Add dates

Sintra
Museums & exhibitions

Museums & exhibitions

Our most recommended Sintra Museums & exhibitions

Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket

1. Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket

The palace is situated in the eastern part of the Park of Pena, which one has to pass through to reach the steep ramp built by the Baron of Eschwege that provides access to the castle-like building. The palace itself is composed of two wings: the former Manueline monastery of the Order of St. Jerome and the wing built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II. These wings are ringed by a third architectural structure that is a fantastical version of an imaginary castle, whose walls one can walk around and which comprises battlements, watchtowers, an entrance tunnel and even a drawbridge. In 1838, King Ferdinand II acquired the former Hieronymite monastery of Our Lady of Pena, which was built by King Manuel I in 1511 on the top of the hill above Sintra and had been left unoccupied since 1834 when the religious orders were suppressed in Portugal. The monastery consisted of the cloister and its outbuildings, the chapel, the sacristy and the bell tower, which today form the northern section of the Palace of Pena, or the Old Palace as it is known. King Ferdinand began by making repairs to the former monastery, which, according to the historical sources of that time, was in very bad condition. He refurbished the whole of the upper floor, replacing the fourteen cells used by the monks with larger-sized rooms and covering them with the vaulted ceilings that can still be seen today. In roughly 1843, the king decided to enlarge the palace by building a new wing (the New Palace) with even larger rooms (the Great Hall is a good example of this), ending in a circular tower next to the new kitchens. The building work was directed by the Baron of Eschwege. The 1994 repair works restored the original colors of the Palace’s exterior: pink for the former monastery and ochre for the New Palace. In transforming a former monastery into a castle-like residence, King Ferdinand showed that he was heavily influenced by German romanticism, and that he probably found his inspiration in the Stolzenfels and Rheinstein castles on the banks of the Rhine, as well as Babelsberg Palace in Potsdam. These building works at the Palace of Pena ended in the mid-1860s, although further work was also undertaken at later dates for the decoration of the interiors. King Ferdinand also ordered the Park of Pena to be planted in the Palace’s surrounding areas in the style of the romantic gardens of that time, with winding paths, pavilions and stone benches placed at different points along its routes, as well as trees and other plants originating from the four corners of the earth. In this way, the king took advantage of the mild and damp climate of the Sintra hills to create an entirely new and exotic park with over five hundred different species of trees. The Palace of Pena was designated a National Monument in 1910 and forms part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, which has been classified by UNESCO as World Heritage since 1995.

