Sintra, Portugal
A Magical Day in Sintra: Castles, Palaces & Hidden Gems
Sintra is a fairytale destination just outside of Lisbon, packed with castles, lush gardens, and breathtaking views. Our day in Sintra was unforgettable, and we discovered a few helpful tips along the way to make the most of your visit. Here’s everything you need to know before heading to this magical town!
Getting to Sintra: A Lucky Ride
We originally planned to take the train from Lisbon to Sintra, but our Uber driver who was supposed to take us to the train station said he’d take all six of us directly to Pena Palace for $20. Given the convenience (and the fact that train tickets plus another Uber in Sintra would have cost about the same), we took the opportunity. If you’re traveling in a group, this is something to consider!
Pena Palace – A Colorful Fairytale Castle
Our first stop was the iconic Pena Palace. This vibrant, hilltop palace looks straight out of a Disney movie. We purchased our grounds-only tickets online upon arrival, which was the best decision ever—the line to go inside was insanely long! I clearly also had a fully packed day planned, so I needed to save this time. After constantly debating whether I wanted to go inside or not, I ultimately decided against it after being told that you barely have space to walk. The palace grounds are apparently even more stunning than the inside anyways, so I think we made a great choice!
📌 Tip: If you visit in winter, be aware that half the palace might be under construction, but you can still get amazing pictures! Your grounds ticket includes access to all the terraces, which offer some of the best views in Sintra.
Moorish Castle – The Mini Great Wall of China
A short 6-minute walk from Pena Palace brought us to the Moorish Castle, a medieval fortress with panoramic views over Sintra. The castle walls stretch across the hills, and we instantly nicknamed it the Mini Great Wall of China because of the endless stairs! This is a lot of walking, but the views are incredible. After we got back to Lisbon that night, we learned that we had walked over 60 flights of stairs! The Moorish Castle was definitely the biggest contributor to this. If you’re up for the challenge, I would highly recommend going all the way to the top.
📌 Tip: Moorish Castle tickets are valid for the entire day, so you can visit at any time.
Quinta da Regaleira – A Place of Secrets
Next, we headed to Quinta da Regaleira, famous for its mystical tunnels and the Initiation Well—a stunning spiral staircase leading underground. Surprisingly, there was no long wait to get inside the well. I also did not know that there were caves that you can walk through, making the experience even more cool!
“A descent into the past, one spiral at a time.”
The palace grounds are huge, and by this point, our legs were falling off from all the walking. We took a much-needed break at the on-site café, where we grabbed pastries, salad, and crepes—all of which were surprisingly very good- we ended up ordering extra. Quinta da Regaleira has so much to see, you can definitely spend the entire day here.
📌 Tip: Check ticket availability online before arriving so you know whether you need to book in advance.
Monserrate Palace – The Hidden Gem of Sintra
Our last stop was Monserrate Palace, the palace I was most excited to see. But getting there was a struggle—Bolt and Uber kept canceling on us, and when we finally got one, we had to wait nearly minutes!
When we finally arrived, it was so worth it. We had the entire palace to ourselves, making us feel like royalty. The palace’s marble architecture, lush gardens, and even a waterfall make it one of the most beautiful places in Sintra. After such a long day, I’m glad this was our last stop, it was much more peaceful than the rest.
📌 Tip: Many people skip Monserrate, which means it’s much less crowded than the other sites. If you love peace and quiet, don’t miss this!
Final Thoughts on Sintra
Sintra completely exceeded our expectations! Each palace and castle had its own charm, and we were blown away by the fairytale-like scenery. If you’re planning your visit, here’s what I’d recommend:
✔️ Book tickets online to save time and check availability.
✔️ Wear comfortable shoes—your legs will thank you!
✔️ Consider taking an Uber instead of the train if you're in a group.
✔️ Don’t skip Monserrate Palace—it’s truly a hidden gem!
After a full day of exploring, we headed back to Lisbon, exhausted but beyond happy. Next stop: Porto! 🚗✨
📌 Check out my Sintra adventures on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shivaniitravels
