Sintra’s hilltops are home to two of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks: the colorful Pena Palace and the ancient Moorish Castle. Both sit within walking distance of each other, both offer stunning views, and both are must-sees on any Sintra itinerary. But if you’re short on time or simply want to plan your route wisely deciding which to visit first can make all the difference.
1. The Key Difference: History vs. Fantasy
The Moorish Castle dates back to the 9th century and was built as a defensive fortress by Muslim settlers. Its weathered stone walls and panoramic viewpoints tell stories of medieval battles and ancient trade routes. Walking along its ramparts gives you one of the most breathtaking perspectives over Sintra and the Atlantic coast.
The Pena Palace, on the other hand, is pure 19th-century romanticism. Commissioned by King Ferdinand II, it blends Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish styles in bright colors and whimsical forms. It’s less about defense and more about imagination, a royal summer residence that feels straight out of a fairy tale.
2. Which One to Visit First?
Most travelers prefer to start with the Moorish Castle and finish with Pena Palace and there are good reasons why:
- Geography: The Moorish Castle sits slightly lower on the mountain, making it a natural stop on your way up to Pena Palace.
- Crowds: Pena Palace attracts more visitors, especially late morning. Visiting the castle first (around 9:00 AM) helps you reach the palace by 10:30, before the busiest period begins.
- Energy: The castle involves a fair amount of walking and climbing. Doing it first while you’re still fresh makes the rest of the day easier.
After exploring the castle walls and towers, it’s a short walk or shuttle ride uphill to the gates of Pena Palace, where you can continue your visit with plenty of daylight and energy left.
3. Time Needed for Each Site
- Moorish Castle: 45–60 minutes is usually enough for a relaxed walk along the walls, photos, and enjoying the views.
- Pena Palace: 1.5–2 hours to explore the palace interiors, terraces, and surrounding park trails.
Including walking and transfer time between the two, you’ll want to allow about half a day to comfortably see both.
4. Best Visiting Route
Here’s the most efficient plan:
- Arrive in Sintra early (before 9:00 AM).
- Take the 434 tourist bus or a taxi up to the Moorish Castle.
- Spend about an hour exploring the castle and its viewpoints.
- Continue uphill to the Pena Palace (a 10–15-minute walk).
- Visit the palace and park, and enjoy lunch afterward at the upper café or near the exit gate.
5. Ticket and Entry Tips
Both sites operate with timed-entry tickets. While the Moorish Castle is more flexible with timing, Pena Palace requires you to enter the palace interior at the exact time on your ticket. Buying both tickets together as a combo is more convenient and often cheaper than purchasing separately. You’ll skip extra queues and coordinate your entry slots more easily.
6. If You Only Have Time for One
If you must choose, the decision depends on what you value most:
- Pick Pena Palace for royal interiors, colorful towers, and postcard-perfect views.
- Pick Moorish Castle for history, open-air walking, and natural scenery.
Ideally, though, they complement each other beautifully as the Moorish Castle tells the story of Sintra’s medieval past, while Pena Palace showcases its romantic rebirth.
Travel tip: Both landmarks are within a short walk of each other, so plan at least half a day to explore them properly and enjoy the scenery between stops.