Sintra Palaces

Overview

Sintra is a fairy-tale town only 40 minutes from Lisbon, known for its mist-wrapped hilltop palaces. Highlights include the vividly coloured Pena Palace, a masterpiece of 19th-century Romanticism; the historic Sintra Palace, a former Moorish residence; and the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira with its masonic symbols and underground wells. The whole town is a World Heritage Site and an essential stop in Portugal.

History

Sintra's history reaches back to prehistoric times, and the Moors built the Castle of the Moors and the Sintra Palace here. After Portugal was founded in 1147, successive kings used Sintra as a summer retreat. In the 19th century Ferdinand II built Pena Palace, which became the model of Romantic architecture. In 1995 the cultural landscape of Sintra was listed as a World Heritage Site.

Highlights

• •The vivid colours of Pena Palace against the green hills
• •The mysterious spiral wells of Quinta da Regaleira
• •A walk from the town to the Castle of the Moors for panoramic views
• •Traditional Portuguese custard tarts in the town centre

Practical tips

• •Arrive before 9 in the morning; the many sights need a full day
• •Trains from Lisbon take 40 minutes and are convenient
• •Summer is very crowded, so weekdays are better
• •Sights are spread out; a shuttle bus helps

Practical information

Best time

April to June, September to October

Tickets

Pena Palace about EUR 14; Quinta da Regaleira about EUR 9

Opening hours

Pena Palace 9:30 to 20:00

Local food

Custard tarts, salt cod dishes and piri-piri chicken

Getting around

Tram 28 and the metro cover the main areas, and Sintra is reached by train

Visa

Portugal is in the Schengen area and requires a short-stay Schengen visa. Apply early for the peak season in Lisbon.

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