Sintra

Sintra municipality has very easy access due to its high-quality road and rail infrastructure, with daily trains connecting Sintra to the capital in 45 minutes. It is also 30 minutes away from the largest airport in the country and from the port of Lisbon. By car it is possible to travel to Lisbon by the IC19 (from Lisbon), IC30 (from Mafra), A5 (Cascais) or the A16.

The railway line connects the mountains to the sea through the route from Sintra to Praia das Maçãs, over almost 11 kilometers, between Vila Alda in Estefânia and Praia das Maçãs. On a 45-minute trip, passengers can enjoy a unique tour between the Serra de Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean.

Sintra is at the top of the most sustainable destinations in the world, having participated and being selected in Green Destinations’ Top 100 competition. The municipality of Sintra has several initiatives and programmes in place for the sustainability of the territory, notably the investment in cycle paths, adherence to the Pact of Mayors and the creation of the Municipal Action Plan for Sustainable Energy.

The Municipality of Sintra has in place the Contingency Plan for the outbreak of COVID-19, since March 2020, which has led to the implementation of various preventive measures and actions in order to mitigate the pandemic and to minimise its social and economic consequences.

The streams and rivers of the Municipality of Sintra are classified according to the division made by the line of altitudes of the Sintra-Carregueira mountains. There are 4 rivers and 8 streams, where most of the country’s freshwater fish species are found. These small rivers and coastal streams constitute the natural habitat of these species and can act as protection and conservation areas for them. Read Sintra’s Good Practice Stories in the buttons below. 

Walking and trekking are excellent ways to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the municipality of Sintra. Enjoy the small pathways and the Large Route of “Caminho do Atlântico” (Atlantic Way). You don’t need a guide, as all the paths are very well signposted and there are many information panels along the way.

With so many places to stroll through Sintra, you may need to rest. Enjoy and relax on a terrace by the sea, in one of the viewpoints with stunning views or in one of the local cafes, where you can taste our regional flavors. Savor the fish and seafood from our coast, accompanied by wine from the Colares Region and be sure to try the typical queijadas, travesseiros or the famous Fofos de Belas for dessert.

The area os Colares, due to its geological nature, is divided into two sub-zones: “sand floor” (region of the dunes) and “hard floor” (limestone soils). The unique characteristics of its wine are due to its grape varieties, soil and temperate and humid climate in summer, and also to the fact that 80% of the vineyard is installed on a sandy ground.

From rural to more urban areas, get to know the municipal markets of Sintra and find not only the food products you are looking for, but also areas dedicated to restaurants, newsstands, florists, among others. The 10 markets, authentic places on flavor and tradition, await you.

In Sintra, the waterfalls are small treasures that are worth discovering, still little frequented and that invite you to moments of rest and contemplation. Some are so secret that they are only known to those who live nearby.

During the tributes to its patron saint, São Pedro, Sintra offers an evening filled with music and color with a parade of popular marches, in a festive atmosphere of the Popular Saints.

Besides walking, trekking and hiking through Sintra’s many scenic routes, we also highly encourage you to bring your bike (or rent one here) and enjoy the beautiful urban and natural landscapes. The municipality has an extensive network of cycle paths.