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 history as you visit the Moorish Castle, a 9th-century fortress nestled in the lush hills of Sintra, offering a journey through Portugal’s rich past.
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Explore the 9th-century castle ruins, surrounded by dense forest and perched high above Sintra’s rolling hills.
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Take in sweeping views of the Pena Palace and the Atlantic Ocean from the castle’s ancient walkways.
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Your ticket includes a digital audio guide in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French for a richer visit.
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Did you know? The Moorish Castle is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits 412 meters above sea level.
More details
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Step into history as you visit the Moorish Castle, a 9th-century fortress nestled in the lush hills of Sintra, offering a journey through Portugal’s rich past.
-
Explore the 9th-century castle ruins, surrounded by dense forest and perched high above Sintra’s rolling hills.
-
Take in sweeping views of the Pena Palace and the Atlantic Ocean from the castle’s ancient walkways.
-
Your ticket includes a digital audio guide in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French for a richer visit.
-
Did you know? The Moorish Castle is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sits 412 meters above sea level.
-
Go on a history lesson as you explore the defensive stronghold of the Moorish Castle and learn about its strategic military role.
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Climb up the castle’s watchtower, a fine example of Moorish military design, from where you can enjoy views of Sintra’s hills and more on a clear day.
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Discover the architectural wonders of the Quinta da Regaleira, designed by Luigi Manini with a mix of Renaissance, Gothic, and Manueline styles.
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Explore the Quinta’s Initiation Wells and grottoes, along with its sprawling gardens that spread far and wide around the structure.
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Dive deeper into the histories of these landmarks with the benefit of an audio guide in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French.
More details
-
Go on a history lesson as you explore the defensive stronghold of the Moorish Castle and learn about its strategic military role.
-
Climb up the castle’s watchtower, a fine example of Moorish military design, from where you can enjoy views of Sintra’s hills and more on a clear day.
-
Discover the architectural wonders of the Quinta da Regaleira, designed by Luigi Manini with a mix of Renaissance, Gothic, and Manueline styles.
-
Explore the Quinta’s Initiation Wells and grottoes, along with its sprawling gardens that spread far and wide around the structure.
-
Dive deeper into the histories of these landmarks with the benefit of an audio guide in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French.
-
Explore the military-style architecture of the Moorish Castle, a 9th-century fortification that offers spectacular views of the Pena Palace & the Sintra hills.
-
Climb up its watch tower or take in the thought behind the castle’s Second Ring of Walls, designed to protect the people and harvest.
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Take in the Romanticist architecture of the stunning Pena Palace, which also features an intricate mix of neo-Gothic, Manueline, and Islamic elements.
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Walk through 200 acres of lush gardens that surround the palace and are dotted with statues, small ponds, benches, and so much more.
More details
-
Explore the military-style architecture of the Moorish Castle, a 9th-century fortification that offers spectacular views of the Pena Palace & the Sintra hills.
-
Climb up its watch tower or take in the thought behind the castle’s Second Ring of Walls, designed to protect the people and harvest.
-
Take in the Romanticist architecture of the stunning Pena Palace, which also features an intricate mix of neo-Gothic, Manueline, and Islamic elements.
-
Walk through 200 acres of lush gardens that surround the palace and are dotted with statues, small ponds, benches, and so much more.
-
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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Explore the aesthetic changes made during the castle’s Romantic restoration under King Ferdinand II in the 19th century.
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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.
-
Explore the aesthetic changes made during the castle’s Romantic restoration under King Ferdinand II in the 19th century.
-
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.
2% 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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