Summary of the Best Things to Do in Sintra
Departing from Lisbon’s western suburbs and ascending into Sintra feels like entering an entirely different dimension. This town is nestled within a verdant mountainous landscape filled with palatial estates, parks, and a medieval fortress. At its heart lies the Palace of Sintra, a former residence of the Portuguese monarchy, which is merely one of the many splendid sites that will captivate your senses.
Another captivating site is the intriguing Quinta da Regaleira, an estate belonging to a wealthy individual with unusual hobbies, alongside the stunning Pena Palace with its whimsical towers perched on a high peak. Visitors can explore woodlands filled with gigantic, exotic trees planted in the 19th century, or venture to the coastline, where cliffs tower above the sandy beaches at Cabo da Roca, the furthest point west in mainland Europe.
Let’s examine the best attractions in Sintra:
1. Quinta da Regaleira
António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro was born in 1848 to affluent Portuguese emigrants in Brazil and augmented his wealth through coffee and precious stone ventures.
This wealth was funneled into the enigmatic Quinta da Regaleira, filled with numerous monuments that reflect his fascinations with Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, and divination.
The Romantic-style palace appears like a vision, adorned with intricate Manueline masonry, while the palace gardens reveal Monteiro’s eccentric nature: a network of underground tunnels and grottoes designed to both confuse and captivate visitors.
Above ground, one can find elaborately designed gazebos, sculptural benches, and two initiation wells, deep shafts lined with spiraling staircases leading to sanctuaries for tarot ceremonies.
2. Pena Palace
Recently recognized as one of Portugal’s “Seven Wonders,” Pena Palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II in 1838 atop the ruins of an ancient monastery.
The extravagant fairy-tale architecture and elevated location evoke comparisons to Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle, although Pena Palace predates it by a couple of decades.
Reflecting the aesthetic trends of the time, the palace encompasses various historical styles, from Moorish to Renaissance.
Originally constructed as a summer residence, it showcases breathtaking stuccowork, trompe l’oeil painting, and offers awe-inspiring views from the surrounding park.
A visit to the grounds is essential, as Ferdinand II cultivated diverse trees from around the globe, including sequoias, tree ferns, ginkgos, and Lawson cypresses that soar to remarkable heights.
3. Cruz Alta
The most rewarding walk within Pena Park entails tracing a path through an enchanting forest toward the highest point in the Serra de Sintra.
At 528 meters, this peak is marked by a Manueline-style stone cross and is adorned with granite boulders.
From this vantage point, visitors enjoy breathtaking vistas of the colorful towers of Pena Palace, as well as the lush green hues of the Sintra Mountains.
On clear days, one can glimpse parts of Lisbon and the Tagus Estuary.
4. Cabo da Roca
Sintra extends all the way to the coastline, culminating at the westernmost point of continental Europe.
Cabo da Roca marks the dramatic descent of the Serra de Sintra into the ocean.
This cape, standing 140 meters at the summit of a granite cliff, features formidable boulders and outcrops battered by the crashing waves far below.
A lighthouse is situated here, accompanied by a stone monument with a cross, marking this headland, which served as a notable landmark from Roman times through the Age of Discovery.
The ground is cloaked in a mat of evergreen ice plants, an invasive species originating from South Africa.
5. Castle of the Moors
Perched on one of Sintra’s northernmost summits are the remnants of an imposing castle, originally constructed by the Moors and later expanded following the Reconquista.
The fortress walls feature four square towers and conform to the contours of the mountain at the cliff’s edge, providing a stunning sight from below and an incredible perspective from above.
Between the battlements, visitors can gaze over the peaks, cliffs, and rocky outcroppings, extending their view to the Atlantic Ocean and over Sintra itself.
Historians may explore the ruins to uncover thrilling relics, including a sizable Moorish cistern accessible via a staircase and the remains of a Romanesque chapel bearing frescoes in its sanctuary.
6. Park and Palace of Monserrate
Monserrate is nestled within the mountainous region, somewhat distanced from the other palaces in Sintra, and consequently, it remains less crowded.
Nonetheless, it should not be overlooked, as both the Moorish Revival palace and its grounds are stunning.
The estate, landscaped in the mid-19th century for Sir Francis Cook, an English aristocrat honored with the title Viscount of Monserrate by King Luís I, features bamboo groves, grottoes, artificial waterfalls, ponds, exotic cedar trees, and Oceanic tree ferns.
The architectural style of the residence is unmistakably influenced by Islamic design, evident in the latticework of its arches, the arabesque patterns on the stairways, and the ceilings of the beautiful music room, which continues to host concerts to this day.
7. Palace of Sintra
The Palace of Sintra is easily recognizable by its two white conical towers that rise above a diverse arrangement of halls and wings.
This majestic structure is the oldest palace in the town and represents the finest-preserved royal medieval residence in Portugal.
Royalty resided here periodically from the 1400s to the 1700s, with each new occupant contributing unique touches to its character.
One notable figure, King Manuel I, was responsible for much of the interior decoration, embellishing the walls with striking Seville azulejos.
