The National Palace Sintra

1,000 years of history in the oldest palace in Portugal

Located in the centre of Sintra, and shooting out of the landscape with its conical chimneys crowning the royal kitchen, stands the only palace that spans the entire history of Portugal. The white chimneys which protrude from the kitchens make for iconic photo opportunities.

The palace as it stands today is the merger of different buildings over many centuries. The first building was constructed in around the 10th or 11th century when Sintra was under Moorish rule. At the end of the Middle Ages, the Palace of Sintra was at the heart of a large territory under the care of the Queens of Portugal while also one of the preferred destinations for Portuguese monarchs.

The abundance of hunting in the region, the freshness of the climate during the summer months and the need to take refuge during periods of plague in the capital all contributed to turning the Palace of Sintra into a regular destination. A guardian of memories and witnessing some of the most defining episodes in the history of Portugal, the Palace of Sintra provides its visitors with the opportunity to take a tour through time

Sintra can get very busy with tourists and for good reason, it truly is a world class destination. But to save a lot of time you need to book your tickets before you get there and avoid unnecessary queuing.

45 minutes from Lisbon by train.

The National Palace Sintra is located Here