Tickets Sintra

Explore the Rich Interiors of the National Palace of Sintra

The National Palace of Sintra is one of the most stunning and best-preserved reminders of Portugal’s monarchy. Much of this palace was constructed during the campaigns of kings Dinis, João I, Manuel I, and João III. The palace as it stands today is the artistic genius of Raul Lino who restored it to its former glory by adding furniture and restoring tiles.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1910, it stands out from any point in Sintra because of its striking 33-meter-tall conical towers.

A visual walkthrough of the National Palace of Sintra

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The ceiling of the Swan Room

The Swan Room gets its name from the decorations on the room's ceiling panels. Believed to be designed in the 14th century, the choice of the swan comes from the emblem deployed by Henry IV of England, brother to Philippa of Lancaster.

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What’s inside the National Palace of Sintra?

The National Palace of Sintra consists of the main palace, the Palatine Chapel, and its sprawling gardens.

  • The Main Palace: The Main Palace (also called Palácio Real) consists of several rooms, all featuring a seamless blend of different architectural styles. They blend the Moorish, Manueline, and Gothic styles to create a vibrant play of color and design no matter where you look.
  • The Palatine Chapel: Also known as the Royal Chapel, this structure was restored in the 20th century and features one of the finest examples of Mudejar carpentry and architecture in all of Portugal. 
  • The Preta Gardens: The Preta Garden is one of the many gardens that surround the palace and offers a viewpoint that overlooks the vast Sintra Hills and its historical center.
  • Prince’s Garden: The Prince’s Garden is another highlight of the palace’s exterior and offers sweeping views of the Sintra hills.

What are some of the highlights inside the National Palace of Sintra?

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The Coat of Arms Room

The Coat of Arms Room represents the pinnacle of the monarchy under King Manual I. He placed the coat of arms in the center of the cupola of the room, and by doing so, set himself at the center of the hierarchical structure of the monarchy. His power heavily depended on the nobility’s support, which received the support they needed for their social standing.

The nobility here is represented by the coats of arms of their 72 households, and the walls of the rooms are finished in intricate tiles that depict scenes of gallantry from the 18th century.

The Swan Room

The Swan Room was the Great Hall of the Palace during the reign of King João I and Philippa of Lancaster. Throughout the 19th century, the Swan Room brought together the King’s court and was also where banquets, musical concerts, and public receptions were held.

The room was named after the depiction of the swans on its ceiling, a stunning sight that captures your attention the moment you set foot in it.

The Golden Chamber

The third room in the palace of João I and Philippa of Lancaster, the Golden Chamber, is where the monarchy would receive guests of the highest social standing, one of whom was Queen Catherine of Austria. The visitors could also potentially sleep in this space, with their servants sleeping close by on the floor.

The room was finished in gold in the 15th and 16th centuries but was turned into a dining room in the 19th century.

The Palatine Chapel

The Palatine Chapel, also known as the Royal Chapel, was where religious services were held to pay homage to God and the monarch. The room represented the importance of religion in Portuguese society and its value in upholding the monarchy’s legitimacy.

The chapel was originally constructed in the 13th century during the reign of King Dinis and Isabel of Aragon. Much of it was restored in the 20th century, and its ceiling represents one of the finest examples of Mudejar carpentry in the country.

The Galley Room

The Galley Room derives its name from the many galleys painted on its wall. It is believed to have been a gallery and also connected King João III’s chambers to the northwest wing of the palace. The ceiling, which dates back to the 17th century, flawlessly mixes Portuguese, Dutch, and Imperial Ottoman galleys.

How to get inside the National Palace of Sintra

The best way to get inside the National Palace of Sintra is to book your tickets online. You can choose from a variety of options. If you choose an entry ticket, you can explore the palace at your own pace. However, if you’d like to understand the palace’s history and architecture in more detail, the audio or guided tours might be ideal.

On the other hand, if you’d like to combine your visit to the National Palace of Sintra with other notable landmarks in its vicinity, you can also choose a combo ticket for the Pena Palace & Park, the Quinta de Regaleira, or even the National Palace of Queluz.

Visitor tips 

  • Don’t rush through the Sintra National Palace—take in the unique exhibits in each room. Also, spend time in the gardens for sweeping views of Sintra’s historic center and the Sintra Hills.
  • Keep your eye on the ceiling in each room you enter. The Swan and Magpie Rooms, for example, get their names from the stunning motifs painted on their ceilings. The Palatine Chapel also features intricate hardwood carpentry that you must check out. 
  • A few of the palace’s rooms are accessible to those who use wheelchairs. However, certain rooms have stairs leading up to them, and these become inaccessible for wheelchair users to access. 
  • If you go all the way to the topmost floor, you’ll come across some of the most spectacular views of the palace grounds and the Sintra Hills, almost as if you were getting a bird’s eye view of it all. 
  • Find a Rick Steves guide to the National Palace of Sintra. He offers detailed descriptions of each room and its history, making for an insightful experience as you explore each part of the palace.  

​Plan Your Visit to the National Palace of Sintra

Frequently asked questions about what’s inside the National Palace of Sintra

Some of the highlights of the National Palace of Sintra you must explore are the Coat of Arms Room, the Palatine Chapel, the Swan and Magpie Rooms, the Golden Chamber, and the Preta Garden.