Lisbon Card: 24, 48, or 72-Hour Pass

2. Lisbon Card: 24, 48, or 72-Hour Pass

Unlock the city of Lisbon with the flexible Lisbon Card. Enjoy unlimited travel on city transport, and free admission to 39 museums, historic buildings, and more. Benefit from discounts at a vast range of attractions, vouchers for different shops, and a handy guide that explains how to use the card. After exchanging your GetYourGuide voucher for the magnetic card, the Lisbon Card immediately provides 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour access to the public transport system. Eligible on the Carris metro, buses, trams, and cable railways, it also works on CP trains between Cais do Sodré and Cascais, and trains between Oriente, Rossio, and Sintra.   Enjoy free access to the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belem Tower, the National Tile Museum, the National Coach Museum, and others. Admire stunning palaces, including the Mafra National Palace and the Ajuda National Palace. Ride the famous Santa Justa Lift, and much more—all with one card. The Libson Card provides free entry to the following attractions: • Jerónimos Monastery / Monasterio de los Jerónimos• Pilar7 Bridge Experience / Experiencia Pilar 7 • LISBOA Story Centre• National Tile Museum / Museo Nacional del Azulejo   • National Coach Museum / Museo Nacional de Carruajes  • National Ancient Art Museum / Museo Nacional de Arte Antigua• Sintra Mitos e Lendas• Santa Justa Elevator / Ascensor de Santa Justa• Mafra National Palace / Palacio Nacional de Mafra• CARRIS• METRO• CP-Comboios de Portugal• FERTAGUS• National Pantheon / Panteón Nacional• Ajuda National Palace / Palacio Nacional de Ajuda• Chiado Museum - National Museum of Contemporary Art / Museo del Chiado Museo Nacional de Arte Contemporânea• National Ethnology Museum / Museo Nacional de Etnología      • National Costume Museum / Museo Nacional del Traje     • National Museum of Theatre and Dance / Museo Nacional del Teatro y de Danza  • National Archaeology Museum / Museo Nacional de Arqueología• National Music Museum Music / Museo Nacional de la Música• Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves Museum-Residence / Casa-Museo Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves• Republican National Guard Museum / Museo de la Guardia Nacional Republicana• Ceramics Museum - Sacavém / Museo de la Cerámica - Sacavém• Air Museum / Museo del Aire• Batalha Monastery / Monasterio de Batalha • Alcobaça Monastery / Monasterio de Alcobaça• Tomar Convent of Christ / Convento de Cristo - Tomar• Museum of Neo Realism - Vila Franca de Xira / Museo del Neo Realismo - Vila Franca de Xira• Museum of the work Michel Giacometti / Museo del Trabajo Michel Giacometti• Casa da Cerca - Museum of Contemporary Art - Almada / Casa da Cerca - Museu de Arte Contemporanea - Almada• Chapel of the Holy Spirit of the Mareantes - Sesimbra / Capilla del Espíritu Santo de los Mareantes - Sesimbra• Museum of Setúbal - Municipal Gallery / Museo de Setúbal - Galería Municipal• Rua Augusta Arch / Arco da Rua Augusta• Greenhouse / Invernadero Frío• Maritime Museum of Sesimbra / Museo Marítimo de Sesimbra• Museum Tesouro Real• CIRES – Roaz Interpretive Center of the Sado Estuary / CIRES - Centro Interpretativo del Roaz del Estuario del Sado• Royal Treasure Museum / Museu do Tesouro Real  The Libson Card also provides discounts on the following attractions:• Dom Fernando II e Glória ship – 20% discount• Biester Palace (Sintra) – 10% discount• Video mapping (Immersivus Lisboa – O Cubo) – 15% discount• SEOTours – 15% discount• Setubal Alive – 10% discount• MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology – 15% discount

Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

3. Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

Benefit from a guided tour to Pena Palace, Sintra Historical Centre, Cabo da Roca and Cascais. Embark on an immersive journey that will uncover the Romantic enchantment of the Pena Palace and Sintra, the rugged beauty of Cabo da Roca and the charming seaside of Cascais. Meet your guide and driver at the Tugatrips Meeting Point (Parque Eduardo VII Viewpoint) where a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle awaits to transport you to your first destination. Depart from Lisbon while the first rays of dawn break over the city! Find the colorful Pena Palace hidden behind the tallest trees of Sintra! This unique masterpiece seems to make all the fairytales come true. Allow yourself to wander around the palace’s yards and gardens and take the chance to explore its lavish chambers. Next, head over to the center of Sintra and get 1.5-hour of free time to wander on your own. Take recommendations of the city’s must-see locations as well as the best restaurant options for delicious traditional Portuguese dining from your guide. Find Sintra’s local flavors where time slows, and every corner reveals a slice of the town's magnificent gastronomy. Immerse yourself in the town's romanticism as you explore its cobblestone and picturesque squares. You shall also have time to taste Sintra’s typical pastry, such as the Travesseiro and the Queijada, amongst others. Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Continental Europe and amaze yourself with the impressive views of the ocean crashing against the high rocky cliffs. Enjoy the harmony between the sound of the waves and the fresh breeze, where “earth ends, and the sea begins”. Allow yourself to be embraced by the Portuguese Riviera, while enjoying a short walking tour around the charming Cascais. Unveil this town’s unique gems, feel marveled with its amazing beaches and absorb the cascalense vibrant energy. After a short walk, take the chance to know your own adventurous self while discovering a little more of this place that was once called home by a humble fishermen community, but also the Portuguese Royal Family, with some free time! In a world where each corner holds a different facet of wonder, this journey becomes a chapter in your of exploration around Portugal. Finish this wonderful experience with amazing experiences etched in your mind and a camera roll filled with lifelong memories. Relax back on board your air-conditioned vehicle and admire more breathtaking views of the Portuguese coast, in Estoril, as you make your way back to Lisbon.

