National Palace of Sintra

The palace where Sintra’s heart beats

In the heart of the town, the National Palace of Sintra has witnessed the course of Portuguese history, bringing together in a single complex several royal residences built, adapted and expanded over the centuries. The origins of its oldest nucleus remain an enigma, but point to the period when Sintra was under Islamic rule (10th–11th centuries).

A visit takes you through a place that safeguards memories and landmark events — a palace shaped by layers of history: courtly life, refuge in times of plague, cooler summer retreats, and the succession of reigns that left their mark here.

To enrich the experience, digital resources are available to explore in greater depth what can be seen in each room and to prepare for or revisit the route, including content on the collections and a 360º virtual tour.

What’s included

• Entrance to the National Palace of Sintra
• Access to the visit route and the iconic halls
• Free digital resources available to enrich your visit, including Zoomguide, the official audio guide with integrated artificial intelligence, available in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French
• 360º visit to the National Palace of Sintra
• Free entrance to the Gardens

Opening hours

• Palace: 9.30am opening > 6.30pm closing (last ticket and last entry at 6.00pm)
• Gardens: 9.30am opening > 6.30pm closing (last ticket and last entry at 6.00pm)
• Ticket office closed between 12.00pm and 1.00pm. Automatic ticket machine available.

How to get there

• The National Palace of Sintra is located in Sintra Historic Centre, at Largo Rainha D. Amélia, with the following coordinates: 38°47'50.7"N 9°23'25.9"W
• Public transport: Buses nos. 434 and 435 (Scotturb), from Sintra railway station.
• Private vehicle: Please note that private vehicle circulation in the historic centre is restricted to residents. Visitors are advised to use the designated car parks and continue to the historic centre on foot or by public transport.
• Parques de Sintra’s responsibilities are limited to the parks and monuments under its management. The company is not responsible for external circumstances, namely access routes and transport to the sites.