Irish Owned
100% Irish Owned for 50 Years - Licence No. TA0054
Why Visit Sintra?
Sintra is a town in the greater Lisbon region. It is a popular tourist destination due to its picture-perfect beaches, 19th century architecture and royal palaces & castles. In fact, there is so much history in Sintra that the town is a UNESCO world heritage site.
One of the town’s most beautiful landmarks is the Pena Palace. This Disney-esque castle has been named as one of Portugal’s seven wonders and boasts stunning views of Sintra. A castle that is no longer standing, but worth visiting, is the Castle of the Moors. This castle was built in the 9th century and what’s left of it now gives off a similar vibe to that of the Great Wall of China, with long walkways stretching around the hill which the castle was once based on.
Sintra is perfect for couples who enjoy finding out about the history of their holiday destination. It is also perfect for families as there are many landmarks and activities to keep both kids and adults entertained.
Flights from Sintra operate from Dublin regularly and the flight time is an estimated 2 hours 45 minutes.
To learn more about things to do in Sintra, the best time to go and local info see here.
More Information
Things to do in Sintra
Attractions
- Get some amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea at the Cabo da Roca cliffs.
- Take a trip to nearby Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
- Hike up the trail in Pena park to Cruz Alta (high cross), the highest point in Sintra.
Nightlife
There are several bars in Sintra that tourists can enjoy a drink in. However, if you’re looking for an all-night party spot, nearby Lisbon is the place to go!
Dining Out
You will find many restaurant’s in Sintra serving Portuguese cuisine. The seafood in particular is mouth watering.
For Families
Kids will love the Portuguese air force aviation museum at Sintra air base. A trip here makes for the perfect family day out.
Shopping
The old town in Sintra has many quirky shops selling a range of artisan items. If you’re looking for some high street shopping, we would recommend heading to Lisbon which is about 30 minutes away.
Carnival
Sintra has a strong Mardi Gras/Carnival tradition, so if you’re heading between the end of February and the start of March, expect colourful parades, firework displays and lots of fun festivities!
Best Time to Go
The summer season is the best time to visit Sintra, with temperatures averaging in the high twenties. Like the rest of Portugal, Sintra gets relatively cold during the winter season so if you’re looking for a sun holiday, we would recommend visiting Sintra between June and September.
Local Info
Currency
Euro is the currency used in Portugal.
Time Zone
Portugal has the same time zone as Ireland (GMT).
Getting around
There are two bus routes that operate around Sintra and daily tickets cost €12. If you would like to see the best beaches near Sintra or take a day trip to Lisbon and the surrounding areas, car rental is a great way to do so.
