Portugal has no shortage of beautiful destinations, but Sintra just has to be one of the most picturesque. A mere 30 km away from the capital Lisbon, it is home to three palaces, a medieval castle, and countless mesmerizing views. In this photography guide to Sintra, we will be visiting the very best photo spots it has to offer. I will also give you some practical tips on how to approach them. And so, welcome to the fairy tale!
Every foreigner finds in Sintra a piece of his homeland.
― Hans Christian Andersen
The Pena Palace
- What: a fairytale castle and the main symbol of Sintra
- When: 9.30 am – 6.30 pm
- With: a wide-angle zoom
- For: €13.30
We start our photography guide in what is likely the main symbol of Sintra ― the Pena Palace [map].
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, the Pena Palace is as romantic as it gets. Someone aptly called it a Disneyland for adults, and believe me ― once you see it, you will know why. Honestly, it looks like a toy castle!
To visit the palace and the surrounding gardens, you need a ticket. The price currently stands at €13.30 for the combo and €7.13 for the gardens only. You can check the latest information and book yours here.
For photography, all you really require is a garden ticket. While not explicitly advertised, it does allow you to access the inner yard of the residence and most of its outside grounds.
This is enough to capture those classical postcard shots of the bright colorful walls you see everywhere on the internet. Of course, you can still go for the entire package ― the inside chambers are also quite fascinating.
If possible, come on a weekday or early in the morning. Pena Palace is a famous landmark in Sintra and tends to get very busy. Especially on weekends or during holidays.
Another tip is to always buy the ticket beforehand. You can do so online or in the tourist office back in town. It is possible to purchase one right at the gate too, but lines can be extremely long in peak season.
Pena Gardens and Cruz Alta Viewpoint
- What: lush greenery and an amazing viewpoint
- When: 9 am – 7 pm, I recommend morning
- With: a telephoto or a travel zoom with some reach
- For: €7.13 (already included in the Pena Palace ticket)
In many ways, I find the surrounding gardens much more entertaining and rewarding than the palace itself. There are fewer people and plenty of lovely compositions that have not been shot to death before.
There is no particular path to follow, so feel free to explore the park to your heart’s content. You will encounter various statues, cute little water basins, and hidden corners with unexpected discoveries abound.
One place you should absolutely visit, however, is the Cruz Alta viewpoint [map]. Getting there is a bit of a hike, but nothing too complex. Besides, the reward is easily worth the effort.
Located at the top of the hill, the vantage point offers by far the best view of the Pena Palace. It is an iconic photo spot, so grab your long lens and go for it!
Another hidden gem is the Queen’s Throne viewpoint [map]. It features similar vistas but is easier to access. And there is an actual throne to sit on while admiring the view!
The best time for photography at both would be early morning. The park only opens at 9 am, which is somewhat late, especially in summer. It is unfortunate, but with some luck, the light should still be reasonably decent around then.
The Moorish Castle
- What: an impressive medieval castle
- When: 9 am – 6.30 pm
- With: a wide-angle zoom
- For: €7.60
Just north of the Palacio Pena, the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros ― map) is a proper medieval fortress dating back to the 10th century. Forget the romanticism ― we are dealing with turrets, battlements, and merlons over here.
Obviously, it is a must-see destination for anyone interested in medieval history and fortifications. Standing atop the massive castle walls gazing into the distance you travel back into the era of sieges and knights.
For everyone else, there are commanding views all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The town of Sintra lies beneath and across the valley Palácio Pena looms atop the nearby hill.
Photography-wise, there is a lot to play with as well. The Castle of the Moors is particularly majestic in cloudy and overcast conditions that nicely complement its rough and impregnable outlook.
Have your wide lens ready and try using stairs and battlements as well as mossy castle walls as leading lines towards the towers and higher ground.
The castle is open from 9 am to 6.30 pm, and the admission costs €7.60. A money well-spent if you ask me.
