Moorish Castle
Explore Moorish Castle in Sintra. Opt for skip-the-line tickets or combo options. Dive into history with audio guides and enjoy panoramic views.
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Step into Portugal’s past at Sintra’s 9th-century Moorish Castle. Entry includes access to the full complex and scenic marked hiking trails.
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Discover the storied walls, Islamic settlement, and medieval necropolis as you wander this military fortress set atop Sintra’s lush hills.
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Climb the castle's ancient ramparts to savor panoramic views stretching from the Pena Palace to the Atlantic Ocean.
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Add extra depth to your visit with a multilingual audio guide or join an English guided tour filled with tales of Moorish rule and Christian conquest.
More details
-
Step into Portugal’s past at Sintra’s 9th-century Moorish Castle. Entry includes access to the full complex and scenic marked hiking trails.
-
Discover the storied walls, Islamic settlement, and medieval necropolis as you wander this military fortress set atop Sintra’s lush hills.
-
Climb the castle's ancient ramparts to savor panoramic views stretching from the Pena Palace to the Atlantic Ocean.
-
Add extra depth to your visit with a multilingual audio guide or join an English guided tour filled with tales of Moorish rule and Christian conquest.
-
Get full access to 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites of Sintra, Quinta de Regaleira, and Moorish Castle.
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Explore the defensive stronghold of the Moorish Castle and learn about its strategic military role, and climb up the castle’s watchtower to enjoy views of Sintra’s hills and cityscapes.
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Marvel at Quinta da Regaleira, an architectural masterpiece blending Renaissance, Gothic, and Manueline styles. Think Initiation Wells, grottoes, and sprawling gardens.
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Dive deeper into the histories of these landmarks with a multilingual audio guide curated by expert locals.
More details
-
Get full access to 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites of Sintra, Quinta de Regaleira, and Moorish Castle.
-
Explore the defensive stronghold of the Moorish Castle and learn about its strategic military role, and climb up the castle’s watchtower to enjoy views of Sintra’s hills and cityscapes.
-
Marvel at Quinta da Regaleira, an architectural masterpiece blending Renaissance, Gothic, and Manueline styles. Think Initiation Wells, grottoes, and sprawling gardens.
-
Dive deeper into the histories of these landmarks with a multilingual audio guide curated by expert locals.
-
Explore the 8th century military-style Moorish Castle, and 20th century fairytale Pena Palace with entry to both attractions in one convenient combo.
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Climb up Moorish Castle's watch tower or admire the thought behind the Second Ring of Walls, designed to protect its people and harvest.
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At Pena Palace, enjoy the eclectic mix of neo-Gothic, Manueline, and Islamic elements, then walk through the massive Pena Park dotted with statues, small ponds, and benches.
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Upgrade your basic ticket with an audio guide packed with stories, legends, and secrets to enhance your visit to both UNESCO sites!
More details
-
Explore the 8th century military-style Moorish Castle, and 20th century fairytale Pena Palace with entry to both attractions in one convenient combo.
-
Climb up Moorish Castle's watch tower or admire the thought behind the Second Ring of Walls, designed to protect its people and harvest.
-
At Pena Palace, enjoy the eclectic mix of neo-Gothic, Manueline, and Islamic elements, then walk through the massive Pena Park dotted with statues, small ponds, and benches.
-
Upgrade your basic ticket with an audio guide packed with stories, legends, and secrets to enhance your visit to both UNESCO sites!
-
Travel from Lisbon to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais in an air-conditioned vehicle with an expert guide for a seamless experience.
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Explore Sintra’s iconic palaces, lush gardens, and mysterious tunnels with stories brought to life by your guide.
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Wander the charming streets of Cascais, enjoy free time for seaside strolls, shopping, or sampling local cuisine.
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Choose your preferred language and upgrade for Pena Palace, Pena Park, and Quinta da Regaleira tickets with guided visits for deeper discovery.
More details
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Travel from Lisbon to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais in an air-conditioned vehicle with an expert guide for a seamless experience.
-
Explore Sintra’s iconic palaces, lush gardens, and mysterious tunnels with stories brought to life by your guide.
-
Wander the charming streets of Cascais, enjoy free time for seaside strolls, shopping, or sampling local cuisine.
-
Choose your preferred language and upgrade for Pena Palace, Pena Park, and Quinta da Regaleira tickets with guided visits for deeper discovery.
