Sintra is one of the most distinctive day trips from Lisbon and one of the most photographed places in Portugal — the colourful palaces rising out of forested hills, the Atlantic mist that frequently rolls in, the whole thing looking like something between a fairy tale and a folly. See our Sintra guide for the full overview of palaces, walks, and practical logistics.
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The accommodation picture in Sintra is a small one. The village is compact, the number of hotels is limited, and the best options book well in advance for peak summer. Most visitors, especially on short trips to Portugal, are better served by staying in Lisbon and visiting Sintra as a day trip.
Should You Stay in Sintra or Lisbon?
Stay in Sintra if: you want the palaces before the crowds arrive in the morning, you are visiting in spring or autumn and want a slower pace, or you are extending from Sintra to the Colares coast and Cascais.
Stay in Lisbon if: you are on a short trip, you want variety in restaurants and nightlife, or you are visiting in July or August when Sintra’s limited accommodation runs out weeks in advance.
The Rossio train runs every 20–30 minutes and costs approximately €2.30 each way. You can arrive in Sintra for the 9am palace opening and be back in Lisbon for dinner without stress.
Sintra Areas: Where to Stay
Sintra Village (Historic Centre)
The few hotels in the historic centre are the most atmospheric options — old buildings, cobblestone lanes, close walking distance to the National Palace and the village restaurants. The catch is that the centre fills with day-trip crowds from 10am to 5pm in summer, so the streets around your hotel are very busy during the day and very quiet at night.
Colares and the Atlantic Coast
Fifteen minutes west of Sintra, the Colares municipality runs down to the Atlantic at Praia Grande and Adraga. Hotels and quintas here offer a completely different experience: vineyards, ocean views, empty beaches, and the Sintra palaces accessible by car or taxi. Better suited to visitors with a rental car than those relying on public transport.
São Pedro de Sintra
The residential neighbourhood above the historic centre has a few guesthouses and self-catering properties at somewhat better prices than the village. A 20-minute walk or short taxi ride from the train station.
Sintra Hotels by Budget
Budget — approximately €80–€120 per night
Sintra Boutique Hotel (Historic Centre) — a modest property with clean rooms and a well-regarded breakfast. The location near the National Palace is the main draw. Approximately €85–€110 per night as of 2026.
Casa de Hóspedes Dona Maria II — a family-run guesthouse with straightforward rooms and a warm welcome. Value-oriented by Sintra standards. Approximately €80–€100 per night.
Mid-range — approximately €120–€220 per night
Lawrence’s Hotel (Historic Centre) — one of the oldest operating hotels in the Iberian Peninsula, dating from 1764. Lord Byron stayed here. The rooms are individually decorated and the restaurant is good. A genuine piece of Sintra history. Approximately €140–€200 per night.
Tivoli Palácio de Seteais (Sintra) — a converted 18th-century palace on the edge of Sintra with formal gardens, a pool, and views over the Sintra hills. The rooms are traditional and the setting is impressive. Approximately €180–€250 per night.
Casa Miradouro (São Pedro de Sintra) — a small guesthouse with sweeping views over the hills and the Atlantic from its terrace. Ten rooms, quiet, and genuinely distinctive. Approximately €120–€160 per night.
Luxury — approximately €220–€350+ per night
Tivoli Palácio de Seteais (suites) — the same property in its larger suite configurations with private terrace access. From approximately €280 per night.
Penha Longa Resort (Lagoa Azul) — a five-star resort in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, 10 minutes from Sintra by car. Golf course, spa, multiple restaurants, and one of the best pools on the coast. Approximately €280–€400 per night.
Practical Advice for Sintra
Book palace entry in advance. Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira both require timed entry tickets. In summer, these sell out days or weeks ahead. Book through the official Sintra tourism site before your visit — confirmed early slots let you arrive before the tour groups.
The tuk-tuks and bus 434 are the standard transport to the upper palaces. Tuk-tuks from the village to Pena Palace cost approximately €15–€20 return per person. The 434 bus is cheaper but runs less frequently. Walking up is possible — about 45 minutes on a forest path — and suits those who want the approach as part of the experience.
Sintra’s restaurants are tourist-focused and prices reflect it. The better value eating is in the cafés around the market square rather than the restaurants directly facing the palaces. Piriquita is the place for the local travesseiro pastry — the original branch, not the newer branch that trades on the name.
For the Atlantic coast side of the Sintra region, our Cascais guide covers the next stop along the Estoril Line.