
Sintra needs no introduction, after all, it’s one of Portugal’s most romantic villages and one of the most popular destinations for tourists… And the truth is, it’s a great option for your summer vacation or weekend getaway.
Around here, there are ‘secret’ beaches, natural beauty worthy of a fairytale and many palaces and monuments to visit. In fact, it would take many days (perhaps weeks)to get to know all of its attractions , and even then you would always be left with something to discover.
Even so, we’ve decided to create a list of 17 must-see places in the municipality that everyone should visit (at least) once in their lives. Sintra is magical and much of its charm comes from here!
Table Of Contents
- Quinta do Relógio
- National Palace of Pena
- Monserrate Palace
- Quinta da Regaleira
- Sintra National Palace
- Moorish Castle
- Seteais Palace
- Chalet of the Countess of Edla
- Convent of Santa Cruz da Serra de Sintra
- Quinta da Ribafria
- Valenças Palace
- Sintra Mountains
- Peninha
- Cabo da Roca
- Biester Palace
- Queluz National Palace
- Beaches
Quinta do Relógio
Although it’s not one of the most visited places in Sintra, this romantic 19th century palace has been gaining prominence recently.
With a privileged location next to the famous Regaleira, Quinta do Relógio stands out for its neo-Arabic style, but also for its park.
Although the green space around the palace is not very extensive, it deserves to be visited and photographed due to its diversity of rare and exotic plants.
In addition, Quinta do Relógio was the scene of a curious moment: it served as the setting for the honeymoon of the future King Carlos I and Queen Amélia of Orléans . Amélia de Orleães in 1886.
National Palace of Pena
The Pena Palace is one of Sintra’s (and Portugal’s) greatest landmarks, and the park around it is the ultimate exponent of romantic revivalism in Portugal.
Located on Monte da Lua, right at the top of the Serra de Sintra, it was born from the imagination of King Ferdinand and turned into a real fairytale palace, perched on huge rocks.
One of its most striking features is the mixture of architectural styles, from romanticism to neo-Gothic, including neo-Moorish and neo-Manueline.
Inside, the decoration to the taste of the kings of the time, the Monk’s Chapel, the royal chambers and the beautiful wall paintings stand out .
But there are many more secrets about the National Palace of Pena.
Monserrate Palace
Built in 1856 as a summer residence for Francis Cook, Monserrate Palace is one of the most incredible creations of romanticism.
The interior reveals elegant and lavish spaces, such as the Gallery (a corridor linking the palace’s three towers), the music room, the dining room and the library.
Surrounding the palace, Monserrate Park is home to a remarkable botanical collection with species from all over the world, which blend in with the native vegetation over 50 hectares.
Highlights include the Valley of Ferns, from New Zealand and Australia, and the Valley of Mexico, with artificial lakes and an enormous araucaria tree over 45 meters high.
Explore other interesting facts about the Palace of Montserrat.
Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira and its palace are probably the most enigmatic and mystical places in Sintra.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century by millionaire António Carvalho Monteiro (also known as Monteiro dos Milhões), the building is an example of the romantic revivalist style that combines Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance elements, but also a lot of esoteric symbolism.
On the estate, covered in lush vegetation, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity and, above all, the famous enigmatic well, with its iconic spiral staircase.. . stand out, among other secrets about this fantastic estate.
Sintra National Palace
With Arab origins, the National Palace of Sintra, in the heart of the town, has been the residence of the Portuguese royal family since the 12th century.
It is a unique example of Portuguese medieval palaces, but reveals a variety of architectural styles (reflecting the taste of different kings), ranging from Gothic to Mudejar and Manueline.
Don’t miss the chapel, the kitchens, with their large conical chimneys, but also the Swan, Coat of Arms and Handle rooms.
Moorish Castle
Built on a rocky peak in the Serra de Sintra, possibly between the 8th and 9th centuries, the Moorish Castle bears witness to the Islamic presence in the region.
After the Christian reconquest, it was enlarged and reinforced several times.
As well as being a historical monument, today it is also an incredible viewpoint, overlooking the town of Sintra and the entire surrounding region.
Tickets: at Fever
Seteais Palace
Built in the 18th century, the Palácio de Seteais now houses one of Sintra’s most emblematic and stunning hotels: the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais.
Located on the mountainside, it offers incredible views, from the Pena Palace to the sea, passing through the moorland.
The gardens that surround this five-star hotel are also breathtaking and romantic, especially the labyrinthine gardens.
Chalet of the Countess of Edla
Built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II for his second wife, the Countess d’Edla, this chalet follows the model of the Alpine chalets of the time.
Inside, a decorative stucco mural painting stands out, as does the covering of the walls with inlaid cork and wood panels.
