https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/sintra/best-things-to-do/10070029349090
Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Sintra [2025]
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National Palace of Pena
4.7
/5
455 reviews
9.9
From AU$ 35.30
Based on 20,306 reviews
1.9 km from downtown
Phone +351219237300
Address: Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, Portugal
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Featured in 2025 Global 100 - Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Multi-style architectural marvel National Palace of Pena
Overlook the panorama from the observation deck of the National Palace of Pena
Saved by 211 users332 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Pena Palace is a very beautiful castle, combining Gothic, Renaissance, Moorish and Manueline styles (Manueline, the architectural style during the reign of King Nouel I of Portugal). It is better to take pictures outside than inside. There are so many people and you have to queue up to see the palace.
Stepping into the National Palace of Pena feels like entering a fairytale. Perched atop the hills of Sintra, its vibrant colors, romantic architecture, and sweeping views are simply breathtaking. Every corner tells a story — from intricate tilework to lush gardens that stretch into the mist. It’s a dream come true for history lovers, photographers, and wanderers alike. An absolute must-see if you're anywhere near Lisbon.
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Quinta da Regaleira
4.4
/5
102 reviews
8.3
From AU$ 37.07
Based on 14,193 reviews
1.4 km from downtown
Phone +351219106650
Address: R. Barbosa du Bocage 5, 2710-567 Sintra, Portugal
Recommended sightseeing time: 1.5-2.5 hours
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Sintra
Highlights:
Explore the underground wonders of Morning Star Palace
Climb the spiral staircase to explore the dry well maze
Saved by 134 users48% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It feels a bit like a ghost castle. It rained on the day we went there, which really enhanced the atmosphere. However, the Nine-story Demon Tower was really average and uninteresting. The whole manor was still very photogenic, and we also caught the rainbow after the rain, a double rainbow, which was quite lucky!
It's so beautiful! Especially the Initiation Well is a must! It's really shocking! The manor is very large and you can take your time to walk around.
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Cape Roca
4.7
/5
345 reviews
8.1
10.5 km from downtown
Phone +351219280081
Address: Estrada do Cabo da Roca s/n, 2705-001 Colares, Portugal
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
140m cliff view & ocean
Land ends here lighthouse
102 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Cape Rocca, the westernmost point of Eurasia, facing the vast Atlantic Ocean, "the land stops here, the sea starts at Si". Good weather, the wind on the cliff is very big, very big, even walking a little staggering, the fear of heights is afraid. The steep cliff is 140 meters from the sea level, surrounded by rocky coastline, the scenery is extremely magnificent, the weather is good, the people are beautiful, it is a serious area for thieves, and you must take care of it.
Cape Roca, located at the westernmost tip of Portugal, is a cape in Portugal adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and one of the 50 most worthwhile places to visit in the world. Although the weather was not the best that day, it did not affect our excitement. The lighthouse was hidden by the clouds and mist from time to time, and we seemed to blend into the scenery...
No.
4
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National Palace of Sintra
4.5
/5
106 reviews
7.8
From AU$ 21.72
Based on 5,299 reviews
971m from downtown
Phone +351219237300
Address: Largo Rainha Dona Amélia, 2710-616 Sintra, Portugal
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
A treasure of diverse architectural art
Immersive Portuguese cultural experience
30% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
In the center of Sintra town, you can take a train from Lisbon. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from Sintra Station to the Royal Palace. Walking through the old streets of the town, the scenery along the way is very good. The Royal Palace displays gorgeous decorations and some of the furniture of the time. Through visiting history.
Sintra, which is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site, has the most recognizable and eye-catching landmark, the "Horn Palace" - the Sintra Royal Palace.
Located in the center of the town, the Sintra Royal Palace was built in the late 14th century to the first half of the 16th century. From its completion until the establishment of the Portuguese Republic in 1900, it has been the summer palace of successive kings.
The two-column chimney of the palace kitchen, with a chubby cone shape, stands like a pair of huge horns in the Sintra Mountains, becoming the landmark of Sintra City. The palace also has a romantic nickname - the Horn Palace.
Looking from a distance, surrounded by mountains, a pair of white horns pierce the blue sky, adding a bit of fairy-tale romance to the green mountains of Sintra;
Looking closely, the dark red slope top, snow-white exterior walls, exquisite window lattices... the fusion of artistic style is impressive;
Standing in the small square in front of the palace and looking in all directions, the undulating hillsides are dotted with colorful buildings, which are very beautiful...
No.
5
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Moorish Castle
4.7
/5
93 reviews
7.0
From AU$ 21.18
Based on 6,783 reviews
1.3 km from downtown
Phone +351219237300
Address: 2710-405 Sintra, Portugal
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
A must-visit historic castle in Sintra
City wall stroll with Atlantic Ocean views
41% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
One of the most beautiful castle and can see Sintra from there and can see those beautiful mountains.
Good exhausting hike, stunning views. A little bit breathtaking in every sense soooo it could be a little bit scary for those who afraid of heights.
No.
6
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Park and Palace of Monserrate
3.6
/5
23 reviews
4.8
From AU$ 20.45
Based on 2,243 reviews
3.5 km from downtown
Phone +351219237300
Address: R. Barbosa du Bocage 136, 2710-405 Sintra, Portugal
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Family ticket: €26 for 2 teens
Gothic & Indian fusion palace
Verified user reviews
This is another physically demanding activity, requiring walking up and down steep paths and gardens. The palace is interesting, with Moorish and Indian architecture, although there isn't much to see inside the house. The gardens are nice, but don't have many flowering plants, and the rose garden has no roses.
This palace is a typical Portuguese-style building. It is also a world heritage site. I think the most worth seeing part of the entire palace is its interior. Whether it is the hall or the bedroom, it looks very luxurious and high-end.
No.
7
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Cape Roca Lighthouse
4.6
/5
5 reviews
4.6
10.3 km from downtown
Phone +351219237300
Address: Estrada do Cabo da Roca, 2785-087 Colares, Portugal
Verified user reviews
Cape Rocca, the westernmost point of Eurasia, is rated as one of the 50 most worthwhile places in the world. The Cape Rocca lighthouse, red and white, towers over cliffs and forms a magnificent picture with the Atlantic landscape. Built in 1772, the lighthouse is one of the oldest on the coastline, providing navigation for more than 1.4 million ships for more than 200 years.
If you go to Sintra, you can't miss a visit to the westernmost point of Continental Europe, Cabo da Roca. Located at latitude 38º 47´ North and longitude 9º 30´ West, Cabo da Roca is an important coordinate for those who sail along the coast, being the westernmost point of the continental European continent, a fact proven by the certificate that visitors take as remembrance. About 150 meters from the sea, here you can have a comprehensive view over the Serra de Sintra and the coast, which makes the visit worth it. Historical records point to the existence of a fort in Cabo da Roca in the 17th century. XVII which played an important role in guarding the entrance to Lisbon, forming a defensive line along the coast, especially during the Peninsular Wars. Currently there are only traces, apart from the lighthouse which continues to be an important point for navigation. It is part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and is one of the reasons for interest in the hiking trails that can be taken here along the coast.
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