The 30 best sights in Sintra

Simply breathtaking! History at every step. 100% worth a visit. The price is very reasonable for the size of the entire area you can walk through! Subtle modern finishes. Toilets at every step - modern and clean. Beautiful, decent cafe - no waiting. Prices very reasonable. Completely satisfied!

While it's not as large as some of the other palaces, the grounds are beautiful and full of things to explore such as caves, towers, waterfalls, viewpoints, and side trails. Also it's walking distance from historic center, which makes it a convenient visit. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and would highly recommend.

The gardens and palace are mad! I loved the atmosphere, very Hobbitesque. Weather wasn’t great but that just made all the vegetation more luscious. It was my favourite part of Sintra, better than the Pena Palace in my opinion

Great place to visit. Be aware no parking. You can park down the street at the Charming Purple boutique hotel. You don't have to pay but you need to spend at least 5 euro for anything in theirs restaurant. Great place for food. They have a shuttle to the castle for 6 euro per person there and back. They can take you to the National Palace of Pena. Amazing place cost is around 30euro per family. We'll worth it.

Beautiful palace with a really interesting garden to explore. Worth the visit and take your time exploring. Don't rush it so you can enjoy all the little Hidden paths and caves

Gorgeous and unmissable ... if every palace in Sintra had a title, Quinta da Regaleira would surely be the most mystical. Easily accessible on foot from the town center, this palace, though relatively small, is so richly decorated that it almost resembles a theatrical set. Its architecture stands out in the Sintra landscape. Built at the beginning of the 20th century in the purest Romantic tradition, it is the brainchild of two men: the businessman and Freemason António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro and the Italian architect Luigi Manini. Quinta da Regaleira is brimming with esoteric symbolism and references to mythology, alchemy, and Freemasonry. Indeed, Carvalho Monteiro was a man fascinated by mysticism and the occult sciences. The interior is a jewel of craftsmanship, from floor to ceiling, but the most interesting feature is actually the garden. Designed as a labyrinth of caves and secret passages, each path leads to an unexpected discovery, much to the delight of the curious. One of the most impressive is the "Initiation Well," a 27-meter-deep spiral staircase descending to an underground cavern. This well was once used for initiation rituals, symbolizing the descent into the depths of consciousness and spiritual rebirth. Quite an experience ! After exploring the bowels of the earth, climb back up to the top of the Regaleira Tower; a superb view awaits you !

I first came across this spiral staircase on Instagram and instantly added it to my must-visit list 🌀 Seeing it in person was even better than I imagined — it completely gave off those Gothic architecture vibes I love so much. The dramatic curves, the shadows, and the intricate design details were just mesmerizing. I had the best experience exploring the place, taking my time to admire the craftsmanship and the atmosphere around it. It’s one of those hidden corners that truly feels like stepping into a piece of art — mysterious, elegant, and a little cinematic. If you’re a fan of architecture and aesthetic spots, this one’s a gem worth visiting. I can totally see why it’s become such a viral spot online — it’s even more magical in real life ✨

A nice monument, the visit of which means several lines of waiting and a considerable number of people. We bought tickets online for a specific time that was still available. You need to buy at least 1-2 days in advance if you want a specific time. We took a tuk-tuk to the palace and it was a nice ride with a short commentary on what we passed and a recommendation on which exit to take from the garden. We went back by HOP-ON HOP-OFF bus No. 434 for 13.5 EUR. We took advantage of the shuttle bus offer from the entrance gate of the complex to the castle. According to the time slot on the ticket, you join a queue and essentially complete the entire tour of the castle in this queue. As Central Europeans, I am used to a different form of commented tours of monuments, but I understand that this is not feasible with such a large number of people. I will not comment on the exterior or interior of the palace, because there are thousands of photos for that. However, the extensive park situated in the hills is beautiful. The network of paths and paths is breathtaking and there is always something to admire. We kept walking downhill to the exit by the pond with the Duck House along the path marked by the castle tower. There was a bus stop at the exit.

Loved the experience of visiting this place from Lisbon. Great architecture. Must visit when in Sintra. Views from the top are majestic, probably on a clear day, the sunset would be perfect. Recommend buying tickets in advance 3 days to get extra 15% off. Please plan your travel and accordingly book

The structure is amazing. It is a combination of romanticism, moorish, and gothic architecture. Going inside the rooms Was ok, but not necessary. There is very little customer service in the park. Be aware, you cannot drive to the top. It is illegal. You should park at the bottom of the hill and take a ride up. This is an issue. Well worth the visit, the communication leading up to the visit wasn’t clear.

Certainly chilly weather at the palace compared to Lisbon. Dress warm. Take the shuttle transfer ticket as well along with the ticket since the palace is about 30 minute uphill walk from the entrance. After seeing lot of places, chose to see only the exterior. Took about 2 hours from start to finish.

Great place (even better on a blue sky day) Colors are interesting, even inside is not luxurious, we enjoy the cozy vibes of the place. And if you are an Instagrammer there are good points and views for pictures. TRANSPORTATION 1st Recommendation: take a Tuk-tuk (golf car), even it is 20.euro per person We went up walking, and half way, we still have at least 30.mins more way up. TICKETS it seems the tickets are slightly more expensive online, but at the machines at the entrance you have a slot, and you might end up waiting 1 hour or more. FOOD there is a cafeteria, inside (a couple of tables with view and less crowded) Outside, it is nice too, and gets a little busier on a sunny day.

Amazing place and viewpoint. Buy ticket in advance or go with a random GetYourGuide tour to pass the lines. It's alot of people at the scene! You can visit only the exterior or the interior as well (separate line). There's a cafe and shop at the top.

We visited Pena Palace in September and it was a great time to go, far less crowded than summer, with short, fast-moving lines. The views from the palace are absolutely stunning and the atmosphere is full of friendly, welcoming people. Going with a tour is definitely the way to do it. We booked with Buendía Tours that left from Rossio Square, and our guides, Miguel and Victoria were outstanding: knowledgeable, organized and engaging. The tour was very kid-friendly, and even families with babies had no issues. Highly recommended for a smooth and memorable visit.

Very interesting place! But in our case it was incredibly crowded... But its a cool place too visit! Lots of different types of architecture. It will take 1,5-2 hours normally, but if its very crowded then 2-3 hours. The walk is quite steep, take that into account, to have a decent endurance.