10% off
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Enjoy a guided tour of the Moorish Castle with an expert, English-speaking guide who offers fascinating insights into its history and architecture.
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Learn more about its military-centric architecture as you explore its fortress-like construction, rugged walls, and high towers.
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Take in sweeping views of Sintra, spot the vibrant Pena Palace, and admire the rolling hills from the castle’s vantage points.
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Tour the Moorish Castle Interpretation Centre (or the Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim), which houses objects from various archaeological excavations.
More details
-
Enjoy a guided tour of the Moorish Castle with an expert, English-speaking guide who offers fascinating insights into its history and architecture.
-
Learn more about its military-centric architecture as you explore its fortress-like construction, rugged walls, and high towers.
-
Take in sweeping views of Sintra, spot the vibrant Pena Palace, and admire the rolling hills from the castle’s vantage points.
-
Tour the Moorish Castle Interpretation Centre (or the Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim), which houses objects from various archaeological excavations.
-
Looking for the best views of Sintra? Head up to the 10th-century Moorish Castle, where you can admire its sturdy walls, towers, and ramparts.
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See relics dating back to the Bronze Age and enjoy some of the best views of Sintra and beyond, including the Atlantic Ocean, from atop.
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Gain entry to Monserrate Palace which served as a summer residence for British royalty and aristocracy.
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Wander through Portugal's lush botanical paradise, featuring picturesque grottos, and over 3,000 species of plants from various continents.
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Fun fact: Monserrate Palace has served as a filming location for several movies such as "The House of the Spirits" (1993) and "The Ninth Gate" (1999).
More details
-
Looking for the best views of Sintra? Head up to the 10th-century Moorish Castle, where you can admire its sturdy walls, towers, and ramparts.
-
See relics dating back to the Bronze Age and enjoy some of the best views of Sintra and beyond, including the Atlantic Ocean, from atop.
-
Gain entry to Monserrate Palace which served as a summer residence for British royalty and aristocracy.
-
Wander through Portugal's lush botanical paradise, featuring picturesque grottos, and over 3,000 species of plants from various continents.
-
Fun fact: Monserrate Palace has served as a filming location for several movies such as "The House of the Spirits" (1993) and "The Ninth Gate" (1999).
5% off
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Visit the historic St. George’s Castle in Lisbon, a prominent landmark set atop the city with captivating 360-degree panoramic views, and discover the castle's long-standing history through curated Permanent Exhibitions.
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Explore the architectural marvels of St. George’s Castle, from the citadel to towers and terraces. Admire the artistry of sculptures such as Afonso I of Portugal amidst the serenity of the castle's lush green gardens.
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Step back in time with a visit to the Moorish Castle, a fortress with a rich history of changing allegiances. This ancient fortification offers magnificent views of Sintra's landscape, the Atlantic Ocean, and beyond.
-
Immerse yourself in the history of the Moorish Castle with an optional digital audio guide. Learn about the castle's past, and its conquests, and admire artifacts from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and the Neolithic period.
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Fun fact: St. George’s Castle is home to a group of resident peacocks that freely roam and add a unique charm to the castle grounds.
More details
-
Visit the historic St. George’s Castle in Lisbon, a prominent landmark set atop the city with captivating 360-degree panoramic views, and discover the castle's long-standing history through curated Permanent Exhibitions.
-
Explore the architectural marvels of St. George’s Castle, from the citadel to towers and terraces. Admire the artistry of sculptures such as Afonso I of Portugal amidst the serenity of the castle's lush green gardens.
-
Step back in time with a visit to the Moorish Castle, a fortress with a rich history of changing allegiances. This ancient fortification offers magnificent views of Sintra's landscape, the Atlantic Ocean, and beyond.
-
Immerse yourself in the history of the Moorish Castle with an optional digital audio guide. Learn about the castle's past, and its conquests, and admire artifacts from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and the Neolithic period.
-
Fun fact: St. George’s Castle is home to a group of resident peacocks that freely roam and add a unique charm to the castle grounds.
5% off
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About Moorish Castle
Castelo dos Mouros, whose remains can be seen from far above Sintra, was a formidable fortress that protected the whole area from the Moors during the eighth and twelfth centuries. Built on a steep rocky cliff, the fortress gave the Moors a commanding view of the shore and the countryside beyond. Today, the Moorish castle provides a welcome respite from Sintra's other tourist destinations, and it has preserved the serene atmosphere that so impressed King Ferdinand II.
