In this article we have listed best 13 places to visit in Sintra because it is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. Sintra is one of the most romantic villages in the country, if not the loveliest of all. Sintra is located in the North of Portugal (Google Maps).
This destination is marked by magnificent palaces, castles and farms. Highlights include the National Palace of Sintra, the National Palace of Pena, the Moorish Castle and Quinta da Regaleira.
In addition to the attractions of the mountains, the coast of Sintra also has remarkable landscapes, with high cliffs. The highlights in this area are Cabo da Roca and the village of Azenhas do Mar. Here, the cultural landscape is breathtaking and is therefore a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Sintra is one of the Portuguese destinations with the richest historical heritage in the country. Below you will find best places to visit in Sintra Portugal.
1. Park and National Palace of Pena
The most important and well-known tourist attractions in Sintra, being built right at the top of the Serra de Sintra. It was built at the request of King Fernando II, who transformed the former monastery into a palace.
One of the coolest places to include in your list of things to do in Sintra. It is also the tourist spot that takes the most time during the visit, but if you have availability, it is really worth visiting.
2. Palace of Monserrate
Built in 1856 to serve as a summer residence for Francis Cook, the Palace of Monserrate is one of the most incredible creations of romanticism. The interior reveals elegant and sumptuous spaces, such as the Gallery (the corridor that connects the three towers of the palace), the music room, the dining room or the library.
Surrounding the palace, the Monserrate Park houses a remarkable botanical collection with species from all over the world, which mix with the native vegetation over 50 hectares. The highlight goes to the Valley of Ferns, coming from New Zealand and Australia, and to the Valley of Mexico, with artificial lakes and a huge araucaria tree, over 45 meters high.
3. National Palace of Sintra
Located in the historic center of the city, the National Palace of Sintra is also known as Palácio da Vila. It was built in 1383, has undergone several transformations over the centuries. With each change or renovation, the palace gained new architectural and artistic elements from different eras.
This fact transformed the Palace of Sintra into a mixture of different styles. The Palace was used by the Portuguese Royal Family until the end of the Monarchy, in 1910. Despite being imposing on the outside, with wings interconnected by beautiful gardens and courtyards, it is the inside that draws the most attention, with beautiful decorations.
4. Biester Palace
The Biester Palace is located in the heart of Sintra, perfectly integrated in the stunning scenery that made the town of Sintra famous as the world capital of Romanticism. Built in the last decades of the 19th century, the monument was designed by the architect José Luiz Monteiro and decorated by renowned artists, such as Luigi Manini, Leandro de Souza Braga, among others.
The Palace is surrounded by a wonderful Botanical Park , a true Eden of rare and exuberant tree species, green areas and water courses, designed by the French landscaper François Nogré. This is mentioned as one of places to visit in Sintra Portugal.
5. Moorish Castle of Sintra
The Moorish Castle is probably one of the best known attractions in Portugal. When listing what to do in Sintra, the castle is one of the attractions that can never be left out. It was built in the 10th century by the Moors as a sentinel for invasions, preventing invaders from reaching Lisbon.
From up there, you can see the entire region around you, with endless plains, the village of Sintra at your feet and the Pena Palace, colorful in the distance. A visit to Castelo dos Mouros is both terrifying and grandiose. The visitor feels as if he has really gone back in time.
6. Quinta da Regaleira
Just look at the picture and you will understand that this is one of the most special places to visit in Sintra. Quinta da Regaleira is a place of magic and mystery, and a must-see on any visit to Sintra. The romantic architecture of the palace and the lush park are the unifying elements of this Mansão Filosofal Lusa, a marvel nestled in the dense vegetation of the Serra de Sintra.
The palace was completed in 1910, when millionaire Carvalho Monteiro bought the property from Viscondessa da Regaleira in 1892 and decided to fill it with exoticism and eccentricity.
7. Palace of Seteais
Built in the 18th century, it currently houses one of the most emblematic and stunning hotels in Sintra: the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais. Located on the slopes of the mountains, it offers incredible views, ranging from the Palácio da Pena to the sea, passing through the saloia heath. Stunning and romantic are also the gardens that surround this five-star unit, with emphasis on the labyrinthine gardens.
8. Palace of Queluz
Considering the opinions of visitors, this place is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Sintra. The National Palace of Queluz is an 18th century building, begun in 1747, located in Queluz, in the municipality of Sintra. Its a fabulous building, also marked by baroque and neoclassicism.
It was used by the Royal Family and the Portuguese court in the second half of the 18th and early 19th centuries. It was built as a summer retreat for D. Pedro de Bragança.
9. Chalet Countess of Edla
Built in the second half of the 19th century, the chalet belonged to King Fernando II and Elise Hensler, Countess of Edla. The chalet is located in Parque da Pena surrounded by a beautiful garden.
The alpine-style chalet is decorated throughout with cork as an ornamental element, in addition to wall paintings, stuccoes and tiles. The garden brings together native vegetation and botanical species from around the world.
10. Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Portugal and also of continental Europe. A landmark, a lookout point and a lighthouse are the visiting points above the cliff by the sea, 140 m high.
The place offers beautiful landscapes marked by the high cliffs of the coast over the Atlantic Ocean. Cabo da Roca is part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Cabo da Roca Lighthouse is located at an altitude of 165 m above sea level and is 22 m high. Its light has a range of approximately 48 km.
11. Azenhas do Mar of Sintra
Azenhas do Mar is a village located above a huge cliff by the sea on the coast of Sintra. In the place there are lookouts where you can contemplate the sea crashing hard on the rocks. We went at the end of winter, but we have already seen photos from summer, where it is possible to bathe in the pool at its base.
12. Praia da Ursa
Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by the Michelin Guide , Praia da Ursa is located about 1 km north of Cabo da Roca. The name of the beach comes from the two rock formations that appear in the water, Ursa and Gigante. To get to Praia da Ursa, leave your car at Cabo da Roca or at the beginning of the dirt road (on the north side of the road), then walk a little less than a kilometer.
13. Praia do Magoito
It would be a shame to visit the Sintra Natural Park and leave without discovering one or more of its beautiful beaches! Praia do Magoito is known for its beauty. For its fossil dune. With over 10,000 years of existence, located along the access ramp to the beach. onsolidated dune is formed by the accumulation of sand resulting from the combined action of wind and sea.