We decided to walk to the palace to see it up close and enjoy the views. We went as far as we could without waiting in line to go inside. We felt the view and walk was worth the price of the ticket. €9 for seniors. While many people bought the double ticket we were ok doing the outside trip. The traffic the las several kM was crazy in mid Obtober. Near the entrance gate there is a shuttle bus for anyone who wants to avoid a steep walk.Bathrooms at gate and gift shop.

This palace is nice, many rooms and areas to visit and views form the balconies and gardens of the hills and another castles in Sintra. A lot of history to be told here and a nice walk through all the facilities. Nonetheless, I take out 1 star for the elevated price, in my opinion too much for what is has to offer. They take advantage of tourists and it is clearly overpriced. Another star out because several rooms had all the items (furniture, statues paintings) covered in plastic for restoration, but they did not mention this at the entrance and all the same charge full price in the ticket. Shame on them.

A royal residence that feels both grand and lived-in. The National Palace of Sintra blends centuries of Portuguese history with Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline architecture, all crowned by its iconic twin chimneys. Inside, richly decorated halls, intricate tilework, and panoramic views reveal the taste and power of Portugal’s monarchs, while the kitchens and living quarters hint at daily life in another era. Compact enough to explore in 1–2 hours, yet full of fascinating details, it’s a perfect starting point before diving into Sintra’s other palaces and gardens.

After visiting the PenaPalace we were not expecting much from this. But it was so interesting and gorgeous! It is totally worth a visit and is rather an unsung attraction that others should participate in.

Wow factors and some meh. Still worth the visit. The palace is a bit empty in furnitures so the rooms need a bit of imagination. I would've liked to know more when each part of the palace was built or added. Big plus for moving and storytelling characters in screens. Gardens are pretty and the main hall was amazing.

A marvel not to be passed up. Wear comfortable shoes and be ready to be blown away...driving is a bit of a challenge as roads are steep and winding and free parking is available and can be limited on weekends due to large crowds. Plenty of taxis in area if not driving....just beautiful...

One of the most impressive Botanic gardens I've ever visited. Very amazing rare trees, monkey puzzle tree for example and a redwood sequoia. And many others. Also huge ferns. And they have an amazing collection of cacti. I also recommend to use zoomguide to get to know the park better while you walk there. The castle in itself is tiny, but it's all worth it, it really made me think of the Alhambra

Beautiful place. If you want to have fun exploring a palace/house without the mass amounts of tourists like Pena Palace, this is your place. Beautiful gardens to hike through. Signs are lacking a little on the garden trail, we ended up a service road heading down to the next village. If you want to walk directly to the Palace, veer right once you walk through the entrance after a couple 100 feet.

This was definitely a highlight of our trip to Lisbon. It is an absolutely stunning building with a beautifully intricate decor, not particularly large but very grand all the same. The gardens were absolutely beautiful. Anyone who is keen gardener or just loves gardens then this is an absolute treat. There was no queue to get in and we were so glad to bypass the Pena Palace which had hoards of people queueing. I highly recommend a visit.

Not the most popular sight in Sintra but we enjoyed this the most. Perhaps because it was not as crowded as the more popular sights. we got to enjoy the gardens especially and the exterior of the house. Took the public bus 1253 from Quinta da Regaliera, less than 10 minutes away in a mini-bus that blasted away Mamma Mia and the whole bus singing to it. What a trip!Bought tickets onsite as we weren’t sure we would make it in time. Definitely worth a visit.

Beautiful palace, it is a nice construction, tgat has been nicely restored, but the interior is rather empty (they want to recover the items that once were inside but those were sold in auction years ago, thus it may be quite difficult). The surroundings of the palace are also beautiful for a walk. I went myself a with my mother 77 years old, and she had some struggles walking around the park. The path is steep at some points, with plenty of stairs. Walkable for a normal person, but difficult for those with reduced mobility. Some areas may also be slippery. She fell once, and luckily she didn’t hurt herself, but it is something that people should take into account. Definitely the park is not visitable with wheel chair, although the lower part of the palace could be accessed. Inside the park there is a tea shop to sit and relax. The park itself gathers plants from many different parts of the world, very beautiful to see. Also mindblowing how plants can grow when left in nature. Finally, I would say it is worth getting an uber from Sintra, as we did this on the way there, and it costed 8€. On the way back we took the bus that goes slower (also very full!) and we paid 5€ x person (this was after 16h, I heard that if you take it before during the day, the cost is 13,5€, but then you can hop on and hop off at the different stops. This was informed in our accommodation). I would recommend the visit.

🏛️🌿🇲🇽📸 Visiting the Monserrate was an unforgettable experience and easily my favorite historical site in all of Portugal. The self-guided tour was incredibly well organized, complete with an audio program and fascinating archival photos showing the original state of the mansion. The gardens are absolutely stunning, with plant species from all over the world. As a Mexican, I especially appreciated the beautifully curated Mexican garden — the size of the cacti and other plants was genuinely impressive. I highly recommend prioritizing this over other nearby attractions. There’s plenty of parking available, but do keep in mind that Sundays are free for Portuguese residents, so it might get busy. I visited on a rainy Saturday, waited a bit in the car for the weather to clear, and ended up having the entire mansion to myself. Did you find this review helpful? ❤️

We enjoyed this visit the most from all castles in Sintra. Not so many ppl, big and beautiful park, palace is beautiful and special! We suggest to stop here if you want to visit without million ppl and queues…

It was a very cool experience being able to visit this castle. Breathtaking views and well preserved ruins. However, we did bring our toddler and there were some parts where I felt a little unsafe because he could fall off a wall or I could fall easily while holding him

Excellent hike with excellent views. One of the oldest and rarest intact castle in Europe. There are multiple ways to the top. You can hike or you can take a car. Hike is faster and cheaper but make sure you bring your camera and a bottle of water.

Be prepared for a hard climb. Don't trust taxi and tuk-tuk drivers. You'll still have to walk up; it's impossible to drive up. Visit only in good weather; rain will make it incredibly slippery, and clouds will prevent you from seeing the stunning views of Sintra and the surrounding area. Many other castles and palaces in the Sintra area are also visible from here. Stunning!😍 During the season, it's better to buy tickets in advance, but carefully calculate the time; the climb may take longer than you expect, and if you buy a timed ticket, you won't make it in time.

