Nestled among the lush hills of the Portuguese Riviera, Sintra is a fairy tale town where the whispers of history blend seamlessly with the vibrant colors of nature. As you wind through the cobblestone streets, the scent of jasmine and pine fills the air, leading you to palaces and ancient castles that rise majestically from the landscape.
But beyond its storybook charm, Sintra boasts some truly fascinating tourism statistics that reveal its magnetism on a global scale. So whether you're looking for numbers, stats, dos and don'ts, or when to hire a Sintra tour guide, let’s dive into what makes Sintra sparkle on the tourist map!
Sintra's Visitor Numbers: An Up Close Look
While Lisbon is the most visited city in Portugal as the capital, Sintra is a town beloved by many tourists. This is because it has so much to offer visitors other than just a day trip from your main destination.
Sintra is known for its cultural and historical significance, attracting a diverse range of visitors, all flocking to see the cultural landscape and nearby attractions. Wondering who heads to Sintra and why? Keep reading.
Visitor Demographics: Who is Visiting Sintra
- Gender Distribution: Nearly equal, with 49% men and 51% women.
- Age Groups: The majority of visitors fall between 26–39 years (36%), followed by 40–50 years (24%), 51–64 years (18%), 18–25 years (14%) and those 65 and older (8%).
- Nationalities:
40% are Portuguese.
22% come from Spain.
19% are from Central Europe, primarily France and Germany.
82% of foreign tourists hail from Europe.
Reasons for Visiting Sintra
Visitors come to Sintra for various reasons, but the top ones are:
- Holiday or Leisure: The primary reason, accounting for 84% of visits.
- World Heritage Status: The reason why 66% of tourists visit Sintra
- Previous Visits: 31% of visitors have been to Sintra before.
- Publicity, Resident Visits, Visiting Family/Friends and Business: Other notable reasons that people visit Sintra.
Visitor Patterns
The majority of visitors see Sintra as a one-day tour destination (89%), which, as we mention below, is actually a point of concern for Sintra. Of the rest:
- 7% stay for two days.
- 2% stay between three and five days.
- 2% stay for six days or more.
The Economic Impact of Tourism in Sintra
Tourism significantly boosts Sintra's economy. Key highlights include:
- Pena Palace: Guess what? This stunning structure was named the most visited museum, palace and monument in Portugal in 2019. So, how many people visit Pena palace? Only 400 people are allowed to enter every 30 minutes, with 1,976,367 tourists visiting Pena Palace in 2019.
- Tourist Preferences: Many visitors prioritize Sintra as part of their trip to Portugal, with 47% specifically aiming to visit the town itself, while 34% plan trips to nearby Lisbon.
Sintra's Population and Urbanization
- How many people live in Sintra? In 2021, Sintra had a population of 385,606.
- Area: Spans 319.2 square kilometers (123.26 square miles).
- Urbanization: One of the most urbanized and densely populated municipalities in Portugal.
Looking for interesting facts about Portugal? Read all about our Portugal Tourism Statistics! So beyond the demos, what else are Sintra’s biggest fans interested in? Let’s keep going!
Top Tourist Attractions In Sintra: Must-See Destinations
Sintra is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal and with so many timeless sites, it’s easy to see why.
So, let’s see what’s on offer in this stunning town to answer the question of, ‘Is Sintra, Portugal worth visiting?’ When you think about the Moorish castle, Pena Palace, Monserrate Palace and so much more, our answer is a big YES!
Sintra's Historical Landmarks: A Guide for Tourists
Palaces and Castles:
- Palacio Nacional de Pena: A stunning 19th-century Romanticism palace with vividly painted terraces, ornamental battlements and mythological creature statues. The interior is restored to its 1910 appearance. Expect it to be busy during peak tourist season.
- Monserrate Palace: Built for Sir Francis Cook, this palace blends architectural styles and was rebuilt after an earthquake. The grounds feature a pristine garden with unique plant species due to the area’s microclimate.
- Moorish Castle: Near Pena Palace, this castle offers a glimpse into the past with its ruins, walkable walls, keep and Barbican, along with some of the best views in Sintra.
- Sintra National Palace: Once home to the Portuguese Royal Family, this palace features ornate rooms like the Magpies’ Room, Swan Room, Arab Room and Palace Chapel. It’s located near the Natural History Museum of Sintra. For a sweet treat, visit the family-owned Casa Piriquita, too!
Nature:
- Parque de Pena: Created by Ferdinand II, this park is filled with diverse tree and plant species from around the world, creating a beautiful landscape. It's perfect for exploring forest pathways, hidden trails, lush fern gardens and enjoying spectacular views.
