Whereas Lisbon is one in all my favorite cities, visiting Sintra with youngsters is one in all my favorite day journeys from town once I’m in Portugal – a magical spot that’s not like anyplace else.
evaluate go to/accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
From the technicolour confection that’s the Pena Palace, its shiny splashes of yellow and tiles glinting underneath the blue sky, to the ornate decorations hidden underneath the quirky white pepperpot towers of the Nationwide Palace, the forbidding gray stone of the Moorish fort clinging to the hillside and the fairytale wonderland of Quinta da Regaleira with its towers and tunnels, it’s straightforward to imagine you’ve left the true world behind.
As soon as the royal household’s summer time retreat, this Unesco World Heritage website actually is unmissable – however with a lot to tempt, so many locations to slot in, listed below are my ideas you probably have simply at some point in Sintra with youngsters.
Have to know: visiting Sintra with youngsters
The very first thing to know when you’re planning a day in Sintra with youngsters is that it’s prone to contain loads of strolling (we racked up eight miles, regardless of hopping repeatedly onto a bus) and you continue to can’t match every little thing in to a single day.
So relying how previous your youngsters are and what’s prone to attraction most, it’s price deciding what tops your listing, what’s lifelike (particularly with youthful youngsters) after which making a plan – I’ve received tips about every little thing from methods to get round Sintra to what order to go to the completely different websites in.
When you’re visiting Sintra with youthful youngsters, loads of the city actually shouldn’t be buggy pleasant so a child provider is a more sensible choice: in addition to steep hills, you’ll discover uneven surfaces, roads the place the pavement disappears, uneven surfaces and previous buildings not designed with infants and toddlers in thoughts.
With older youngsters, contemplate this self-guided treasure hunt of Sintra to entertain them on the stroll. You may as well decide up a Sintra journey pocket book to plan your day and use as a journal to seize what you noticed.
It’s an easy day journey from Lisbon, so when you had the time, you might go to twice (or spend the night time) however you’ll wrestle to suit a lot in when you enable your self lower than a day in Sintra with youngsters.
Take a look at my full information to Portugal with youngsters right here
When to go to Sintra
Set excessive within the hills, one in all Sintra’s largest points of interest was that it was a cooler retreat for the royal household – which implies that when temperatures peak in Lisbon, it’s usually extra nice right here however you’ll additionally discover clouds when town is bathed in sunshine.
Nevertheless, it could actually nonetheless get very popular in summer time and the crowds are largest throughout peak season.
Shoulder season – round April/Might and September/October – is usually your greatest probability of getting blue skies with out fairly as many different guests.
Outdoors these occasions, there’s extra probability of a gray day however it’s additionally cooler when you’re strolling from place to put. I’ve visited in wonderful sunshine in November, cloud in February and a hazy day in August prior to now although!
The place to go to in Sintra with youngsters
I’ve by no means managed to go to greater than three points of interest in Sintra in at some point – and even that factored in a fairly full day exploring, a nine-year-old’s vitality ranges, comparatively quiet customer numbers in February post-pandemic, and packing a picnic (much less enjoyable than consuming out but in addition lots faster).
I wouldn’t advise making an attempt to pack in additional than this – it could be attainable, however you’ll be speeding between websites, so higher to do a number of in additional depth. Or spend longer than at some point in Sintra, after all!
For locations to remain in Sintra with youngsters, take a look at these resorts from reserving.com
Personally I feel the Pena Palace is unmissable – when you see nowhere else, make it this vibrant fairytale fantasy of a constructing.
The Castelo dos Mouros is close by, really easy to mix. There are some steep slopes and many strolling, however this eighth century fortress is a ‘correct fort’ as my daughter described it, good for uplifting ideas of knights, quests, journey and really presumably dragons.
Quinta da Regaleira made up our third selection for our current day in Sintra. It’s barely additional to get to than someplace just like the Nationwide Palace within the centre of Sintra itself, however its fairytale really feel and magical touches imply it’s good to see with youngsters.
Or discover Sintra city, with a go to to the Nationwide Palace in addition to wandering the previous streets to absorb the ambiance
Learn on to see extra element about every of those points of interest and the opposite sights to contemplate in Sintra with youngsters
What ticket do you want for at some point in Sintra?
There’s no official ‘Sintra move’ not like in Lisbon, however you’ll be able to usually purchase ticket bundles which may get monetary savings in your go to.
This Lisbon-Sintra move choice consists of entry to the Pena Palace, in addition to transport between Lisbon and Sintra (though not inside Sintra), and a Lisboa Card for as much as 72h, plus two audio guides.
