Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros)

The Basics

No Sintra tour is complete without a stop at the Castle of the Moors(Castelo dos Mouros). Built upon the area’s highest hill, the edifice has seen many inhabitants—from the Moors to the Vikings to the nobility of Portugal and even a local Jewish community—throughout its 1,300-year existence. Take a full-day tour from Lisbon and visit the castle as well as Pena National Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena), Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional Sintra), and Quinta da Regaleira to learn about the area’s fascinating history.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Castle of the Moors(Castelo dos Mouros) is a must-visit for history buffs.

• Book skip-the-line tickets to save time at entry.

• Be prepared for a lot of walking up steep stairs upon the stabilized ruins.

• If hiking to the castle, bring comfortable and sturdy shoes, water, and sun protection.

• The castle is not accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

The Castle of the Moors(Castelo dos Mouros) is about 18.5 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Lisbon. Take the Sintra train line and then the Sintra-Pena tourist bus 434 straight to the castle. There are also three hiking trails from the Sintra area to the castle, ranging from 45-minute to 1.5-hour walks.

When to Get There

The castle is open daily from 9:30am to 8pm during the summer season and 10am to 6pm during the winter season. Last admission is one hour before closing. Visit early in the day during the summer to avoid the heat.

A Castle Worth the Hike

When visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra, it’s impossible to miss the Castle of the Moors(Castelo dos Mouros). Built upon a 1,312-foot-high (400-meter) hill, this medieval stone castle offers some of the best views of Sintra, with Pena National Palace on one side and the Sintra National Palace on the other. The steep hike is well worth the amazing views, and on a clear day, you can even spot the Atlantic Ocean from the King’s Tower.

Ways to explore

Many travelers visit the Castle of the Moors as part of guided tours that include multiple Sintra highlights. Full-day excursions from Lisbon—available as small-group or private tours—often combine the castle with nearby attractions such as Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Sintra National Palace. These tours usually include round-trip transportation and entry to attractions. Some itineraries also stop in the coastal town of Cascais. For a more tailored experience, private tours offer flexible scheduling and the ability to focus on specific sites or spend more time exploring at your own pace.

Accessibility

The castle is partially wheelchair-accessible, and wheelchairs are available to borrow if reserved in advance.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Bottled water, snacks, small bag, sun protection

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, hat, layers

Not allowed

Going off designated paths, climbing on ruins, littering

Amenities

Café, visitor center, restrooms

Address

The Castle of the Moors is located in Sintra. Visitors often come here by train or on a sightseeing tour that stops at multiple historic sites in Sintra, such as the Pena National Palace.

Driving

If you’re driving from Lisbon to the Castle of the Moors, you can follow the IC19 road, and the journey takes around 40 minutes. However, there isn’t a parking lot, so it’s best to park in Sintra’s historic center.

Public transportation

Traveling by public transportation is easy and convenient. Ride from either Oriente, Rossio, or Entrecampos stations in Lisbon to Sintra in under an hour, then walk to the castle in 20 minutes, or get a taxi.

Best times to visit

If you can arrive in the morning, just after the castle opens, it’s likely to be less busy than later on in the day.

Best days to visit

Come on weekdays to escape the bigger weekend crowds. Mondays through Thursdays are typically the least busy.

Best months to visit

For mild weather and smaller crowds, come in spring (April to May) or fall (September to October).

Special events

Festivals and special events: The castle itself doesn’t have any special annual events, but July is a fun time to visit the town of Sintra for the Sintra Medieval Fair.