In the heart of the town of Sintra, rising above the landscape with the unmistakable silhouette of its two conical chimneys crowning the royal kitchen, stands the only palace to have spanned the entirety of Portugal’s history.
The present-day Palácio Nacional de Sintra is the result of multiple royal residences brought together over time. It is a complex of buildings that were constructed, expanded, and adapted across centuries, with the origins of the earliest structure still shrouded in mystery. It is believed that the first building dates back to the 10th or 11th century, when Sintra was under Islamic rule.
By the late Middle Ages, the palace had become the center of a territory administered by the Queens of Portugal, while also serving as a favored retreat for Portuguese monarchs. The abundance of game in the surrounding forests, the refreshing climate during the summer months, and the need for refuge during outbreaks of plague in the capital made Sintra a frequent royal destination.
A guardian of memories and witness to defining moments in Portuguese history, the Palácio Nacional de Sintra offers visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and encounter lives and stories far removed from our own.

Hosted by the Municipality of Sintra.