A typical visit to the Castelo dos Mouros lasts 60-90 minutes, and is a surprisingly large complex. The peak hours are the early afternoon (12:00-14:00) just after everyone has had their lunch in Sintra town and then head into the hills, where the Pena Palace and Moors castle are situated.

You should set aside approximately 60 to 90 minutes to explore the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) in Sintra. Unlike the nearby Pena Palace, which has intricate interior rooms to tour, the Moorish Castle is primarily an outdoor experience focused on walking the ancient stone ramparts. The "high-value" activity here is the walk along the walls, which offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Portugal, stretching from the Sintra hills all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. If you are a photography enthusiast, you might want to add an extra 30 minutes to capture the "Great Wall of Portugal" vibe at different elevations. Because the terrain is very steep with hundreds of uneven stone steps, the visit is physically demanding; in 2026, it is highly recommended to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the intense sun and the midday crowds.