Is Sintra Worth Visiting? My Experience & What to Know Before You Go

Is Sintra worth visiting from Lisbon? After several visits (and finally spending the night), here’s what I think of the infamous palaces, the truth about the crowds and how long you really need in this seemingly fairytale town.

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On my last trip to Sintra, I did something I wish I’d done sooner: I stayed the night!

Which meant I could spend the day exploring royal palaces, enjoy a proper dinner at a local Portuguese haunt that gave me the best meal I’ve had in the country, oh, and still have time to wander around town without constantly thinking about the train back to Lisbon (quite a difference from trying to see everything before sunset).

Of course, Sintra is famous for its colourful castles. But my favourite palace didn’t even happen to be the one with the famous red-and-yellow towers.

On all those notes, if you’re reading this, you may have an expectation of Sintra, most likely based on the endless photos of Pena Palace (above), but I promise you, it’s so much more.

But here’s how to decide whether it’s worth it for you.

Shall we?

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Quick Overview: Is Sintra Worth Visiting?

My verdict	Yes. Especially if you love royal history, unusual gardens and a little palace-hopping.
How long to stay	A full day works, but I’d recommend one night and two days if you can.
My favourite stops	National Palace of Sintra and Quinta da Regaleira.
For the ‘famous’ views you’ve probably seen online	Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle.
The downside	Crowds, hills, bus queues and trying to fit far too much in for your trip.
Where I stayed	Chalet Saudade, a lovely historic guesthouse just a hop and a skip from the station.
Getting there	Take the suburban train from Lisbon’s Rossio station, usually around 40 minutes.

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So, Is Sintra Actually Worth Visiting?

For me, yes. After visiting three times, I can confidently say you’d have a hard time finding another town where you can explore a royal palace in the morning, disappear down a spiral staircase into underground tunnels in the afternoon and watch the sunset from a castle on a hill all in the same trip.

This is all fitting given Sintra has been a royal retreat for centuries, with truly beautiful forested hills, gardens and palaces that rightly earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1995.

Of course, given all this, Sintra can feel a little like Disney World for palace lovers, particularly around the famous entrances like at Pena Palace. But once you’re willing to go beyond that, you’ll appreciate the castles are real holders of Portuguese history with beyond interesting stories that go back centuries.

Not to mention Sintra is an actual town at the end of the day, which, in my opinion, is worth exploring in itself.

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Now let’s get specific…

What Makes Sintra Worth Visiting to Me?

The Interiors of the National Palace

I know Pena Palace gets most of the attention, but the National Palace of Sintra was without competition one of my favourite places from the trip.

You’ll recognise it by the two enormous white chimneys rising above the historic centre, which admittedly aren’t as impressive as some of the more colourful palaces in the town, but once you get inside it’s a whole other story.

The rooms here are sure to win you over instantly, especially the Sala dos Brasões, or Room of the Coats of Arms, with its stunning ceiling displaying the coats of arms of 72 noble families from King Manuel I’s reign. You’ll spend all day looking up!

If you love historic interiors as much as I do, the visit here alone makes it worth the Sintra trip.

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Quinta da Regaleira Is Unlike Any Castle You’ll Visit

Some people go to Sintra and skip Quinta da Regaleira. This would be a mistake.

Replace royal rooms with a wonderfully Gothic-looking estate, gardens full of little surprises and a famous Initiation Well, which leads you down into a network of tunnels, and you can start to get a picture of why this is easily one of Sintra’s most overlooked castle stops.

The estate was shaped around the turn of the twentieth century by António Augusto de Carvalho Monteiro and Italian architect Luigi Manini, and it’s full of unusual stonework and symbolism if you visit with a keen eye.

I loved wandering around here and it’s such a different experience from most castles I’ve visited (which is also why I think it pairs well with a National Palace visit right before).

Now, I did fib a little. Although the castle as a whole tends to be overlooked, the Initiation Well is a bit of a spectacle, so expect company.

But absolutely save room to explore the rest of the grounds too!

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Okay, yes, Pena Palace

I’d be lying if I said the red-and-yellow towers of Pena Palace weren’t one of the reasons I wanted to visit Sintra in the first place (similar to, well, most people).

Built into the hills in the nineteenth century under King Ferdinand II, the palace is one of Portugal’s great examples of Romantic architecture.

If that wasn’t enough, the grounds are lovely too, with enough gardens and woodland paths to make your visit go far beyond just a palace tour.

With that said, I found the exterior and grounds more memorable than the crowded interior when I visited. I’d absolutely see Pena, but if you’re short on time, I wouldn’t insist on going inside.

P.S. – You can book either a garden or interior visit for your visit, but if you do book the interior, pay attention to your entry time, and the 30-minute walk it’ll take to get from the park entrance to the top!

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The Moorish Castle

For something very different from Sintra’s ornate palaces, I’d make time for the Moorish Castle.

Its old stone walls follow the hills above town, with views that make you understand why people built up on these hills in the first place.

The fortifications date back to the Islamic period, so you’ll be exploring a very different part of Sintra’s history (side note: definitely not the place for slippery shoes).

I’d pair the Moorish Castle with Pena Palace if you’re especially keen on the hilltop sights, as they’re just a few minutes from each other. If you’re only visiting for one day, though, I wouldn’t try combining all four on your trip, but more reason to stay overnight!

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Sintra’s More Than Just Palaces

In a town as outrageously gorgeous as Sintra, it’s easy to assume that beauty is all it has, but you would be wrong.

