Home › Destinations › Sintra
Weather in Sintra
Fairy-tale palaces in a misty mountain forest
—
Loading live weather...
About Sintra
Sintra is fairy-tale Portugal—misty mountains shroud romantic palaces, subtropical plants flourish, and history seeps from every stone. The Pena Palace glows pink and yellow above the clouds; the Quinta da Regaleira whispers secrets. This is where fantasy becomes real.
Best months to visit
May, June, July, August, September
Things to do in Sintra
Tour Pena Palace (pink and whimsical)
Explore Quinta da Regaleira's mystic gardens and initiation wells
Visit Monserrate Palace (romantic Moorish revival)
Hike through the forests between palaces
Browse the charming town of Sintra below
Visit the Convent of the Capuchos (minimalist monastery)
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
14C
Cool, with some rainy days.
February
15C
Cool, with occasional showers.
March
16C
Cool, with some rainy days.
April
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
Recommended
May
20C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
Recommended
June
21C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
Recommended
July
23C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
August
24C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
Recommended
September
23C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
October
21C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
November
17C
Cool, with some rainy days.
December
15C
Cool, with some rainy days.
Sintra feels like a fairy tale stitched into a forested mountainside — fantastical palaces in candy colours, a Moorish castle along the ridgeline, and mist that rolls in from the Atlantic to wrap the whole scene in atmosphere. It's a UNESCO World Heritage town that was the summer retreat of Portuguese royalty, and it remains one of the most photographed day trips from Lisbon.
Best areas to stay in Sintra
Sintra Town Centre
The historic centre around the National Palace, with cafes, shops selling the local travesseiros pastry, and the train station.
Pena Palace & Park
The hilltop romanticist palace and surrounding forested park, Sintra's most famous sight.
Quinta da Regaleira
A Gothic Revival estate with elaborate gardens, grottoes and a famous spiral 'Initiation Well'.
Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)
Ninth-century fortress walls along the ridge, offering sweeping views over Sintra and the coast.
Getting to Sintra
✈
Flights
Lisbon Airport is the gateway, around 40-50 minutes from Sintra by car or train via central Lisbon.
⏱
From London
~2.5 hours by air from London to Lisbon, plus a short onward journey.
🚕
Getting around
Trains run frequently from Lisbon's Rossio station; within Sintra, the 434 bus loop links the main sites as walking between them is steep and time-consuming.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Sintra?
Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for walking between sites. Arriving early morning helps avoid both crowds and the midday heat in summer.
Can Sintra be done as a day trip from Lisbon?
Yes, it's about 40 minutes by train from Lisbon, though most visitors find one day enough only for two or three of the main sites.
Which palaces are the must-sees?
Pena Palace is the most iconic with its vivid colours and hilltop position, while Quinta da Regaleira's gardens and tunnels and the Moorish Castle's walls are also highlights.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Strongly recommended for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira in peak season, as queues can be long and timed-entry tickets sell out.
How do I get between the sites in Sintra?
A hop-on-hop-off bus (the 434) connects the station to the main palaces, as the sites are spread across hills too steep and far to comfortably walk between.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Pena Palace is even more vivid in person than in photos. We got there for opening time and it made a huge difference to the crowds.
Beth O. · April 2024
★★★★☆
Tried to fit in three palaces in a day and it was too rushed — Sintra really deserves an overnight stay to enjoy it without racing the clock.
Ricardo T. · October 2023
★★★★★
Quinta da Regaleira's tunnels and well were unexpectedly magical, even more atmospheric than Pena Palace for me.
Lauren K. · May 2024
Ready to visit Sintra?
Find the best hotels and experiences for your trip.
More dream destinations
