Sintra ticket planner
Sintra has five major sites and a very real risk of wasting hours in the wrong queue. Answer four questions — we'll tell you exactly what to book and when.
1. How much time do you have in Sintra?
2. What interests you most?
3. Are you travelling with children under 12?
4. When are you visiting?
Our recommendation
Choose your answers above — a recommendation will appear here.
All Sintra sites at a glance (prices indicative, 2026)
| Site | Highlights | Time needed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pena Palace + Park | Colourful fairy-tale palace, panoramic views, UNESCO site | 2-3 h | €20 |
| Quinta da Regaleira | Gothic/Masonic estate, Initiation Well, mysterious gardens | 1.5-2 h | €15 |
| Moorish Castle | Medieval battlements, sweeping views, walking the walls | 1-1.5 h | €12 |
| Monserrate Palace & Park | Exotic Moorish-Gothic palace, spectacular botanical gardens | 1-2 h | €12 |
| National Palace of Sintra | Royal palace in the town centre, twin chimneys, Manueline tiles | 1-1.5 h | €13 |
Essential Sintra tips
- Book Pena Palace tickets online — they sell timed-entry slots. Without a booking in peak season, you may wait 1-2 hours or be turned away entirely.
- Take the 434 bus (tuk-tuk alternative) up to Pena / Moorish Castle — it's steep and hot to walk from the station.
- Start early — arrive Sintra by 9:00–9:30. The train from Rossio takes 40 min. Crowds build fast after 10 am.
- Quinta da Regaleira does not require pre-booking as urgently as Pena, but still book online to save time.
- Crowds: Weekends in July–August are the worst. Weekday mornings in April–May or September are ideal.
Prices are indicative (2026). Entry prices and timed-entry requirements change seasonally — always verify at the official Sintra municipal website (parquesdesintra.pt) before booking. The Lisboa Card does NOT cover Pena Palace — see our Lisboa Card calculator.