Head out on this 2.1-mile out-and-back trail near Sintra, Lisbon. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 23 min to complete. This is a very popular area for walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

The time required for the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) in Sintra depends on whether you are hiking to the castle or just exploring its walls. To hike up from Sintra’s historic center via the Santa Maria Trail, it typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes. This is a steep, uphill trek through lush forests that requires a moderate level of fitness and sturdy walking shoes. Once you reach the castle entrance, you should allow another 60 to 90 minutes to fully walk the ancient stone battlements and climb the various towers. The walls are quite extensive and offer breathtaking views of the Pena Palace and the Atlantic coast, but they involve many uneven steps. If you take the 434 tourist bus or a tuk-tuk to the entrance instead of hiking from town, your total visit time will be just the 1.5 hours spent inside the monument. In 2026, it remains a quieter, more atmospheric alternative to the nearby Pena Palace, but it still requires a fair amount of physical exertion to navigate the rocky terrain.