Palácio Nacional de Sintra

About the museum

The Palácio Nacional de Sintra, also called the Palácio da Vila, goes back to an earlier palace of the Muslim period that passed into royal possession. The present building grew from the 15th century, above all after 1489, when a campaign of works began to lighten the mass of the building and enrich the interior with Andalusian azulejos.

Between 1505 and 1520 the so-called Manueline wing was built, and in 1508 construction of the Sala dos Brasões began. Later the space between the Joanine and Manueline wings was joined, and in the 17th century there were alterations and extensions. Between 1683 and 1706 the ceiling paintings of some rooms were renewed. The complex is an example of organic architecture, formed by several bodies linked by courtyards, staircases, corridors and galleries, in which medieval, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance and Romantic elements mix.

The royal family used the palace almost until the end of the monarchy in 1910. It was here, according to tradition, that D. Manuel I received the news of the discovery of Brazil. The building has been listed as a National Monument since 1910 and is now managed by Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua.

Highlights

• Sala dos Brasões
• Sala das Pegas
• 16th-century Hispano-Moorish azulejos
• Manueline wing and Sala Manuelina
• Café in the Pátio do Leão and free-entry gardens

Operated by

Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Portugal enter free on Sundays and national public holidays, on presentation of the Cartão de Cidadão or an identity document and proof of residence at a staffed ticket office.

Essential visit prices: adult €13, young person (6–17 years) €10, senior (over 65) €10. Children under 6 do not pay. The gardens are free to enter. 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: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance has several flights of steps; people with reduced mobility enter through the kitchen, which has a permanent ramp, and the rest of the visit is only partly accessible (about 1,820 m²). There is a stair-climbing device operated by staff, lifting platforms, an accessible shop and toilet, a wheelchair that can be reserved, and a tactile three-dimensional model of the palace.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

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

Getting there & parking

On foot, the railway station is 10–15 minutes from the palace (GPS coordinates: 38°47′50.50″ N, 9°23′25.87″ W).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Pátio do Leão café (09:30–18:30), accessible from outside through the gardens; palace shop at the end of the circuit (10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:30).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit