01
Casa Holstein Quinta São Sebastião
Sintra · 13 rooms
A 19th-century estate with formal gardens, a pool and rooms furnished with pale wood and antiques.
Old town & heritage · No. 3 in Portugal
Sintra hides romantic palaces and misty forest gardens in its hills, with small hotels in old quintas and villas.
Handpicked boutique hotels
01
Sintra · 13 rooms
A 19th-century estate with formal gardens, a pool and rooms furnished with pale wood and antiques.
02
Sintra
A striped 19th-century villa turned guesthouse with views over the town and the hills.
03
Sintra · 17 rooms
From $77/ night
A historic inn in the heart of town with 17 opulent, richly decorated rooms.
04
Sintra
An 18th-century neoclassical palace with formal gardens and views toward the Pena Palace and the sea.
Sintra was the summer retreat of Portugal's kings and aristocrats, and its wooded hills are dotted with fairy-tale palaces: the colorful Pena Palace, the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira and the Moorish Castle on the ridge. The hills catch Atlantic mist, which keeps the gardens lush and the air cool even in summer.
Staying overnight is the best way to see Sintra before and after the day-trippers from Lisbon. The historic center has small guesthouses within walking distance of the National Palace, while the quintas on the road toward Monserrate offer gardens and quiet.
Roads up to the palaces are narrow and parking is limited, so local buses or tuk-tuks are easier than a car. Tickets for Pena Palace are timed and best booked ahead. The beaches of the Sintra coast are a short drive away.
Good to know
We list 4 boutique hotels in Sintra, including Casa Holstein Quinta São Sebastião, Casa Miradouro and Lawrence's Hotel.
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