The Castle of the Moors is a 10th-century hilltop fortress with sweeping views over Sintra, the Pena Palace and the Atlantic beyond. The adult ticket price has risen to €12.00, while several sites, including the castle’s own informal listings, still show last year’s €10 rate. You can book through GetYourGuide to arrange your visit before you travel.
Quick facts
| Address | Castelo dos Mouros, 2710-405 Sintra, Portugal |
| Opening hours | Daily 9.30am–6pm; last admission 5.30pm |
| Admission | Adults €12.00; youths and seniors €10.00 |
| Nearest transit | Train to Sintra station, then bus 434 |
| Typical visit duration | 1 to 1.5 hours |
Why book tickets for the Castle of the Moors?
- 🏛️ A genuine 10th-century fortress: The Moors built these walls to guard Sintra and its surrounding trade routes.
- 🎟️ A UNESCO World Heritage Site: The castle forms part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, inscribed in 1995.
- 🌿 A full ring of battlements: The walls follow the natural contours of the hill, open for visitors to walk almost their entire length.
- 📜 Dogs are welcome: Well-behaved dogs, properly identified, can join you throughout the castle.
- 💰 A combined ticket option: Pairing entry with Pena Palace can save money over buying separately.
Opening hours at the Castle of the Moors
The castle opens every day, 9.30am to 6pm, with last admission at 5.30pm. The ticket office closes for lunch between midday and 1pm, though automatic ticket vending machines remain available throughout. The castle closes on 25 December and 1 January.
5 great things to do in Lisbon 🇵🇹
- 🏰 Combine nearby highlights on a small group tour – to Sintra, Pena Palace and Cascais.
- 🍷 Eat your way through lesser-visited neighbourhoods – on a food and wine tour.
- 🛺 Get a local’s eye view of Lisbon – on a tuk-tuk tour.
- 🥐 Take a bakery masterclass – and make your own pastel de nata.
- ⛵ Enjoy wine at sunset – on a river sailing cruise.
Ticket prices for the Castle of the Moors
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (18–64) | €12.00 |
| Youth (6–17) | €10.00 |
| Senior (65+) | €10.00 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 youths) | €33.00 |
| Registered disabled visitors | 50% discount |
Tickets can be bought at the castle or online via the official Parques de Sintra website, and combined tickets covering other Sintra sites, such as Pena Palace, are also available. To skip the queue, book through GetYourGuide.
How to get to the Castle of the Moors
By train: take the CP Sintra Line from Lisbon‘s Rossio, Oriente or Entrecampos stations; the journey to Sintra takes around 40 minutes.
By bus: from Sintra train station, take bus 434 (Scotturb), which also serves Pena Palace and the historic centre.
By car: private vehicles are not permitted access to the monument itself. Park in Sintra’s historic centre or one of the peripheral car parks, then continue on foot or by bus.
On foot: the walk up from Sintra’s town centre takes around 30 to 45 minutes along marked trails, including the Santa Maria Trail (1,770m, about an hour) and the Seteais Trail (2,410m).
Parking at the Castle of the Moors
There is no parking at the castle itself, since private vehicles cannot access the site. Park in Sintra’s historic centre or at one of the peripheral car parks and continue by foot or bus; spaces can be limited in high season, so arriving early is worthwhile.
How long to spend at the Castle of the Moors
Most visitors need 1 to 1.5 hours to walk the walls and explore the main points of interest. Add extra time if combining the visit with the uphill or downhill walking trails.
Accessibility at the Castle of the Moors
The castle offers a 50% discount for registered disabled visitors, with a companion admitted free where strictly necessary. Assistance dogs are welcome on-site, with drinking bowls provided. Given the site’s steep paths and uneven stone surfaces, visitors with mobility limitations should contact Parques de Sintra in advance to check current conditions.
What to see inside the Castle of the Moors
The Royal Tower and Castle Keep. These highest points offer the castle’s best views over Sintra, the Pena Palace and, on a clear day, Lisbon in the distance.
The Second Ring of Walls. Visitors can walk long stretches of the fortification, which follows the natural contours of the hillside.
The Door of Betrayal and Arms Square. These named features recall the castle’s defensive history through the centuries of Moorish and later Christian rule.
The cistern and former stables. These practical structures reveal how the castle sustained a garrison on an isolated hilltop.
The Islamic settlement and Christian medieval necropolis. Archaeological remains here trace the castle’s history from Moorish occupation through the Christian Reconquista of the 12th century.
The Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim. Built after the Christian conquest, this small church remains within the castle walls.
Practical visitor tips for the Castle of the Moors
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Avoid the lunchtime queue | The ticket office closes midday to 1pm, but vending machines stay open |
| Don’t drive to the entrance | Private vehicles aren’t permitted; park in town and walk or take the bus |
| Wear sturdy shoes | The walls and paths involve steep, uneven stone surfaces |
| Bring water and sun protection | The hilltop site has little shade along the walls |
| Book tickets in advance | Reserve through GetYourGuide to skip the queue in high season |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Castle of the Moors a UNESCO site? | Yes, it forms part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, inscribed in 1995 |
| Can I drive to the castle? | No, private vehicles aren’t permitted; park in Sintra and continue on foot or by bus |
| Can I bring my dog? | Yes, well-behaved and properly identified dogs are welcome throughout |
| Is there a discount for combining with Pena Palace? | Yes, combined tickets covering multiple Sintra sites are available |
| How long does a visit take? | Most visitors need 1 to 1.5 hours to walk the walls |
Things to do near the Castle of the Moors
Pena Palace, a short walk or bus ride further up the hill, is Sintra’s colourful Romanticist palace, best known for its exotic gardens. Sintra’s historic centre, with its cobbled streets, cafés and shops, sits at the base of the hill.
The Sintra National Palace, famous for its two conical chimneys, stands in the town centre itself. The Quinta da Regaleira, with its mysterious caves and initiation well, is a short walk away, and Cabo da Roca, continental Europe’s westernmost point, makes a scenic half-day extension.
Alternative hilltop castles within two hours
São Jorge Castle, Lisbon. This Moorish-origin castle overlooking the capital is around 30 minutes from Sintra.
Óbidos Castle. A fully walled medieval town built around its own castle, roughly an hour away.
Palmela Castle. A hilltop fortress and former Moorish stronghold south of Lisbon, about 45 minutes from Sintra.
Almourol Castle. A fortress built on a small island in the Tagus River, around 1.5 hours away.
Leiria Castle. A medieval royal castle overlooking the city of Leiria, roughly 1.5 hours from Sintra.
More Lisbon travel
Other Lisbon travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- A practical guide to visiting Lisbon’s Beer Museum.
- Top tips for visiting the Oceanário de Lisboa and the Telecabine Lisboa cable car.
- Visiting the Jerónimos Monastery for the first time.
- A guide to Lisbon Cathedral ticket prices and visitor info.
- What to expect at the Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora.
