- Skip the line entry to the ancient Moorish Castle nestled on a hilltop and uncover treasures from a bygone era!
- Discover an ancient fortress hidden deep in the jungle and dive into centuries of history.
- Skip the line and save precious time to explore the ancient fortress.
- Learn about the Castle's history and its Moorish origins.
- Treat your eyes to panoramic views of the unique landscape featuring hills, Sintra, and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Comfortable shoes are a must! You will find lots of stairs and steep steps inside, as you head to the top.
- Visitors must follow all COVID-19 safety guidelines such as wearing face masks at all times (signposts available at the venue).
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
National Palace of Pena & Park: Timed Entry Tickets
- Pay a visit to the remarkable National Palace of Pena and savor this cultural treat in every regard.
- Start your tour at the onset as you enjoy timed entry access to this national treasure.
- Take in the town of Sintra from the second-highest vantage point from the Sintra Hill.
- Walk through the massive palace and admire the stunning architectural style of its construction.
- Check out the many battlements, watchtowers, and the drawbridge embellishing the palace.
- Finally, make your way to the magnificent park of Pena and soak up the natural aura of it all.
- Upgrade your ticket to get round-trip transportation to and from the main entrance of the park and palace or include an audio guide.
This ticket has the following options you can choose from:
- Entrance to the Park and the National Palace of Pena
- Entrance to the Park and the National Palace of Pena with Transport
- Entrance to Park and National Palace of Pena with Audioguide
- There is an expected wait time of 15-20 mins at the entrance/security.
- Please note that access to this monument is not authorized to private vehicles. We recommended the use of the pedestrian trails available or public transportation.
- You can park your car in the historic center of Sintra or the peripheral car parks available.
- Pena Palace is in Sintra, about 30 kilometers from Lisbon.
- There are parking lots at the park entrance but may be limited depending on the number of visitors.
- Reduced price tickets for children aged 6-18 and seniors aged 65+ are available onsite.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Visit Moorish Castle in Sintra | Book Moorish Castle Tickets
If you are a fairytale romantic and want to fufil your fantastical dreams, Sintra is the place to be! From mythical castles to charming gardens, the quaint town of Sintra is a must-visit for a tranquil escapade. The Moorish Castle in Sintra is one such attraction that takes you back in time to the medieval era with its stoned facade and glorious history that guards its towers.
Visit the Moorish Castle and learn how the ancient structure passed through the age of the Vikings, got influenced by the Romantic era and finally became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in these post-modern times. Book your Moorish Castle tickets and experience the majestic views that the parapet walk to the castle offers and delve into the rich history of the imposing structure. Keep reading to know more about Moorish Castle, tickets, highlights and more.
Your Moorish Castle Sintra Tickets Explained
Moorish Castle Sintra Skip-The-Line Tickets
- Book Moorish Castle Sintra skip-the-line tickets and zoom past the queues to get priority access to the ancient fortification. Explore treasures of the medieval era in the Moorish Castle without facing the hassle of purchasing tickets at the site.
- With your skip-the-line tickets, you can discover the ancient ruins of the Moorish Castle which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the intriguing history of the castle which has passed the test of time through ages.
- Savour the magnificent views the Moorish Castle has to offer through its location atop a hill, as the lush green of the surrounding forst merges with the stark blue of the Atlantic Ocean at the horizon.
- Snake your way through the winding stony path that leads to the castle and feel like an explorer on a treasure hunt!
Why Visit Moorish Castle Sintra
- Located on a hilltop in Sintra, the Moorish Castle is a medieval fortification that looks like a castle straight from the fairytales.
- The architecture of the Moorish Castle is influenced by the ages of the Vikings, the Romantic Era and some Islamic habitations that has made it into the masterpiece that it is today.
- In 1995, the castle was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to the rich history that the walls of the fortification entails.
- The structures located in the castle are remnants of a unique history, from Silos that stored the food grains in the olden times, to the tombs that housed the bones of the previous settlements, the Moorish Castle has a lot to offer.
- The location of the castle is as breathtaking as the fort itself, as the lush green forest sprawled beneath the food of the hill merges with the blue Atlantic Ocean at the horizon.
What is the Best Way To Book Moorish Castle Tickets? Book Online
Moorish Castle is one of the major tourist attractions if you plan to visit Sintra, and it can become an ordeal to get your hands on the tickets without prior arrangements. Book your tickets online in advance and enjoy a hassle-free experience of exploring the ancient ruins of the castle.
- Convenience: Take in the beauty of nature and ancient ruins at the Moorish castle as you leave behind the hassle of long queues with the fast-track tickets that make your experience easier and more fun.
- Advance Reservations: With the online ticket purchasing process, you can secure your trip easily by booking your tickets and tour slots beforehand.
- Great Discounts: Experience what the medieval structure of the Moorish Castle has to offer at interestingly low prices, as online booking gives you great discounts.
Moorish Castle Sintra Highlights
Nestled on top of a hilltop, Moorish Castle Sintra has a lot to offer in terms of history and architecture. Here are the top highlights that will make your exploration easier.
Second Ring of Walls
After the Moorish Castle was seized by Afonso Henriques, the Portugal king attributed the defence of the castle to the Knights Templar. The conquest led to the restructuring of the place that had existed for ages and built the second line of walls to protect the animals and harvest.
