{"id":114055,"date":"2022-11-23T11:54:08","date_gmt":"2022-11-23T07:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/?p=114055"},"modified":"2025-06-16T09:30:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T05:30:14","slug":"national-palace-of-sintra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/national-palace-of-sintra\/","title":{"rendered":"National Palace of Sintra in Lisbon, the ultimate guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Located in the heart of Sintra, is one of the most iconic landmarks of Portugal- the National Palace of Sintra. Also known as the Town Palace, the National Palace of Sintra is the only palace in the entire history of Portugal. Its two conical chimneys are its most distinguishing features and on a clear day, you can easily see them from afar. <\/p>\n

Inhabited for almost eight centuries by the Portuguese monarchy and court, the National Palace of Sintra was widely used during the Middle Ages. The National Palace of Sintra served as a hunting retreat and summer resort for the Portuguese nobility and even functioned as a place of refuge for Sintra’s population during the outbreak of the disease in the capital. <\/p>\n

Why You Must Visit National Palace of Sintra<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

The National Palace of Sintra or the Palacio Nacional de Sintra is one of the best-preserved medieval royal palaces and is worth a visit if you are in Lisbon<\/a>, Portugal. A favorite of the Portuguese nobility, the National Palace of Sintra was the residence of the Portuguese monarchy and court from the early fifteenth century through to the late nineteenth century. <\/p>\n

The National Palace of Sintra is considered to be one of the best examples of organic architecture and its two massive protruding conical chimneys have become a landmark of the town of Sintra. Over here, you will find the largest set of Mud\u00e9jar tiles and a collection of Portuguese decorative art from the sixteenth century to the eighteenth century. <\/p>\n

The Palace is filled with memories and has borne testimony to some of the most defining moments in the history of Portugal. So if you want to learn about Portugal\u2019s rich history and its multicultural artifacts and architectural styles, add the National Palace of Sintra to your itinerary. <\/p>\n

Our Best Recommended National Palace of Sintra Tickets<\/h2>\n

While planning your visit to the National Palace of Sintra, choose between skip-the-line tickets<\/a> and combo deals<\/a> that let you club your visit to the National Palace of Sintra with either the Pena Palace<\/a>, Monserrate Palace<\/a> or the National Palace of Queluz and its Gardens. <\/p>\n

National Palace of Sintra’s History<\/h2>\n

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The National Palace of Sintra is the oldest in Portugal. The first document that testified to the existence of a palace in Ch\u00e3o da Oliva was found in 1281. According to the document, King Dinis entered into a contract with the free Moors of Colares wherein he agreed to lower their fiscal burden in exchange for their efforts to conserve the palace. Of all the palaces in Portugal, the National Palace of Sintra survives almost intact since its discovery in 1281. <\/p>\n

At the end of the Middle Ages, the National Palace of Sintra was the center of a large territory that was under the care of the Queens of Portugal. During this time, the National Palace of Sintra also became the preferred destination for the Portuguese monarchs. The abundance of hunting in the region, the fresh climate during summers, and the need to take refuge during periods of plague all contributed to making the National Palace of Sintra a regular destination and not just a summer or hunting resort. <\/p>\n

From the early fifteenth century through to the late nineteenth century, the National Palace of Sintra served as the royal residence of the Portuguese nobility. However, the revolution of 1910 put an abrupt end to the Palace as a royal residence. Queen Maria Pia, who was the widow of King Lu\u00ecs, was the last royal inhabitant of the National Palace of Sintra, and she eventually left the Palace to go into exile. <\/p>\n

National Palace of Sintra’s Unique Architecture<\/h2>\n

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The National Palace of Sintra emerges from many royal palaces, but King Jo\u00e3o can be credited for the original layout of the palace which includes its whitewashed fa\u00e7ade, the main entrance, and its central courtyard-\u2019Al Joanina\u2019. The most distinguishing and well-known feature of the National Palace of Sintra is its two large, conjoined, and conical chimneys that can easily be seen from afar. The National Palace of Sintra is a mixture of different architectural styles such as gothic, Manueline, mud\u00e9jar, medieval, Renaissance, and romanticism. Not only does this amalgamation of different architectural styles depict the multicultural nature of Portugal but it also reflects the latest architectural trends of the different periods in Portuguese history. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The current structure of the National Palace of Sintra is due to the construction campaigns led by its various royal tenants. King Dinis constructed the Chapel and King Jo\u00e3o created the quarters around the central patio and the Swan Room. King Manuel I, added the Room of the Coat of the Arms to the National Palace of Sintra, some decorative features, and the Hispano-Moresque tile furnishings. By the end of his reign, the National Palace of Sintra was the most grandiose of all the places in Portugal. King Jo\u00e3o III built a new palace by connecting the Room of the Coat of Arms with the chambers of Queen Catherine of Austria. In 1910, the National Palace of Sintra was declared a national monument and in 1930, the Palace opened its doors to the public. <\/p>\n

