Part of the reason I waited so long to go to Lisbon was so that I could have the opportunity to go to Sintra. I wanted to really have an experience so I packed FOUR sites into my itinerary. Sintra is town just outside of Lisbon that is filled with mansions, castles, and palaces. It’s an easy day trip and it’s sure to take your breath away.
Getting to Sintra
First, you’ll need to get to the main train station in the city: Rossio (pronounced “ho-see-OOH”). It’s a beautiful train station from the outside and easy to access. Rossio has a metro stop on the Linha Verde.
If you know you are going to Sintra, I’d recommend you buy your tickets the DAY BEFORE. All you need is a Viva Viagem card (that you can use on trains because some are only for bus and metro) with enough fair to cover you there and back. I think it’s €4.50 + 0.50 to buy the card. There are not expiration dates.
The trains leave every 20 minutes from the Rossio train station. The entire journey takes 40 minutes. Be prepared to stand in the aisles because Sintra has become a hot tourist destination so the train will be PACKED.
Once you arrive in Sintra, follow the mass of people into the city. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk that loops you around. You’ll see two big, white, funky-looking chimneys of the National Palace and you’ll know you’re in the right place.
National Palace of Sintra
The National Palace of Sintra, or Palácio Nacional de Sintra, is the first palace you’ll see on your arrival to Sintra. It’s known for the two funnel-looking things. They’re actually chimneys that stand over the kitchens. Entry is €10 for adults.
If I’m honest, this was probably my least favorite I visited. Some people think the chimneys are cool, I think they’re ugly. You can see some cool things on the inside, like the Mermaid Room or the Galleon Room. My favorite was the Sala dos Brasões with the azulejo tiles and the Portuguese coats of arms. The room was stunning and I absolutely loved it.
The entire tour took me about 30 minutes, maybe. You can get an audio guide for an additional payment, but it’s not necessary.
Quintana da Regaleira
I was recommended the Quintana da Regaleira by someone before going on the trip. It’s about a 10 minute walk from the center of the town (after leaving the National Palace), but it definitely is not out of the way. Entry is €6. I wanted an audio guide, but they were all gone! They do cost extra, though.
Quintana da Regaleria is a house/mansion built by Luigi Manini in the early 20th century. Yet, the house is not the best part. Surrounding the house are magical gardens that have secrets behind every corner. I really wanted the audioguide because I read that there are secret symbols located around the grounds! I still spent a good hour or so wandering around and getting lost.
There is one part that looks just like a stone monument. Yet, when I went behind the monument, there was a dark passageway. I followed the passage and got to some stairs. These are the famous stairs that are part of a well. At the bottom, be sure to take a picture looking up.
Then, when you reach the bottom, there are more dark passageways. Good thing we now have flashlights on our phones! These passages led to a grotto where you could step on stepping stones across a marsh.
This was like a playground for adults and children. I was really getting some Gaudí/Parc Güell vibes from this place. The mansion is pretty cool, too, but there is only so much to see. It’s not super big or anything. Many people skip out on this place if they only have one day available, but I think it’s a must-see in Sintra!
Castelo dos Mouros
This was one of my favorite sites I visited. Castelo de Mouros, or the Moorish Castle, was built during the Moorish Conquest of Portugal. Over the years, after the conquest and the major earthquake of 1755, the castle was in ruin. So in the 1800s, the monarchy started to rebuild it.
From a distance, you can see the Atlantic Ocean. Back when the castle was in use, the Moors used the castle to look out for ships and invaders that were coming. The distance from the ocean gave them enough time to prepare. It was also reported that a Norwegian Viking came to the castle and spent some time there.
The entry is €6 (I believe) and it took me about an hour to explore. After buying your ticket, you have to walk about 400 meters to get to the main site. There are different excavations that you can see, as well as some green nature. At the site, you can walk up and down the ramparts and see the different nooks and crannies of the castle. It has great views over the countryside and you can see Pena Palace, too. It has a very calm and quiet atmosphere, so I really liked it.
Pálacio Pena
This is what people come to Sintra for. Pena Palace is a grand palace used by the Portuguese royal family before their demise in the 20th century that can be compared to Neuschwanstein Palace in Germany. It’s painted in funky colors and covered in azulejo tiles. I think the most impressive part of the palace are the grounds surrounding the palace. You could spend a good half-day just trekking through the gardens.
There are several different entry prices. If you only want to see the grounds and the outside of the castle, it costs €6. If you want to go inside the castle, I believe the cost was €14. There are audio guides available for an extra price, but they aren’t necessary. They try to crush you for every cent you have by offering a tram to the top of the caste. It’s not worth your money. It takes maybe ten minutes to walk up the hill.
If you’re strapped for cash, it’s not necessary to go inside the palace. Really, it’s following people around like sheep as you go from one room to another. You can’t really explore much and there aren’t that many rooms. It’s also a modern castle, so it’s not full of history. The grounds are pretty spectacular, though. Had it not been my last stop of the day, I probably would have spent more time there.
Final Advice
Like I said, Sintra is the new hot destination for a day trip from Lisbon. Get there early and be prepared for lines. Lucky for me, I never had to wait too long in lines for tickets. Also, if you know where you’re going to go at your first stop, I believe you can get discounts for visiting more than one site. (I did not do this. Oops.)
The Moorish Castle and Pena Palace are on a steep hill. If you decide to walk it, wear great shoes and clear an hour or so to walk. The other option is the bus. It’s bus 434 and it makes a loop from the train station to Pena Palace, as well as a stop outside the National Palace of Sintra. It costs almost €7 for a ticket, but you can use it on the whole loop. I had to wait in a long line, but I preferred that than walking for an hour.
Finally, there are many places to eat in the center of the town. Be prepared. Some places do not take credit cards (or only take select credit cards), and ATMs are not easy to find.
Most importantly, though, get out and enjoy Sintra. It’s a beautiful town and it’s what you make of it!