Alternatively, if you have already got a Lisboa card, you get a reduction on entry to the Pena Palace, Nationwide Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and Castelo dos Mouros of between 10 and 20% every – that does imply you’ll be able to’t prebook tickets although.
You may as well use your Lisboa card without cost journey between Lisbon and Sintra. Because the playing cards are legitimate for twenty-four/48/72h from first activation, we timed ours in order that it was nonetheless legitimate for the practice out to Sintra earlier than expiring relatively than losing a day’s validity whereas we had been in Sintra for pretty small financial savings.
Tickets to the person points of interest are additionally out there upfront, usually with reductions, from websites like Tiqets and Get Your Information.
For particulars of methods to get to Sintra and between the completely different sights, scroll down
Learn how to get to Sintra with youngsters
Transport is unquestionably one of many trickiest elements of a day in Sintra with youngsters, particularly when you go to throughout the busy summer time months, with professionals and cons to every choice.
By practice
By far the best method to go to, when you’re coming from Lisbon, is to take the practice. These go away from a number of completely different stations throughout town together with Rossio, which is probably the most central, in addition to Oriente on the Parque das Nacoes, Entrecampos and Sete Rios (close to Lisbon Zoo).
When you’re staying in central Lisbon, Rossio station is probably the most handy and trains take round 40 minutes, departing twice an hour on weekdays (hourly at weekends), making it a day journey to Sintra very easy.
Examine the practice occasions and ticket prices right here
When you’ve got a Navegante card (beforehand the Viva Viagem card) already from utilizing Lisbon’s metro or buses (and aren’t utilizing a Lisboa card in your practice journey), deliver this with you as your ticket may be loaded onto it, to save lots of you shopping for one other non permanent card.
When you’re staying in Cascais or Estoril, it’s higher to take the bus straight as in any other case it is advisable take a practice to Lisbon earlier than heading to Sintra by rail.
By automotive
You may as well drive to Sintra from Lisbon and the coast, however you’ll must arrive early to have any probability of discovering a parking area (except you’re very fortunate) particularly in peak season.
There’s additionally a one-way system across the city, and whereas it’s straightforward to observe, it’s additionally straightforward to get caught in a queue of site visitors behind the buses and tuktuks making their gradual manner alongside the twisting slender roads up the hills.
When you do drive, it’s greatest to search out someplace to park for the day and go away the automotive, then have a look at different transport between points of interest in any other case you danger spending loads of time fruitlessly attempting to find a parking area.
By tour
You may as well take day excursions of Sintra with youngsters – some mix the journey with time at Cascais and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost level of continental Europe. Each of that are nicely price visiting, however as you’ll be able to spend greater than a day in Sintra alone, I wouldn’t suggest making an attempt to cram any extra in!
This full-day Sintra Highlights tour from Lisbon visits the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, in addition to the Monserrate Palace, plus an opportunity to discover the city centre.
Getting round Sintra
When you arrive in Sintra, you can even use public transport to discover Sintra, with a number of bus routes which run in a loop from the station. Flip ignored of the station to search out the bus stops, and you should utilize contactless credit score/debit playing cards to purchase your tickets in addition to money, or purchase e-tickets.
The 434 route (Circuito da Pena) is probably the most helpful, connecting the station with the city centre, the Moorish fort and Pena Palace. Buses are scheduled to run each quarter-hour (not all the time the case in actual life!)
The 435 route travels by way of the city centre to Quinta da Regaleira and out to the Monserrate Palace, with buses on account of run each half-hour.
A 24h hop-on hop-off ticket prices 12,50 Euros euros (for adults and youngsters aged 4+) and is legitimate for all Sintra’s routes – there are different ticket choices for single journeys, however to be sincere, it was so complicated to work out pricing – and given I guessed we’d be taking no less than three journeys – that the day move was by far the best.
When you’re staying a Cascais or Estoril, bus 417 and 418 join Sintra with the coast and you should buy tickets which cowl journey in Sintra in addition to the journey to the city.
Keep in mind that even outdoors peak occasions, you’ll be able to count on packed buses (relying the place you get on) and generally lengthy waits – strolling between websites may be higher, relying on the age of your youngsters.
It’s not far between the Castelo dos Mouros and Pena Palace, for instance, with somewhat woodland path between the 2 – take the bus to the Pena Palace and go to this primary earlier than it will get busy, then stroll downhill to the Fortress of the Moors and decide the bus up right here earlier than the crowds on the Pena Palace attempt to get on.
It’s a longer trek from the city centre to Quinta da Regaleira, particularly if it’s your final cease of the day, but when there isn’t a bus 435 in sight, it’s walkable.
