Moorish Castle, Sintra: Tickets, Getting There and Tips

The Moorish Castle’s stone walls snake along a ridge high above Sintra, with spectacular views over Pena Palace, the town and the Atlantic. It’s less visited than Pena, but for many people it’s the highlight of a Sintra day. Here’s how to visit.

Quick answer: allow about 1 to 1.5 hours and wear good shoes, as there are lots of steps. Take bus 434 from Sintra station, walk up from the old town (about 45 minutes) or take a tuk-tuk. The ramparts give the best view of Pena Palace. See Moorish Castle tickets and tours.

Why go

Pena Palace is the postcard, but the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) is where you get the best view of it. The walls run over granite boulders along the top of the hill, so the visit feels more like a short mountain walk than a museum. On a clear day you can see the whole Sintra hills, the coast and the plain towards Lisbon.

About the castle

The castle was founded in the 10th century, when the Moors ruled this part of the Iberian Peninsula, to guard the land routes and the coast. Christian forces under Afonso Henriques took it in the 12th century, after the conquest of Lisbon in 1147. Over the following centuries the people moved down to the town and the castle fell into ruin, and the 1755 earthquake added to the damage. In the 19th century King Ferdinand II, the builder of Pena Palace, restored the walls as a romantic feature of his estate. It’s part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to see

• The ramparts: climb along the battlements between the towers. The walls link boulders and cliffs along the ridge, so expect uneven steps.
• The Royal Tower: the highest point, with views to Pena, the coast and on clear days towards Lisbon. It’s the best photo spot of the visit.
• The Castle Keep and Arms Square: the heart of the old fortress, on the second peak.
• Archaeological remains: traces of the Islamic settlement and the rock-cut grain silos, found during excavations inside the walls.
• The Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim: a ruined medieval church inside the walls, beside a Christian burial ground.
• The cistern and the Door of Betrayal: a vaulted water tank and a small hidden gate in the walls.
• The forest walk up from the old town, through mossy woods and giant boulders.

Short of time or energy? The Royal Tower alone gives you the classic view of Pena.

Tickets and opening hours

• Hours: the castle is usually open daily from 9:30am to 6pm, with last entry at 5:30pm. Times can change with the season, so check parquesdesintra.pt before you go.
• Tickets: in 2026 the standard ticket (ramparts and viewpoints) is €12 for adults and €10 for ages 6 to 17 and over-65s. A family ticket for two adults and two young people is €33. Buying online saves time at the gate, and the ticket office closes from noon to 1pm (machines still work).
• Time slots: Pena tickets are for a set date and time. The castle’s official page lists no fixed entry slots.
• Other options: a one-hour guided tour costs about €17. The Pena Trail ticket (about €35) is a three-hour walking route taking in the National Palace, Vila Sassetti, the castle and Pena Park.
• Closures: the castle can shut at short notice in storms or on days of extreme fire risk, as it did several times in early 2026. Check the notices on parquesdesintra.pt.

Getting there

From Lisbon, take the CP train from Rossio to Sintra. It takes about 40 minutes. See Lisbon to Sintra. From Sintra station or the old town, you have three choices:

• Bus 434: the Scotturb hop-on, hop-off loop runs from the station to the old town, the Moorish Castle and Pena. A 24-hour ticket for the 434 and the 435 (to Regaleira and Monserrate) costs about €13.50, and single tickets aren’t always sold at busy times. Queues are long in summer, so go early.
• Walk: the Santa Maria trail climbs from the historic centre through the forest, about 1.8 km. Allow 45 minutes to an hour uphill. The free Vila Sassetti trail is an alternative. See the best hikes in Sintra.
• Tuk-tuk or taxi: quick but pricier. Agree the fare first.

No cars: private vehicles can’t drive up to the castle. Park in the town or at the edge of Sintra and use the bus or your feet. Don’t try to drive into the old town in summer.

How long to spend

Most people need 1 to 1.5 hours inside. A good half-day route is: train to Sintra, bus 434 to the castle as it opens, walk the ramparts, then walk a few minutes along the road to Pena. Have lunch in the old town and finish at the Sintra National Palace. For a full day, add Quinta da Regaleira. See Sintra in one day.

Food

Food on the hill is limited. Down in the old town, try Sintra’s classic pastries: travesseiros, puff pastry pillows filled with almond cream, and queijadas, small sweet cheese tarts.

When to go

Spring and autumn give the clearest, most comfortable days. In summer the hills are often wrapped in fog even when Lisbon is sunny. In winter the stone steps get slippery after rain. Arrive at 9:30am or after 4pm to avoid the busiest hours.

Tips

• Combine with Pena: the entrances are close together on the same road. See the Pena Palace guide.
• Weather: it’s windy and often misty on the ridge. Come on a clear day if possible, and bring a layer even in summer.
• Not for vertigo sufferers: some sections are steep and exposed.
• Not great for buggies: the steps make it hard with a pushchair or limited mobility.
• Bring water: there’s little shade on the walls.
• Dogs: dogs are allowed under certain conditions. Check the rules first.
• Photos: see Sintra photo spots.

FAQ

Is the Moorish Castle worth it if you’re visiting Pena?

Yes, if you can manage steps. The walls give the best view of Pena Palace, and the two entrances are a few minutes apart.

How much is the Moorish Castle ticket?

In 2026 it’s €12 for adults and €10 for ages 6 to 17 and over-65s, with a €33 family ticket. Prices can change, so check parquesdesintra.pt.

Do you need a time slot for the Moorish Castle?

Pena tickets are for a set date and time, but the castle’s official page lists no fixed slots. Buying online still saves queueing.

Can you walk up to the Moorish Castle from Sintra?

Yes. The Santa Maria trail takes about 45 minutes to an hour uphill from the historic centre, and the free Vila Sassetti trail takes about 45 minutes.

More: visiting Sintra, castles in Portugal and the best Sintra tours.

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