Sintra map – 4 maps to help plan your day trip and holiday in 2025

Sintra is a wonderful tourist destination which draws visitors with its fairy-tale palaces, extravagant villas and dramatic landscapes. This UNESCO World Heritage site holds a remarkable collection of architectural treasures, from the vibrant Palácio da Pena to the mystical gardens of the Quinta da Regaleira. While many travellers come just for a day trip, the region holds enough fascinating sights to fill up to three full days of exploration.

The many wondrous sights of Sintra are spread across the mountains of the Serra de Sintra, so planning is needed to make the most of any trip here. This guide provides four detailed maps to help you get the most from Sintra whether you're here for a day trip or a longer stay. Each map focuses on a different aspect of the region, helping you discover both the famous landmarks and hidden gems of this remarkable destination.
Related articles: Sintra introduction - The Palácio da Pena

This interactive map shows the main palaces and attractions that form the heart of any visit to Sintra. The five major sights are Palácio da Pena (1), Quinta da Regaleira (2), Castelo dos Mouros (3), Palácio Nacional de Sintra (4) and Palácio de Monserrate (5). The blue line marks the walk from the train station to the town centre. (Note: zoom in or out to see all points)

Legend: 1) Palácio da Pena 2) Quinta da Regaleira 3) Castelo dos Mouros 4) Palácio Nacional de Sintra 5) Palácio de Monserrate 6) Convento dos Capuchos 7) Palácio Biester 8) Villa Sassetti 9) Palácio de Seteais 10) Parque da Liberdade

Sintra boasts a remarkable collection of palaces and extravagant mansions. The most famous is the vibrant Palácio da Pena, which sits atop a rocky peak as the pinnacle of 19th-century Romantic architecture. Its vivid colours and ornate details can be seen for miles across the surrounding hills and forests. Below the palace lies the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira estate, renowned for its enigmatic gardens filled with hidden tunnels, mystical wells and symbolic architecture. Overlooking them both, the ancient Castelo dos Mouros stretches along the mountaintop, its crenelated walls offering sweeping views across the region.

In the historic centre, the iconic twin conical chimneys of the Palácio Nacional de Sintra rise above the medieval old town. This royal palace spans centuries of history and provides fascinating insights into Portuguese royal life across the ages. Further out lies the refined Palácio de Monserrate, an often-overlooked gem whose intricate Arabic-inspired patterns and arches complement carefully landscaped gardens filled with exotic plants from around the world.

Full details of all of these sights can be read about in this guide (sights of Sintra)

There's much to discover beyond Sintra's historic centre, and this map highlights the best attractions of the wider region. While some of these sights are remote and require a car to visit, they offer a quieter alternative to Sintra's bustling tourist attractions.

Notable highlights include:
Cabo da Roca - The westernmost point of mainland Europe with towering cliffs and crashing Atlantic seas.
Praia das Maçãs - A charming beach town centred around a broad sandy beach.
Sintra Tram – A charming tradition tram that connects Sintra to Praia das Maçãs.
Regional de Colares Winery – Sample distinctive wines from an ancient viticultural region where vines grow in sandy soils.
Convento dos Capuchos – An austere Franciscan monastery carved into the rock and intertwined with nature offering a stark contrast to Sintra's ornate palaces.

Azenhas do Mar - A picturesque white-washed village perched dramatically on coastal cliffs with a natural swimming pool carved into the rocks below.
Palácio Nacional de Queluz - An elegant 18th-century royal palace with beautiful formal gardens and ornate state rooms.
Praia da Ursa - A dramatic hidden beach accessed by a steep trail featuring impressive rock formations and crystal-clear waters.
Quantum Park - A modern indoor adventure facility featuring a vast trampoline arena, Ninja Warrior obstacle course, and over 50 climbing challenges. Ideal for children and teenagers.

The interactive map below shows the locations of the best sights across the wider Sintra region. The green line marks the Sintra tram route and the blue line shows the scenic N257 driving route.

Legend: 1) Cabo da Roca 2) Praia das Maçãs 3) Sintra Tram 4) Regional de Colares Winery 5) Convento dos Capuchos 6) Azenhas do Mar 7) Palácio Nacional de Queluz 8) Praia da Ursa 9) Capela de Nossa Senhora da Peninha 10) N257 driving route 11) Pestana Sintra Golf 12) Quantum Park

The Palácio da Pena and Castelo dos Mouros stand high above Sintra's historic centre, accessible only by winding mountain roads that were never designed for today's heavy tourist traffic.

