Hotels in Sintra

Sinatra It is, without a doubt, one of the most intriguing and special towns in Portugal, if not in all of Europe. It is sometimes called the city of legends, and when you get there you will understand why. It is built at the foot of the Sintra mountains and above a dense and ancient forest. You will find a fortress, a stone wall, castles and palaces built in different periods by different armies and architectural styles that mix with each other in a way that you will not find anywhere else. Its uniqueness also attracted multitudes of artists, poets and creators during the last centuries, who did not hesitate to make their mark on it as well. It is about a forty-minute drive from Lisbon, but definitely warrants spending more than a day.

The whole town seems to have been built according to Disney movies (or vice versa). Castel dos Mourus, built by the Moorish conquerors, will remind you of the Great Wall of China. In Quinta de Regaleria, with the upside-down tower, expect to find the talking clock and candle from Beauty and the Beast. Pena Palace with its bright colors looks like a combination of Mashreq Palace and Aladdin together. The whole Sinatra looks like she stepped out of a confused fairy tale, not sure if she belongs to Bens Christian Andersen or the Brothers Grimm.

So, where do you sleep in Sintra?

Sintra is not a big town at all, and many of its attractions are located outside the residential areas and hotels. However, it is still possible to name several parts of it that have a unique character, although they do not differ so much in terms of accommodation.

The first is of course the city center. This part of the city overlooks the Gothic-style National Palace, as well as the Sintra Mountains towering above the town. The center is full of restaurants, pubs and other services needed by tourists. Many of the tourists are looking for a place to stay in this area, which has a fairly wide variety of hotels and guest houses, in a relatively wide range of budgets. The obvious disadvantage is of course the large number of tourists. Tons of tourists come to Sintra on a day trip from nearby Lisbon, and most of them pass through the city center. Therefore, the density in this part of the city does not depend only on the Hellenic tourists in Sintra, but also on the thousands of visitors who pass through it every day.

If you're looking for a quieter, less touristy area, you'll probably like the Portela de Sintra neighborhood. It is calm and relaxed, and full of local restaurants and cozy pubs. Its narrow alleys and the Sintra train station located there infuse an authentic, non-touristy atmosphere. Of course, the offer of accommodation here will be lower, but still most travelers will find a good place here depending on the budget.

And finally, quite a few tourists choose to settle in the Sera de Sintra neighborhood, which is famous for including the park of the colorful and impressive Pena Palace, the Moorish Palace and the Quinta da Regaleria. 

When is it recommended to go to Sintra?

When considering the travel time to Sintra, it is important to take into account the fact that the number of visitors is also (and perhaps mainly) influenced by those who arrive from Lisbon on a day trip. This is why the city becomes crowded on weekends and in the summer months, far beyond the capacity of its hotels and guesthouses. In general, the recommended times to get to Sintra are similar to those of the other places in Portugal (and maybe in Europe in general).

In the summer Sintra is bustling with tourists, and since it is not a very big town, the rush is very noticeable. In addition, the temperatures can rise significantly, which can make the trip even more difficult. The multitudes of tourists flocking to its doors (whether for a few days or for one day) lead to a significant increase in the prices of accommodation and attractions, so it is recommended to take this into account if you are thinking of a vacation in Sintra in July or August.

The most recommended seasons for a trip to Sintra are spring and autumn, since then the number of tourists decreases and the temperatures also become more comfortable. Although the city is not emptying, the thinning of visitors leads to a decrease in the cost of accommodation in the city, which allows even those with a more limited budget to enjoy better quality accommodations. 

Winter in Sintra is rainy and relatively cold, similar to most of Portugal. This does not mean that it is impossible to take a walk then, since many of the city's attractions are in closed buildings, but the weather can certainly damage the impressive views that surround it. However, the small number of tourists and the abundance of affordable hotel deals during this period can perhaps slightly compensate for these shortcomings. Just prepare well in advance and bring warm clothes and an umbrella.