Do enable loads of time to catch the bus again in time in your practice as nicely, particularly if it is advisable purchase tickets – whereas we had travelled out utilizing our Lisboa playing cards, we would have liked to purchase a return ticket and found the one ticket machine was out of order, so needed to queue up, catching the practice with solely minutes to spare.
You’ll additionally see tuk tuks in all places – the usual price varies from as little as 5 euros per individual for a single journey, extra if you wish to rent one for an hour or extra, otherwise you’ll additionally discover tuk tuk sightseeing excursions.
A number of the tuk tuk tour guides can also make preparations to behave as a private driver for the day, dropping you on the varied sights and arranging to choose you up later, which may work out higher than continuously selecting up a brand new journey. Keep in mind that youthful youngsters might not be allowed to journey in them although.
Uber additionally operates in Sintra, though you could discover that cellular reception and knowledge is patchy up within the hills at occasions.
Pena Palace
When you see just one place in Sintra, it must be the colorful Pena Palace, with its shiny domes and fairytale turrets.
My daughter was solely 4 the primary time we visited and was simply as mesmerised years in a while our current go to (as was I) – there’s fairly merely no place prefer it.
On a sunny day, it’s significantly dramatic, the yellow and deep orange in opposition to the sky, the standard azulejo tiles glowing, and a few spectacular views out from its hilltop perch.
Constructed as a summer time retreat for the Portuguese royal household within the nineteenth century, it’s thought of the best instance of the Portuguese Romanticism type, with its mixture of influences from Islamic structure to medieval and gothic parts.
In follow this implies there’s all the time a brand new element to identify wherever you look, from ornate gates to gargoyles, these eye-catching tiles and shiny colors, plus the grandeur of the flats inside.
Don’t miss the wall stroll – or sentry stroll – for the most effective views: maintain on tight when you’re visiting Sintra with a toddler as there are some low partitions although too.
Alongside the best way, you’ll weave across the palace, wandering you into courtyards and previous towers – the courtyard of the arches is one in all my favourites the place every go to I’ve a photograph of my daughter searching down the hillside.
As you head inside, the Manuelline cloister is one other treasure trove of tiles and carvings.
And alongside the best way, a peek behind the scenes of the palace, from the pantry and eating room to the luxurious bedrooms of the royal household, with lavish velvets and carved darkish wooden for the beds.
Alongside the best way, there’s a glimpse of a few of the worthwhile items owned by Portugal’s former kings and queens, however it’s the possibility to spy these non-public rooms which might as soon as have been off limits that I discover particularly fascinating.
Maybe probably the most dramatic room of all must be the Nice Corridor with its 70-candle chandelier and life-sized torchbearers, full with turbans, holding up their very own lights.
When you’ve explored the palace, there are grounds of the Parque da Pena, with a formidable 200 acres full with specifically designed winding woodland paths.
You could possibly simply spend all day on the Pena Palace and its grounds alone, venturing to the lake and wandering to the chalet alongside the best way, in addition to discovering a few of the closing echoes of the monastery which as soon as stood right here – such because the Grotto of the Monk.
If time is restricted, take a fast stroll by way of the gardens no less than – it’s solely a brief detour on the trail again to the doorway, plus you’ll see a few of the grounds from the landscaped paths as you stroll as much as the palace. It’s a superb place for a picnic too!
Pena Palace: Have to know
Tickets together with the Palace and the Park can be found upfront from Tiqets and Get Your Information – these embody entry to the Chalet of the Countess of Edla too.
To get from the principle entrance and the ticket desks to the doorway to the Pena Palace itself entails a stroll uphill, which takes no less than 10 minutes (relying how briskly you go).
Presently the official steerage says you want a time slot to go contained in the palace, though you’ll be able to discover the outside and grounds earlier than and afterwards on that date. We weren’t requested for one throughout our go to however greatest to go inside early to keep away from queuing although.
There may be additionally a shuttle bus which runs round each quarter-hour which may take you up the hill if you wish to save your vitality.
Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Fortress)
Whereas the Pena Palace is the most effective identified website in Sintra, the Moorish Fortress – or Castelo dos Mouros – is the oldest.
Constructed between the eighth and ninth century, when Portugal was underneath the management of the Moors, it’s only a quick stroll from the decrease Pena Park entrance – then one other stroll from the principle highway to the doorway to the fort correct.
Alongside the best way, there’s somewhat museum with a few of the finds from archaeological digs through the years, in addition to different proof of the individuals who as soon as lived on this hillside centuries in the past, together with grain silos hollowed out within the rock.
