Where to Stay in Sintra: Best Areas and Hotels

Most people see Sintra on a rushed day trip, but staying the night is one of the best decisions you can make. You get the palaces at opening time before the tour buses arrive, misty evening walks through empty lanes and dinner without the crowds. Here’s where to stay in Sintra, from palace hotels to cosy guesthouses.

Quick answer: stay in Sintra’s old town (Vila) to walk to Regaleira and the 434 bus up to Pena. For a splurge, the Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais (a palace hotel) or Penha Longa (a Ritz-Carlton resort with golf and a kids’ club). For value and charm, Sintra Boutique Hotel or Sintra1012. Note: there’s little parking and traffic restrictions in the centre, so check before you drive.

Why stay overnight

Sintra’s hills are covered with palaces, gardens and forest, and the whole cultural landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day-trippers from Lisbon usually arrive mid-morning and leave by late afternoon, so the town is at its best early and late. Staying the night lets you take the first palace slot, walk the old town in the evening light and add the coast without rushing.

Is it worth staying in Sintra?

• Yes, if you want to see Pena, Regaleira and the Moorish Castle without the crowds, or add Cabo da Roca and the coast.
• Consider Lisbon or Cascais instead if you want nightlife and lots of restaurants. Sintra is quiet in the evening.
• Two nights is perfect for the palaces plus a day on the coast.

The best areas

• Sintra Vila (old town): the most convenient, walkable to Regaleira, the National Palace and restaurants. Hilly, with limited parking.
• Around the station (Estefânia): a little cheaper and handy for the train to Lisbon, a 10–15 minute walk to the old town. The 434 and 435 tourist buses start here.
• The hills and countryside: quintas and resorts with gardens and pools. You’ll need a car or taxis.
• The coast: villages like Azenhas do Mar for sea views, 20 minutes’ drive away.

The best hotels in Sintra

Luxury

• Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais: an 18th-century palace built in the 1780s, a hotel since the 1950s, with formal gardens, a pool, a spa and views of the Pena hills and the sea. Formerly the Tivoli Seteais, now run by Valverde and a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. A short walk from the old town.
• Penha Longa Resort: a Ritz-Carlton resort in the Sintra-Cascais natural park, with 27 holes of golf, a spa, several restaurants and a kids’ club. The estate grew up around a monastery founded in the 14th century, which still stands in the grounds. Best with a car. Great for families and couples alike.

Boutique and mid-range

• Sintra Boutique Hotel: 20 stylish rooms in the old town, some with views towards the palaces. Walk everywhere, including to Quinta da Regaleira in about ten minutes.
• Lawrence’s Hotel: a historic hotel just outside the centre, said to be one of the oldest in the Iberian Peninsula, where Lord Byron once stayed. It first opened in the 18th century and is small, so book early.
• Quinta das Murtas: a romantic 19th-century quinta with an outdoor pool, gardens and on-site parking, on the edge of town. Peaceful, but still close to the centre.

Guesthouses and value

• Sintra1012 Boutique Guesthouse: a friendly, well-rated guesthouse in the historic centre, a few minutes’ walk from the National Palace. Some rooms have kitchenettes.
• Chalet Saudade: a pretty 19th-century chalet with themed rooms and a lovely breakfast. Note: no lift.

Or see all places to stay in Sintra, or by the sea in Azenhas do Mar.

Which is right for you?

• Romantic break: Seteais or Quinta das Murtas.
• Families with a car: Penha Longa, for the pools, space and kids’ club.
• No car: Sintra Boutique Hotel, Sintra1012 or anywhere near the station.
• History lovers: Lawrence’s Hotel or Seteais.

A two-day plan from your hotel

• Day one: the first Pena time slot, then the Moorish Castle, lunch in town and Quinta da Regaleira in the late afternoon.
• Day two: Monserrate in the morning, then the coast: Cabo da Roca and a seafood lunch in Azenhas do Mar or by the beach. Without a car, bus 1253 runs from Sintra station out via Cabo da Roca.

See our Pena Palace guide for tickets and timings.

When to go

Spring and early autumn are the best times to stay, with mild weather and gardens in flower. July and August are the busiest months, so book rooms and palace slots well ahead. Winter is quiet and atmospheric, but often wet and misty, and some guesthouses close for short breaks. Weekdays are always calmer than weekends.

Food

Sintra is famous for two pastries: the travesseiro, a puff pastry pillow filled with almond and egg cream, and the queijada, a small sweet cheese tart. Casa Piriquita in the old town has been baking them since the 19th century. For dinner, look for roast meats, grilled fish and the wines of the nearby Colares region.

Tips for staying in Sintra

• Book palace slots early, especially Pena, and take the first time slot of the day. Pena tickets are for a set date and time, and the Essential Visit is about €20.
• Parking: ask your hotel about parking before you book, and be aware of the traffic restrictions in the historic centre. Private cars can’t drive up to Pena. The free Lourel car park on the edge of town has about 540 spaces and links to the 434 and 435 buses. See visiting Sintra.
• Uber and Bolt: since July 2026 drivers can only pick up and drop off at 12 official zones, so check where yours is before you book a ride.
• Pack a jumper: Sintra is often misty and cooler than Lisbon, even in summer.
• Dinner: book ahead at weekends; many restaurants close early.
• Getting there: the train from Lisbon’s Rossio station takes about 40 minutes.

FAQ

Where should I stay in Sintra without a car?

In the old town or near the station. Both are on the 434 and 435 bus routes, and the station has trains to Lisbon.

How many nights do you need in Sintra?

One night lets you see the palaces without the crowds. Two nights is ideal if you also want Monserrate and a day on the coast.

Can you park at Sintra hotels?

Some, such as Quinta das Murtas, have their own parking, but most old-town hotels don’t. Ask before you book, or leave the car at the free Lourel car park.

Plan your Sintra trip

See Sintra in one day, Sintra’s best photo spots and the best Sintra tours. Also: Cascais and where to stay in Lisbon.

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