The Monserrate Palace
- What: a dreamy mansion and its gardens
- When: 9 am – 6.30 pm, best in the evening
- With: a wide-angle zoom
- For: €7.60
Monserrate is the second of two palaces to visit in Sintra and another famous photo spot. Though smaller in size and more reminiscent of a mansion, it is every bit as charming and picturesque [map].
It is as if you have hopped from one fairy tale straight to another. But this time, it has more of an Arabic feel to it, something out of One Thousand and One nights perhaps.
A perfect example of Sintra Romanticism, the villa makes for a marvelous photo in its own right. I really like shooting it from the main entrance, where you can frame the building with the overhanging branches.
But even more than the mansion, I enjoyed its surroundings. With a lake, numerous springs, fountains, and grottoes, it is an adorable park with endless potential for a gorgeous photo.
Monserrate is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm, and the admission costs €7.60. Unlike in Pena, there is a single pass that grants you access to everything.
I recommend coming to Monserrate in the evening, during the golden hour. Both the villa and the park look incredibly stunning in the soft afternoon light.
You can buy the tickets in advance here or at the gate as you arrive. Perhaps because it is further away from Sintra, Monserrate does not seem to be overly crowded. Still, booking beforehand is always a good idea.
The Monserrate Chapel Ruins
- What: a very convincing ruin of an old chapel
- When: 9 am – 6.30 pm, best in the evening
- With: a wide-angle lens
- For: €7.60 (included in the Monserrate ticket)
There is a really cool photography spot within Monserrate grounds that I want to talk about separately. It is the old chapel ruin [map].
Located close to the park entrance but off the usual path, the ruins are easy to miss unless you know where to look. Which would be a real shame because it is a very unusual sight.
As the legend goes, the Great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 destroyed the chapel that once stood here. The abandoned remains were left to the mercy of the growing vegetation.
Eventually, the forest has completely overrun the structure, making it look like a place from an adventure videogame.
A thrilling story indeed, if not for one insignificant detail. None of it really happened.
The chapel exists because a wealthy British merchant Sir Francis Cook, who acquired Monserrate in 1855, had a soft spot for fantasy. So he ordered the construction of the false ruins to make the park look more mystical.
I have to admit ― he did a great job. It is a very convincing fake for sure. Besides, whether genuine or not, the ruins are an astonishing photo spot. So be sure to stop here on your way to the main building.
Quinta da Regaleira
- What: an unusual mansion with a mystical garden
- When: 10 am – 6.30 pm, best in the morning
- With: an overall travel zoom
- For: €10
Concluding our trio of famous Sintra photo spots is Quinta da Regaleira [map]. The quaint 19th-century mansion combines both Gothic and Renaissance influences in its architecture and is definitely worth checking out
While the building is intriguing, what really makes Quinta da Regaleira stand out is its mystical garden. It is a bizarre yet enthralling collection of statues, waterfalls, towers, underground passages, mysterious grottoes, and ritual wells.
It is a place to get lost in time and place, to feel like a hero of an adventure novel, to discover one enchanting location after another. You can literally spend hours here without even noticing.
Quinta da Regaleira is the closest attraction to Sintra and is immensely popular. I suggest coming here first thing in the morning before the arrival of the touristy hordes. The doors normally open at 10 am.
Once again, you will need to buy a ticket. The price is €10, and you can get it online or at the entrance.
As in other Sintra residences, tripods are not allowed in Quinta da Regaleira without special permission. That can be a proper hurdle in the dark underground passages. Unfortunately, you will have to rely on the higher ISO and stability of your hands.
The Initiation Well
- What: a mysterious ritual well
- When: 10 am – 6.30 pm, best in the morning
- With: a wide-angle lens
- For: €10 (already included in the Quinta da Regaleira ticket)
The Initiation Well is an iconic photography spot within Quinta da Regaleira that requires a special mention. The spiral staircase that looks like an inverted tower descending deep into the underground network of tunnels has long captured the imagination of photographers worldwide.
Naturally, the well is widely popular and quickly fills with people. And once it does, it gets extremely difficult to photograph it. So here are a couple of easy tips to get a clean shot of it.