After the National Palace, I stopped at Loja do Vinho on Praça da República for an Aperol spritz, with the palace right opposite. A very well-deserved drink after all that walking, but also a lovely opportunity to do some Sintra people-watching and take in the vibe of the town beyond shiny castle interiors.

I also loved dinner at Cajó on my trip, including bacalhau à Brás, slow-cooked chambão beef and sangria. It ended up being one of my favourite meals I’ve had in Portugal (and instantly made me wish that more people stayed for the evening).

P.S. – If you’re after something quicker, stop by Casa Piriquita for their travesseiros and queijadas, and of course, a tried-and-true pastel de nata!

If you’ve already seen Sintra’s famous palaces, you can also go beyond castle sightseeing to Monserrate Palace for its gardens and unusual architecture, or the Convent of the Capuchos.

And if you’re after a walk rather than another ticket, the gardens around Villa Sassetti are free to visit (just don’t mistake the uphill trail for an easy stroll!).

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The Downsides of Visiting Sintra

Although I love Sintra, I won’t pretend it’s the most effortless day trip, so keep these bits in mind before planning your trip.

• It can get very busy. Especially around Pena Palace and the Initiation Well. I wouldn’t arrive expecting empty photographs (unless you’re quick!)
• The hills are no joke. Much of the centre is walkable, but Pena and the Moorish Castle are high above it. Bring comfortable shoes.
• Buses and ticket times eat into your day. It’s easy to underestimate how long you’ll spend getting between attractions (here’s how to manage a day trip here with the buses and trains).
• The weather can be different from Lisbon. Sintra’s hills can be misty and surprisingly chilly, so always bring layers, yes, even under your castle-ready outfit!

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How Many Days Do You Need in Sintra?

Personally, I’d say one day is absolutely worthwhile, but I’d choose just two castles for your trip.

For history and a route you can do mostly on foot, I’d start with the National Palace, have lunch in the old town and spend the afternoon at Quinta da Regaleira.

Or if you’ve really got your heart set on famous castle views, do Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle instead. You can come in from Lisbon, visit a pair of them and be back in the city for dinner!

But if I’m honest with you, two days will always be my preferred way to see Sintra after my overnight stay.

I loved being able to have a proper dinner, spend time in town and tackle the hilltop castles the next day. To do so, I stayed at Chalet Saudade, a lovely little historic guesthouse near the station with genuine and rare hospitality I was struggling to find in Lisbon.

From the homey interiors to the complimentary Port and the simple yet exceptional breakfast at nearby Café Saudade, I honestly didn’t want to leave.

It’s a historic house rather than a sleek modern hotel, so the rooms have character, and there’s no lift. Have a look at my Chalet Saudade review before deciding if it’s for you.

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How to Get from Lisbon to Sintra

From central Lisbon, I’d take the suburban train from Rossio Station. The journey is usually around 40 minutes, and you can check departures here for your trip, and get your ticket easily from the station with your contactless card.

Once you arrive, the National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira are walkable from the historic centre. For Pena and the Moorish Castle, you can take the 434 monument bus from near the station and pay at the bus stop with your contactless card too.

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A Few Things I’d Know Before Going to Sintra

• Book your tickets in advance for the National Palace of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace and Moorish Castle.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The cobbled streets and hills are all part of a Sintra day.
• Leave time for the town. Sintra is somewhere people live, not just a collection of palaces. Be good to yourself and leave plenty of time to enjoy its independent cafés, shops and restaurants like Loja do Vinho and Cajó.

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Final Thoughts: Is Sintra Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. I’ve been back more than once and still have a list of reasons to return.

I’d happily visit the National Palace again for its extraordinary interiors, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of the gardens and tunnels at Quinta da Regaleira. But I also loved being able to sit down for a proper dinner and enjoy Sintra once the day-trippers had left.

If you only have a day, go and enjoy it. Just remember you don’t need to see every palace in Sintra to have a wonderful time.

Have the most fabulous time in Portugal.

Happy travels,

Candace x

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FAQ: Is Sintra Worth Visiting?

Is Sintra worth visiting from Lisbon?

Yes! It’s one of the easiest ways to see Portugal’s historic palaces and gardens without travelling far from Lisbon. But allow a full day rather than trying to squeeze it into a morning (or, psst, make it easy for yourself and read my guide on how to do a day from Lisbon to Sintra).

Is Sintra worth visiting in the rain or winter?

I’d say so, especially if you love historic interiors. Just remember that the hills can be misty and the exposed castle walls slippery, so check the weather and any site closures before you go. Plus, dress accordingly!

Can you explore Sintra without a guided tour?

Absolutely. The historic centre, National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira are easy to visit independently, and most come with audio guides. Just remember to book your tickets in advance for the National Palace of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace and Moorish Castle.

How many palaces should you visit in one day?

I’d stick to two main castles for a relaxed day trip. You can squeeze in more, but I think you’ll enjoy Sintra much more if you have time for the town too.

Is Sintra worth visiting with children?

It can be! The colourful Pena Palace and the tunnels at Quinta da Regaleira are certainly interesting, although the hills, steps and queues mean I’d plan a shorter day with plenty of breaks.

Can you combine Sintra and Cascais in one day?

You can, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you want to visit the palaces properly and enjoy the coast. I’d give each destination its own day, especially on a first trip (they’re also not easily connected by train, so you’ll need to take an Uber from one to the other. Here’s how to decide if Cascais is worth visiting!).

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