Worth visiting if you travel to Sintra. Can be quite energy demanding as there are lots of stairs and can be quite steep. Recommend to take transport to and away from the spot. We arrive in the afternoon and no need to wait.

Getting here was a bit complicated. Google maps made it complicated and we walked up from our parking spot. We did see tuktuks coming down but not sure how to go up. We drove here since it did take 40 mins instead of 2 hours by train from Lisbon. We bought our tickets in advance online. But you can. Purchase them near the entrance. The climb can be intense but 100% recommend for the views and history. Just make sure you're wearing shoes with good grip in the event it rains or the fog comes in. Some areas, the ground can be uneven, so make sure to watch where you are walking. Some castle walkways can be narrow and there can be a risk of falling. I do recommend some sort of railing. This can be difficult without ruining the experience. I do recommend checking in with the public to see what works best before implementation. Loved it. Would come again. Thank you for the experience!

Be warned, you need a certain level of fitness since it’s a hike. Loads of stairs and walking. But reaching the top made it all worth while! The view was breathtaking and no words could better describe. Buy tickets at least 3 days in advance for a 15% discount

Amazing panoramic views of Sintra and Pena Palace ! But be prepared: it’s a lot of walking and stairs, with uneven paths and steep sections. If you love history and don’t mind a workout, you’ll enjoy it. Bring comfy shoes and some water!

Really neat building, but it's a pretty long hike from the main palace. The bark decoration is pretty spectacular. It's not clear whether it's possible to go inside; we got there quite late in the day, the doors were locked, and there was no one else around.

Beautiful but we were harassed by the guard due to not carrying our tickets. Such a stupid rule. As if people can sneak into this park.

Absolutely worth visiting and make the 30 min hike through the beautiful garden.

A definite must if you are in the Sintra area. Easily accessible by train from Lisbon. Gorgeous surrounding in nature. Lovely walking area amongst trees and plants. The house has such an enchanted atmosphere. I am so happy I incorporated the viewing of the chalet as part of the palace visit / walk

Very charming chalet with some interesting history, furniture and items on display. It's roughly a 25 minute walk from Palacio do Pena and worth the scenic stroll through the park

Everything is made by wood. Amazing place . It fun to learn history with this places!

After visiting the palace I recommend visiting also the Chalet da Condessa D’Edla ( the acces is included in the entrance ticket for the Park and National Palace of Pena) From the Pena Palace go down through the garden, on the left side,to the west, to the lakes area, 5 min walk. There you’ll find another gate. From here you can go 900 m walk to the Chalet. I recommend the walk because it is an amazing paved path through the forest and you can see very cool views of the Palacio da Pena. The Chalet reopened to the public after a long process of recovery and restoration after the building was destroyed by fire in 1999. Is a must because you can see interesting and unique cork decorations.

Loved every single pastry that the salesman picked out for me after i asked for his recommended selection ! I highly recommend this authentic bakery !! everything they sell is absolutely worth trying. The pastries are fresh, full of flavor, and you can really taste the tradition in every bite. What really stood out was the guy working there , he was helping so many tourists all by himself, even making the coffee too !! Honestly, I don’t understand how a place that busy and successful doesn’t have at least one more staff member to help him out on the takeaway section . It would definitely make the waiting time shorter. Unless, of course, keeping the line long is part of their strategy 😉 and honestly, with pastries that good, it might just be working! 😄

This is a place you don’t wanna miss out on your visit to Sintra. Situated in the bylanes of the historic centre, this place is heaven on earth. Travesserio pastry, their signature filled with Almond cream was exceptional. Thats what they are known for, they have options of apple and Nutella too. Their quiejadas, basically a cheese and cinnamon, well known in Sintra was also quite good

Didn’t have any issue getting a table. Most people are quick with their pastries and coffee so they can start their day of exploring so if there is a wait, it’s not long. Tried all 5 of the pastries at the too of the menu (known for) and their pastel de nata. My favorite was the travesseiro (pillow). The coffee is really good here.

Casa Piriquita is an essential culinary experience in Sintra, highly recommended for anyone visiting the historical town. With a legacy dating back to 1862, the focus is squarely on their famed signature sweet, the Travesseiro. The experience starts with queue management; visitors must collect a token to be served, and a waiting time is expected, especially during peak hours. However, the service staff are exceptionally fast and efficient once your number is called, minimizing the overall delay. The highlight, the Travesseiro, was served warm, which significantly enhanced the flavor and texture. This elongated puff pastry is flaky and utterly delicious, living up to its legendary status. Crucially, the pricing is extremely fair: pastries and cakes are priced around €2.00, providing excellent value for a high-quality, authentic Portuguese sweet. Verdict: Despite the required wait, the high quality of the warm Travesseiro and the fair pricing make Casa Piriquita an absolute must-visit for a true taste of Sintra.

We took away their pastel de nata and pastel de sintra. Their pastel de nata was really good! Flaky crunchy crust. The egg custard wasn’t overly sweet and had a great balance of flavour. Not too oozy and not too set..perfect texture! We preferred this over the pastel De nata from Belem!

This was hands down the best pastry shop I’ve ever visited! The traditional pastries were freshly baked all day long, and you could really taste the difference. We arrived around 13:20 and were lucky to grab the very last table because it was so busy. Our waitress was incredibly kind—she explained each specialty in detail and even made sure to point out which ones weren’t suitable for food allergies. We tried four different pastries: 1. Travesseiro da Casa Piriquita 2. Pastel da Cruz Alta da Casa Piriquita 3. Pastel de Sintra da Casa Piriquita 4. Noz Dourada da Casa Piriquita My friend’s number one was the Travesseiro, while mine was the Pastel da Cruz Alta. Each pastry had its own unique taste—flaky, chewy, and full of flavor—so I’d honestly recommend trying them all and finding your own favorite! If you’re planning to visit Sintra, a stop at Casa Piriquita is an absolute must. You simply can’t leave it off your itinerary. If I could give them 10 stars, I absolutely would!