To begin with, it needs to be the very first location you hit as you enter. Get familiar with the map of the property beforehand and, once inside, head there immediately. You can see the rest of the mansion later on.
Note that you can only go down the well and cannot return the same way up. Instead, you will have to pass through the underground tunnels before eventually emerging back on the surface.
So take all the photos as you descend. No pressure, but on a busy day, you pretty much have a single chance at it.
Third, think of the camera settings in advance and be ready to change them as necessary. It is pretty dark in the well. Without the luxury of a tripod, you have to know your way around ISO, aperture, and lens stabilization if you have it.
Finally, bring the widest and fastest lens you have. It will definitely come in handy here.
Lastly, do not be only focused solely on photography. The Initiation Well is a mysterious place full of symbolism, so don’t miss out on that aspect of it either!
The Ursa Beach
- What: a beautiful and wild beach with massive cliffs
- When: at sunset
- With: a good travel zoom
- For: free
Sintra might be best known for its castles and palatial villas, but the wonderful Portugal coastline is not far away. And when the fairytale mansions close for the night, comes a perfect opportunity to explore it.
There are many marvelous photo spots along the coast near Sintra, but my favorite is Ursa Beach [map]. With massive cliffs protruding from the ocean and a thin stripe of golden sand, it is reminiscent of Playa Benijo in Tenerife and is a splendid place to photograph the burning sunset.
The beach is tucked away at the bottom of a small gully. This is too far off the beaten path for the majority of leisure-seekers. Chances are that apart from a few locals, you will have it mostly to yourself.
Getting to the beach can be somewhat tricky though. If you have a car, you might want to leave it around here. I advise against driving the dirt road off to your right. There are some rough patches, and getting stuck in the mud should not be on your itinerary.
Otherwise, your best bet is to take bus 403 to Cabo da Roca, then walk from there. You will have to make some numbers to figure out whether or not you can stay until sunset, however.
From where you parked, it is about 20 minutes easy walk to the beginning of the hike down. Some describe the descent as challenging and dangerous, but I found it to be pretty straightforward. Just have some decent shoes on, be careful, and you should be fine.
You don’t have to do it, either. If the climb down seems too risky, the view from the top is equally spectacular.
Praia da Adraga
- What: a relaxed beach with interesting rock formations
- When: throughout the day, best at sunset
- With: a good travel zoom
- For: free
Compared to Ursa, the Adraga beach (Praia da Adraga ― map) is much more relaxed and easy to access. There is no hiking involved. You simply drive right up to it and enjoy the afternoon catching some sun on the Atlantic coast.
That does not mean it is boring, however. It is a gorgeous beach with some interesting rock formations that are worth exploring for photographers.
Still, purely from a photography standpoint, I would mostly recommend it to those who have some solid experience shooting seascapes. A lot here depends on the tide and the conditions at hand. Finding a simple and compelling composition is not always straightforward.
On the other hand, if you just fancy spending a sunny day on the beach taking a couple of photos if an opportunity presents itself, Adraga is hard to beat. There is a great restaurant nearby and all the facilities for a fantastic summer outing.
Adraga beach is only a short 25-minute drive away from Sintra. Unfortunately, there is currently no good option to access it via public transport.
Azenhas do Mar
- What: a dreamy coastal town
- When: at sunset
- With: a good travel zoom
- For: free
Last but not least on our list of remarkable photo spots near Sintra is Azenhas do Mar. The charming coastal town perched high on the cliffs above the ocean is unbelievably picturesque.
At sunset, bathing in the golden light of the evening sun, Azenhas do Mar is strikingly reminiscent of the Cinque Terre in Italy. With one huge difference ― it is nowhere near as touristy.
Although it is only a 17-minute drive from Sintra, Azenhas do Mar remains largely unknown to the oblivious crowds. Strangely, even photographers often have no idea it exists!
There is an excellent viewpoint just south of town [map]. Come here in the evening to capture the fabulous sunset above the village. Bring your tripod and a wide-angle lens ― you are in for a treat!
If possible, go down to explore the town itself. There are plenty of compositions to find there as well.