Silos
Learn how the people of the castle stored their cereal and leguminous crops in the crater-like pits, a practice long been followed since the pre-historic era. Get to know more about how this technique for storing food grains has been described in various Arabic treatises.
Islamic Neighbourhood
Delve into the history of the castle being a historical Muslim neighbourhood, as various artefacts like fragments of pottery and ceramic recipients have been excavated at the site. Look around to find traces of an Islamic inhabitance in the ruins of home and instruments.
Tomb
Due to the reconstruction of the castle on the orders commissioned by Ferdinand II, the Christian burial grounds were damaged, which resulted in building of the tomb to house the bones found, which is carved with a lunar crescent and a cross both.
Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim
Following the conquest of the Moors, the Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim was built as the first parish church of Sintra. Built out of granite stone masonry, the apse displays Gothic paintings dating back to the 15th century.
Christian Medieval Necropolis
Before the conquest by Afonso Henriques, the place was a Muslim neighbourhood back in the 10th century, but after the arrival of the Portugal king, the site was converted into a Christian medieval necropolis, the one we can see today.
Former Stables
Find out what the compartments adjoining the eastern section of the wall were used for, as they are believed to have been used as stables, and later as as spaces for raising and housing domestic animals. Poke around for traces of Islamic inhabitance too, as the ruins tell interesting tales.
Cistern
The Moorish Castle Cistern represents a considerable strategic advantage for the people who wanted to take refuge during a siege within the castle walls, as the construction allowed for a constant water supply throughout the hideout as well.
Arms Square
The broad open area known as the Arms Square is the place where the castle provided for gatherings of the military garrison. However, after the restructuring in the 19th century, this site was transformed into a place of rest and contemplation.
Door of Betrayal
Located in the most unused and uneven part of the castle, the Door of Betrayal allowed for discreet access to the exterior of the castle in the event of fleeing the gates and could be used by the enemy as access to the interiors as well.
Castle Keep
Part of the castle’s Keep Tower, the small stronghold served as the residence of the local authorities. Built at one of the highest points of the castle, it was a strategic and fortified centre for the day-to-day workings of the kingdom.
Royal Tower
As the name suggests, this spot served as the leisure place for Ferdinand II and his artistic pursuits. With the Palace of Pena forming the backdrop of the area, the King-Artist would come here for artistic inspiration.
Plan Your Visit To Moorish Castle
Everyday 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Last ticket admission: 6 PM
Duration of Visit: 60 - 90 minutes recommended
Best time to visit: Weekdays of Spring and Fall
Note: The peak visiting hours are early afternoon, from 12 PM - 2 PM.
Address: 2710-405 Sintra, Portugal
- By Bus: Bus # 434
Route: Sintra (train station) to Moorish Castle: - By Train: Sintra Line
Departure Stations: Oriente, Rossio, Entrecampos - By Car: You can reach Sintra using: IC19 (from Lisbon), IC30 (from Mafra), EN9 (from Cascais, via the A5)
Note: Private vehicles are not allowed on the castle premises.
- Visitors are expected to behave appropriately at the Moorish Castle Sintra, and must not make noise, shout, run or use offensive language.
- Wearing comfortable and appropriate attire is recommended while visiting the castle.
- No one is permitted to touch or poke around as the ancient artefacts are protected as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
- Young children must be kept under supervision of the adults they are visiting with.
- Visitors must follow the rules mentioned on the signboards at various locations of the castle.
- National Palace of Pena and Park: Admire the architectural marvel of the National Palace of Pena and Park built in the Romantic style of the 19th century. Reach the second-highest vantage point on the Sintra Hills and get a glimpse of a ravishing view of the natural landscape stretching beneath the palace.
- National Palace of Sintra: Explore the National Palace of Sintra, popularly known as The Town Palace, built in the middle ages by the Portugal monarchy. Discover the rich history and tales of the ancient royalty in the intricate design of the palace rooms and artefacts, dating back thousands of years.
- Carry lots of water with you and stay hydrated as the castle requires walking around to explore the place, and it can get hot during summer days.
- It is recommended that you visit the Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park on weekdays, as holidays and weekends are the peak rush days that have the highest visitor influx.
- You should wear comfortable shoes and clothes to Moorish Castle Sintra as it involves walking around using the ancient, rocky pathways.
- The castle is accessible to visitors with disabilities through paths build for this purpose and special lifting equipment to access the higher areas of the castle. Visitors might even request for wheelchair and accessibility equipment by informing the authorities of the visit beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moorish Castle Sintra Tickets
A. Yes, you can buy Moorish Castle tickets online.
A. The best way to purchase Moorish Castle tickets is to book them online. This way you get great offers and can also reserve slots well in advance.
A. Yes, you can book any date of your choice in advance, if you book your Moorish Castle tickets online.
A. Moorish Castle is a medieval castle in the quaint town of Sintra, which is built atop a hill and overlooks a lush green forest and the Atlantic Ocean.
A. The address of Moorish Castle is 2710-405 Sintra, Portugal.
A. The Moorish Castle is open to visitors every day from 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM.
A. As Moorish Castle is a historic attraction that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its ancient architecture and artefacts is a popular attraction, with breathtaking views from the hilltop on which it is located.
A. The best time to visit Moorish Castle Sintra is morning and evening, as the peak visiting hours are early afternoon, from 12 PM - 2 PM. This way you can avoid long queues and heavy crowds.
A. It can take you anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes to go around exploring the castle as it is quite an extensive place to visit.