8 Beautiful Streets in Sintra to Walk : My Favourites & Why

You often see Sintra described as a fairytale town because of its palaces and mansions. Sure, it is. But what makes Sintra feel like a fairytale town isn’t just the buildings.

It is the streets winding through the mountains and the little surprises I found while exploring them on foot during my 3 days Sintra trip.

Some opened up to beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Others led to bakeries making traditional Sintra sweets, centuries-old buildings and little corners that made me want to stop and look around.

There were souvenir shops and tiny chapels tucked beneath shaded streets, along with modern sculptures, fountains and beautiful old façades. Sintra’s streets were a delight to explore.

But there’s one thing I wish more Sintra walking guides made clear: some walks described as “easy” are actually quite a hike.

So, I’ve put together the beautiful streets in Sintra to walk, whether you have one day or two to explore.

For each one, I’ll tell you how difficult it really is, what you’ll see along the way and whether I think it is worth the effort.

I’ll also point out the routes where I found myself stopping to catch my breath, so you can choose what suits you and know what you’re getting into before you set off.

1. Rua Ferraria

One of the most beautiful & historic streets in Sintra is Rua da Ferraria. 

Apart from Pena Palace, which is the most colourful palace in Sintra, Ferraria is the street that gave me the strongest fairytale feeling.

It is a short, narrow lane with colourful façades, Portuguese ceramics, azulejos and flowering creepers.

It is one of the best street to even buy Portuguese souvenirs, particularly azulejos.

Some of the smaller lanes around it also connect to the old Jewish quarter.

There are also small residential entrances with traditional lamps. 

Once it gets dark, the warm yellow light makes the narrow lanes feel almost like I had stepped back in time.

2. Rua das Padarias

The one Sintra street you shouldn’t miss if you have a sweet tooth is Rua das Padarias. It is pretty and delicious at the same time.

I have walked this street twice, and both times I came for two reasons: devour local sweet travesseiros and admire the diamond-patterned black and yellow cobbles, old buildings and shady trees.

This is where you will find Casa Piriquita, the famous old bakery known for its traditional Sintra sweets.

The old buildings along the street are also home to souvenir shops, cafés and food places.

Rua das Padarias is only about 100 metres from Republic Square, so you will likely pass it whether you are in Sintra for one day or three.

3. Rua Consiglieri Pedroso

The quiet street in Sintra that made me feel like I was walking through a small town in the forest is Rua Consiglieri Pedroso.

I walked this street the most because I was staying here in a 200-year-old mansion, and I loved its green, shady feel, old houses and small-town atmosphere.

If you are walking from the Historic Centre towards Quinta da Regaleira- the place known for spiralling well, this is one of the routes you can take.

The Museu Ferreira de Castro is also along this street. Its traditional Sintra-style building, with whitewashed walls, azulejos and old balconies, blends nicely into the surroundings.

On clear days, I could even see glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean between the trees and old romantic-style mansions.

4. Volta do Duche

If you want a longer walk with plenty to see along the way, Volta do Duche is one of the best streets to walk in Sintra.

I walked thsi road about 800 metres from the Historic Centre to Sintra railway station, and I must have stopped at least ten times for street-side vendors, museums, hidden landmarks and food.

You pass the Moorish Fountain, a 19th-century fountain with Moorish-inspired arches, old sculptures and art installations along the way.

Queijadas da Sapa, an old bakery known for its traditional Sintra queijadas, is also on this road.

Then came Sintra Town Hall, which caught my eye because it looked more like a castle than a town hall.

As you continue towards the station, the historic surroundings slowly give way to cafés, restaurants and everyday town things.

Wider streets and avenues in Sintra to explore on foot

5. Avenida Almeida Garrett

After a day of sightseeing in Sintra, if you want to feel like the town is sitting inside a forest, walk along Avenida Almeida Garrett.

It is a wider road, but it still feels very green, with the roofs of mansions and bungalows popping up between the trees.

This road forms part of the Sintra-Colares road.

As you enter, the compound wall of Quinta da Regaleira appears along one side of the curve.

You can also spot the Fountain of Abundance, a small stone fountain with a basin.

On the other side, it almost feels like there is nothing but forest.

I later realised that Valverde Sintra is tucked away somewhere there, but from the road, you would hardly know it was there.

Then the Regaleira mansion slowly comes into view above the trees, with its pointed towers and elaborate details.

We were there in the first week of November, so the orange and yellow autumn leaves made this stretch even prettier.

6. 25th of April Avenue

One of the little-known hidden gems of Sintra is 25th of April Avenue (Jardim Formoso), and it is one of my favourites.

This is where you can watch the historic red Sintra tram run through a natural canopy formed by the upper branches of the trees.

I call it little-known because while everyone knows about Lisbon’s famous yellow trams, not many people realise that Sintra has had its own tram since 1904.

In early November, the tall plane trees had turned yellow, creating a tunnel-like canopy over the tracks.

Without the tram, it is simply a pretty tree-lined avenue, but once the red tram comes through, the whole place comes alive.

Plan the visit around the tram rather than simply turning up and hoping to catch it.

If you have a car, this is an easy stop to add while driving towards Monserrate.

8. Monserrate Park

If you want a longer garden walk in Sintra without the crowds of Pena, choose Monserrate Park.

The park covers about 50 hectares, although the main landscaped garden covers around 15 hectares.

It is filled with winding paths, a chapel ruin, exotic plants, ponds, waterfalls and different garden areas.

We spent around three hours here because we kept stopping along the way.

There are ponds with water lilies, waterfalls, shaded paths and plenty of greenery to look at.

My son particularly enjoyed the waterfalls and walking around the park, while I kept stopping to look at the gardens.

The Valley of the Ferns, in particular, has a very different feel from the more open areas around the palace.

Then the garden opens onto the sloping lawn, with the palace sitting at the top. It felt like the grand finale of the whole walk.

Tips for walking Sintra streets