The sandwich I ordered was genuinely excellent, fresh, and well-made. However, the experience was ruined when I found a mosquito floating in my orange juice while enjoying my pastel de nata. This was highly disappointing and a major hygiene oversight. To their credit, the staff immediately replaced the drink, which was good service recovery. Despite the nice sandwich, the incident was too off-putting to ignore. Overall: Good food, but serious issues with attention to detail and hygiene on the beverages.

Fun little museum, lots of interactive elements, but overall feels more dedicated to keeping attention-span-deficient teens engaged than actually providing an introspective look into journalism.

Not massive but lots of interactive thing. Great fun if you get involved

Nice cozy museum, with a lot of interactive activities, had fun in it and learned interesting stuff related to the news.

very interactive and educational! super cool VR headset on one of the floors that was a lot of fun. quizzes to test your knowledge and compete!

Absolute gem of a place to find, very interesting, very cool and very friendly staff! Can't wait to come back one day

A really interesting and informative museum, it captured the interest of our 3 boys (11, 9 and 7) for 3 hours which is impressive!

Really fun place to visit with the family. Great burst of history facts in fun interactive scenes.

Steep climb but really nice! Definitely recommend climbing this route to the national palace rather than riding up. (Though I went late in the afternoon and it started raining so I grabbed a jeep ride (5E) for the trip down.) Great views and beautiful nature! There are some surprising vending machine spots, maybe just for drinks, but I enjoyed eating bread and cheese and a clementine I brought.

Villa Sassetti is one of the very few sights that are free in Sintra. Lovely gardens with lots of shade, several koi ponds, and a few towers; the top one has adjacent public FREE and clean toilets. One of the easier paths to/from Pena Palace passes through here.

The villa is a striking example of Lombard Romanesque architecture, distinguished by its red terracotta tones and signature round tower. Inspired by northern Italian castles, the villa was built in the late 19th century as a summer retreat for wealthy businessman Victor Carlos Sassetti. The design was entrusted to Luigi Manini. The surrounding gardens feature winding paths, ornamental waterways, small waterfalls, and tranquil ponds, offering visitors a peaceful escape amidst nature.

Villa like villa but this garden though! One of the greenest and nicest gardens I've ever seen

Easy trail up to the beautiful villa 🏰🌱 You don't need much time to visit.

A beautiful villa in the hills with nice trails surrounding it. Not much to do here tho, just briefly visiting it.

Small attraction on the way up to Mouros. You can get here by foot, but some people buy the ride package for 15 (up) + 10 (down). If you are not very fitness oriented it might be better to go for paid transport as it is a lot of hiking uphill and some streets are very narrow with tons of traffic. The hiking is actually not bad. They say it takes an hour but I did it in 25 minutes with a brief 3 minute stop halfway up. There are some paths with smooth ramps, stairs, but someways are really not handicap friendly… There are maps and signs everywhere to lead you around. There are ramps but would not quality this place as handicap friendly. Beautiful sights and spacious site but not necessarily something kids might enjoy as it’s more about the history and the art. No pets allowed. Bathrooms available within w short distance. Free. Cats on site, friendly.

It's one of the best areas for holidays in Portugal, with beaches, mountains, lovely villages and being close to Guincho, Cascais and Lisbon. Just perfect!

Sintra whispers secrets on the wind. Imagine a place where fairytale palaces, like Pena's vibrant dreamscape, perch atop emerald hills. Mist curls around ancient castles, revealing glimpses of Portugal's royal past. Wander through Quinta da Regaleira's enigmatic gardens, where hidden wells and symbolic grottos ignite the imagination. Sintra isn't just a place; it's an experience – a sensory feast of colors, textures, and scents. It's a romantic escape, a place where history and fantasy intertwine, leaving you breathless with wonder ✨

This was a great experience. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable about the history. We enjoyed it so much. It was beautiful 🤩!

Amazing place. Take the walk to the castle, you will not regret it. I don’t recommend being driven to the castle as you will miss a lot of the experience. Breathtaking views and nature.

Cute place. Nice to walking around and have a lot places to go

Wonderfully place at the very west end point of Europe at the ocean

Beautiful place, must see the when in Portugal.

The center of Sintra is a historic site that is now a museum. Visitors used this place as a meeting point for visitors. Regardless, this general area has many beautiful buildings, shopping streets, and cafes. Overall, a good experience as a starting point to visit Sintra.

Beautiful place to visit..lots of shopping and food!

Very beautiful place. Definitely glad we stopped on the drive from Lisboa to Porto.

The historic center of Sintra is very nice to visit with the small pittoresk streets, but the reason to cone to Sintra is not the historic center, it’s the castles/palaces. But if you come to Sintra to visit the castles, the historic center is a very nice bonus. For example to have a meal at the Sintra Terrace.

If you are in Lisbon you need to visit Sintra. It’s a beautiful village 20 minutes far from Lisbon. One day in Sintra is enough to enjoy your visit there.

What is there not to like? Portugal is an amazing and magical country. The people are so very warm and friendly that all those hill and steep streets you walk don’t bother, because you are experiencing history every step of the way.

It’s full of charm and character. Wear your walking shoes as there are many slopes and stairs to traverse. The best photographic vantage of the place is afforded from the gardens of National Palace of Sintra. From historic district, Quinta da Regalia is 12 minutes walking distance and any of the waiters will point you in the right direction.

Such a great place. You could be walking for hours. Greatly preserved, clean, quiet. Many paths to take, to or from the castles, old town, and other attractions. I would advise you have your own water as you would be needing it sooner rather than later. Such a good experience!

OMG definitely take time to wander and savor this place!! The views are spectacular! We were with a tour so we had a timeline. The schedule is the trade-off for being able to get ahead of the lines. And the lines were so long. I highly recommend using a tour service. Be aware that the last group to go in is something like 5:30pm

The palace gardens are vast, with mature, well-maintained plants that create a peaceful atmosphere. While more flowers would add a royal touch, it’s still worth exploring if you have time. Highlights include the duck house, the central greenhouse, and several charming paths. The signage is very helpful for navigating between points of interest, making the walk even more enjoyable

Surrounding the Palácio Nacional da Pena, the park is an expansive area of walking trails, dense forest, and romantic gardens. Together with the palace’s vivid colors and eclectic architecture, the park creates an enchanting, fairytale-like atmosphere. It was designed between 1839 and 1854 by Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, reflecting the ideals of 19th-century Portuguese Romanticism. Throughout the park, you'll find carefully curated landscapes, exotic plants, hidden pavilions, and scenic viewpoints—all intended to inspire wonder and harmony with nature.