Lisbon: Regaleira, Sintra, Pena Palace, and Cascais Day Trip

4. Lisbon: Regaleira, Sintra, Pena Palace, and Cascais Day Trip

Discover Sintra’s beautiful architecture, admire the beauty of one of the highest hills of the region Walk the narrow streets of Sintra in your free time and visit with our fantastic tour guide Quinta da Regaleira. Arrive at the romantic Pena Palace in Sintra, which has a profusion of styles much in accordance with the exotic taste of Romanticism. Explore the ancient castle, which was one of the favorite residences of the royal family throughout the 19th century. Walk through the fairytale-style building and learn about its fascinating history. Take some free time to stroll through Sintra and purchase lunch if you're feeling hungry. Get recommendations on what to see and eat in the area. Afterward, begin a guided tour of the main landmarks of Sintra, and hear about local secrets and stories. Visit the picturesque village of Cascais, linked to the Portuguese royals who summered here. Stroll along beautiful beaches, mansions, museums and photogenic streets.

Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide

5. Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira E-Ticket & Optional Audio Guide

Experience Quinta da Regaleira at your own pace with a skip-the-line e-ticket and an engaging self-guided audio tour on your smartphone. Receive your ticket by Email, download the app and the audio tour on your phone, and travel back in time to the glory of the Quinta da Regaleira. Put on your headphones and discover the aquarium, Fountain of Abundance, and greenhouse as well as the castle’s treasures. Learn historical information and hear lesser-known stories about Sintra.  Benefit from in-depth research combined with original storytelling that will make your visit both engaging and informative. Gain valuable insights into one of Sintra’s main and most well-known attractions, the Quinta da Regaleira, and relate to your surroundings in an entirely original way.

Lisbon: Guided Day Tour of Sintra, Pena, Regaleira & Cascais

6. Lisbon: Guided Day Tour of Sintra, Pena, Regaleira & Cascais

Discover sintra’s beautiful landscape and architecture. Walk the narrow streets of Sintra in your free time and visit the emblematic Quinta da Regaleira with our fantastic tour guide. Its patrimonial importance has led UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Site, so it is undoubtful a must site to visit due to their countless sculptures, gardens and fountains that you will discover there. You will also learn all the details of the famous Initiation Well, hidden in the northern part of the Quinta. It is a nine-story spiral well that symbolizes the nine circles of hell or paradise. In total, 27 meters that will make your hair stand on end. Take some free time to stroll through Sintra and purchase lunch if you're feeling hungry. Get recommendations on what to see, eat and buy in the area. Afterward, begin a guided tour of the main landmarks of Sintra, and hear about local secrets and stories. Arrive at the romantic Pena Palace in Sintra, which has a profusion of styles much in accordance with the exotic taste of Romanticism, such as Neo-Gothic, along with other Oriental styles such as Neo-Moorish and Indo-Gothic. Explore the ancient castle, which was one of the favorite residences of the royal family throughout the 19th century. Walk through the fairytale-style building and learn about its fascinating history. It is also listed among one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Visit the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, linked to the Portuguese royals who summered here. A walk around the promenade will allow you to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches, mansions, museums and photogenic streets.

Sintra: Castle of the Moors Fast Track Ticket

7. Sintra: Castle of the Moors Fast Track Ticket

The Castle of the Moors was classified as a National Monument in 1910 and it also forms part of the Sintra Cultural Landscape classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1995. It soars 412 m above sea level and looms high above the surrounding forest.  The 10th-century Moorish castle’s dizzying ramparts stretch across the mountain ridges and past moss-clad boulders the size of small buses. The best walking route here from Sintra-Vila is not along the main road but the quicker, partly off-road route via Rua Marechal Saldanha. The steep trail is around 2 km, but quiet and rewarding.  Once you reach the castle, the views over Sintra’s palace-dotted hill, across to the glittering Atlantic are breathtaking. Along the walkways, you can admire the unique landscape that in the foreground features Sintra town and its town hall, the Palace of Pena and the hills. In the background, admire the extensive plain running northwards and the Atlantic Ocean.

Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira Access & Skip-The-Line Entry

8. Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira Access & Skip-The-Line Entry

Quinta da Regaleira is"Cultural Landscape of Sintra" located near the historic centre of Sintra, Portugal. It is classified as a world heritage site by unisco along with the other palaces in the area such as the Quinta do Relógio, Pena Palace &Park , Monserrate and Seteais palaces, it is considered one of the principal tourist attractions of Sintra. Italian architect Luigi Manini was the architect of this Romantic Palace its consists of Chapel , and a luxurious park that features lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and a vast array of exquisite constructions. The palace is also known as "The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire", which is based on the nickname of its best known former owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. If your visiting Sintra for the first time , let me tell you In one day you wont be able to finish the Sintra because in Sintra there are lots of exciting and amazing places and Quinta Da Regaleria is one of them. So without waisting your value able time in the line of buying tickets for Quinta Da Regaleira you can get direct entrance inside without waiting.