The garden, with its romantic features, has a botanical collection with hundreds of species, including native vegetation and exotic specimens from all over the world.
There are other curiosities you can discover about this chalet.
Convent of Santa Cruz da Serra de Sintra
Better known as the Convent of Capuchos (or Cortiça), it was founded in 1560 by D. Álvaro de Castro, D. Sebastião’s advisor of state.
This hermitage, built among rocks and dense vegetation, was first inhabited by eight Franciscan friars from Arrábida and came to symbolize the order’s ideal of fraternity.
Philip II of Spain and I of Portugal said of it:
In my kingdoms, I have two things that please me very much, the Escorial for being very rich and the Capuchos Convent in Sintra for being very poor.”
If you go there, you’ll be impressed by the tranquillity of the place and the simplicity of the various spaces, especially the tiny cork-lined cells.
Quinta da Ribafria
This is one of Sintra’s best kept secrets and one of the few places where foreign tourists are not yet in the majority.
Located next to the mountains, in the Lourel area, it has numerous green areas, leafy trees and a beautiful manor house, and was built in 1541.
After long years of neglect, it became the property of the local authority and now hosts events and visits by the general public.
Valenças Palace
Located in the heart of the town of Sintra, this imposing building of revivalist architecture served as the residence of the Count of Valenças, hence the name Val enças Palace.
Among its most curious features is a tile panel on the main façade that simulates a door guard.
It currently houses the Sintra Municipal Archives, but previously served as the municipal library.
Former employees said that a ghost called Palmira lived there, a former servant of the Count who committed suicide there because of an impossible love.
Next to it is the beautiful Liberdade Park, right in the heart of the town, with a huge variety of rare plants.
Sintra Mountains
The town of Sintra and its palaces would not be the same without the Serra de Sintra.
The Romans called it Mons Lunae. Monte da Lua, and this mysticism, still exists today.
Stretching for 10 kilometers, almost to Cabo da Roca, this unique mountain range is made up of dense vegetation that invites you to take long walks.
Its highest point is the Cruz Alta, in Parque da Pena, which is 529 meters above sea level.
Peninha
Overlooking Cabo da Roca, at an altitude of almost 500 meters, the Peninha site is one of the most surprising places in the Sintra mountains, not only because of the incredible views, but also because of the buildings it houses.
There is a sanctuary dating back to the time when the kingdom of Portugal was formed (the current chapel dates from the 17th century) and a romantic revival-style mansion built in 1918.
A municipal heritage site, it does not welcome visitors inside, so it can only be seen from the outside.
Cabo da Roca
The westernmost point of the European continent, “where the land ends and the sea begins”, as Luís de Camões wrote, is a must-see on the outskirts of Sintra (17 kilometers from the town), not only for its symbolism, but also for the surrounding beauty, with the sea in the background.
There, you’ll also find a lighthouse, built in 1772, 165 meters above sea level.
Biester Palace
“Watched” for a long time by those who pass through these parts, by those who explore everything there is to visit on the outskirts of Portugal’s most romantic village, the Biester Palace is the new 19th century “treasure” to discover in Sintra.
This palace dates back to the last 20 years of the 19th century (1880-1899) and is a unique example of romantic architecture, having been the residence of the Biester family.
It was commissioned by José Luiz Monteiro, a renowned national architect, who gave it a unique decoration and various artistic details, which were the responsibility of the master carver Leandro Braga and the artists Luigi Manini and Paul Baudry.
There’s much more you can discover about the Biester Palace.
Queluz National Palace
Located in Queluz, still in the municipality of Sintra, it was built by King Pedro II between 1747 and 1786 to serve as the royal residence.
Both the palace and the garden show strong French and Italian influences. The collection includes Baroque, Rocaille and Neoclassical elements.
Outside there is a botanical garden, lakes, fountains and the facilities of the Portuguese Equestrian Art School, founded in 1979 to promote the teaching, practice and dissemination of traditional Portuguese equestrian art.
There are many secrets to be discovered in this palace. We’ve found 10 spectacular curiosities!
Tickets: at Fever
Beaches
With many kilometers of coastline, the municipality of Sintra has numerous beaches that are worth visiting, despite the cold waters and strong waves that characterize most of them.
Among the most famous are Praia Grande, Praia das Maçãs and Praia da Adraga.
More unknown are the beaches of Aguda, Samarra and São Julião, while the most secretive (less and less) and inaccessible is Praia da Ursa, near Cabo da Roca.
Also by the sea is one of Portugal’s most beautiful villages, Azenhas do Mar, with its houses built along the hillside.
Casa Piriquita: já podes encomendar Travesseiros de Sintra para comer em casa