Is Sintra Castle worth it?

After touring a number of Portuguese castles and palaces, this one was perhaps the best. That being said, after going to ones in other european capitals, (think Versailles), it pales in comparison. However, you have to take the time period it was constructed in consideration when you tour them.



"Sintra Castle" usually refers to the Pena Palace, and in 2026, it is absolutely worth it, provided you manage your expectations regarding crowds. The palace is a masterpiece of 19th-century Romanticism, featuring a whimsical blend of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, and Islamic architectural styles painted in vivid yellows and reds. The views from the ramparts overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding Sintra-Cascais Natural Park are unparalleled. However, because it is one of Portugal's most popular attractions, it can feel like a "tourist trap" if you visit during midday. To make it worth your time, you must book a timed-entry ticket weeks in advance and aim for the earliest morning slot. The interior is fascinating, filled with royal artifacts and preserved living quarters, but many visitors find that the true magic lies in exploring the vast, forested Pena Park that surrounds the castle. If you appreciate architecture that looks like a fairy tale come to life, there is truly no other place in Europe quite like it.

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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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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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Once inside, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to walk through the interior of the palace. If you have less than 2 hours to spend at Pena Palace, I'd honestly skip the interior and use that time exploring the outside terraces, watchtowers, and gardens.

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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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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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In short: Pena Palace is more famous, but Sintra National Palace is more impressive inside. You still need to check out the Pena Palace from outside. The majority of the tourists arrive on a day trip and don't have enough time to visit all the palaces in Sintra.

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Even though magnificent royal residences in the Romantic style are often to be found in 19th and 20th century Europe, Sintra is a pioneer work of European romanticism, bringing together its incredible botanical richness and a diversity of monuments and buildings from a long period of history.

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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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Yes, you can enter inside the Pena Palace by buying a ticket online or on site for €14, or joining this guided tour from Lisbon, combining a visit to other important attractions in Lisbon.

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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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A paid transfer service (which you can choose when buying your ticket), that brings guests from the Park Entrance to the Palace. The service runs every 15 minutes and is wheelchair accessible.

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I advise starting your day in Sintra with a taxi ride to Pena Palace. This colorful castle is located on top of the hill, so it's best to start here and walk your way downwards towards the town center. You should know that the walk from the entrance to the palace is quite steep, so wear good shoes.

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In Sintra, you can get around by walking, by bus, or by taxi. If you're just in Sintra for 24 hours, walking will take up too much time. With that amount of time, it's best to take the train from Lisbon to Sintra, and then use Sintra's bus lines or taxis to get around. There are two bus routes you'll use in Sintra.

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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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