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Is it better to stay in Lisbon or Sintra? My honest verdict after staying in both
When planning a trip to Portugal, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is: Is it better to stay in Lisbon or Sintra?
Since Lisbon is Portugal’s capital and main international gateway, there’s a good chance you’ll fly into the city.
Yet Sintra is only 30 minutes away by train and offers fairy-tale palaces, lush forests and dramatic coastal scenery, making it just as tempting as a base.
That was exactly the dilemma my husband and I faced while planning our 24-day Portugal itinerary with our one-year-old son.
When I realised Lisbon and Sintra were only about 30 minutes apart by train, I actually wondered if Sintra was just another neighbourhood of Lisbon – it isn’t.
After spending five nights in Lisbon and two nights in Sintra during our 24-day Portugal trip, I think every Portugal itinerary should include both Lisbon and Sintra, I know that’s not always possible.
If you have to choose just one, ask yourself a few questions first.
Where are you travelling next? How long are you spending in Portugal?
This post isn’t about which destination is better to visit—because both are absolutely worth your time.
Instead, it’s about helping you decide whether staying in Lisbon or Sintra is the better choice based on your travel style, the experiences you’re looking for, and where you’re heading next in Portugal.
1. Where are you travelling next?
Before choosing where to stay, think about where you’re travelling after Lisbon or Sintra. One decision could save you hours of travel and a lot of stress on your departure day.
Lisbon Airport (LIS) is Portugal’s biggest and busiest airport, while Sintra doesn’t have an airport.
If you’re catching a flight, staying in the wrong place could mean an early train, extra taxi fares and unnecessary stress.
On our trip, we flew from Lisbon to Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean.
Even though we were already staying in Lisbon and reached the airport three hours before departure, we only just made it to the gate as boarding began because of the long queues.
Lisbon Airport isn’t the most efficient, especially during busy periods.
That experience convinced me I wouldn’t want to travel from Sintra before a flight.
If you’re flying internationally, staying in Sintra could mean leaving your hotel around five and a half hours before departure.
You can take the train or a Bolt taxi, but I wouldn’t want to spend the last few hours of my holiday worrying about making my flight.
Verdict
If your next stop involves a flight, whether within Portugal or abroad, stay in Lisbon.
If you’re continuing your Portugal itinerary by train or bus to Porto, Coimbra or the Algarve, staying in Sintra is perfectly practical.
You may need to change trains in Lisbon, but that’s far less stressful than rushing to catch a flight
2. What type of accommodation do you want?
Before choosing between Lisbon and Sintra, think about the type of accommodation you want.
Both have hotels for every budget, but if staying somewhere unique is part of the experience, one destination stands out.
If you’ve always dreamed of staying in a historic mansion or palace, you probably expect to pay luxury prices.
That’s exactly what I thought too—until I started looking at hotels in Sintra.
Surprisingly, we paid almost the same for our very basic modern hotel in Lisbon’s Príncipe Real, which didn’t even have a lift.
That completely changed how I looked at accommodation in Sintra.
Many of Sintra’s former royal residences, manor houses and palaces have now been converted into boutique hotels and guesthouses.
As a result, you can stay somewhere full of history and character without spending much more than you would on a standard hotel in Lisbon.
You can stay in a restored mansion for under €100 a night in Sintra.
Even Lawrence’s Hotel, the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Iberian Peninsula, starts from around €200 a night.
Lisbon has beautiful historic hotels too .
We walked past Palácio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel near Glória and it looked spectacular, but it costs over €300 a night.
Verdict
If staying in a historic mansion or palace is part of your dream trip, Sintra gives far better value for money and cheaper.
3. What kind of evenings do you want?
How you spend your evenings can completely change the feel of your holiday.
So before fixing on Sintra or Lisbon ask yourself whether you want lively streets with plenty happening after dark or a peaceful town that winds down early.
Staying in both places, I found Lisbon far livelier after dark than Sintra. From pubs to late night restaurants with Fado live music, it was always “happening”
It wasn’t just Baixa or the noisy nightlife around Cais do Sodré.
Even the neighbourhood around our hotel was full of family-run tascas, cosy bars and burger joints that stayed busy until late.
Whether we fancied a late dessert or popped into Continente for some local dessert Arroz Doce, everything was still open.
Most bars stay open until around 2 am, and on weekends many continue until 4 am.
Sintra is the complete opposite of Lisbon when it comes to nightlife.
By around 6 pm, many cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops in the Historic Centre had already closed.
The area around the train station stays a little livelier, but by 10 or 11 pm much of the town is already asleep.
As a family travelling with our one-year-old son, we actually preferred Sintra’s quieter evenings.
After spending the day walking around Sintra’s steep streets, between mansions and gardens, a peaceful dinner and an early night felt exactly right.
