Explore Sintra With

When to Visit

The optimal time to explore Sintra in Portugal is during the spring or early autumn months when it's already warm, but still not too hot. Delightful weather perfect for discovering the rich cultural heritage of Portugal, and savoring its delectable cuisine, is guaranteed.

Unlike Lisbon, Sintra typically stays a bit cooler, with temperature usually a few degrees lower. The coldest months in Sintra are December, January, and February, with temperatures from 5°C to 14°C. 

The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can stay between 25°C to 30°C with high humidity a bit softened with refreshing breezes blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. Be sure to keep an eye on the Sintra weather forecast to plan your perfect outdoor activities.

Getting Around

Sintra transportation options are variable, so anybody can choose the best one. Taxi service is available at the train station or opposite the Sintra Vila post office. The one-way fare is approximately 10 EUR to the Pena Palace or 18 EUR to the Capuchin Monastery and back. On weekends and holidays, there is a 20% surcharge.

There is a regular bus (number 433) which runs from Portela Interface to San Pedro for 1€. Bus number 434 (circular bus route), which leaves from Sintra train station, will take you to Pena Palace. The ticket price is 5 EUR for all day.

For 12 EUR you can buy a Day Rover - a ticket valid on all Scotturb buses.

One more option is to get a bicycle as cycling in Sintra can be quite fun and interesting. You can rent it at Caminho do Castelo.

On weekends and holidays, there are a lot of cars in the city, and parking becomes a problem.

Travel Information

You can get an unforgettable experience while traveling in Sintra if you consider a few simple Sintra travel tips:

1. How to make the first trip to Sintra unforgettable?

Sintra is a place with a magical atmosphere, filled with fairy tales and romance, so visiting it is an unforgettable experience.

Architectural masterpieces can be found here at every step. The splendor of ancient castles coexists with modern amenities. Sintra boasts stylish restaurants and pleasant cafes, together with comfortable old-fashioned hotels. Give yourself the pleasure of enjoying the beauty, and then relax, sitting comfortably in one of the picturesque cafes. A professional guide would show the hidden treasures of Sintra, creating an unforgettable impression, so you'd like to return here again and again.

2. What is a list of Sintra hidden gems?

There is an attraction of Sintra within the territory of Montserrat, unknown for most of the tourists. These are the ruins of an ancient chapel.

The ruins are close to the entrance gate, but away from the main path. According to legend, the chapel was destroyed by the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. Over the years, the trees around grew and completely swallowed up the ruins.

In reality, in 1855, Montserrat was bought from a Portuguese family by a wealthy English merchant, Sir Francis Cook. He was much into the artificial ruins and wanted to give it a more mystical aura. The chapel looks amazing, and nothing shows its man-made origin.

3. What dishes are the must-try in Sintra?

Sintra is a town lost in time, although it is not so far from Lisbon, the spirit of antiquity is felt everywhere, which means this is where you can try classic Portuguese dishes. Sintra local cuisine mainly consists of fish, seafood, cheese, and vegetables.

There are a lot of fish restaurants in Sintra, probably every establishment serves seafood, and this is not surprising, there are so many local seafood delicacies!

Traditional sweets of Sintra are the Queijadas de Sintra and Travesseiros. You will find them in any cafe (pastelaria) in the old town.