Sintra is a town located in the Lisbon region of Portugal, and it is famous for its many castles, palaces, and other historic buildings. Yes, you can visit all of them in one day with some advanced planning. Here are some of the most magical castles and palaces in Sintra.
Palácio da Pena
This brightly colored palace is one of the most iconic landmarks in Sintra. It was built in the 19th century in a Romantic style, and it has a mix of Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish elements. The palace is set in a large park with gardens, lakes, and walking paths.
Castelo dos Mouros
This medieval castle dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries, and it sits atop a hill overlooking Sintra. It has been restored over the years, and visitors can now climb the castle walls for stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Quinta da Regaleira
This estate was built in the early 20th century, and it features a palace, a chapel, and a stunning park with lakes, grottoes, and tunnels. The palace has a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline styles, and it is surrounded by lush gardens and wooded areas.
Palácio de Monserrate
This palace was built in the 19th century, and it has a mix of Moorish, Gothic, and Indian architectural styles. It is set in a large park with exotic trees, plants, and water features.
How to visit Pena, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira and Moncerrat in one day
Visiting all of these sites in one day is definitely doable, but it will require some careful planning and an early start to the day.
Here is a detailed itinerary for visiting these places:
8:30 AM- Start the day at Palácio da Pena. This is one of the most popular attractions in Sintra, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowds. You can park your car at the Pena Palace car park or take a bus/taxi from the Sintra train station. Buy your tickets in advance online to skip the long lines.
10:30 AM – Next, head to Castelo dos Mouros, which is located just a short distance from Palácio da Pena. You can walk to the castle or take a shuttle bus from the palace entrance. The castle opens at 9:30 AM, so you should have enough time to explore before the crowds arrive.
Return back to the car and drive down to the Sintra historic center and park a car.
12.15 PM- Lunch at Sintra historic city center.
1:30 PM- From the city center take a taxi or walk to Quinta da Regaleira. This estate is located in the historic center of Sintra, so it’s best to park your car at the municipal parking lot near the train station and walk from there. Buy your tickets in advance online to avoid the long lines.
3.30 PM- after exploring Quinta da Regaleira, head to Palácio de Monserrate. This palace is located about 3 kilometers from the historic center of Sintra, so it’s best to take a taxi cause parking is very limited. You can also drive your car. There is a parking lot at the palace, and you can buy your tickets at the entrance.
5.15 PM – Next, head to Cabo da Roca, which is the westernmost point of mainland Europe. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Monserrate, and there is a parking lot at the site. Admission is free.
6:00PM – leave Cabo de la Roca
Tips:
- Consider buying a combined ticket for the Palácio da Pena and Castelo dos Mouros to save money.
- Plan your route carefully to avoid traffic and parking issues.
- Wear comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking and climbing stairs involved.
Parking in Sintra
Pena Palace parking
There are two parking lots near the Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal. The first parking lot is located at the entrance of the Pena Park, and the second parking lot is located closer to the palace entrance. Here are the details for each:
- Pena Park Parking: This parking lot is located at the entrance of Pena Park, which is approximately a 15-minute uphill walk from the palace entrance. The parking lot has a limited number of spaces, and it can fill up quickly during peak tourist season. The address for the Pena Park Parking is: Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, Portugal.
- Pena Palace Parking: This parking lot is located closer to the palace entrance, making it a more convenient option for those who prefer to avoid the uphill walk. The address for the Pena Palace Parking is: Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, Portugal.
Both parking lots are paid, and the fees vary depending on the time of day and the season. It is recommended to arrive early in the morning to secure a parking spot and avoid the crowds.
Note: There will be tons of local guides trying to talk you out of driving up to the castle. They will tell you that private cars are not allowed up at the castle. This kid not true! If you plan your time to arrive early enough to the castle , at least by 8-8.15 am you will be able to find the kayaking by the castle.
Quinta da Regaleira parking
This was a bit more problematic for us. After driving around the area for about 30 minutes with no luck we found this private parking by Quinta da Bella Vista hotel. For 15 euro you can park your car there for the whole day.
Monserrat parking
There’s a small parking lot across the entrance to the park. The parking lot has couple dozens parking spots. So, if you visiting during tourist season, you might want to consider to hire a taxi to get to Monserrat. We were just lucky to arrive there late enough, around 3.30pm, the parking was almost empty.
So, visiting all four places in one day is not easy, but doable. If you are set on visiting some of these locations, you can use our itinerary for a one-day trip. This itinerary assumes that you drive yourself and not using any shuttle service. Again, this will be one brutal day but at the end you will be happy you did it.