Great walk up the hill to the Moorish Castle and the National Palace. However, this walk is not for the feint hearted. You will be exhausted at the top, but it is a fantastic walk.

We had great climb through park towards the Pena castle. All so rts of different trees and plants from all over the world. Nice and cool place which is convenient during hot days.

I’m not sure if waiting in line to enter the inside of the castle is worth it, but I’m certain everyone will love the beautiful hilly gardens and the stunning views of the Disney-like castle from outside. No line if you buy your ticket online for the outside part only.

I had a fall in the Casino's car park. It was at night and there was no lighting. There are obstacles that should have been removed. Despite writing two emails to the addresses provided, I did not receive a response from the Casino with the information about the insurance policy, so the only option left for me is legal action.

This place is fabulous. Like walking back in time. I especially liked the added security at the door, where you show your identification and receive an entrance card to use in the future Mandolin restaurant is great! And I won enough on video poker to pay for it!

The Estoril Casino is elegant and provides an entertaining experience with its variety of games and classic atmosphere. The staff is attentive, and there are nice restaurants on-site. I don’t give it more stars because it can be pricey for what it offers, and some areas feel a bit outdated. Great for a short visit, but not somewhere to spend the whole day.

We visited here to pass a few hours after our trip to Estoril. It was nice, not busy but we did go around 6pm and depending on which way you walk up you have to walk all the way around the building to find the main entrance in day time. The staff are helpful and food was reasonably priced. With some veggie snack options.

Great sound at the music venue. Size is also perfect. Not too big not too small. Drinks are at reasonable prices. Helpful and friendly staff.

Pretty bad casino compared to other major ones. One of the roulette croupiers is extremely unfriendly, I’ve never experienced anything like that in a casino before. They should consider internal training on respectful customer service. Slot machines are also very old.

When you drink something (even a water) you need to pay it while playing. Slot machines same old with me, very small. My expectation was higher, anyway it was a good night and everyone was kind and friendly. Thanks!

We visited here as part of the quinta de regaleira visit. Stood in line for 30 minutes to buy tickets and then had to wait for 70 minutes to get in. Then another line of around 45 minutes to see the well and walk down the steps. Its not very impressive. Its a dry well with steps going down. There is a tunnel to go through to get out. The tunnel was more interesting!!

Even if you buy tickets online for a specific time slot, you wait in line at the entrance to the area. However, the times are kept a little early. There is a crazy queue at the well itself, in which you also pass through the well itself. At the bottom of the well there are artificially dug caves, where the crowds of people somehow disperse. The extent of the caves is fascinating. There is a nice restaurant in the area with a sufficient offer and seating under the treetops with a view of Quinta da Regaleira.

So much history. The Mason story very interesting. The stairs were easy to use because you only have to go down.

Must visit attraction. I was very surprised that you don’t actually have to walk the same steps down but you go out through the tunnel at the bottom. There is also a waterfall when you get to an end of a tunnel. I highly recommend buying tickets in advance.

Really enjoyed it and it is very reminiscent of medieval times although only built on 1800's. The whole Pena Palace estate gardens are wonderful and 'mysterious'

Beautiful empty well where you descend via circular stairs with nine levels. If you believe the legends and the magic surrounding it, and allow yourself to immerse in that atmosphere, it’s a wonderful place. But the long queue of tourists in front and behind you tends to push you out of it quickly. If you’re lucky enough to be alone, or with less people, it’s a completely different experience.

Beautiful architecture in a wider location with a good cafe. You could spend half a day or all day here alone visiting all the sights!

A small hidden spot away from the center, with a few tables outside, more for beer and snack lovers. We ordered two juices, two sardine sandwiches, and one pork sandwich. Everything is prepared on the spot, very fresh. The bread in one of the sandwiches was a bit underbaked, but everything else was fine, with nice prices.

While in Sintra, I searched for craft beer and this place came up. Oh was it worth it. Some nice selection of beers (I chose the coconut IPA) which had a nice but light hint of coconut and a nice hoppy taste. We ordered the bacon, sauted onion and goat cheese flat bread which smelt incredible and was delightful. We also chose the pulled pork stuffed bun with pickles (both items were cooked in a wood fire and were extremely tasty for a nice snack with a brew. I would recommend this place and would surely go back. Bon appetite from 🇨🇦

Cool, relaxing place to try local superb craft beer, along with tasty filled bread (at your choice for the options) Good music and attentive, nice staff to make it all good for you. Incredible landscape to enjoy outdoors :)))

A pleasant surprise in Sintra, a hundred meters away from the mainstream, tourist packed places. Nice selection of local beers and delicious freshly made food - unusual but good choice of music :)

★★★★★ An Absolute Gem in Sintra! Unique Brews & Killer Food. Wow, what an incredible find! Villa Craft Beer and Bread is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates truly unique craft beer. The star of the show is their local Sintra brew. This isn't your standard lineup—each beer is a creative masterpiece. I got to try the Blueberry Sour, which was tart, refreshing, and bursting with real fruit flavour. The Basil Blond Ale was a revelation; herbaceous, smooth, and unlike anything I've ever tasted. And the IPA with Black Tea? Absolutely genius. It had the hoppy punch you expect, balanced with a subtle, earthy complexity from the tea. Every single craft beer is a unique taste adventure. But it doesn't stop there! The food is equally amazing. Their bread is incredible (as the name promises), and the pizza is an absolute killer. The perfect crispy base with fantastic toppings. I also have to shout out the vibe. It feels super cosy and inviting, but it's actually deceptively spacious inside. It's the perfect place to settle in for a few hours. Cannot recommend this place highly enough. A top-tier experience! Not forgetting the great friendly service of the staff ! They make you feel very comfortable and has the patience to introduce you their beer

I stopped here because they were playing sisters of mercy. I tried all 3 IPAs on the menu, all very good. I had the sardine bread which was delicious. The service is great and friendly and very fast - and everybody speaks English, so if your Portuguese is horrible, don’t worry. Nice view from the cosy terrace as well.

