Sintra-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Sintra
Sintra-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Sintra
Nestled amidst the pine-forested Serra de Sintra hills, just a short train ride from Lisbon, lies the captivating town of Sintra. This magical place offers fairytale castles, lush gardens, and panoramic vistas that have inspired artists and poets for centuries.
Yet many visitors arrive during the peak summer months only to find themselves stuck in endless queues under the sweltering sun. To truly appreciate Sintra's beauty, the key is visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring and early autumn.
The weather during these times (May-June and September-October) perfectly encapsulates Sintra’s dual personality. Sunny days with temperatures in the pleasant mid 20s Celsius (77F) allow you to comfortably explore the hillside trails and marvel at the postcard-perfect vistas. Occasional cloudy spells add an air of mystery, blanketing the extravagant palaces in a gentle mist. As an added bonus, you’ll beat the extreme heat of summer and massive crowds.
The average weather conditions of Sintra
If visiting the Sintra region during the summer plan to head to Sintra either early or late in the day to avoid the crowds and the intense sun.
Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays and all of the main sights of Sintra are open every day during the high season. There are many other sights and activities in Sintra, try a short hike in the Pena Park, or visit the enchanting gardens of Quinta da Regaleira or drive to the remote cave like monastery of Convento dos Capuchos.
The Temperature of Sintra in Fahrenheit and Centigrade
Sintra has a slightly different climate to Lisbon and Cascais due to the high elevation and the prevailing winds that blow in moist air from the Atlantic Ocean. Sintra is only 15km from Lisbon but is always 2-5 degrees cooler and this is most noticeable in the summer.
The summer sun in Sintra is just as intense as Lisbon but the temperature is slightly cooler and there is a constant refreshing breeze. Sintra provides plenty of shade along the common hiking trails as the town lies amidst the pine forests of the Sera de Sintra.
The height of summer in Sintra is hot but is slightly cooler than Lisbon. The heat is a dry heat which most visitors can cope with by drinking lots of water and limiting direct sun exposure either by being in shade or wearing appropriate clothing.
Spring and early autumn are the idea time to visit Sintra and the Lisbon coastline, the weather is warm to hot with plenty of sun. From mid autumn until early spring the weather is unpredictable with an increased number of wet days closer to mid winter. The weather in Sintra during the winter is never cold and there can be spells of pleasant bright weather.
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If you've found our content valuable, we'd welcome your support.
The digital publishing landscape has evolved significantly. As a small independent publisher, we face growing challenges. Search engines increasingly favour paid content over organic results, while AI-generated content often reproduces original work without attribution.
To support our work, please consider bookmarking this page (press Ctrl + D) for quick access. If you find an article helpful, we'd be grateful if you'd share it with friends on social media.
For specific questions, please see our Reddit community at r/LisbonPortugalTravel.
Should you notice any outdated or incorrect information, please contact us at [email protected]
Thank you for helping us continue to provide valuable content in an increasingly challenging digital environment.