Are you wondering whether or not to spend a night or more in Sintra? And if so, where to stay? My insider guide to Sintra hotels and guesthouses will help you choose the best place to stay depending on your budget and preferences.
I’ve come to know Sintra intimately over the past 17 years, spending considerable time exploring its enchanting nooks and crannies on multiple daytrips and overnight stays. Even after all these years, I still love visiting Sintra so I firmly believe that it deserves more than a mere day trip.
There’s a richness to Sintra and its surroundings, with an array of sights that simply can’t be squeezed into a single day’s itinerary. The real magic unfolds in the evening, once the day-trippers retreat to their Lisbon hotels, and the historical town takes on a more relaxed atmosphere.
Top Picks For The Best Sintra Accommodation
Stay in 5-star luxury at the Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais.
Enjoy your stay in Sintra at the unique Casa Holstein.
Book your room at the gorgeous Sintra Marmòris Camélia.
I’ve carefully selected top Sintra hotels, guesthouses, and apartments that stand out for their exceptional quality, distinctive style, and excellent value, all without skimping on comfort. Whether you’re looking to stay right in the heart of the historical centre or prefer a place a little further away, I’ve got you covered.
Practical considerations when choosing where to stay in Sintra
Staying near the train station is convenient; you’ll stand more chance of getting a seat on the buses that go to the monuments, there are less touristy restaurants nearby and the walk to the historical centre is pleasant, although it’s uphill on the way back.
If you choose to stay in the historical centre, you can easily walk to Sintra National Palace, around the old town and even to Quinta da Regaleira. If you’re fit, you can walk up the hill to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle, although you may prefer to use transport to get to the highest point and then walk back down. Central accommodations may involve a short climb. There are plenty of restaurants in this area, although they tend to be tourist-oriented.
An important point to consider is that driving in the historical centre is not allowed, and that there is a one-way system and narrow winding roads surrounding it. For these reasons, if you are coming by car, you need to choose somewhere that’s relatively easy to drive to and which offers parking facilities.
Sintra is a 40-45 minute train ride from Lisbon or drive from the airport and you can get around by bus, taxi, Uber or tuk tuks once there so a car is not essential for this leg of your trip.
Now let’s look at some specific Sintra hotels…
Best boutique hotels in Sintra, Portugal
This lovely boutique hotel couldn’t be better located, right in the heart of the old town but off the main road. With modern design and decor and an inventive approach to the restaurant offerings, the level of comfort and customer service are worthy of the 4-star rating. Relax in the landscaped garden after a day of sight-seeing. Choose the room for you.
Casa Holstein Quinta de Sao Sebastiao Sintra
Perhaps my favourite Sintra hotel. A delightful oasis within walking distance of the town centre and train station, with on site parking. The video below shows you how lovely it is. Check prices and availability here.
Best guesthouses in Sintra
A 10-minute walk from Sintra National Palace, this boutique guesthouse near the train station has beautifully designed interiors, comfortable beds and a certain elegance to make your stay memorable. Staff are very friendly and the breakfast excellent. See photos.
Águamel Sintra, Boutique Guest House
A fully renovated 19th century townhouse right in the historical centre of Sintra so it doesn’t have parking facilities. The owner, Manuel, will go out of his way to help make your stay as comfortable as possible. Superior rooms have a private balcony. Secure your room at Águamel.
After undergoing a complete renovation, this guesthouse (which dates back to the 19th century) offers modern and comfortable rooms that are bright and spacious. You can roam the romantic gardens with water fountains and ponds or simply enjoy a refreshing beverage. Choose a room in this beautiful house.
Casa da Estefanea Boutique GuestHouse
Enjoy this traditional Portuguese building with it’s limestone interiors and exteriors and matching cork details. Each room is decorated with paintings by a local Portuguese artist. Rooms are large and elegant. It’s in a less touristy neighbourhood of Sintra and you can either take the train or bus to the centre or use taxi/Uber to get around. Choose your room now.
Best luxury hotels in Sintra
Sintra Marmoris Palace
This gorgeous, sustainably certified manor house is a 25-minute walk from Sintra’s historical center and offers free onsite parking. The grounds and swimming pool make for a relaxing escape and the rooms are luxurious and beautifully decorated. Take a look at these fabulous photos.
Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais
With all the comforts you’d expect from a 5-star hotel and more, this is a worthy splurge. If you have a car, there’s free parking. A mere 5-minute walk from Quinta da Regaleira and 20 minutes from Sintra National Palace, it’s convenient, yet a world apart, although you will probably want to use local taxis or Ubers for uphill journeys. See photos and check availability.
Best budget accommodation in Sintra
With its large terrace overlooking the Sintra mountain range and a charming patio, this hotel is close to the train station and just half a mile from the historic center. Rooms are bright and spacious and you’ll get a warm reception from the owners. Check availability.
Hotel Sintra Jardim
Stay in a 150-year old residence surrounded by a garden with swimming pool and castle views. Rooms are simply decorated and boast wooden floors; some have interesting bathrooms and French balconies. It has free parking if you’re bringing a car but don’t use it to visit the main monuments. It’s up a hill from the National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira but if you’re reasonably fit, it’s still handily located for exploring the old town without being smack bang in the middle of the touristy bit.Choose a room to suit you.
Best apartments in Sintra
CasAzulApartments
Located in Portela da Sintra, a relatively non-touristy neighbourhood with all the facilities of a town, you can easily use a range of transport options to visit all of Sintra’s sights. These apartments are spacious and clean and come with well-equipped kitchens. The host is very welcoming and there’s a handy pastry shop below! Check availability.
Some of these centrally located apartments offer views, terraces and courtyards. Besides fully-equipped kitchens some apartments come with lovely exposed wooden beams making the rooms feel nice and spacious. See photos.
Sintra accommodation further afield
This 5-star resort is a beautiful estate in the hills of the Sintra Cascais Nature Reserve. There’s golf, a spa center and a range of restaurants (some Michelin). All rooms have private balconies, with views across landscaped gardens, swimming pools and golf courses. A luxury experience less than 4 km from the sights with free onsite parking. Book a room now.
This renovated farmhouse is 6 miles from Pena Palace but you get a private pool, free private parking, sea views and a chance to connect with nature. You’re surrounded by Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and because it’s halfway between Sintra and Cascais it’s the ideal base to discover both towns. Choose your dates.
Located on Praia Grande and 7km from Sintra, this lovely hotel boasts panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Besides the expansive beach you can relax in the large saltwater pool. All rooms are spacious and modern and come with ocean views. See the photos.
Less than 4 km from Pena National Palace, this boutique house offers a range of modern, thoughtfully decorated rooms. You can relax in the sauna and the breakfast each morning is delicious. There’s also free parking. Choose a room in this beautiful house.
HANDY TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR TRIP TO PORTUGAL
Use these quick links to make your dream trip a reality:
Portugal accommodation guides
Browse Portugal travel guides and itineraries in my shop
Reserve a room on Booking.com
Get a great car rental deal with Discovercars.com
Get a quote for travel insurance with Yonder
