Visit the beautiful Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros) in Sintra

If you enjoy a medieval atmosphere, incredible views, and a ton of history, visiting Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra is highly recommended. The Moorish Castle is on many travellers’ Sintra itineraries for a good reason!

In this post, I’ll take you on a journey to Sintra Castle and its surroundings. We loved visiting Sintra Castle, which offers some amazing views over the mountains! We travel to Sintra often and hike near the castle. Discover how to get there, what to see, and what else you can see and do around the famous castle!

The history of the Moorish castle in Sintra

During your visit to Castelo dos Mouros, it literally feels like you stepped back in time. You can already spot the castle walls between the lush green forest from the historic centre of Sintra. In the 10th century, the Moorish occupied part of the Iberian peninsula, including Portugal. It was during this time the fortification was built.

Today, we see the leftovers of the walls, which offer incredible views over Sintra town. You’ll easily spot Biester Palace, Sintra National Palace and Pena Palace. With clear weather, you can easily see the Atlantic Ocean. Ensure to stop along the way. You will discover much more at Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra when you pay attention!

What to see at Castelo dos Mouros 

There is a lot to see at Sintra Castle, and you will easily spend 1 to 1,5 hours at the site. It’s a short but beautiful walk from the bus stop. Walking to the entrance will take 10 to 15 minutes, but wait a minute before entering! The sightseeing begins here.

Archaeological highlights before the entrance

Even before entering, you come across the first points of interest. Take a look inside the Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim, where you can find the exhibits from the Moorish Castle Interpretation Centre. The archaeological excavations were found throughout the years, and the former church was built in the 12th century.

Opposite the church, you’ll discover the Tomb. King Ferdinand II commissioned the building, which was used as a burial ground for bones. Closer to the entrance, you’ll see the Christian medieval necropolis, including silos. You’ll find more silos within the castle walls, and these were used for storing cereals and other foods.

Inside the walls of Castelo dos Mouros

From there, you’ll enter the castle. On the right-hand side of the entrance, you’ll notice the Second Ring of Walls, built to protect the castle’s people, animals and harvests. On the left-hand side, you can see the (what was believed to be) former stables. You can also see the cistern here. There is also a cafe and toilets.

From the centre courtyard, you can start climbing up the castle walls. This area is known as the Arms Square, and from here, you have a fantastic view of the Islamic settlement. Within the castle walls, you will also discover the Door of Betrayal. This was used to exit the castle, but the enemy could also enter. Can you find this hidden gem?

One of the most impressive parts of Castelo dos Mouros is the Castle Keep, which was part of the Keep Tower. From here, you have a stunning view of Sintra town. Follow the walls up and continue to the Royal Tower. You have the best views over the Palace of Pena from this spot, and it was King Ferdinand II’s favourite spot.

Castelo dos Mouros tickets 

The entrance ticket for the Moorish Castle costs € 12,00 per person. Children between 6 and 17 and anyone over 65 pay € 10,00 to enter. Children under 6 get free access. The ticket office is closed between 12 and 1 PM, but you can use the ticket machines or buy your tickets online.

When you exit the bus, a ticket machine is near the building near the footpath. The ticket office is at the entrance of Castelo dos Mouros. You’re best off buying online tickets to ensure an available entrance ticket and to skip the line. There is even a ticket combination for the Moorish Castle and Quinta da Regaleira to save some money!

Sintra Castle opening times

Castelo dos Mouros opens its doors at 9.30 AM and closes at 6 PM. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing, at 5.30 PM.

How do you get to Castelo dos Mouros from Sintra train station?

You can take a direct train (the Sintra line) from the departure stations Rossio or Oriente to Sintra from Lisbon. You can take bus 434 towards Pena Palace from the Sintra train station. You can buy your bus ticket on board, which costs €4.55 for a single journey. There is also a hop-on hop-off ticket online for € 13,50. Public transportation is the cheapest way to get around the Sintra monuments.

