National Palace of Sintra
Travel through a thousand years of history in the oldest palace in Portugal. The current Palace of Sintra emerges out of many royal palaces.
Travel through a thousand years of history in the oldest palace in Portugal. The current Palace of Sintra emerges out of many royal palaces. This is a set of buildings that were constructed, added and adapted over the course of many centuries with the actual date of the founding of the country’s oldest palace a question that still remains to be resolved. In all likelihood, the first building was constructed in around the 10th or 11th century when Sintra was under Moorish rule
Available Experiences
Choose the experience that best suits your preferences.
Palace of Sintra: Essential Visit
In Sintra’s Historic Centre, discover Portugal’s best-preserved medieval royal palace — instantly recognisable by its twin conical chimneys. A visit through landmark rooms, court life and centuries of history.
- In Sintra’s Historic Centre
- Landmark rooms and collections (tiles and decorative arts)
- Iconic twin conical chimneys
- Digital resources available
Palace of Sintra: Full Visit
Step behind the scenes of the National Palace of Sintra on an exclusive visit that unveils one of its most private and historically significant spaces — Queen Maria Pia’s Residence, a unique testament to the final years of the Portuguese monarchy. Book now and discover a side of the Palace that is rarely accessible to the public.
- Access to an exclusive area of the palace
- Small-group visit
- Private apartments featuring a newly curated museum display
- Objects that reveal the personality of Queen Maria Pia of Savoy
National Palace of Sintra: Guided Visit
In Sintra’s Historic Centre, discover Portugal’s oldest palace on a tour that spans centuries, through landmark rooms, court life and remarkable collections.
- Guided tour with a tour guide
- A journey through 1,000 years of history
- Duration: About 1 hour
- Available in Portuguese and English
Feel Sintra: Royal Palaces
With transport included and self-guided access to the palaces, this experience offers complete freedom to explore Sintra without concerns about travel or access. Hassle-free mobility for 24 hours.
- National Palace of Pena (includes the "Essential Visit" and the entirety of the Pena Park, which includes the Countess d'Edla's Chalet)
- National Palace of Sintra
- Total freedom to explore at your own pace for one day
- Transport provided by Scotturb – routes 434 and 435 (24-hour valid ticket).
Feel Sintra: Royal Heritage
With transport included and self-guided access to the palaces, this experience offers complete freedom to explore Sintra without concerns about travel or access. Hassle-free mobility for 24 hours.
- National Palace of Queluz and National Palace of Sintra
- Total freedom to explore at your own pace for one day
- Transport provided by Scotturb – routes 434 and 435 (24-hour valid ticket).
National Palace of Sintra + Biester Palace and Park
Without leaving the historic centre, visit the only royal palace that spans the entire history of Portugal, along with an elegant 19th-century private chalet surrounded by stunning gardens.
- Entry to both monuments
- 24-hour transport: Scotturb buses 434 and 435
- Complete the experience with a walking route through the town (approx. 3 km)
- Don’t miss the traditional pastry shops in the centre
National Palace of Sintra + Sintra Natural History Museum
Two sides of Sintra with a single ticket. At the Palace, follow the history of the Portuguese monarchy; at the Museum, explore fossils, minerals and curiosities from the natural world.
- One day programme
- Two iconic cultural venues in the historic centre
- Complete the experience with a walk through the town (approx. 3 km)
- Don’t forget to visit the traditional pastry shops in the centre
At the National Palace of Sintra with Samuel Gessner - Possessing the Cosmos: Schissler’s Celestial Globe and the Imagination of the Cosmos in the 16th Century
Informal gathering to discuss ideas about the sky, the cosmos and astronomy in the 16th century.
- Venue: National Palace of Sintra
- Date: 29 October 2026
- Time: 7.00 pm
- Duration: approximately two hours
- The Encounter concludes with a cocktail reception, offering an opportunity to socialise and informally exchange ideas and experiences.
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