The 434 bus from the train station is the most practical way to reach the Palácio da Pena, though it's often crowded throughout Sintra's extended peak season. The bus is relatively expensive, so groups might prefer taking a taxi or using ride-hailing apps like Uber or Bolt (though drivers often avoid this route due to traffic). For a more novel experience, tuk-tuks and other tourist vehicles are available, albeit at premium prices.

Regardless of your transport choice, the journey follows the same 7km twisting route and can take up to 30 minutes in traffic. The map below shows the 434 bus route, which is also used by tuk-tuks, taxis and ride-hailing services.

This map shows the 434 bus route through Sintra. The green line indicates the uphill journey from the train station to the Palácio da Pena, while the blue line marks the downhill return route. The yellow markers highlight Sintra's main tourist attractions. (Note: zoom out to see all of the points)

434 Bus Route Stops: 1) Sintra Estação (Train Station) 2) São Pedro de Sintra 3) Largo Ferreira Castro (Town Centre) 4) Castelo dos Mouros 5) Palácio da Pena 6) Volta do Duche (Town Centre)
Historic Attractions: 7) Palácio da Pena 8) Castelo dos Mouros 9) Quinta da Regaleira 10) Palácio Nacional de Sintra

Important Notes:
• The walk from the train station to the Castelo dos Mouros is extremely steep. Only attempt this on foot if you're very fit and comfortable walking in summer heat.
• Buses are typically full by the time they reach Largo Ferreira Castro (3), making it difficult to board at this stop en route to Pena Palace.

The western side of the Serra da Sintra features a stunning coastline of golden sandy beaches and towering cliffs that face the might of the Atlantic Ocean.

To the south of Sintra lies the Portuguese Riviera, with its bustling resort towns (such as Cascais and Estoril) and sandy beaches that are family friendly. Much further to the north are the surfing beaches of Ericeira.

This map shows the best beaches of the Sintra region. The beaches of the Serra da Sintra are marked in green, the beaches of the Portuguese Riviera in yellow and the beaches of southern Ericeira in blue. The historic centre of Sintra is point 15 and the grey marker. (Note: zoom out to see all of the points)

Beaches of the Atlantic coastline (green): 1) Praia das Maçãs 2) Praia Grande 3) Praia da Ursa 4) Praia do Guincho 5) Praia da Adraga 6) Praia do Magoito
Beaches of the Portuguese Riviera (yellow): 7) Praia de Carcavelos 8) Praia de Santo Amaro 9) Praia da Duquesa 10) Praia do Tamariz 11) Praia de São Pedro do Estoril
Beaches of south Ericeira (blue): 12) Praia de São Julião 13) Praia da Foz do Lizandro 14) Praia da Baleia 15) historic centre of Sintra

Palácio da Pena
This palace should be your top priority in Sintra as it offers an unmatched blend of architectural wonder and natural beauty. The palace represents the pinnacle of 19th-century Romantic architecture and its striking pink and yellow walls create unforgettable views. The vast park surrounding the palace provides peaceful walking trails and hidden viewpoints while the lavishly decorated state rooms offer insight into royal life. From its mountaintop position, the palace provides spectacular vistas stretching from the Atlantic coast to Lisbon on clear days.

Quinta da Regaleira
This extraordinary estate stands apart from other Sintra palaces through its unique blend of mystery and architectural beauty. The grounds encourage exploration through a network of underground tunnels and hidden passages. The initiated well has become world-famous for its extraordinary spiral staircase descending deep into the earth. The gardens provide endless opportunities for discovery and the intricate symbolism throughout the estate offers layers of meaning that reward repeat visits.

Castelo dos Mouros
The Moorish Castle offers the most authentic historical experience in Sintra. Its ancient walls provide a tangible connection to medieval times and visitors can walk the entire ramparts just as soldiers did centuries ago. The castle's position along the mountaintop creates dramatic views especially in the early morning when mist often surrounds the battlements. The site also provides an exceptional vantage point overlooking Pena Palace and the surrounding mountains.

Palácio Nacional de Sintra
This palace stands as the best-preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal. Its iconic twin chimneys represent just the beginning of its architectural significance. The palace showcases the finest examples of Mudéjar architecture in Portugal and contains extraordinary collections of azulejo tiles. The kitchens impress with their massive scale and the Magpie Room's decorated ceiling tells fascinating stories of court intrigue.

Palácio de Monserrate
This remarkable palace deserves far more attention than it typically receives. The expansive grounds feature one of Portugal's most important collections of exotic plants set within beautifully landscaped gardens. The building itself showcases a unique fusion of Gothic Indian and Moorish styles and its restored interiors display exceptional craftsmanship. The palace offers an equally impressive experience to Sintra's other attractions but with a more peaceful atmosphere due to smaller crowds.