When you arrive at Sintra train station, you will also see many tuk-tuks. This is an easy way to travel up the hill, but also the most expensive. You can also reach the top by taking an Uber or Bolt taxi.

Regular cars are not allowed, and there are no Castelo dos Mouros parking lots. Hiking is another option. Reaching the castle on foot will take about an hour, but be aware that it can be steep! You already walk a lot in the Sintra parks and might want to use your energy elsewhere. Hiking down is an option for your return journey.

Castelo dos Mouros is very close to Pena Palace! If you plan to see Palácio da Pena and the castle, it’s best to go to Pena Palace second if you travel by bus. You can walk between the two Sintra attractions or take the bus again.

Booking tours to Sintra Castle

If you want to avoid the ins and outs of travelling to Sintra Castle, you can also book a guided tour. Sintra tours often combine a few sights together so you can see the best places in the area! A popular tour includes Pena Palace, Castelo dos Mouros, Cabo da Roca and Cascais.

You can book a private tour or meet fellow travellers and join a group excursion from Lisbon. Hotel pick-up is often included. Super handy and carefree!

👇 Check the below tours and discover what’s on offer!👇

Other nearby Sintra attractions

Do you want to see more of Parques de Sintra? Then, Pena Palace is the number one palace to visit. Palácio da Pena is a beautiful palace on the second-highest point of the Sintra hills. The colourful palace is like a fairy tale, and it used to be the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family.

🏰 Buying a ticket online is a must for the National Palace of Pena, as you’ll receive a time slot.

Inside the national monument, you’ll learn more about King Ferdinand II and visit rooms such as the dining room, the great hall, the Queen’s Terrace, and much more! After seeing Palácio da Pena from the inside, you can go to Pena Park, which includes Vale dos Lagos, the queen’s Fern garden (Feteira da Rainha), and stunning gardens and plants.

There is even more to explore in the historic centre! Visit the famous Quinta da Regaleira to see the Initiation Well, the chapel, and tropical gardens. Palácio Nacional de Sintra is the oldest palace in Portugal, and the preserved palace is certainly worth a visit! The National Palace of Sintra contains stunning rooms such as the Swan Room and the impressive Coat of Arms Room.

All these Sintra palaces can be easily accessed with online tickets, and some even work only with timed tickets. Expect long queues if you do not purchase tickets in advance. If you prefer hidden gems in Sintra, consider visiting Biester Palace, Monserrate Palace, the former monastery Convent of the Capuchos, or Queluz Palace.

Besides castles and palaces, you can also enjoy the Atlantic coast in Sintra. Admire the views at Cabo da Roca, enjoy a beach hike to Praia da Ursa, or discover seaside towns like Azenhas do Mar. There are also some incredible beaches in Sintra to discover!

Staying the night in Sintra

As you can see, there is a lot to do in Sintra! I recommend visiting a maximum of 2 to 3 sights in one day. I highly suggest booking a hotel in Sintra if you want to see more. Some hotels are just as beautiful as the palaces, to be honest!

Take a look at Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais, Quinta Verde Sintra – Casa de Campo or Casa Holstein Quinta de São Sebastião Sintra for a magical stay in the forested grounds of Sintra.

If you travel on a budget, I highly recommend MouraLua. Other options are Glamping Sintra or Sintra Studio Garden. Or take a look at the map below and see what best suits you!

FAQ

Conclusion 

Castelo dos Mouros is a popular sight in the Sintra hills, and for good reason! The building has a rich history, and the view from the walls is amazing! When visiting both Sintra Castle and the Palace of Pena, it’s best to exit the bus at Sintra Castle first. You can walk between the sights, but the bus follows a one-way route.

Book online tickets before your visit to ensure tickets are available on your desired visiting day. You can combine a visit with other Sintra sights or even stay the night for the best experience! You will reach the historic town in only 40 minutes by train or taxi from Lisbon, Portugal. It’s a must-loved day trip from the capital and a highlight for many travellers.

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