What to visit in Sintra?

Sintra has several palaces, but each one offers a completely different experience. If you're going to do our Sintra & Cascais Tour, you can choose one of them to visit. See below which one suits you best.

palaces in Sintra

The most famous and iconic → Pena
Gardens, tunnels and mystery Regaleira
History, luxury and interiors → Queluz
Romantic architecture and something less touristy → Montserrat
Elegant palace, interiors and gardens → Biester
History of Portugal and a central location → National Palace

What you should know before your decision

The Sintra & Cascais Tour starts at 8:30 AM and ends with 5:30 PM.
A visit is planned to a palace (tickets not included).
To visit Pena or a Quinta da Regaleira, tickets must be purchased in advance for approximately 10:30/11:00am.
It is possible to visit two palacesby adding 2 hours to the tour for the price of 25€/hour (between November and March this option is not viable because it gets dark earlier)

Queluz Palace

An elegant 18th-century palace, known for its richly decorated interiors and French-inspired gardens. It's a more relaxed and easy place to explore.

Interiors very well preserved and decorated.
A peaceful visit with minimal walking.

It is located outside the historic center of Sintra.
Less mountain scenery and fewer panoramic views.

⏱ Recommended time: 1h30

🎟 Ticket: buy on the spot – €13
Effort: low
Photos:

Pena Palace

The most famous palace in Sintra and one of the great symbols of Portuguese Romanticism. It stands out for its colors, unusual architecture, and privileged location.

The most iconic palace in Sintra.

Architecture, landscape and stunning views

It's very busy and access/visiting may involve queues and some walking.

It is smaller and has less furniture than other palaces.

⏱ Recommended time: 1h30 – 2h

🎟 Ticket: buy here €20
Effort: high
Photos:

National Palace

Located in the historic center, it is the palace most closely linked to the history of the Portuguese monarchy in Sintra. Its interior and famous chimneys make it easily recognizable.

Great historical importance and beautiful rooms.

Very easy to visit and requires little walking.

Fewer gardens and nature than other options.
It has less furniture and decoration than Queluz.

⏱ Recommended time: 1h30
🎟 Ticket: buy on the spot – €13
Effort: low
Photos:

Biester Palace

A romantically designed palace, built in the late 19th century, that combines ornate interiors, gardens, and a more exclusive atmosphere. It's an interesting option for those seeking something different.

A very well-decorated palace with plenty of furniture.
Very beautiful gardens, usually with few visitors.

Less well-known and emblematic than Pena or Regaleira.
It's a steep climb up to the palace.

⏱ Recommended time: 1h30
🎟 Ticket: buy on the spot – €16*
Effort: average
Photos:

* – 20% discount Portugal Across

Quinta da Regaleira

Much more than a palace: it's an experience of gardens, tunnels, grottoes, lakes, and buildings full of symbolism. It's probably the best option for those who like to explore and discover an unusual palace.

Gardens, tunnels, caves and unique spaces in Sintra

A very different experience from the other palaces.

The palace is small and has little furniture and decoration.

It involves a lot of walking, stairs, and there may be queues.

⏱ Recommended time: 1h30 – 2h
🎟 Ticket: buy here - €21.48
Effort: high
Photos:

Monserrate Palace

An exotically designed palace surrounded by extraordinary gardens, with species from various parts of the world. It is a more tranquil palace, nestled in the mountains and away from the historic center of Sintra.

Very original architecture and magnificent gardens.
Usually quieter and less busy.

It is the furthest from the historic center of Sintra.
It was not a royal palace and has little furniture and decoration.

⏱ Recommended time: 1h30
🎟 Ticket: buy on the spot – €12
Effort: average
Photos:

There is no "best" palace.

Each palace offers a different experience. The choice depends on what you would like to see and the type of visit you prefer.

Have you visited Pena Palace yet? Consider Queluz, Biester, or another option to discover a different side of Sintra.

Still not sure? Talk to us, we'd be happy to help.