- Vale dos Lagos e Pateira: Explore the Valley of the Lakes below Pena Palace for a delightful countryside stroll.
- Alto do Cha: Known as Tea Hill, this is the third-highest peak in Serra da Sintra, offering stunning views of Pena Palace. The boulder-strewn hill has an incredibly peaceful atmosphere.
Architecture:
- Chalet da Condessa d'Edla: A mock-alpine chalet designed by Countess Edla in 1869, featuring an exterior decorated with local cork.
- Caminho de Ronda: This walk around Pena Palace offers stunning regional views.
- Initiation Well: Located at Quinta da Regaleira, these underground towers are rich in folklore, especially related to Freemasonry and the Knights Templar. Don’t miss the Terrace of the Celestial Worlds and the Waterfall Lake.
- Quinta da Regaleira: This estate and chapel, open to the public for a few decades, features Manueline symbols on the main house turrets and is best paired with a visit to the Initiation Well.
Travel Q&A: Does Sintra have a beach? Sintra has several beautiful beaches along its coastline. Many people head to Cabo da Roca (the most popular Portuguese beach on social media as of June 2023, with 118,596 Instagram hashtags), the westernmost point of Europe, but this is very crowded as tours stop here.
For beaches, head to Praia da Ursa, a more secluded and challenging beach to reach, but it offers breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility. It's named after a bear-shaped rock formation. Praia da Adraga is also known for its stunning natural beauty, featuring cliffs, caves and golden sands. It's a great spot for relaxing and enjoying the scenic views.
Cultural Tourism in Sintra: Festivals and Events
You know what else can help you decide to visit Sintra? Finding out what’s on while you’re there! Here are a few top festivals in Sintra that you don’t want to miss!
Festival de Sintra: A premier classical music event featuring recitals, choral and piano performances, and concerts. Started in 1957 with the help of Marquess Olga Cadaval, it brought international artists to Sintra. The festival now includes musical performances, ‘Ballet Nights’ in Seteais and ‘Nights of Queluz’ shows, offering high-quality programs with renowned artists.
Feira das Mercês: One of the oldest fairs in the Lisbon region — over 250 years old — featuring countryside entertainment, crafts and stage performances. It showcases regional traditions and innovations, with participants often dressing in traditional attire.
Periferias: An International Festival of Performing Arts with a diverse program focused on theatre, including dance, music, street entertainment, book fairs, exhibitions and workshops. It aims to promote solidarity within the Portuguese-speaking world.
Sintra's Gastronomy: A Culinary Journey for Tourists
I don’t know about you, but what makes me most excited about traveling is the knowledge of all the delicious food I’m going to be eating. Sintra has all the Portuguese classics, plus a few dishes unique to the region that you don’t want to miss. These dishes will give you a true taste of Sintra's rich culinary heritage!
Meals:
- Bacalhau: Cod-based dishes are a Portuguese staple with over a thousand recipes. Dried and salted cod features in both everyday and special occasion dishes, especially on Christmas Eve and Good Friday.
- Bacalhau com Natas: A popular Portuguese dish made with soaked or boiled salted cod, fried potatoes and cream, baked until golden. Variations include onions, béchamel sauce, cheese, white wine and spices. It's a restaurant favorite and a key part of Portuguese Christmas tradition.
- Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato: Clams cooked in a garlic, olive oil and cilantro sauce. This flavorful dish is perfect for seafood lovers.
- Arroz de Pato: A savory duck rice dish made with shredded duck, chorizo and aromatic spices, baked to perfection.
Desserts:
- Travesseiros: These crispy, sweet treats from Sintra are made with puff pastry and a rich almond and egg yolk cream. Invented in the 1940s at Piriquita bakery, the original recipe remains a secret. Best enjoyed freshly baked and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Queijada: This traditional Portuguese pastry from Sintra is made with cheese, eggs, milk, flour and sugar. Known for its fluffy crust, queijadas were historically used as a form of payment due to Sintra's surplus of fresh cheese. Available in almost every pastry shop in Portugal.
- Pastel de nata: While not exclusive to Sintra, these iconic Portuguese custard tarts are a must-try. Enjoy them fresh from the oven with a sprinkle of cinnamon and powdered sugar.
- Ginja: A traditional Portuguese cherry liqueur, often served in a chocolate cup. It's a sweet and unique drink to enjoy after your meal.
Transportation and Accessibility for Tourists in Sintra
We’ve mentioned the bus in this article, but we need to explain a bit more about to help you on your trip. You’re also going to need to know all about the transportation options when you’re here (there are not many), so you might want to take notes!
Trains from Lisbon to Sintra
There are two regular and affordable train services to Sintra:
- From Rossio Station (downtown Lisbon): Takes 40 minutes.
