Parking & Transportation Changes in Sintra: You are no longer allowed to drive and park private vehicles near the Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and other attractions in the Sintra Hills. Unfortunately, we found out the hard way that you can no longer self-drive and park at the entrance of the Pena Palace in Sintra.

As of early 2026, you cannot drive a private vehicle directly up to the Pena Palace or the Moorish Castle in Sintra. The local government has implemented strict traffic restrictions to preserve the historic landscape and manage the heavy flow of tourists. Private cars are prohibited from entering the perimeter road that leads to the palace gates; only residents, authorized taxis, tuk-tuks, and the official Scotturb bus (Route 434) are permitted access. If you arrive in Sintra by car, you must park in one of the designated "peripheral" parking lots in the town center or near the train station and then take public transport or a registered shuttle up the steep hill. For 2026 visitors, it is highly recommended to take the train from Lisbon's Rossio station to avoid the frustration of Sintra's extremely limited and restricted parking zones.