Moorish Castle
Isolated high up on one of the peaks of the Sintra mountain range, the Castelo dos Mouros is a fortification founded in the 10th century, during the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.
A privileged vantage point looking out over the Atlantic coastline, the floodplain and the Sintra Hills, the millennium-old Moorish Castle, founded under Islamic rule, occupied a then strategic position for defending both the surrounding territory and the maritime access routes to the city of Lisbon. The artefacts found on this site identify how, in between the walls and their adjoining areas, there lived a population in an area now named the Islamic Quarter.
Available Experiences
Choose the experience that best suits your preferences.
Moorish Castle
High in the Sintra Hills, explore a 10th-century fortress on one of the region’s most striking walks. Between ramparts, towers and archaeology, enjoy sweeping views over Sintra, Pena and the Atlantic
- Wall walk along the ramparts and viewpoints
- Archaeological remains (Islamic Quarter, cistern and silos)
- Digital resources available (Zoomguide)
- Best accessed on foot routes / public transport
Voluntary contribution to ecological restoration projects
When you visit the heritage sites managed by Parques de Sintra, we want to provide you with information about the greenhouse gas emissions associated with your visit. With this information, you can decide whether you wish to support the carbon sequestration projects we are developing.
- A single contribution of €2, scalable to the desired amount
- Every €2 donation goes towards planting three trees or managing invasive species in an area of 150 m²
- Contributions support ecological restoration projects in the forest reserves of Parques de Sintra
- Guaranteed feedback on the work carried out
Guided Tour of the Moorish Castle
Between ramparts and viewpoints, follow a historical and archaeological route, from the medieval fortress to King Ferdinand II’s Romantic reconstruction, with context and stories that bring this heritage to life.
- A historical and archaeological journey through time
- Duration: one hour
- Tour guided by cultural mediator
- Tour in Portuguese and English