Biester Palace and Park + National Palace of Sintra

With transport included and self-guided access to the palaces, this experience offers complete freedom to explore Sintra without worrying about travel or access — ideal for those who want to discover the essentials in comfort and with flexibility.

The Oldest Royal Palace in Portugal

In the heart of the town, the National Palace of Sintra has witnessed the entire history of Portugal. Its origins date back to the period when Sintra was part of the Islamic world (10th–11th centuries), and from 1147 onwards, the palace developed as a complex of royal residences, built, transformed and expanded over the centuries.

Visiting the palace is a journey through a space shaped by decisive events and the varied life of the court — a place of memories where summer retreats of the royal family, moments of refuge during plagues, and the marks left by successive reigns all come together.

To enrich the visit, digital resources are available to explore each room and the collections, including an interactive game designed for younger visitors.

A refined 19th-century Romantic chalet

Built as a summer residence for the Biester family in the late 19th century, the palace reflects the spirit of European Romanticism that transformed Sintra into a destination admired by travellers, artists and aristocrats.

The architecture blends harmoniously with richly decorated interiors and a landscape park designed to enhance the natural beauty of the surrounding hills. Along winding paths, visitors encounter viewpoints, grottoes, waterfalls and unexpected corners, creating a sequence of discoveries that make the visit particularly engaging.

What’s included

• Self-guided visit to the National Palace of Sintra and gardens.
• Self-guided visit to Biester Palace and Park.
• Transport provided by Scotturb – routes 434 and 435 for 24 hours.
• Complete freedom to explore at your own pace for a full day.
• At the National Palace of Sintra, free digital resources in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French to enhance your visit: Zoomguide – the official AI-integrated audio guide; Sintra Palace Treasure Hunt – an augmented reality exploration game designed for younger visitors.

Opening Hours

• National Palace of Sintra: 9:30 > 18:30 (last ticket and entry at 18:00)
• Biester Palace and Park: April/September – 10:00>20:00 (last entry: 19:00); October/March – 10:00>8:30 (last entry: 17:30)

Suggestions

• The historic centre of Sintra is full of discoveries. Complete your visit with a walk through the old Jewish Quarter and the Parque da Liberdade.
• Don’t miss tasting the local treats, travesseiros and queijadas, made in the town’s traditional bakeries.

How to get there

• Ambos os monumentos localizam-se no Centro Histórico da vila de Sintra, a uma distância de cerca de 500 metros.
• Public Transport: To reach Sintra by train, use the Lisbon-Sintra railway line. At the terminal station in Sintra, you may use your ticket to board Scotturb routes 434/435, which provide access to both palaces.
• Private Vehicle: Private traffic is not permitted on the access roads to these monuments. Upon arriving in Sintra, visitors are advised to use the peripheral car parks around Sintra. The stops for Scotturb routes 434/435, included in your ticket, are located near the Sintra railway station and the peripheral car parks.

Further information

• Biester Palace and Park are privately owned and independently managed, and are not included among the parks and monuments under the management of Parques de Sintra.
• Parques de Sintra’s responsibilities are limited to the parks and monuments under its management and do not extend to external circumstances, namely access routes and transport to these locations.