The best beer and snacks you will ever find are a short walk down from the bus stop down ‘calcada do pelourihno’. I had the pao com Morcella and it was the best thing I’ve eaten on my Portugal vacation. We also had pao com chorizo and cheddar and that was so good. The Morcella is bread based; which is harder to find. The beer is delicious too, they have about 10 beers on tap, they are all really really good. If you are in Sintra then you need to come here.

We had a strange experience here. The art is great and the second floor is a fun and unique way to show the more modern pieces. The entire exhibit is free, and in a very nice setting. We (two 50 year old Americans) walked in at noon and felt immediately unwelcome by the receptionist. She seemed unhappy that we were there, and told us that our bags must go in lockers, which was expected. The lockers cost one euro. No big deal. Then we had a staff member quietly follow us around the museum through both floors. The person did not speak or smile back at me when I said hello. It was as if I was being profiled as someone who was about to walk off with my choice of art. I thought it comical rather than insulting, but definitely worth mentioning. Then, as my partner and I prepared to leave an hour later, we watched the same receptionist allow a woman to walk in with a much larger backpack than what we had with us. Then, to our complete amazement, she gave a 1 euro coin to another visitor so that this person could store their bag in the lockers. I do not understand the motivation or reasoning behind what I experienced today at the museum. It turned a great experience into a strange one, to say the least.

Loved this place, had it almost to ourselves, really good exhibitions; “morphosis” really a stand out, highly recommend if arts interest you, plus it’s free.

Mostly an exhibit about a famous poet from Portugal. And not much else. His work and his life may have been interesting, but poetry is not a visual art form. Nice building and a few works available to see. Free admission.

The staff is professional and kind. The art is nice and beautiful. The toilet is very clean. All the terms are good to see fine art. Thank you:)

Did you know that the building of the Museum of Modern Art in Sintra used to be a casino? Before becoming a museum, the building served as the Casino da Vila, a place for entertainment and socializing for the elite of the time. It was inaugurated in 1924 and later transformed into the museum we know today.

Excellent experience going through the old Royal life.

It’s a free art gallery which is nice but tbh the “art” they had up when I visited was a little lackluster.

Free entry, with no queue. Lovely little museum which is split across 2 floors one dedicated to a local artist and some ancient pottery and the lower floor is full of fossils. Takes about 30-60min to see everything

Wow! Amazing museum full of fossils, gemstones and minerals. And the best part is it's free! I don't understand how anyone could remotely give this less than 5 stars.

Great find for kids! Small museum with free entrance and lots of fossils in an amazing exposition hall. Very well kept with a modern look. Located in the middle of Sintra, so worth if you are already walking in the area. It took us about 45 min to see everything. Parking is limited but there is a parking area a few hundred meters down the hill.

This is really great museum and unique outstanding collection inside! Never saw the same in other famous museum. And it was free!

A small and interesting museum with super friendly staff. The museum opened in 2009, in a 19th century building and contains more than 10 thousands fossils. The collection belonged to Miguel Barbosa and his wife Fernanda and was later donated to Sintra municipality. It is divided into three parts, a small collection at the entrance then there is the room for temporary exhibitions and finally the permanent exhibition which is a big hall exhibiting fossils, shells, minerals and rocks. The entrance is free at this time for all but normally it is free for Sintra residents and a small fee for others

Small venue with one room full of dinosaur and rock exhibits. Found it by accident but turned out to be a worthwhile visit. You only need 30 minutes. Would have been good to have some English translations within the plaque descriptions for the pieces. But, I'm sounding self entitled.

It is a little local museum and you can enter for free. It has two floors with a big selection of fossils and minerals. It is a very nice way to spend some time during a trip in Sintra especially since there are not too many people there.

This is one of the best cafés in the heart of Sintra. They have great options, both food and drinks. I highly recommend the scones, teas, and milkshakes. The atmosphere is lovely, and the different rooms are beautiful, which is why it’s so popular with tourists. Parking can be tricky, but it’s definitely a must-visit spot for anyone coming to Sintra.

We only had time to grab a small pastry and an espresso but we’re impressed by taste and the quality of the food. We took ours to go but there is a large seating area and you can order more substantial meal.

Came here for brunch and was so glad to find that they offer gluten free bread! So I had the sardine sandwich which was so good! Big portion too! The sardines went so well w the goat’s cheese, pickled onion and veggies. My partner had the chicken empanada (so much filling in that tiny pastry!) and the Travesseiro de Sintra. He said the empanada was really good but would have been perfect if they had heated it up. I went back and ordered a chicken salad to go for dinner. It was also really good. Generous portion and flavours went well together. It can get crowded and for good reason!

We had breakfast at Café Saudade in Sintra as a family of four, and it was a great experience. There was no wait to get in, and the portions were huge — we even took some leftovers to go. The coffee was excellent, and the cozy atmosphere made it a perfect place to start the day. Conveniently located right next to the train station, it’s definitely a spot worth visiting.

Wish I could give 6 stars! Or 7! Place is INSANELY GOOD! Try their savory breakfast! Its epitome of cute, instagram-ready breakfast! Portions are Texas sized! Everything is soooooo fresh and made in house! Tastes great! I’m in love! Absolutely must visit! Thank me later!

Café Saudade was the first place we stopped for coffee when we arrived in Sintra. The staff were friendly, the space was warm and inviting, and everything we ordered hit the spot. We had the Trio Saudade, a Café Saudade, and an XL latte — all really good. The food came out fast, the portions were reasonable, and the coffee was smooth and strong. The pastries looked 🔥 If you’re just getting into Sintra, this is a great place to start your day and take a breather before exploring. Simple, friendly, and exactly what you want from a cozy café.

Very cozy place with perfect blend coffee (unfortunately they don't sell it). Food is tasty and hot pressed sandwiches are huge enough for two, not very hungry adult. Recommend it for nice start the day of exploring Sintra. Good luck 🙂

It’s spacious like a desert! So even you go in the summer time it’s still not packed and you can easily find a quiet space for yourself The water isn’t too cold but very wavy. So it’s good for surfing Easy to access by the bus from Cascais

even though we didn't step on the sand, the waves and the beach looked amazing. it was a really enjoyable experience, it's a spot worth visiting whether for surfing or simply admiring the view.

