10 Things to Do in Sintra, Portugal
I still remember the moment my train slid into Sintra station and the hillside above the town came into view. Castles sat on almost every ridge, and the air smelled of pine and salt. I had planned a single day here and quickly realized that was optimistic. Sintra rewards the traveler who wanders, so here is everything I found worth doing during my time in this town of palaces and forest.
See the Pena Palace Before the Crowds
Start early at the Palace of Pena, the fairy tale castle that tops the highest hill in the area. It is a wild mix of Moorish arches, Gothic spires, and Renaissance domes, all painted in reds and yellows that look almost unreal when the morning light hits them. Buy your ticket online and take the first bus up, because by mid morning the line can stretch for an hour. Walk the ramparts once you are inside. The views over the coast and the town below are the reason this palace sits on every travel photo.
Walk the Walls of the Moorish Castle
Just down the same hill from Pena, the Moorish Castle is a rough stone wall that snakes along the ridgeline. It is less decorated and far older, built by North African rulers centuries ago. Climbing its ramparts is one of my favorite memories, because from the top you can trace the whole valley and see both the castle and the ocean at once. Give yourself an hour here, and bring water.
Wander the Historic Center of the Town
Down in the old quarter, narrow streets wind past small squares and houses painted in pale yellows and greens. I found a bakery selling the local almond pastries called sardinadas, shaped like fish, which taste far better than they sound. The old town is also the best place to catch a local bus or an open top sightseeing bus if your feet need a rest before the next climb.
Explore the Quinta de Regaleira and Its Gardens
The Quinta de Regaleira is a palace and estate that feels like a puzzle box. The star attraction is the Initiation Well, a spiral staircase that drops deep underground and lets you climb back up past waterfalls and hidden symbols. Book ahead and give yourself two hours. I spent most of mine exploring the gardens, which are full of grottoes, lakes, and towers you can stumble onto between the trees.
Tour the National Palace of Sintra in Town
Back in the center, the National Palace is the one with the two tall chimneys you can see from almost anywhere in the old quarter. Inside, the ceilings are covered in carved wooden patterns, and the rooms are full of blue and white tiles. It has none of the crowds of Pena and a lot of quiet beauty, so I enjoyed it more than I expected.
Buy Tile and Ceramic Souvenirs
Look for the shops near the National Palace and the central fountain. I picked up a set of small hand painted tiles for less than I would pay for a dinner in Lisbon. The designs change depending on the seller, and each workshop has its own style, so take your time and compare before you buy.
Take the 434 Bus to the Cape of Sao Jorge
If you still have energy, ride the local bus up past Pena toward the cape that juts out over the sea. This is where you see the scrubby Atlantic coast meeting the forested hills of Sintra. The cliffs here are dramatic, and the gusts can be strong, so hold onto your hat. This quieter viewpoint is where I sat and watched the sun start to drop.
Eat Around the Tarik Fountain
For lunch and snacks, wander the small square around the black iron fountain near the palace. Seafood rice, grilled octopus, and fresh bread with cheese were the dishes I tried, and all of them held up. The outdoor tables fill fast, so eat early or late to avoid the rush.
Loop Back Through the Park of Pena
Instead of taking the bus straight down from the castle, I walked part of the estate park. Paths wind through huge exotic trees, past small lakes and ivy covered follies. It is a long, hilly walk, so only attempt it with decent shoes, but the quiet green halfway down the hill is worth the effort.
Time Your Return Train to Catch the Light
Leave late enough that you catch the golden hour from the train window as you head back to Lisbon. The trip takes about 45 minutes, and the last trains run until late evening. One day is doable if you move, but two nights let you see Pena at first light and the town after dark, which is a different scene entirely.
My one honest piece of advice is to pick the two or three sights that matter most to you and skip the rest. Sintra tries to do everything, and if you rush it, you will miss the quiet moments that make it special. Take the castle, take the gardens, and leave room to just sit and look at the view.
