The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) is a majestic sight on a forest-covered mountain peak looming over Sintra's old town below. For convenient travel and a great experience, MADABOUTSINTRA.COM is your go-to guide for directions and the top sights to visit. Get your Skip-the-Line e-ticket here and maximise your experience, save time and money.
The Castle is named after the Moors who built a mighty fortification on this spot in the 10th Century. The ramparts you see now are, however, much more recent. During the 19th Century, when Sintra was engulfed in Romanticism, the walls were restored to their former glory. Ferdinand II, the German prince of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry and husband of Queen Maria II, built the Pena Palace and incorporated the Castle in his plans for the surrounding park. Today the Castle makes for a great excursion, exploring the ruins, taking in the views and exploring the surrounding forest.
With this entrance ticket, you can gain entry to Moorish Castle at your leisure. Buy online before you arrive to avoid queues and have the convenience of the e-ticket on your phone. Book with confidence with the FREE CANCELLATION option.
Book with confidence with the FREE CANCELLATION option.
• Kids under Six get in free, no ticket required
• If your plans change we have you covered with the option to cancel and get a full refund
Daily: 09h00 – 18h30, (last admission 17h30)
Lisbon Card: 10% discount
Contact Details
2710-405 Sintra, Portugal.
38° 47' 33.9" N | 09° 23' 21.9" W | +351 219 237 300
info@parquesdesintra.pt | Website
Moorish Castle walls
Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of human habitation on the site dating back to the Bronze Age. Further exploration has revealed that the site has been in almost constant use ever since. The Moors built the first castle on this site after gaining control of the area in the 8th and 9th centuries. After the conquest of Lisbon in 1147 by Christian forces led by Afonso Henriques, the castle surrendered without a struggle. The current configuration of the walls is a result of the modifications made shortly after the Christian takeover.
Two sets of ramparts run irregularly around the granite boulders that dot these hills and along the peaks of the sharp and steep cliff faces. The area between the two walls would have accommodated the population who serviced the needs of the castle. Traces of the original Islamic community can be found here, including the foundations of their homes, an oven, and granaries. Close to the entrance of the inner section, there's a restored building, the 12th-century Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim, which houses an information centre containing archaeological finds and an exhibition explaining the castle's history.
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Queluz National Palace, the Moorish Castle and the Mafra National Palace, a Basilica and a Convent. You will get to know the splendid village of Ericeira, one of the few places in the world that have been declared a World Surfing Reserve. You will be dazzled by the José Franco Typical Village and its miniature museum. It demonstrates the various daily activities of the early twentieth century.
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The tour will be a day trip where travellers can enjoy the different faces of Sintra. From the historic centre and the marvellous monuments to the coastline, where small villages are nestled between the rocks and the sea. The itinerary is designed in a way guests can visit the most popular spots. Discover the hidden treasures only the locals know of and taste the fantastic Portuguese cuisine. We will avoid crowds and your tour is 100% customisable.
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Through the eyes of a former journalist, in love with Portugal and Portuguese culture and history. Come to Sintra to see palaces and monuments that make the history of Portugal in the 18th and 19th centuries. You don't have to wait in line to buy a ticket and go ahead without wasting time. Stop for lunch at a typical Portuguese restaurant on the seafront or in the picturesque village centre. Get to know the coast of Sintra and the westernmost point of Continental Europe; Cabo da Roca. A day well spent taken at your own pace. This tour is a unique and personalised experience. Guaranteed an unforgettable day!
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The castle is mostly an empty shell. The walls were restored to be admired from below. However, if you venture inside the inner walls, you'll discover an ancient cistern. The cistern has a capacity of over 600 cubic metres of water. Its granite blocks appear to have been recycled from an earlier structure. Interestingly, there are no signs of stonemasonry marks, and the access doorway features a broken arch, suggesting that the cistern was built in the early 13th century. According to legend, the cistern sits on top of a burial site of a Moorish king.
The spacious square used to be a parade ground for the garrison soldiers, but King Ferdinand II transformed it into a serene park. As you stroll along the ramparts, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and get a bird's-eye view of several of Sintra's notable landmarks. Moreover, the keep, situated on one of the highest points of the area, offers a stunning view of the grand Pena Palace looming above.
Moorish Castle of Sintra
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There are two cafeterias inside the main castle walls with ramped seating area. | |
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Toilets can ne found at the entrance to the grounds, at the guardhouse and also inside the main walls close to the cafés. | |
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There are two small carparks close to the main entrance to the grounds. Recommend parking in the centre of Sintra and taking the Scotturb bus #434. | |
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You can book a private tour: info@parquesdesintra.pt | +351 219 237 300 | |
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Sign language trained staff, manual wheelchairs available on reservation, traction equipment for wheelchairs, ramps are implemented in certain areas and the ramparts, and an adapted WC. Vertical lifting platform at the Church/Exhibition room. |
There are hiking trails signposted between the historic centre and the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros):
SANTA MARIA TRAIL
Starting point: “Info Parques de Sintra”, in S. Pedro de Sintra
Distance: 1,770 metres | Duration: 1 hour
SETEAIS TRAIL
Starting point: Palace of Seteais
Distance: 2,410 metres
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Take the IC19 from Lisbon, IC30 from Mafra or EN9 turning off the A5 motorway to Cascais. Once you have arrived in the town's historic centre it's best to leave the car and take the #434 bus to the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros). | |
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The Scotturb bus #434 leaves from Sintra Train station, stops in the Old Town centre next to the Tourist Office and takes you to the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros). |
Daily: 09h00 – 18h30, (last admission 17h30)
Contact Details
2710-405 Sintra, Portugal.
38° 47' 33.9" N | 09° 23' 21.9" W | +351 219 237 300
info@parquesdesintra.pt | Website
View of National Palace from the Moorish Castle
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