A beautiful beach with fine, golden sand. There's paid parking nearby. The sea water is cold and often wavy. It's said to be quite windy at times, but we didn't experience any. This makes it a popular choice for surfers. There are restaurants and restrooms nearby. If you have time, sunbathing on the beach is a delight.

Praia do Guincho is one of the most stunning beaches near Lisbon, known for its wide sandy stretch and powerful Atlantic waves. It is a paradise for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers thanks to the strong winds and constant swell, but also a great place for those who simply enjoy dramatic landscapes and the sound of the ocean. The beach is surrounded by dunes and the natural beauty of the Sintra Cascais Natural Park, giving it a wild and untouched atmosphere. It is less recommended for calm swimming due to the currents, but perfect for walking, relaxing and watching the sunset. Nearby there are restaurants and bars where you can enjoy fresh seafood with a sea view.

Stunning beach! Also worth a visit in stormy weather due to the views. You can take a bus here from Cascais.

A beautiful beach with white sand and no rocks to be found! Amazing for some fun in the sun or simply tan on the sand. There are no lounge chairs or towels so you’d have to bring your own, there is a near by restaurant/bar if you need to

A very nice beach where you can relax, see the ocean. If you have a car and you can get here, do it. Is better than any beach that is inside a city.

A hidden oasis in Cascais where peacocks roam free, lakes shimmer under the sun, and every path invites discovery. Perfect for a slow wander or a quiet escape from the coastal buzz. Must visit!

Great park. Free entry, amazing view of the lighthouse, adorable families of chickens, eucalyptus trees, amazingly huge ficus tree. In the back there are some rugged paths and a mound which remind me of Park Guel in Barcelona. There are a couple of simple food stalls and a free restroom if you need anything. What’s not to like.

Lovely park. Very tranquil with free roaming chickens and ducks. Plenty of wildlife and some play areas for children. A very nice place to visit

Wonderful. Definitely the best place to chill out in Cascais and a must for families

Nice spot. Well kept, great for letting the kids play or even a picnic on the grass. Sadly also home of the worst run Café that appears to have no desire to thrive. Long queues, limited stock and the slowest grumpiest service. Who ever runs that place has no concept of movement of people, spacial awareness or efficient productivity. It could be a gold mine, it is the only place in one of 2 parks in possibly the wealthiest area of Cascais/Estoril. Take your own Picnic you’ll have a great time and walk down to largo de cameos for an ice cream.

Lovely large park, big green spaces, trees, pond and cute café offering refreshments in a calm environment. Also there house/museum museum.

After visiting a couple of the museums, a lovely place to relax and watch many ducks, chickens and terrapins. A nice coffee and cake at the café A ver o Parque beside the pond.

The Convent of the Capuchos, located in the Sintra Mountains, is a small 16th-century Franciscan monastery built by D. Álvaro de Castro, known for its simple architecture perfectly integrated into nature. Constructed among boulders and lined with cork, it reflects the Capuchin friars’ ideal of poverty and humility, who lived there in seclusion and contemplation. After the dissolution of the religious orders, it was abandoned and later restored, now managed by Parques de Sintra and open to the public. Its mystical atmosphere, the blend of stone, wood, and vegetation, and its profound silence make it one of Sintra’s most unique and inspiring sites, ideal for those seeking to capture the connection between spirituality and nature.

Such a magical place. We bought tickets for a night guided tour. It was amazing. It was beyond our expectations. Even to get there was an adventure.I think everyone owes this place a visit just to see monks humble lifestyle and their respect for the nature. Beautiful and sad at the same time. Guide Bertrand was very passionate and interesting. Highly recommended.

I almost hesitate to review because I don't want too many people to visit! It is truly a magical place, kept in wonderful shape. They put great effort into restoring and preserving the historical nature of the place.

Minimalist and mossy, this site is the opposite of palace grandeur. Low doorways and tiny cells tell the story better than any plaque. It’s quiet, shaded, and contemplative—one of Sintra’s few truly peaceful stops. Not flashy, but if you like places with atmosphere and restraint, it sticks with you.

Incredibly quiet, atmospheric and humble hermitage dating from 1560. The site is fed by natural springs and many of the tiny rooms, cells, stairs and narrow corridors used by the Capuchin Franciscans are excavated in the rock. A really beautiful place to visit and a must see!

It is breathtaking beautiful. A beautiful and peaceful place one created for prayer meditation to honor God so unlike your everyday convent evident by the humility in which, it is evident, the friars leaved! As you walk through the facolity you are transported to a different time, a period... a way of life different than ours. It is a place i recommend people definitely visit!

My favourite place in Portugal so far, admittedly only three days in. Incredibly atmospheric, set amongst moss covered boulders and trees in an isolated spot. It felt like a scene from a fantasy novel. Cork bark used for shutters, doors, frames, benches, boulders bulging out of walls. Remnant decorative features including a skull and Cross bones! A must visit.

The closest beach to the Cascais train station like 5 minutes on foot. It is quite crowded but i could always find a spot. I was hesitant to go far to the next beach but this is cleaner than the others so staying here was the great choice!

This is a beautiful beach with a lot of character! We loved how it was nestled in a cove-like area, with the rock formations surrounding you, plus it is right beside all of the beautiful, old streets — you only need to walk down some steps and you’re on the beach. We’ll definitely come back here! WARNING: When swimming, be mindful of the rocks in the water! Double-check before diving in. Only con: The water didn’t seem the cleanest. There was heaps of random bits in it — I can’t fully describe what all the stuff was. We still had a great time swimming, but it did feel a tad gross with different things floating about. However, we’d happily visit again! ☺️ ALSO! We HIGHLY recommend buying a pina colada from this stall on the street, before you go down the steps to the beach. You’re served a whole pineapple with the tastiest pina colada freshly made in the pineapple. Once you have purchased a pineapple you can go back for refills for €5 per pineapple drink. It was soo nice having this on the beach 🤌🏼

This location was less crowded and much more peaceful than the other areas along the coast. I highly recommend. I didn't love the water but that's just me comparing it to other tropical beaches I've visited.

It’s the best beach in Cascais in my opinion and it’s less than an hour away from Lisbon via train! It’s a relatively small beach flanked by rocks on either side, and it’s quite busy but not so busy that you can’t find any place to lay down. The water is the perfect temperature for a swim in hot weather and it’s relatively clean for the number of people. If you’re visiting a beach in Cascais, make sure that it’s this one.