Inside the National Palace of Sintra – Highlights<\/h2>\n

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Gardens<\/h4>\n

The Gardens of the National Palace of Sintra extend across the terraces to the west of the Palace. On the first level is the Preta Garden which is a historical center that has magnificent views of the hills of Sintra. Other gardens that make up the National Palace of Sintra Gardens include the Araucaria garden, Kitchen garden, Princes\u2019 garden, and the Tanquinhos Patio. <\/p>\n

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Manueline Room<\/h4>\n

This room depicts three different political realities of Portuguese history. Under the regime of King Manuel I, the Manueline Room depicted the medieval noble regime. From 1822 onwards, the room became less of a royal residence and moved towards a more domestic regime that is closer to the current models. During the Estado Novo time, the room depicted the dictatorial ideology of this group. <\/p>\n

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Room of the Canopy Bed <\/h4>\n

The room of the Canopy Bed in the National Palace of Sintra borrows its name from the seventeenth-century canopied bed that is found here. This bed was the property of the Dukes of Cadaval. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the room functioned as a dining room for the staff who were in service of Queen Maria Pia-the last royal inhabitant of the National Palace of Sintra. <\/p>\n

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Arab Room<\/h4>\n

The Arab Room in the National Palace of Sintra was the most severely affected in the palace after the earthquake in 1755. This room is a treasure trove of artifacts that display the different histories that made up the reconstruction and reconfiguration of the National Palace of Sintra. <\/p>\n

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Chapel<\/h4>\n

The Chapel at the National Palace of Sintra was originally constructed during the reign of King Dinis and Isabel of Aragon. The Chapel played host to simultaneous religious services that paid homage to God and the King. The Mud\u00e9jar ceiling in the Chapel is one of the best-preserved architectural features of the National Palace of Sintra.<\/p>\n

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Chamber of Alfonso VI <\/h4>\n

The Chamber of Alfonso VI is the oldest section of the National Palace of Sintra. The Chamber of Alfonso VI is a fortified structure that was built to defend the surrounding lands. In Portuguese history, the Queen was the highest authority and her chambers were located in this area. But in the seventeenth century, the chamber became a prison for King Alfonso VI. <\/p>\n

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Room of Coats of Arms<\/h4>\n

The Room of the Coats of Arms contains the coat of arms of King Manuel I and his son. It also has the coat of arms of seventy-two of the leading Portuguese noble households. The inscription in this room recalls the memories of the services provided by its ancestors and the walls of the room are painted with scenes of gallantry in the eighteenth century. <\/p>\n

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The Galley Room<\/h4>\n

The Galley Room is named so because of the galleys painted on its ceiling. The Galley Room or the Great Hall was the first room of the National Palace of Sintra that was built by King Jo\u00e3o III. The room interlinks the main chambers of the palace to the south with the north-western wing of the National Palace of Sintra. <\/p>\n

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The Swan Room<\/h4>\n

The Swan Room corresponds to the Great Hall in the National Palace of Sintra. During the nineteenth century, the Swan Room brought the court together as a place for banquets, musical concerts, public receptions, religious ceremonies, and even funeral ceremonies. <\/p>\n

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Palace Guard Room<\/h4>\n

To access the National Palace of Sintra, visitors had to go past the Palace Guard Room. When the National Palace of Sintra was the royal residence for Portuguese nobility, ceremonial guards would be standing there with halberds in their hands. These weapons soon became a symbol of distinction in Portuguese history. <\/p>\n

Best Time to Visit National Palace of Sintra<\/h2>\n

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The best time to visit the National Palace of Sintra is in the spring and early autumn seasons. During this time, the weather is bright and sunny without the extreme summer heat. By visiting the National Palace of Sintra during this time you will be able to avoid the summer crowds that throng the city during the high tourist season from July to August. During this time, the National Palace of Sintra tends to be very busy throughout the day. <\/p>\n

The National Palace of Sintra is one of the most visited sights in Portugal and visiting the city during the off-season will not only help you avoid large crowds and long queues but it will also reduce your waiting time at the National Palace of Sintra. <\/p>\n

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Must See In Sintra<\/h2>\n

Looking to explore the best of Sintra? Read this post that takes you through a list of must see attractions in Sintra<\/a><\/p>\n

National Palace of Sintra – Opening Hours<\/h2>\n

National Palace of Sintra Hours<\/h3>\n

The National Palace of Sintra is open from 9:30am to 6:30pm. The gardens at the Palace remain open from 9am to 6:30pm. The last ticket and admission to the National Palace of Sintra are at 6pm, so plan your visit accordingly. <\/p>\n

How to get to the National Palace Of Sintra<\/h2>\n