Lisbon Chronicles | National Palace of Sintra

In the town's historic center of the romantic Sintra lies the National Palace of Sintra, also known as Palacio da Vila. Being the only intact medieval royal palace in Portugal, this is an unique monument whose historical value is matched by its architectural and artistic importance.

Conquered from the moors in the twelfth century, it had some adaptations, enlargements and improvements on the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries. Since then, the palace maintains the same essential features that characterize its present appearance.

Some of the highlights os the palace include the Swans Hall and the Hall of Crests, whose summit bears the arms of D. Manuel, his children, and seventy-two of the most important families of Portuguese Nobility. The walls of this hall are fully covered in eighteenth century Portuguese tile, and the view from the room is absolutely breathtaking.

The chapel, decorated in the Mudejar style, with Spanish-Moorish tiles covering the walls is one of the remaining examples of this period in Portugal. The Arabic room, partially covered with geometric matrix tiles, and the magnificent central courtyard, with its twinned arches are also special places of the palace.

Nevertheless, for most people, the main highlight are the kitchens, built on the eastern side, with their two conical 33 m high chimneys, which have become the palace’s distinguishing feature and the hallmark of the town of Sintra itself.

Palácio Nacional de Sintra
Largo Rainha Dona Amélia, 2710-616 Sintra

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices:

09h30 – 19h, last ticket 18h30

Adults (18 – 64 yrs) – 10 € |  Youths (6 – 17 yrs) – 8,50 € | Seniors (over 65 yrs) – 8,50 €

 To benefit from a reduction on your visit to several sites, there are combined tickets.

To get there, you can drive from Lisbon (about 30 minutes) or take a train. By train  (CP), you must take the Sintra Line, with Departure stations at Estação do Oriente, Estação do Rossio and Estação de Entrecampos.  From Sintra Train Station to National Palace of Sintra you can take a bus or enjoy a nice walk of about 10-15 minutes.