Azenhas do Mar is connected to Sintra by the regular bus service. Always check the timetables as they change based on the season.
Planning a Photography Trip to Sintra
Now that we covered the most prominent photo spots around Sintra, let’s talk about planning a trip there. Luckily, it is very similar to planning a photo tour anywhere else. Still, there are a few useful things to keep in mind.
When to Go?
The best time to go to Sintra is spring and early summer. The colors are bright and vivid, while the days are long enough to explore both the castles and the coast. The air is warm but without the extreme heat of the summer.
If possible, avoid weekends and especially national holidays such as Easter. Sintra is a popular day-trip destination from Lisbon and becomes very busy on such days. Instead, try to enjoy it in a calm and quiet setting to fully admire its beauty.
How Long to Stay?
Many choose to come to Sintra early in the morning, then depart in the evening. However, unless you live in Lisbon and can do so frequently, I don’t think it is sufficient.
For a quality experience and to get familiar with most of the sites, I recommend two full days. Three, if you would like to travel to some other noteworthy locations along the coast.
Where to Stay?
There is no right or wrong answer in this case, but to me, the area near Sintra National Palace is a good choice. There are many restaurants nearby, and the visitor center and Quinta da Regaleira are both within walking distance.
Do You Need a Car?
Well, that depends. Strictly speaking, you do not. All the main attractions in Sintra are easily accessible either by foot or via public transport.
But if you want to venture to one of the beaches or neighboring villages, renting a car is highly recommended. It just makes life a whole lot easier. Traveling around solely through public transportation can be a bit of a hurdle.
What Gear to Bring?
I recommend a very basic setup. Bring a camera, a wide-angle lens, and a good all-around travel zoom (such as 24-105mm) for that extra reach. You might want a telephoto on a rare occasion, but that hardly justifies the added weight.
Tripods are not allowed in any of the villas or gardens without special permission. Do not ask me why, but these are the rules. You can read them here and here. So if you have no intention of photographing other landscapes, you can safely leave tripods at home.
Drones, in my opinion, are more trouble than they’re worth, at least if you want to fly them legally. For a detailed breakdown of all the procedures required to fly in Portugal, have a look here.
Two-day Sintra Itinerary for Photographers
Based on all of the above, here is what I think is a reasonable two-day photography-centered itinerary for Sintra. I tried to include the most significant photo spots, but feel free to modify it to your liking.
This itinerary assumes that you rent a car. You really want one to squeeze the most of this short period.
Day 1
After you arrive in Sintra and settle into your hotel, head to the ticket office to buy all the required passes.
Our target today is Monserrate. So plan on spending the afternoon photographing the mansion, the park, and the chapel ruins.
Depending on when you got to Sintra, you might be able to hit the Moorish Castle before Monserrate. If so, go for it.
Finish the day by shooting sunset at Ursa Beach.
Day 2
By 10 am, be at the gate of Quinta da Regaleira, then head straight to the Initiation Well. Once you are done there, tour the rest of the estate.
Grab a snack, then make your way to Pena Palace. Try to put aside a couple of hours for the gardens and Cruz Alta viewpoint. If you did not fit the Moorish Castle in yesterday, fancy a quick trip there afterward.
Complete your stay by driving to Azenhas do Mar for a memorable sunset.
Conclusion
With numerous outstanding photo locations, Sintra is an incredibly scenic part of Portugal. It is just an hour away from Lisbon, so if you ever travel to the capital, be sure to set aside some time to visit it. You will love it, I am sure of it.
I hope you have enjoyed this tour of the remarkable photo spots in and around Sintra. I put a lot of effort into making it as useful and complete as possible. Still, if you have any questions or comments, I will be happy to hear from you in the comment section below.
Here are some other articles of mine that I believe you might find interesting:
- Lisbon Photography Guide: 10 Fabulous Spots to Capture
- Milan photo tips
- Top 7 locations for landscape photography on Tenerife
- Photographing Castle Neuschwanstein
- One day itinerary for landscape photography in Southern Bavaria
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