Sintra Tourism And Travel Guide

Sintra continues to amaze visitors who visit its ancient shores. The town is nestled in the Serra de Sintra hills amongst forestland and is home to some of the most extravagant and unique historic structures. It continues to grow in popularity as a tourist destination. It is best reached via rail from Lisbon which is the closest main city. It can alternatively be reached by using the local 434 Bus Service from Lisbon as well. The period of spring, between March and May is when tourism is at its peak in Sintra, with thousands of local and international visitors exploring this ancient town. Some of the must-visit spots include the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Castelo des Mouros and Monserrate Park and Palace to name a few. There is additionally, a thriving food and shopping scene here as well. To learn more about this hidden gem of a town, check out the travel guide below. 

By Air:

The Lisbon Portela Airport is the go-to spot for air travel as it is the closest local airport to Sintra and is extremely well-linked to other parts of the country and the world. 

By Road:

Road travel is another solid alternative for people looking to get into Sintra and tourist bus services to and from Lisbon are easily available. 

By Rail:

The most efficient way to reach Sintra is by taking a quick train journey from Lisbon to Sintra Train Station, which is practically in the city centre itself. There are several daily trains departing.

Spring Season (March - May):

Climate-wise, this is the best and the most popular time for travel to Sintra owing to the reduced humidity and rainfall levels and bright sunshine. 

Summer Season (June - August):

The hottest part of the year, this season sees temperatures rising fairly above average levels and rainfall completely reducing. 

Autumn Season (September - November):

A mix of bad weather conditions, which includes snowfall and rains, means that this season is not ideal for travel to Sintra. 

Winter Season (December - February):

The cool weather and periodic light showers add its own charm to the winter season and it continues to be another one of the most popular times to visit Sintra.

Quinta Da Regaleira:

This historic masterpiece of architecture is a popular place for visitors looking to learn about Sintra's diverse history and is one of the best tourist activities for its stunning design. 

Pena Palace:

This cliffside structure definitely catches the eye for its location and design and is not to be missed. 

Cruz Alta:

A popular activity in Sintra is to trek up to the Cruz Alta lookout point and take some lovely landscape shots of the surrounding town and natural landscape.

Castle Of The Moors:

A medieval caslte built into the mountainside, this Moorish-influenced structure is a unique structure and the trek up to the top of the castle is a must-do activity for the stunning views on offer. 

Being a unique and exotic destination, the food in Sintra does not disappoint either. The destination is famous for its charming cafes, world-class restaurants and locally-sourced produce that on the outside seem modest but offer stunning food. Some of the best spots that serve Portuguese classic dishes include Restaurante Pendoa and Curral dos Caprinos, the latter of which has been open since 1974. Azenhas do Mar, is a charming little village outside of the Sintra that offers stunning views of the sea and makes for a romantic date spot. Visitors can find Tapas, pastries and traditional meat and seafood based dishes like codfish in the Bacalhau A Bras preparation style. 

Shopping in Sintra is not to be missed. This stunning town offers visitors traditional, handcrafted items like accessories, leather-based goods, trinkets and even furniture. The old town of Sintra is home to some fantastic boutique stores like Almorabida and Violeta. The downtown area of Sintra is a great place to scope out some furniture and house accessories. Places like Cascais and Beloura are ideal for visitors looking to venture to shopping malls, offering a variety of local and international retail brands.