Verdict
If your perfect evening includes lively streets, late dinners and plenty of choice, stay in Lisbon.
If you’d rather unwind somewhere peaceful after a full day of sightseeing, stay in Sintra.
4. How much time do you have in Portugal?
How long you’re spending in Portugal can make choosing between Lisbon and Sintra much easier.
Both deserve a place on your itinerary, but if this is your first visit and you only have limited time, one destination gives you a much better introduction to the country.
I spent 24 days travelling around Portugal, including five nights in Lisbon and two nights in Sintra.
Having experienced both, here’s what I’d recommend.
To me, Lisbon gives first-time visitors the best glimpse of Portugal.
You’ll ride vintage yellow trams through colourful neighbourhoods, admire spectacular miradouros, wander historic streets and enjoy some of Portugal’s most iconic food.
Even if you don’t manage to visit every attraction, you’ll still leave with a real feel for the country’s history, culture and atmosphere.
Sintra, on the other hand, shows you a completely different side of Portugal.
It’s greener, cooler and often much foggier than Lisbon.
I loved exploring its misty forests, fairytale palaces and riding the historic tram, but it doesn’t quite match what most first-time visitors imagine when they picture Portugal.
On cloudy days, you might not even get the famous views from Pena Palace.
Verdict
If this is your first trip to Portugal and you have about a week or less, stay in Lisbon and visit Sintra on a day trip.
If you have longer, split your stay between Lisbon and Sintra to experience two completely different sides of Portugal.
5. What kind of beaches do you want?
If spending time by the sea is part of your Portugal itinerary, the kind of beach you enjoy can make choosing between Lisbon and Sintra much easier.
Lisbon’s beaches are perfect for a classic beach holiday.
Places like Carcavelos and Costa da Caparica have long sandy beaches where you can swim, sunbathe or simply relax.
Beach cafés, surf schools and sunbeds make it easy to spend an entire afternoon by the Atlantic.
Sintra’s coastline offers a completely different experience. It’s less about lounging on the sand and more about dramatic cliffs, scenic walks and rugged Atlantic scenery.
My favourite spot was Cabo da Roca, where we watched the sunset from the cliffs beside the lighthouse.
We also visited Praia da Adraga, but the powerful waves made it feel more like a beach to admire than one to spend the day swimming.
If you’re after a more traditional beach, Praia das Maçãs is a good choice, although it still feels much wilder than Lisbon’s beaches.
Verdict
If your ideal beach day involves soft sand, beach cafés and a relaxing afternoon by the sea, stay in Lisbon.
If you’d rather explore dramatic cliffs, rugged beaches and Portugal’s wild Atlantic coastline, stay in Sintra.
So, is it better to stay in Lisbon or Sintra? My final verdict
Personally, I recommend staying in Lisbon for most travellers. It offers the best introduction to Portugal, has better transport, livelier evenings and is the most convenient base for exploring the country.
The only exception is the peak summer months, when Sintra’s cooler temperatures can make it a more comfortable place to stay.
Stay in Sintra if you
My favourite hotels in Sintra
Stay in Lisbon if you
My favourite hotels in Lisbon
FAQ
Should I stay in Lisbon or Sintra if I’m renting a car?
Renting a car shouldn’t affect where you stay. Neither Lisbon nor Sintra needs one. Lisbon’s metro, trams and buses cover the city, while Sintra’s tourist buses and Carris Metropolitana buses connect the palaces, beaches and major attractions. Public transport is usually easier than driving and parking.
Is Sintra worth staying overnight?
Stay overnight in Sintra if you have more than a week in Portugal. It gives you time to visit Cabo da Roca, Praia das Maçãs and the Historic Centre without rushing, while enjoying the town after the day-trippers leave. Otherwise, a day trip from Lisbon is enough.
Is it cheaper to stay in Lisbon or Sintra?
Sintra is generally cheaper to stay in than Lisbon. Budget hotels, modern hotels near the train station and even historic mansions usually cost less than similar accommodation in Lisbon, making Sintra one of Portugal’s best-value destinations for unique stays.
Should families with children stay in Lisbon or Sintra?
Lisbon is better for families with young children. We explored both Lisbon and Sintra with our 10-month-old son in a pushchair, and Lisbon was noticeably easier to get around. Many of Lisbon’s main attractions are spread across both flat and hilly neighbourhoods, giving you plenty of easier routes. Most of the sights visitors come to see in Sintra are on steep hills.
Should I stay in Lisbon or Sintra in September?
Lisbon is the better place to stay in September. The weather is still warm enough for sightseeing, beaches and outdoor dining, while Sintra is usually cooler because of its higher elevation. Sintra becomes especially appealing during the peak summer months, when Lisbon’s heat can be intense.