The highest tower of the Moorish Castle-the Royal Tower is located towards the southwest of the castle.
The chapel that you see inside the castle was constructed using limestone and masonry.
Before the ‘Reconquista,’ the chapel functioned as a mosque.
You can see as far as the Atlantic Ocean from the Moorish Castle.
The Castle was constructed as a defensive and fortified structure. It was used to protect the surrounding areas and keep an eye on the maritime routes through which Lisbon could be accessed.
Why visit Moorish Castle?
Highlights
Second Ring of Walls
When the Knights Templar took over the defense and care of the Castle, they reinforced the existing structures by adding a second line of walls to protect the animals, harvest, and population better. This added wall of protection was called the Second Ring of Walls, the requirement of which indicates a sizeable population in the immediate vicinity of the castle.
Silos
Like various other settles that came both before and after the Moors, the Castle also had a considerable amount of silos used for storing leguminous harvest and cereal. Inside the Castle, their cavities have been found in the rocky substrate, semi-spherically shaped, varying in depths and sizes.
Islamic Neighbourhood
Over the course of many archaeological digs, experts have found numerous items that help us garner a sense of topological Islamic material vulture that prevailed between the 10th and 12th centuries. Artifacts such as baking dishes, bowls, jugs, pots, pans, and more can also be found in addition to a considerable number of instruments used for weaving.
Tomb
When Ferdinand II set about commissioning works at the Castle, parts of the Christian burial grounds were destroyed due to which a tomb had to be built in order to house the bones found there. Since it was jot possible at that time to distinguish if they were Christian or Moorish human remains, the inscription reads, “What man brought together, only God may separate”.
Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim
Built of granite, the thick walls of the church were both in the 12th century after Afonso Henriques took over and remained a place of worship till the 14th century. Ferdinand II later transformed the building into a romantic ruin set in the Park of Pena. Today, the Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim stands as the Moorish Castle Interpretation Centre.
Christian Medieval Necropolis
The conquest by Afonso Henriques led to the Islamic neighborhoods being destroyed and a Christian burial site was built in its stead. Archaeological findings point to the fact that the cemetery was in use for about 300 years in addition to artifacts with Neolithic chronology being found.
Former Stables
Adjacent to the eastern wall, there are remains of structures that seem to have been covered at one point although their function has not been determined yet. The most popular theory is that these spaces were used as stables and then to house domestic animals.
Cistern
With a massive capacity of 600 cubic meters, the Cistern at the Moorish Castle was covered with a vault and two ventilation chimneys. The Cistern served the dual purpose of providing refuge to people within the castle when they were forced to sit out a siege, and by supplying the water needed by the inhabitants of the Moorish Castle.
Door of Betrayal
The Door of Betrayal was located in the most uneven and least used part of the Moorish castle. During times of conflict, the door provided discrete access to the outside world and in extreme times, it was used for flight. Since the door was just an opening in the wall, enemies could use it to enter the castle as well.
Castle Keep
The Castle Keep was a small stronghold where the local authorities lived, and was a part of the main Keep Tower of the Moorish Castle. Built at one of the highest points, the Castle Keep was a highly fortified structure that was visible from the Atlantic Ocean and across the surrounding plains to the north of the hills.
Plan your visit
Main Entrance (Eastern Wall)
This is the doorway that tourists use to enter the castle grounds. It's the most well-maintained and has easy access for visitors.
Secondary Entrance (Western Wall)
There's another opening on the western side of the castle walls. This used to be a postern gate, a smaller entrance used for specific purposes like bringing in supplies.
Last Ticket and last admission is at 5:30pm
There are restrooms available within the vicinity of the castle.
A souvenir shop is located inside the castle grounds.
While some parts of the castle, like the Moorish Castle Church and the gift shop, are wheelchair accessible, the majority of the grounds involve steep paths and uneven surfaces. If you have mobility restrictions, it's best to check with the staff beforehand to see if a wheelchair is available and discuss the accessible route.
There's a designated disabled person's car parking space, and a wheelchair is available for loan with prior reservation. A lifting platform is also available to bring visitors using wheelchairs to the higher parts of the castle walls. Most staff also underwent basic Portuguese Sign Language training for better communication with hearing-impaired visitors.
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