Ahhhh Sintra, home to castles that once housed Portugal’s monarchs including the stunning red, purple and yellow Pena Palace, Quinta de Regaleira, the Moorish Castle and the Monserrate Palace (just to name a few). Its landscape and combination of Romantic, Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance architectural elements has led Sintra to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is only a hop and skip away from Lisbon and is a popular day trip destination for those visiting the Portugese riviera.
We made it to Portugal in 2017 and I can tell you this much: Sintra is everything that I imagined and much, much more. Click here for my guide to planning a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon. I’ve put together a gallery of photos of Sintra to remind me of this wondrous place, and hopefully inspire you to visit Portugal sooner rather than later as well.
Have you been to Sintra? What did you think? Tell me all about it in the comments section below!
Headed to Portugal? You might also like these guides:
- Read my guide to planning a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra
- Spending some time in Lisbon? Make sure you avoid these common Lisbon travel mistakes
- Portugal is massive…not sure where to start? Check out this 10 day Portugal itinerary from the Algarve to Porto for some ideas
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I’m going this summer! We are spending 4 days in Lisbon, so excited. Thank you for sharing!
Have a wonderful trip Kyntra!
::Checks Skyscanner to see how much tickets cost to fly there from New Zealand:: I absolutely loved these photos and how you captured the essence of this lovely city. I haven’t been [yet] but now it’s certainly on my radar! Thanks so much for sharing this!
I hope you get to visit in person soon, Laura!
Such stunning photos! It looks like a beautiful place, can’t wait to explore for myself.
Now that I’ve been I can unequivocally say that it is one of the most amazing destinations in the world!
I’m heading to Lisbon in a few weeks! I’m in love with Porto so I’m planning to spend a few days there but I’m wondering how far Sintra is from Lisbon for a day trip, would you happen to know?!
Danielle, it should only be 35-40 minutes away by public transport! Have fun!
What a beautiful photos. Nice blog!
Thank you Angela!
Sintra is absolutely gorgeous! I used to live nearby and visited often. Must go back soon to freshen my memory. It’s so ridiculously close to Lisbon that I think the reason why I don’t go there more it’s just because I’m too lazy :/
Haha Sandra I know what you mean! There are places that are close to Hong Kong that I haven’t visited just because I figure I can always visit them later…but never get around to actually going!
Wow – these are stunning photos! I haven’t really had Lisbon high on my list, but now I want to push it up just so I can go visit Sintra. Gorgeous colors and architecture – definitely a travel blogger’s dream!
These people are so so so talented! You should definitely check out their Instagram feeds 🙂
The colours are just insane, and there are so many different palaces to visit!
I love the wanderlust factor and also how you’re helping promote other Instagrammers! Sharing the love is so important these days. I’ve never been to Sintra but now I must go!
I love sharing the love! ❤️
I’ve been to Portugal twice but both times seem to have missed Sintra. Your pictures are a reason to visit! 🙂 Lovely.
Definitely check out some of these photographers’ other photos on Instagram! Super wanderlust-inducing!
Some amazing photos that you have collected. Portugal is on my bucket list!
Looking through those photos are making me want to book an airplane ticket NOW! These photographers are so talented 🙂
I’ve been to Sintra only a couple of times (and this is a shame because I live in Lisbon!!) but I always leave with the feeling that there’s so much more to see. It’s such a fairytale place, and you’re right – there are too many castles and palaces to count! I hope you make it over here soon 😉
Thank you Inês! I would also love to visit Lisbon, I hear the surf is pretty good in nearby Cascais!
Wish I spent more time there!
How many days do you think we should look at staying for?