Later, after the land was conquered by Afonso Henriques, the primary King of Portugal, the city of Sintra was put underneath the management of the Knights Templar – however because the medieval inhabitants grew, and the city unfold, it was now not wanted to defend Sintra.
Restored by King Ferdinand, similtaneously the Pena Palace was constructed, the snaking stone partitions of the fort fortifications are the spotlight of any go to.
Clinging to the slope as the primary line of defence for the unique fortress, you’ll be glad to not be sporting armour as you climb all of the steps!
On a transparent day, the views are unbelievable, proper out to the Atlantic. However even on a cloudy day like our current go to, there’s one thing very atmospheric about standing on the lonely stones as wisps of mist float throughout the countryside beneath.
It’s one other one which’s higher with barely older youngsters – the sheer sides aren’t meant for toddlers, and the steps will certainly tax the leg muscle tissue at occasions earlier than you head again to the extra open courtyard space.
With a deep cistern to assist the inhabitants maintain out in opposition to assault (and warmth) – together with these silos – you’ll be able to peer inside in addition to seeing a few of the different stays of the previous buildings throughout the partitions.
Castelo dos Mouros: Have to know
Tickets can be found upfront from Tiqets. When you haven’t purchased them on-line, decide them up on the machine by the little cafe earlier than you head inside – there’s no ticket sales space.
It’s straightforward to overlook if there’s a crowd and the tickets themselves solely get scanned on the entrance, so that you’ll want to move all the best way again to purchase them in any other case (or stroll as much as the Pena Palace if the machine is out of order). It’s lots simpler to purchase upfront, and have them downloaded in your cellphone or printed out.
The route from the principle highway to the fort additionally hyperlinks to the strolling paths again right down to the city centre, when you select to move down on foot relatively than watch for the bus.
Alternatively, the bus cease is on the opposite facet of the highway. There are often fewer folks ready to get on at this cease, however equally extra folks get off on the subsequent cease so the buses may be very full.
If you wish to decide up a tuk tuk again to Sintra city centre (Sintra Vila), head as much as the Pena Palace the place there are loads ready outdoors.
Quinta da Regaleira
Constructed firstly of the twentieth century for a rich Portuguese businessman, Quinta da Regaleira is maybe probably the most uncommon attraction in a city full of sudden gems.
Whereas there’s a neo-Gothic home on the centre, it’s the gardens – and particularly the quirky particulars hidden inside them – that are the largest draw.
As you wander previous grottos and tunnels, with carvings and towers hidden among the many timber and crops, little waterfalls and twisting stone steps tucked away to find, the otherworldly ambiance makes it straightforward to imagine you’ve wandered right into a parallel fairytale world.
The unmissable spotlight is the 88ft deep Initiation Nicely – impressed by myths and legends, relatively than getting used for any specific initiation ceremonies (so far as we all know), you spiral down the stone steps to the ornamental Templar cross on the centre, earlier than twinkling lights lead you off alongside a stone tunnel.
Flip a technique, and also you’ll end up behind somewhat cascade of water: enterprise the opposite and you permit this underground world behind, returning to the daylight among the many lush crops.
We then spent an entertaining chunk of time looking for our manner again to the skin of the little waterfall, to cross over the bridge we’d noticed from the tunnel – with a string of mistaken turns and serendipitous discoveries alongside the best way.
In every single place you flip there appears to be one thing new to identify – particulars impressed by mythology and basic literature, turrets which appears designed purely for trapping princesses
I’d hardly have been shocked if a dragon had emerged lazily from a tunnel or we’d seen a faun skipping fortunately throughout a hillside – away from the preferred corners, it was straightforward to imagine that no-one else was round… and that we’d crossed into Faerie, or Narnia after the snow had melted, even Center Earth.
By this stage, my daughter was flagging and our time was operating out, in any other case we’d have hunted for extra caves resulting in the unfinished nicely and the stepping stones, in addition to heading inside the home.
Quinta da Regaleira: Have to know
Tickets can be found upfront in addition to an choice together with a guided tour – a good way to make sure you don’t miss all of the highlights you probably have restricted time, though in any other case it’s enjoyable for youths to have the ability to discover at their very own tempo.
When you’re travelling round Sintra on the buses, route 435 stops simply reverse the exit gate – the doorway is barely additional up the hill. In any other case, it’s round a 20 minute stroll (uphill) from the vacationer data centre, near the bus cease for route 434.
Palacio Nacional (Nationwide Palace of Sintra)
In comparison with the colors of the Pena Palace, Sintra’s Nationwide Palace – or Palacio Nacional – appears to be like positively restrained on the skin. It’s solely the large pepperpot towers which stand out on this comparatively minimalist white constructing.