- From Oriente Station (Parque das Nações district):Takes 47 minutes.
Trains start at 5:41am and run until 1:01am (Rossio) and 1:08am (Oriente), with departures every 20 minutes and more frequently during rush hours.
Buses to the Palaces in Sintra
Bus 434:
- Departs from outside the train station.
- Stops at Moorish Castle, Pena Palace, Sintra National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
- The bus follows a circular route covering major attractions, making it easy to explore at your own pace.
Pros:
- Reliable Access: The Bus 434 and 435 have priority on the route to Pena Palace, ensuring they run even when other vehicles like taxis, Uber, and TukTuks might be restricted by police due to traffic control.
- Part of Public Transportation: As part of the public transport system, these buses are more consistently available.
Cons:
- Crowded: During peak season (June-September and Easter), buses are often very crowded, with many passengers standing.
- Uncomfortable Ride: The winding roads can make the ride uncomfortable, requiring passengers to hold on tightly.
- Long Wait Times: Long waiting lines are common, and buses often arrive full, resulting in potential wait times of 30–60 minutes or more.
- Limited Sightseeing: It's difficult to take pictures of the scenic landscape from the crowded bus, especially since you need to hold on tight.
Bus 435:
- Ideal for visiting Quinta da Regaleira, Seteais Palace and Monserrate Palace.
- Operated by the same company as Bus 434 and is included in the ticket price.
Walking in Sintra
- From the train station to the town center: A scenic 10-minute walk, passing by the Town Hall.
- From the town center: Walk to Quinta da Regaleira and Seteais Palace, but you will need to take a bus to reach Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and Monserrate Palace.
Weather Watch: When is the Best Time to Visit Sintra?
Sintra enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The hottest month is typically August, with average high temperatures reaching around 23-27°C (81°F).
In contrast, January is the chilliest month, where temperatures average around 9-11°C (48°F) during the day. The most humid month tends to be January as well, due to the combination of cooler temperatures and higher precipitation. December is the rainiest month, with an average rainfall of 85.7 mm, making it the peak of the rainy season.
Sintra experiences peak tourist seasons during the summer months of June to August, when the weather is warm and pleasant, attracting visitors to its historical sites and scenic landscapes. Another popular period is spring (April to June) when the weather is mild and the natural surroundings are lush and blooming.
The shoulder seasons in Sintra are autumn (September to October). During these periods, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, with fewer crowds compared to the peak summer months.
The low season in Sintra falls in the winter months from November to March. During this time, the weather is cooler and wetter, particularly in January, the coldest month, and November, the rainiest month. Don’t be discouraged, though! Sintra is magical and stunning during the winter, and travelers during the low season may benefit from lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds at popular attractions.
Dos and Don’ts: Making the Most of Your Trip to Sintra
Most of what you need to know about Sintra has been mentioned, but what about some other helpful tips for your trip? We’ve got you covered there, too! While there are others, here are our top pieces of advice for traveling to Sintra.
Dos:
- Do Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothing: Sintra has a hilly terrain and many cobblestone streets, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. Make sure to also dress for the weather, bringing a light jacket due to Sintra’s elevation.
- Do Arrive Early: Popular attractions like Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira get very crowded. Arriving early can help you avoid long lines and enjoy a more peaceful visit. The first buses usually depart around 9am.
- Do See More Than Just Pena Palace: Make sure to spend time exploring the gardens of places like Monserrate Palace and Quinta da Regaleira as they are beautiful and worth venturing through. Allocate time to wander and enjoy them.
- Do Plan Your Visit: Research and plan your visit to maximize your time. Some sites are far apart, and good planning can help you see more. Study the bus timetable and plan ahead to allocate sufficient time for each attraction. Expect possible delays due to traffic and bus fill-up times.
Don'ts:
- Don't Drive in Sintra's Historic Center: The narrow, winding streets can be difficult to navigate and parking is very limited. It's better to walk or use public transport.
- Don’t Just Spend One Day: Sintra has a wealth of attractions and natural beauty that deserve more than a single day. Staying longer allows you to explore at a relaxed pace and fully appreciate everything the area has to offer.
- Don't Skip the Less Popular Sites: While Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira are must-sees, places like the Moorish Castle and the Sintra National Palace also offer rich history and beautiful views.
- Don't Disturb the Wildlife: If you come across any wildlife in the parks or gardens, admire them from a distance and do not feed them.
Conclusion
We hope this has given you a little bit of insight into tourism in this enchanted region. It’s an amazing town and with a little bit of planning and preparation, it will be a smooth and magical adventure in your Portuguese travels. To make the journey even smoother, you can create your dream itinerary with a Sintra tour guide today! See you at Pena Palace!
