Sintra Palaces, Castles & Gardens Walking Tour
Historical tour of Sintra’s UNESCO World Heritage palaces, castles, and gardens: we walk the historic centre and climb the surrounding hills—Jardim da Correnteza, Sintra National Palace, the Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, and the hilltop Palácio da Pena—tracing the city’s story from Moorish rule to its 19th-century Romantic makeover.
Basic Information
Total time
2h 30m
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Jardim Correnteza Nearest public transport: Sintra tram stop; Av Dr Miguel Bombarda bus stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by HiLisbon guides. Look for the guide with the orange umbrella.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 6 people on them. If you travel in a party of 7 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
Nestled atop rolling hills, along a beautiful coastline, the magical town of Sintra filled with ancient castles, elegant palaces and lush gardens promises breathtaking views and unforgettable memories. Perfectly located just outside the hustle and bustle of Lisbon, it was forever the retreat of kings, gentry, and artists. Visit with us the place where the beauty of nature and architecture act together to leave you enchanted and inspired. Come to visit Sintra and touch a wonder!
This charming town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has seen the footprints of various cultures and civilizations. From the early Celtic tribes and Romans who recognized the land’s mystical aura, Sintra‘s history took a defining turn during the 8th century with the Moorish conquest. They saw its strategic value and built a mighty castle here, remnants of which stand until today. The 15th and 16th centuries marked Sintra’s golden age, as Portuguese nobility, lured by its mesmerising beauty and cool climate, made it their sanctuary, away from the court’s intrigues. The Sintra National Palace rebuilt during this era reflects the time of prosperity with Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. However, Sintra‘s true transformation came in the Romantic era, in the 19th century – it sealed the town’s destiny as an everlasting muse for poets, artists, and dreamers, a legacy that remains relevant to this day.
Join us on our journey through the heart of Sintra, starting with the Jardim da Correnteza, a true gem of gardening art. From there, we’ll walk around the historic town centre, pausing to marvel at the Sintra National Palace, a stunning architectural monument, known for its iconic chimneys and rich tapestry of Moorish tiles. We will admire the ancient Moorish Castle and its medieval ramparts. We will also stop at the mystique Quinta da Regaleira, a palace teeming with symbolic motifs, intriguing grottoes, and the famed Initiation Well. Our walk culminates at the crown jewel of Sintra, the Palácio da Pena, a Romanticist masterpiece perched high above the countryside, blending Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance features into a spectacular fusion of imagination and grandeur.
Don’t just dream of magic, come, witness it with your own eyes! Secure your spot on our next walking tour of Sintra and join us on an unforgettable journey through time and beauty!
Highlights
- 1
Jardim da Correnteza
A beautiful gem of gardening art and the starting point for the tour.
- 2
Historic Town Centre
The charming heart of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient streets.
- 3
Sintra National Palace
A stunning architectural monument known for its iconic twin chimneys and rich Moorish tiles.
- 4
Moorish Castle
A mighty medieval fortress with ancient ramparts, built during the Moorish conquest of the 8th century.
- 5
Quinta da Regaleira
A mysterious palace filled with symbolic motifs, intriguing grottoes, and the famous Initiation Well.
6Pena Palace
A colourful Romanticist masterpiece blending Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance styles on a hilltop.
Map
Jardim Correnteza Nearest public transport: Sintra tram stop; Av Dr Miguel Bombarda bus stop
Our customers said about us
Sintra
4.0Martin
Good tour but beware - you need much more time in Sintra to actually see the popular attractions
The guide was lovely and provided a lot of useful information, however be aware that the tour took longer than stated (over 3 hours) and, most importantly, the tour doesn't actually go to the most of the point of interests like the Quinta da Regaleira, Moorish Castle or Palácio da Pena. It is for good reasons - it would be difficult to for a "free" walking tour to coordinate (those places need tickets and are often a bit difficult to access in groups). Do your own advance research of what will you like to see in Sintra and plan accordingly. You can easily spend the whole day in Sintra, maybe even two to be more relaxed about it. Tips - do not hike to the Pena palace unless in good shape and don't mind getting a bit sweaty, and do not bother going to the interior tour, buy only the garden tickets (those can get you to the outside walls of the castle for the views and to the beautiful gardens) and you can do that on the spot (no need to reserve a slot in advance).