However the exterior hides rooms match for the royal household, from ornate adorned ceilings to spectacular examples of tiles, in addition to a number of distinctly sudden rooms contained in the palace.
The one palace that spans your entire historical past of Portugal, the present buildings have been added to and tailored over the centuries however it’s believed the primary was constructed whereas Sintra was nonetheless underneath Moorish rule with a report of 1 present by the thirteenth century.
A favorite of medieval Portuguese monarchs, virtually each one of many nation’s kings and queens have spent a while right here – as you discover, you’ll be able to see the combo of architectural types. Now a museum, current renovation initiatives have opened up new areas as nicely.
Don’t neglect to search for as you discover: the rooms are named for the decorations on the ceiling – swans within the Swan Room, ships within the Galleon room, a mermaid within the Mermaid room (as soon as a wardrobe).
Essentially the most memorable is the magpie room, with 136 of the birds, every holding a rose in its mouth and the phrases ‘Por Bem’, the motto of King Joao I. The flowers are regarded as the image of the English home of Lancaster – the king’s spouse was Philippa of Lancaster – however different tales have grown as much as clarify its inspiration.
One says that the king had given a rose to one of many queen’s girls in ready, earlier than a magpie snatched it away. He excused himself by saying, ‘por bem’ – ‘for the great’ – and ordered the ornament with one magpie for every of the women in ready on the courtroom.
Probably the most sudden tales comes on the room of Afonso VI – stored prisoner in his bedchamber right here after being deposed by his brother, following years in exile within the Azores.
His room nonetheless has iron bars, and for the 9 years till his loss of life, he was guarded by 300 troopers.
Elsewhere, the Arab room with its fountain, was as soon as the positioning of a tower which collapsed within the 1755 earthquake, whereas the tiled Water Grotto options water spouts from little holes within the wall.
Nationwide Palace of Sintra: Have to know
Tickets can be found upfront from tiqets. It’s additionally free to enter the gardens.
That is usually one of many much less visited points of interest in Sintra with youngsters, when you’re feeling overwhelmed by crowds however might be higher with older youngsters.
The place else to go to in Sintra with youngsters
Discover Sintra city
Save a while to walk by way of the centre of Sintra itself – wandering the slender streets previous vibrant buildings, with the castles and palaces perched within the hills above, is like exploring a storybook village.
There are eating places and cafes galore, together with little boutiques and memento outlets: inevitably loads are vacationer traps, however it’s straightforward to amble down the facet streets if it feels an excessive amount of.
Preserve a watch out for Casa Piriquita, the place you should buy travesseiros pastries – made with puff pastry and almonds, they’re the standard delicacy of Sintra (and also you’ll want some vitality for all that strolling!)
You may as well purchase a self-guided metropolis treasure hunt of Sintra with 5 stops to unlock challenges – beginning on the Sintra Bliss resort, it additionally takes you previous the Nationwide Palace alongside the best way, so a great way to make the stroll extra entertaining.
Monserrate Palace
The flowery Monserrate Palace was really constructed by an English millionaire within the nineteenth century – its grounds maintain one in all Portugal’s greatest botanic gardens, with unique timber among the many waterfalls and lakes.
The palace itself is an ornate mixture of Indian and Gothic influences – anybody who’s been to Brighton can’t assist however be reminded of the Royal Pavilion there – and the inside was restored in 2016.
The 435 bus route connects the palace with Quinta da Regaleira.
Sintra Myths and Legends
This interactive walk-through expertise is ready in Sintra’s city centre, not removed from the Nationwide Palace, telling the historical past of Sintra.
It’s solely a brief go to, however Sintra Myths and Legends is without doubt one of the most cost-effective issues to do in Sintra with youngsters (under-sixes are free) and it’s a enjoyable method to give some background with holograms and 4D experiences.
When you’re visiting out of season (or run into unhealthy climate within the hills), it’s additionally a superb choice for a wet day in Sintra.
For extra concepts of issues to do in Portugal with youngsters, take a look at my high picks for Lisbon with youngsters, Belem, Porto, concepts for day journeys in Northern Portugal, plus the Algarve
*First printed 2022, final up to date 2026*
Disclosure: We got free entry to the Pena Palace, Castelo dos Mouros and Quinta da Regaleira for the aim of evaluate however paid for our personal transport, and I’ve additionally beforehand paid for my very own entry to Sintra’s points of interest – all opinions on the place to go to in Sintra with youngsters stay my very own. This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Important picture, Nationwide Palace interiors, view of Sintra within the solar/buildings on the hillside and Monserrate Palace courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER