Is it worth staying overnight in Sintra?

Yes, do the open jaw and consider spending the night in Sintra. Although Sintra is a daytrip from Lisbon for most travelers, it's that much better once the crowds depart and you can relax in the evening and take the early afternoon train back to Lisbon after touring first thing in the morning, before the crowds arrive.



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To reach the Palace of Pena, follow the signposted footpath as far as the main entrance to the Park of Pena and then climb to the Palace. This walk takes around 30 minutes.

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An alternative option is to follow the Caminho de Santa Maria footpath, which leads uphill from the historic centre of Sintra to the Castelo dos Mouros and Pena Palace. Be warned, this is a very steep hill and a demanding 55-minute hike, which can be very tiring in the heat of summer.

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In my experience it's best to visit Pena Palace in the morning as it gets packed, while the other attractions have more manageable crowds. Ensure you book the tickets to Pena Palace online in advance to save significant time. The visit will take you around two hours.

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On the other hand, two days was enough time to see the main landmarks of Sintra. If you want to visit the very best places in Sintra, one day is really short. I advise you to come for two or three days and spend one or two nights in Sintra. But don't despair if you have just one day in Sintra.

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Sintra in half a day No matter what you've seen or read, half a day is not long enough to fully appreciate Sintra. Three hours is only just enough time to see the historic centre and the Quinta da Regaleira (or Palácio Nacional de Sintra).

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Sintra is generally a safe place, even during the night. It's a popular tourist destination and the local police maintain a solid presence. However, like anywhere, it's important to stay vigilant, especially when walking alone. Avoid deserted areas and always be aware of your surroundings.

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Exploring Sintra town centre – As obvious as it sounds, but exploring the historic centre of Sintra is free.

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Many people head to Sintra, Portugal to see famous sites like Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. But another site well worth seeing is Quinta da Regaleira. Included under Sintra's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, this 4-hectare estate is absolutely magical.

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I recommend going with the park/palace entry because it's worth the €14 euros. Now bring good comfortable walking shoes because when I tell you that you'll be doing a lot of walking only if you plan to explore more than just the palace.

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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.

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How long to spend in the Palacio da Pena? A visit to the Palacio da Pena will take at least two and half hours, and could be much longer. The staterooms and interior of the palace take 40 minutes to fully appreciate, while the terraces need another 30 minutes.

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How to Get to Pena Palace
  1. STEP 1: TAKE THE TRAIN. There's a direct train that connects Lisbon to Sintra's central hub so head to Rossio Train Station, located downtown just off of the famed Plaza Rossio (AKA King Pedro IV Square). ...
  2. STEP 2A: TAKE THE BUS. ...
  3. STEP 2B: TAKE A TAXI. ...
  4. STEP 2C: TAKE A TUK-TUK. ...
  5. STEP 3: BUY YOUR TICKETS.


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Starting your day before 9 a.m. is ideal! (The buses in Sintra start running between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m., so if you can be there around that time, it will be less crowded than later in the day.)

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The 434 bus service is designed for tourists, and the fares reflect this. The highly promoted 24-hour ticket costs €15, a single fare costs € 4.10, and the Pena Circuit Round Trip €7.60.

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