Sintra is 40 minutes by train from Lisbon — UNESCO-protected hilltop fairy-tale castles, royal palaces, and eccentric gardens. Pena Palace's colourful towers are Portugal's most recognised image, Quinta da Regaleira is steeped in mystical Masonic tradition, and Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Europe.
4M
visitors/year
Best time to visit
May–June or September–October — spring at its greenest; avoid July queues
Top sights & experiences
- 🏰 Pena Palace — Europe's most colourful palace
- 🌿 Quinta da Regaleira — mystical garden
- 🏰 Moorish Castle — 8th-century fortification
- 🌊 Cabo da Roca — westernmost point of Europe
- 🏛️ National Palace — Sintra Town
- 🌳 Sintra — day trip from Lisbon by train
Perfect for
HistoryArchitectureNatureDay trip
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