At the base of the Serra de Sintra hills, in Lisbon District, the town of Sintra is located within its own municipality. Some viewpoints offer a clear view of the adjacent Atlantic Ocean shore, which is home to beaches and the well-known Cabo da Roca viewpoint.
While the surrounding area’s natural beauty is undoubtedly spectacular, the town’s history is typically what attracts most visitors. This is due to the intriguing collection of castles, palaces, and villas—some of which even have a royal connection—that can be found in Sintra. These attractions, with their stunning Romantic architecture, transport visitors back to the 19th century, when Sintra was a prosperous getaway for Lisbon’s nobility and the royal family.
Just outside of Lisbon’s city borders, you may find Sintra. Most visitors to Sintra do so as part of their excursions through and around the city. Given its close proximity and the numerous transportation choices available, you shouldn’t have any trouble adding Sintra to your schedule for Portugal.
Most visitors who plan a trip to Sintra end up simply allowing one day to see the town and its attractions. Many visitors won’t feel that one day in Sintra is nearly long enough, despite the fact that it will undoubtedly allow you to enjoy the highlights of this delightful royal town. To make room for visits at other places like Cascais and Estoril, the majority of day trips only include a few of the key Sintra attractions.
The length of time you spend touring each of Sintra’s local palaces and castles will ultimately depend on how interested you are in them. Then there are the magnificent and serene woods and hiking paths through the hills, but most people simply don’t have the time for them. Basically, you’ll need at least two days if you’re eager to experience everything Sintra has to offer.
This is why having adaptable travel arrangements can be quite useful. You can always take a tour or go on a day trip to Sintra to start, then decide if you want to stay another day.
Even though Sintra is a small town, its attractions are spaced out, so you’ll need to plan your route carefully. How you get there will determine what mode of transportation you need. Generally speaking, spring and early fall are the finest times to visit Sintra. While avoiding the heat and the busiest travel season, visiting either side of summer still results in excellent weather and longer days. Seeing the trees and surrounding wildlife in Sintra burst with life in the spring and bedecked with color in the autumn is an added treat.
Of course, there are also other attractions like the historic district, which is interesting to explore, and the numerous paths through the Serra de Sintra forest.
