particular liking towards them. Whether you are familiar with tree types or not, you will find the Sintra forest a unique place based on its various vegetation.
Visit the Pena Palace
Visiting the Pena Palace will be key to your Sintra experience. The price to visit the palace is only $15 and should be purchased online. The palace was built based on the Romantic style of the period. The property was completely reshaped in 1847 when Kind Ferdinand gifted Queen Maria II the property. The king believed in “love at first sight” so the gardens and infrastructure reflect this.
The garden and pond that you will notice at the entrance of the palace is a gorgeous and lush hidden gem. You will notice on tiny, Moorish-style structure in the middle of the pond. This is known as the house of the dead.
Walk around the Tivoli Palacio de Seteais
The Tivoli Palacio de Seteais is a 5-star hotel and one of the nicest in the country. If you are not a guest, you will not be able to check it out. You can, however, walk around the garden and check out the view it offers from the back. The open grass area in the front also offers a fantastic opportunity to take some pictures.
Look out at Mirador de Seteais
Exact location: (38.7969964, -9.3998340)
The Mirador de Seteais is the best and most accessible viewpoint in the town. It sits right beside the Tivoli Palacio de Seteais. It is not well-labeled on Google or Apple maps, so I recommend following the coordinates provided above. This is a unique spot because you can stand at the end of the patio and take a picture of the Pena Palace peaking inside the arch of the structure of the building. We, unfortunately, did not get this picture due to the seasonal fog, but this is a must-see on a clear day!
Explore the Quinta da Regaleira
The Quinta da Regaleira is another fascinating castle that you can also tour. Although it may seem like the oldest building of them all, it is the most recent with construction concluding in 1903. It blends Gothic and Manueline styles in its gorgeous architecture. It is the old headquarters for the Freemason fraternal organization. There is a massive spiral staircase inside known as the Well of Initiation. When you purchase access to the castle, you are granted access to the well. There is a staircase that takes you to the bottom that leads to other caves that you can explore. This is a cool opportunity for adventurers! Tickets cost about $12 and should be purchased online.
Visit the Biester Palace
The Biester Palace is a stunning home with intricate architectural designs. When you go inside you can grasp the appreciation the Biester family had for art. The best rooms to pay attention to are the library, the prayer room, and the bedroom. It was also one of the first homes in the world to have a functioning elevator. Tickets are about $10, but vary based on your group size. as always, it is more efficient to purchase them in advance online.
Our tour guide
If this article has inspired you to learn more about Sintra, I recommend a tour. Most all tours in Sintra take place in a Tuk-tuk. This is the most efficient way, as all the attractions are scattered through the hills and take a long time to walk to.
I recommend taking a tour with Daniel Ponce of youdeservetours.com. If he is not available the day you want to go, reschedule your journey to make sure you use his service. Daniel is knowledgeable and entertaining. He will take you on his tuk-tuk and show you all the significant spots throughout Sintra. Be sure to book the longer option because you will soon realize that 1 hour is not enough. He also will pick you up directly from the train station. If you book directly from his website, he offers a discount.
How to get to Sintra
Train to Sintra
A one-way train ticket will only cost you about $3. You can reach Sintra from either Rossio Station or from Oriente Station. You can find more information about tickets and pricing.
Drive to Sintra
If you have a car with you, it is smart to park it somewhere and then walk everywhere in the town. The streets will get very crowded with Tuk-tuk tours, and there are limited places to park at each destination. Below is a list of addresses with free parking:
- R. Cidade de Lagos, 2725-079 Algueirão-Mem Martins, Portugal
- 2710-579 Sintra, Portugal
- Azinhaga Sardinha 5, 2710-631 Sintra, Portugal
How to travel to Sintra on a budget
Sintra is loaded with plenty of things to do. If you are going on a budget, I would plan on paying at least one entrance fee. You will be able to get the most value if you chose to go to the Pena Palace, as it has the most influence of all the sites. The best free things to do in Sintra are to explore nature and the viewpoints.
There are also many viewpoints which you can hike to. The best hiking trail in the town is the Caminho de Santa Maria. This is a trail that takes you past the highest points at the Castelo dos Mouros and Pena Palace. Even if you are on a budget, I would still recommend a Tuk-tuk tour from Daniel. It is a budget-friendly option to learn about many aspects of the town. Whether you spend money or not, you can take in the beauty of the surrounding area and the vast Sintra park.
Conclusion
Sintra is a destination for history and nature lovers. It is one of those locations that is nice inherently, but even more so when you take the time to learn about it. Sintra can be thoroughly explored in 2 full days. If you plan on seeing about 2-3 attractions, a day trip to Sintra would serve you well. I recommend visiting Sintra with an open mind and enthusiasm. It is smart to follow this guide for a taste of what is to come. When visiting Sintra, I recommend checking out Obidos, a beautiful cattle town located close to Sintra.
2 replies on “What to do in Sintra, Portugal”
i love you,
This is so nice! Great blog and content! Keep going and thanks for the kind words!