Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage town with fairytale palaces, about 30 km west of Lisbon.

About Sintra

Sintra is one of Portugal's most enchanting destinations, a hillside town draped in lush vegetation where 19th-century Romantic palaces seem to emerge from the forest mist. The colorful Pena Palace, perched atop the Serra de Sintra, is Portugal's most visited monument — a fantastical confection of bright yellows, reds, and purples blending Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline architectural styles.

The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros), a medieval fortification snaking along a rocky ridge, offers panoramic views stretching to the Atlantic Ocean. Below, the National Palace of Sintra in the town center features its distinctive twin conical chimneys and the finest collection of Mudéjar tiles in Portugal. The mysterious Quinta da Regaleira, with its underground initiation wells, grottoes, and Masonic symbolism, is perhaps Sintra's most atmospheric site.

Sintra's microclimate — cooler and mistier than Lisbon — supports dense forests of ancient trees in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. The town center, a charming cluster of pastel buildings around the National Palace, is famous for its traditional pastries: travesseiros (almond-cream pillows) and queijadas (cheese tarts) from centuries-old bakeries.

Nearby Landmarks

Pena Palace Moorish Castle National Palace of Sintra Quinta da Regaleira

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost EUR 45-55
Time 40-50 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Train (CP Suburban (Sintra Line))

Cost EUR 2 (from Rossio)
Time 40 minutes
Frequency Every 20 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Take Metro to Rossio or Entrecampos station. From Rossio, take CP suburban train direct to Sintra (40 minutes). Trains every 20 minutes.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi EUR 45-55 40-50 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Train EUR 2 (from Rossio) 40 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The last train from Sintra to Rossio departs around midnight. The town itself becomes very quiet after dinner. Most visitors treat Sintra as a day trip, but staying overnight allows you to enjoy the palaces in the early morning without crowds. Taxis in Sintra are limited, and ride-hailing has minimal availability. If staying overnight, book a hotel with good access to the town center.

Luggage Tips

Do not bring heavy luggage to Sintra. The town involves steep hills, narrow paths, and extensive walking between palace sites. The Sintra train station has no luggage storage. Consider visiting Sintra as a day trip from Lisbon, leaving bags at your hotel. If traveling with bags, there are small luggage storage shops near the train station (€5-8 per day). The 434 bus to Pena Palace has limited space.

Accessibility

Sintra presents significant accessibility challenges. The palaces are on hilltops with steep paths and many stairs. Pena Palace has a shuttle from the entrance gate but the palace interior involves stairs. The Quinta da Regaleira's underground wells and paths are not wheelchair accessible. The National Palace in the town center is partially accessible on the ground floor. The train from Lisbon is accessible with ramps.