Really nice little beach, great when not too windy. Theres a great little inlet that’s fun for kids to hunt for crabs at low tide or for people to swim at high tide. Worth checking the tide times for Caiscais. Theres a tap and shower at the bar end and steps back up to the main streets above. It’s sheltered from the big waves so it’s good for kids and swimming generally.

Very pretty beach considering it's in the middle of cascais. A bit crowded during summer but has some very cool rocks to explore. Would definitely recommend this beach out of all the others in cascais.

The beach is very clean, it's equipped with showers. There is a lifeguard on the watch. There is a beach bar, but you can as well grab something to go from a nearby restaurants and shops

Stunning building by Souto de Moura. Nice use of space & they have bean bags outside where you can sit freely on the gardens. Collection was amazing but not much to see bc the place's a bit small.

A small but concentrated museum well worth while visiting a little outside of Lisbon. I was staying in Lisbon so took a train from the Cais do Sodré station to Cascais. Trains run every 20 minutes but seem to be very busy at rush hour so go at off peak times. The museum was about a twenty five minute walk from the station down through the rather lovely town. Staff were very friendly and the collection seems to be very good indeed. Recommended. FYI the museum is about a 10 minute walk from the coast. I walked back into town, ice cream in hand, from the museum to the Boca do Inferno along the coast path, passing some crazy architecture and the castle before ending up back in the town. Beautiful views and interesting all the way.

I was mildly disappointed. The exhibition space is small, and looks like it is rotational display so we miss out on the artist's most recognizable paintings. However, the true highlight is the building. The striking, terracotta-red, with its twin pyramidal towers, is a contemporary masterpiece designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura, and is the undeniable feature that makes the visit worthwhile.

Highly divertive and mind-provoking exhibition, it was a well-used hour that I spended here. Even if the work of Paula Rego have some very dark topics and charisma, it's something you don't get to see somewhere else - unique work. And the building itself is of course marvellous!

It was short but sweet. The inside of the pyramid ceilings were awesome. It was a nice visit and the facilities were great. Worth the visit if you are in Cascais.

The best art activity in Cascais. Paula Rego has exquisite works. A wonderful heritage to Cascais.

Museum is small but worth to go for architecture. It has a quite nice and peaceful cafe.

Excellent display of planes from the earliest model to the latest ones. My kids loved watching those planes and especially the helicopter where kids could get in.

An incredible museum rich in exhibits! I’m especially delighted by the abundance of real planes and their history, couldnt even imagine that Portugal has such a wide aviation history! Friendly and English-speaking staff, so the place is highly recommend for visiting, although this museum is far from Lisboa, but it will be a worthwhile pastime

A paradise for aviation lovers and a hidden gem for curious explorers. Located on a real Air Force base, the Museu do Ar offers an impressive collection of aircraft — from fragile early biplanes to sleek fighter jets — along with engines, uniforms, and aviation memorabilia that bring Portugal’s flight history to life. The hangars are spacious, well-curated, and packed with details, yet never overwhelming. Kids will love the sheer scale of the planes, and enthusiasts will appreciate the technical displays and restoration work. Plan at least two hours, take your time, and don’t miss the outdoor exhibits — they’re perfect for photos.

Small, very well organised museum near the local airbase. Good selection of aircraft, comercial and war planes. Well worth a visit. Easy access by road and plenty of parking place. Relatively near Lisbon, only reachable by car.

My son absolutely loved it here! Big, clean, lots to see and plenty of information. Definitely worth a visit if your into flying machines.

Well worth a visit. Would only take about 30 mins for the casual visitor but you could spend hours if you wished. Not busy when I went on a Thursday. Driving or a hire vehicle of some form is probably the best way to get there. The only food on site is a vending machine. It was quite warm inside, and this was in autumn. Exhibits were mainly post WWII era with some rather unusual exhibits from an earlier era.

Very nice, neat and tidy. Great collection, interesting and educational. You'll have a great time there. On the down side, you can't go in or even get close and high enough to peek through the windows of most of the aircrafts (which is something that would attract a lot of aficionados), the coffee shop was closed and apparently does not open often, and for some reason (maybe rain(?)) the exterior collection was off limits. There were some very cool planes there but I wasn't able to get to them. Perhaps they're working on that part of the exhibition, I honestly don't know. Anyway, highly recommended. Overall very positive experience.

Even though I'm not that person who loves the sea that much (at least not that much as I love the mountains), it's been a really interesting visit here in the Museu do Mar. Appropriate for kids and adults, in the best case for the whole family.

A Hidden Gem in Cascais for a rainy day with Kids. We had no idea this museum even existed, but thankfully, another museum recommended we pop over, and we’re so glad we did! It’s a great spot for kids, with plenty to keep them engaged. The model sharks and dolphins were a big hit, and my kids especially loved the interactive room with ocean sounds and the sea table. A lovely little museum, definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cascais.

The museum is bigger than expected. Nice place to chill after hot weather.

This is a small museum located in Cascais that brings a bit of the Cascais’ maritime history with costumes, tools, nets and boats. Hours: 10am-6pm Tue-Sun, free 1st Sun of month Price: adult/child €3/free

Worth it’s cost. Personally I liked it here, besides it’s totally family friendly. The museum isn’t that big, but you can totally spend about an hour here enjoying all the mammals around. :) Appreciate information in English they have here. Of course, I’d like to see more exclusive stuff regarding the royal family, hope they will add some new items in the future.

Very interesting place about Portuguese Sea and Naval history

A small museum with some interesting exhibits. Appreciate the English descriptions too. Would be even better if some of the knowledge/exhibits, i.e. marine biology history, were made more interesting/interactive.

The most magical place We've ever visited! The sunset was incredible to watch! We fell in love with Sintra!

The Serra de Sintra has always been one my favourite places to hike every time I go to Portugal (most summers and a couple of Christmases in the last 20 years). Almost every time I discover and explore a new path, a new corner, etc. It's just a great place to get away and be with nature.

Scared of height but went to the top. Views were something else would definitely recommend

Nature all around us

An enchanted forest.

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Hard to walk in