Castelo dos Mouros

About the museum

Castelo dos Mouros stands on an isolated rocky outcrop on one of the peaks of the Sintra hills. Archaeology shows that the area was already occupied between the 10th and 8th centuries BC. After the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, the rock was fortified between the 8th and 9th centuries, with the aim of controlling the land routes linking Sintra with Mafra, Cascais and Lisbon.

At the beginning of the 12th century, Sintra was tied to the fate of Lisbon and Santarém and changed hands between Christian and Muslim powers. Inside and around the walls, traces from various periods survive: a second circuit of walls, silos, a cistern, the former stables, an Islamic quarter, the church of São Pedro de Canaferrim and a medieval Christian necropolis.

The castle has been classified as a National Monument since 1910 and is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is managed by Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua and is visited by a route along the walls, with views over the hills, the town of Sintra and the sea.

Highlights

• Walls with views over the town of Sintra and the Atlantic
• Islamic quarter and silos
• Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim and medieval necropolis
• Cistern, Praça de Armas and Porta da Traição
• Dogs are welcome

Operated by

Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Portugal have free admission on Sundays and national public holidays, on presentation of the Cartão de Cidadão or another identity document and a certificate of residence at the ticket office with in-person service.

Prices: adult (18–64 years) €12, young person (6–17 years) €10, senior (over 65) €10. Buying tickets for more than one site in the same purchase gives a discount (5% for 2 sites, 6% for 3, 7% for 4, 8% for 5 and 10% for 6). The Amigo dos Parques de Sintra card allows visits to the monuments as often as you like for one year. The ticket is valid only for the chosen date; the date can be changed until 18:00 the day before.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The route to the interior of the walls is accessible to people with reduced mobility, with some very steep sections where traction equipment is recommended. The Igreja do Castelo (Castle Church) is accessible by vertical platform lift, and a platform takes visitors in wheelchairs as far as the limit of the walls. Manual wheelchairs and traction equipment are available by reservation, along with a reserved parking space.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Parques de Sintra organises family activities for children aged 3 to 12 and birthday parties at various monuments.

Getting there & parking

There are walking routes from the town of Sintra.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Castle shop; the cafés (visitor support centre, inside the walls and the Casa do Guarda) were temporarily closed at the time of consultation.

Events & venue rental

Parques de Sintra makes 24 spaces at various monuments available for events; the conditions are set out in the brochure and the regulations on the company's website.

Plan your visit