These are styled in the Mudéjar tradition (Moorish revival) and feature intricate geometric patterns reminiscent of carpets.
Another remarkable feature of his influence is the splendid Sala dos Brasões (Coats of Arms Hall), where the coffered ceiling showcases 72 coats of arms representing Portuguese royalty and nobility.
8. Palácio Nacional e Jardins de Queluz
Located east of Sintra, Queluz is a city within the same municipality.
The main attraction is the Palace of Queluz, characterized by its lavish Rococo architecture developed in the mid-18th century.
This palace served as a summer retreat for Dom Pedro of Braganza, who would later become King Consort to his niece, Queen Maria I. The interiors are exquisite, adorned with gilded stuccowork and resplendent frescoes on the ceiling of the Music Room and the Queen’s Boudoir, which features a delicate trellis pattern.
Outdoors, visitors can appreciate the Baroque splendor of facades designed by French architect Jean-Baptiste Robillon, and the extensive 100-meter canal lined with blue and white tile panels.
9. Convento dos Capuchos
A short yet picturesque drive or tuk-tuk ride from Sintra leads you to the remains of a 16th-century monastery.
The Franciscan monks who inhabited this community embraced an extraordinarily austere lifestyle, sharply contrasting with the opulence of Sintra.
They resided in diminutive cells carved from rock, adorned with cork, and relied on vegetables cultivated in a kitchen garden for sustenance.
This garden is still visible beneath the main courtyard, the Pátio do Tanque, where an attractive octagonal fountain resides.
An audioguide will assist you in exploring the cells, monastic structures, and chapel, which have remained abandoned since the dissolution of monasteries in Portugal in 1834.
10. Old Centre of Sintra
Should you arrive in Sintra early in the morning, the ideal activity is to embark on a walking tour of the old town center.
It is advisable to complete this before late morning, as the streets become inundated with visitors as the day progresses.
The compact center navigates up a steep valley, with meandering cobbled streets, narrow staircases, churches, and delightful mansions and townhouses.
Some structures house museums, such as the Museu Anjos Texeira and the Museu de História Natural, while others are best admired and photographed from the exterior.
Later, if you can tolerate the crowds, be sure to stop by a pastelaria to sample one of Sintra’s delectable pastries.
11. Praia da Ursa
While journeying toward Cabo da Roca, signs will guide you along a dirt path to this breathtaking beach.
Praia da Ursa may be one of the most stunning beaches you will ever encounter, situated along the indented coastline visible from the cape.
The beach is almost enclosed by towering, rugged cliffs, which help to mitigate the surf, making it a rare safe locale for non-swimmers to wade in the Atlantic.
Reaching this beautiful destination requires a descent down a cliffside trail, but the spectacular views reward your efforts.
12. Museu do Ar
For a different experience beyond palaces and mountains, an aviation museum dedicated to Portugal’s Air Force is located at Sintra Air Base.
Approaching its 50th anniversary, the museum relocated its fleet of aircraft from Alverca in 2010 into a spacious hangar.
Visitors can examine a substantial collection of planes, helicopters, propellers, navigation instruments, control panels, and various memorabilia.
The exhibition chronicles the timeline of early aviation experiments from the Renaissance era, progressing through rudimentary biplanes like Tiger Moths, World War II aircraft like Spitfires, and onto the jet age.
A highlight of the museum experience includes access to the Douglas C-47A Dakota, although boarding is only permitted with accompaniment from Força Aérea personnel.
13. Praia da Adraga
The exceptional quality of Sintra’s beaches is evident, as the second-best beach in the town is regarded as one of the finest in all of Portugal.
Praia da Adraga is located just above Praia da Ursa and features similar rugged rocks and intimidating cliffs in its background.
Fortunately, it is accessible by car, and a restaurant is conveniently located by the parking area adjacent to the beach.
With caution, it’s an adventurous place to explore, as you can scale the rocks to discover caves and tunnels.
The waves here are somewhat more intense than its neighboring beach, yet lifeguards are present throughout the summer season.
14. Sintra Tram
Exploring palaces and parks might leave younger children feeling disengaged, thus they could find greater enjoyment on this tram journey from the center of Sintra to Praia das Maçãs along the coast.
Trams have been clattering along this 11.7-kilometer route since 1904, providing a convenient if somewhat bumpy ride to experience both Sintra’s wooded mountain landscapes and its rugged coastline.
Ticket prices are quite reasonable at just €3 for a single journey, with travel time approximately 40 minutes to reach the coast.
As is typical in Sintra, early boarding is advisable to avoid the crowds.
15. Sintra’s Delicacies
Two delicacies are particularly synonymous with Sintra.
One of these is the queijada, a small circular pastry made with eggs, milk, sugar, and cheese.
Indeed, cheese, as a mild, soft cheese akin to ricotta is used instead of butter, giving the cake a velvety texture and sweet-savoury taste that is difficult to articulate yet undeniably addictive.
Another treat to try while enjoying a coffee is the travesseiro, a cylindrical puff pastry filled with an almond and egg cream.
Be sure to order one at Casa Piriquita in the old town center for a delightful experience.