From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour

9. From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour

Discover Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on this day tour. Admire the town via minivan, surrounded by a natural park, a medieval castle, palaces, and chalets. Walk along the medieval streets of Sintra and drive through the national park. Take in the rare fauna, the unique trees, the Moorish Castle, Monserrate Palace, and the several chalets along the road. Next, visit Pena Palace, one of the most impressive architectural expressions of 19th-century Romanticism in the world, and one of Portugal’s seven wonders. Continue on to the westernmost point of continental Europe at Roca Cape. Finally, travel along the Atlantic coast. Discover the natural seawater pools at Azenhas do Mar beach. Stop in Cascais, was once a holiday retreat for the royal family and the European aristocracy.

From Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira and Pena Palace Guided Tour

10. From Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira and Pena Palace Guided Tour

Benefit from a guided tour to Sintra’s historical center, Quinta da Regaleira and Pena Palace. Fall in love with Sintra, a village full of magic and mystery, the lasting symbol of Portugal's Romantic period and also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Meet your guide and driver at the Tugatrips Meeting Point (Parque Eduardo VII Viewpoint) where a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle awaits to transport you to your first destination. Departure Lisbon while having the first rays of dawn breaking over the city! Accompanied by a tour guide, visit Quinta da Regaleira and enjoy its lush gardens, lakes, grottoes, and enigmatic constructions, including the world-famous Initiation Well. Uncover the mysteries of each place and learn about the orders of the Freemasons and the Knights Templar. Allow yourself to be immersed by the mysticism and the cool touch of the stones of Regaleira, while feeling the pulse of centuries-old secrets beneath your fingertips. During the lunch break in Sintra's town, you will have free time to explore the historical and charming streets. You also shall have time to taste Sintra’s typical pastry, such as the Travesseiro and the Queijada, amongst others. After buying your entry ticket with your guide, step into a fairytale once entering the Romantic Pena Palace and its gardens. Understand its unique architectural expression of Romanticism. Spot how it blends many styles, including Gothic, neo-Manueline, neo-Islamic, and neo-Renaissance. Allow yourself to wander around the palace’s yards and gardens and take the chance to explore its lavish chambers. Stroll around the park with its astonishing variety of plants and trees. Marvel at the palace's amazing views of the castle and the Atlantic Ocean, a perfect way to end the day before returning to Lisbon. Relax back on board your air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy your passage through the city of Sintra, as you make the way back to Lisbon.

8 activities found
Sort by:

You might also like...

Unmissable attractions

Sintra

Sintra

Frequently asked questions about Sintra Museums & exhibitions

What are other things to do than Museums & exhibitions that are worth visiting in Sintra?

The other unmissable things to do in Sintra are:

Other Sightseeing Options in Sintra

Want to discover all there is to do in Sintra? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Sintra

The experience itself was great but buy the vouchers with plenty of time. We bought it for 5pm and the voucher wasn’t sent to me. I had to contact them, I was waiting by the gates, and they’ve said they have to approve the voucher manually and by then it was sold out for 5pm, so they can only let me in at 5.30pm, although I’ve paid and booked for 5pm. Never had a problem with this app but now I’ll be buying the vouchers/experiences with plenty of time ahead. This palace and gardens are always very busy and crowded so make sure you buy and get your vouchers the day before.

The National Palace is the less visited of the 2 main attractions in Sintra, therefore much less crowded than the Pena Palace. We were able to enjoy the palace at a leisurely pace. The collection of art, tiles and ceramics was excellent and the reception room was spectacular. The other advantage is it's right in the center of town, so no long bus ride is necessary. Definitely worth the visit if you go to Sintra.

Fascinating architecture and period furnishings. Plaques at each room explained the occupant and their place in the royal family. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Definitely worth getting a ticket in advance. DO NOT drive up to the castle! Park in the centre of town somewhere and take public transportation up

Absolutely stunning place. Friendly helpful staff. Worth a visit.