How To Get To The Moorish Castle In Sintra Portugal
Planning to visit the magnificent Moorish Castle in Sintra? If so, this article is for you.
The Moorish Castle is a medieval 8th century stone castle perched high up in the hills of Sintra, and a must-see attraction while in town. From Sintra’s historic center, it’s a steep hike, or a short drive to reach the castle’s entrance.
This article will cover step by step directions to the Moorish Castle, with transportation options, a map, entrance fees, and a few essential tips for visiting.
Here is everything you need to know before visiting the Moorish Castle.
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How To Get To The Moorish Castle
The best way to get to the Moorish Castle is to ride the 434 tourist bus, or take a taxi/Uber to the entrance. From the historic center, it’s a very strenuous uphill hike through the forest, with many stairs.
I made the mistake of doing the hike, and it took me over an hour just to reach the entrance. Additionally, there’s no cell service, so it’s easy to veer off of trail as you approach the Moorish castle.
Unless you’re looking for an intense workout, I highly recommend using transportation instead. Here’s what you can expect out of the hike.
The cheapest transportation option is the 434 tourist bus, which will take you directly to the entrance from Sintra’s train station or the historic center. It’s €13.50 for an all day-use ticket (hop-on/hop-off), or €4.55 for a single ride.
Once you arrive at the entrance, it’s a short 10 minute walk on a well-marked path to get to the Moorish Castle.
Entrance to the castle is €12/person, and there’s kiosks on site where you can buy tickets with cash or card. You can purchase your tickets online beforehand as well.
The Pena Palace is a short 20 minute walk from the Moorish Castle. It’s slightly uphill and relatively easy, so it doesn’t matter as much which you choose to visit first.
At the Moorish Castle entrance, you’ll find a variety of taxis/tuk tuks that will offer to drive you to the Pena Palace.
The 434 tourist bus is the most popular way to get to the Pena Palace and Moorish Castle, so keep in mind that it may be crowded. If you’re visiting during peak season in the summer, you may want to consider hiring an Uber/Bolt or Taxi.
Thankfully, Uber and taxi rides to the top of the mountain are relatively cheap. Additionally, they offer everything from private tuk tuk tours to horse drawn carriage rides in Sintra.
Here’s an overview of the typical prices for each.
- 434 Tourist Bus: €13.50/daily ticket or €4.55/single one-way ride
- Uber/Bolt: €5-7/one way
- Taxi: €7-10/one way
- Private tuk tuk tours: €50/person
- Horse drawn carriage rides: €25/one way
History of the Moorish Castle
The Moorish Castle is a medieval castle perched in the hills of Sintra, that was built between the 8th and 9th century by the Moors. It was taken over by Christian crusaders in 1147, occupied till the 15th century, and subsequently abandoned.
It’s now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and left for tourists to explore the ruins. The castle has stone walls, and winding walkways, with a beautiful view overlooking Sintra.
Best Time To Visit The Moorish Castle
The best time to visit the Moorish Castle is the early morning or late evening, with the peak hours being 12pm-2pm. That being said, it’s much less crowded than the Pena Palace, and there weren’t any lines at the ticketing kiosks when I visited.
Just remember to check the weather beforehand, and bring a waterproof jacket and umbrella if there’s a chance of rain!
Tips For Visiting The Moorish Castle
- Download the offline google maps (no cell service in the mountains)
- Use transportation (434 tourist bus/Uber/Bolt) to get to the castle & back to Sintra
- Give yourself 30 min-1 hour to see the castle
- Buy tickets online if visiting in peak season (summer)
- Check the weather beforehand (bring rain jacket & umbrella on rainy days)
How To Get To Sintra From Lisbon
The easiest way to get to Sintra is to take the train (Comboios de Portugal) from Rossio station in downtown Lisbon. The train leaves every half hour, from around 5:30am to 1am, and takes approximately 45 minutes.
The train ride is comfortable, and it makes multiple stops, with Sintra station being the final stop. You can purchase tickets for this train ride when you arrive at Rossio station.
Rossio’s train station is a 5 minute walk from the metro station, on the opposite side of Rossio square. To get back to Lisbon from Sintra, you will use the same train, with the last train leaving around midnight.
If you don’t want to rely on public transportation, you can join a group tour from Lisbon.
On a group tour, you’ll drive to Sintra’s attractions directly with an experienced local, and don’t have to worry about buying tickets for the train/434 tourist bus. This is the most convenient option, and you’ll have the chance to see the top sites in a day.
Check out our Lisbon to Sintra day trip guide for a full list of transportation options.
Moorish Castle FAQs
How long does it take to visit the Moorish Castle?
It only takes 30 min to an hour to see the Moorish Castle. From the entrance, it’s a short 10 minute walk to reach the castle. The castle and ruins are relatively small, so it only took me a half hour to explore.
Do you need to buy tickets beforehand?
No, it’s not necessary to buy tickets online, and there’s a ticket kiosk at the entrance. If you’re visiting during summer peak season, however, it’s best to buy tickets online to avoid any potential long lines.
Is the Moorish castle worth visiting?
Yes, the Moorish Castle is well worth a visit. Not only is it an interesting piece of medieval history, but it has an amazing view of Sintra on a clear day.
How far is the walk from the Pena Palace?
It’s a 20 minute walk from the Moorish Castle entrance to the Pena Palace entrance. Keep in mind that Pena Palace’s entrance is an additional 15 minute walk to the actual palace. Check out our complete guide to visiting Pena Palace for step-by-step directions to get there.
How long is the hike from the historic center to Moorish Castle?
The hike from Sintra’s historic center to the Moorish castle can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours depending on your speed.
It took me a little over an hour, and was much more strenuous than I expected, so I wouldn’t recommend it. Instead, use transportation, and use the extra time to check out more of Sintra’s attractions!
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