Which tourist attraction in Sintra do you think is most worth visiting?

Visit Pena Palace One of the most popular attractions in Sintra, the Pena Palace is a stunning 19th-century Romantic palace that sits atop a hill overlooking the town. The lavish palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II and stands proudly over the landscape.



While Sintra is filled with architectural wonders, the Quinta da Regaleira is often considered the most "worth it" for its unique, immersive experience. While the colorful Pena Palace is the most famous, it often suffers from extreme overcrowding and long wait times. Quinta da Regaleira, on the other hand, offers a mystical 4-acre estate filled with secret tunnels, hidden grottoes, and the iconic Initiation Well—a 27-meter deep inverted tower with a spiral staircase. Exploring the grounds feels like a real-life adventure film. It offers a perfect blend of Gothic architecture and lush, symbolic gardens that keep visitors engaged far more than a standard palace tour. To make the most of your visit in 2026, it is highly recommended to arrive at opening time (9:30 AM) and wear sturdy walking shoes, as the terrain is hilly and the subterranean tunnels can be damp and slippery.

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In the 19th century Sintra became the first centre of European Romantic architecture. Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle where this new sensitivity was displayed in the use of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements and in the creation of a park blending local and exotic species of trees.

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Do not make the common mistake of missing Sintra National Palace while visiting Sintra. It is the best but the least-known palace there. Learn here why it is worth the visit. Just one day to visit Sintra, Portugal is not enough to explore all the wonders this town offers.

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If you have one day in Sintra, visit the Pena Palace and the Pena Park, the Moorish Castle, and either the Palace of Sintra (Palacio Nacional de Sintra) or Quinta da Regaleira. Leave some time to explore the old town of Sintra and have a nice dinner at a local restaurant (avoid touristy places!).

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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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The Pena Palace (Portuguese: Palácio da Pena) is a Romanticist castle in São Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera.

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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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If you're only interested in a Sintra day trip, it makes more sense to take public transportation. Fortunately, it's incredibly easy to get to Sintra by train. From Lisbon's centrally located Rossio station, the journey takes around 40 minutes and costs just €2.25 (the return ticket is double this price).

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Portugal. Also known as: Cintra. Pena Palace.

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Other estates that add to Sintra's romantic reputation are the historically important Sintra National Palace (where the Royal Families resided from the 15th to the 19th centuries) and the beautiful Monserrate Palace where Indian, Arab and Gothic art and architecture entwine.

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Don't be like me—wear sneakers, or at least sturdier sandals. Due to its altitude and location closer to the coast, Sintra is often chillier than Lisbon, which was definitely the case when we visited. I recommend dressing in layers, and bringing a light jacket or sweater.

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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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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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The Pena Palace (Portuguese: Pal?cio da Pena) is a Romanticist castle in S?o Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera.

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In the heart of the Sintra forest and “Moon Hills” (so called because the ancient Celts worshipped their moon god here), Capuchos Convent otherwise known as the “Cork Convent” is a very atmospheric essential add on to any Sintra trip.

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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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