Explore the Rich Interiors of the National Palace of Sintra

The National Palace of Sintra is one of the most stunning and best-preserved reminders of Portugal’s monarchy. Much of this palace was constructed during the campaigns of kings Dinis, João I, Manuel I, and João III. The palace as it stands today is the artistic genius of Raul Lino who restored it to its former glory by adding furniture and restoring tiles. 

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1910, it stands out from any point in Sintra because of its striking 33-meter-tall conical towers.

Visitor tips 

• Don’t rush through the Sintra National Palace—take in the unique exhibits in each room. Also, spend time in the gardens for sweeping views of Sintra’s historic center and the Sintra Hills.
• Keep your eye on the ceiling in each room you enter. The Swan and Magpie Rooms, for example, get their names from the stunning motifs painted on their ceilings. The Palatine Chapel also features intricate hardwood carpentry that you must check out. 
• A few of the palace’s rooms are accessible to those who use wheelchairs. However, certain rooms have stairs leading up to them, and these become inaccessible for wheelchair users to access. 
• If you go all the way to the topmost floor, you’ll come across some of the most spectacular views of the palace grounds and the Sintra Hills, almost as if you were getting a bird’s eye view of it all. 
• Find a Rick Steves guide to the National Palace of Sintra. He offers detailed descriptions of each room and its history, making for an insightful experience as you explore each part of the palace.