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Where to Stay in Sintra Portugal : 4 Best Areas + Hotels
Sintra is one of the most magical places I’ve visited in Portugal.
And I say that after spending three days exploring its palaces, cobbled lanes, and misty forests with my husband and toddler during our month-long Portugal trip.
I remember feeling completely overwhelmed when I started looking for the right Sintra accommodation
The charming vintage guesthouses in the Historic Centre of Sintra looked beautiful, but many came with a hefty price tag.
The hotels near Sintra train station were more affordable, but they were farther from the sights I wanted to visit.
Staying along the coast was another option, but I wanted to spend my time exploring Sintra’s palaces and historic streets rather than its beaches.
The right area to stay in Sintra depends on your budget, itinerary, and travel style.
The Historic Centre is best for travellers spending 2–3 days palace hopping, while Colares and the Sintra Coast are ideal for nature lovers.
Once I understood how the pedestrian-only centre, loop buses, steep hills, and coastal areas all fit together, choosing accommodation became much easier.
That is exactly why I put this guide together.
I will show you where to stay in Sintra, by comparing each area, its pros and cons, and the best hotels for every budget, from luxury palace stays and boutique hotels to affordable guesthouses.
Quick answer : Where to stay in Sintra based on your travel budget and what you want to see.
1. Historic Centre – Best for first-time visitors and sightseeing
If you’re visiting Sintra for the first time, this is where you should stay, and this is where I stayed too, with zero regrets.
In most cities, I never suggest staying near tourist attractions, but Sintra is an exception because it’s incredibly hilly and many underestimate it.
Staying outside Sintra Historic Centre usually means spending more time travelling every day.
Because we stayed in the Historic Centre, we could make the best use of our time, whether I was catching the loop bus or heading to Casa Piriquita to eat Sintra’s famous pillow sweets.
You can walk to the National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, restaurants, cafés, and shops, while the buses to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle also leave from here.
The only drawback is that private cars aren’t normally allowed.
If you’re driving, your hotel will usually send instructions on how to access the Historic Centre.
As we were driving from Nazaré to Sintra, we had to follow particular instructions.
Luckily, our host gave a detailed tips on accessing their hotel inside the pedestrian zone
But if you come here by train, you can take the loop bus, get dropped in the centre, and walk to your hotel.
Also, don’t pick this area if you have a lot of luggage.
Where to stay in Sintra Historic Centre area
Palácio de Sintra Boutique House
This is where I stayed, and I’d happily stay here again.
Set inside a beautiful 200-year-old mansion, every room is named after a Portuguese king or queen.
We stayed in the Dona Maria room, which had lovely views of both the Sintra streets and the Atlantic Ocean.
The staff were incredibly friendly, there was always free bica available, and the peaceful courtyard was a nice place to relax after sightseeing.
Since cars aren’t normally allowed into the Historic Centre, the host even sent us a detailed video explaining how to use the automatic bollard and access the property.
The only downside is that, like most historic buildings here, there’s no lift, and the parking area is quite small.
Sintra Flower Lux Apartments
If you’re travelling with family or simply want more space, these apartments are a great choice and it is located right opposite the National Palace, and some balconies look directly onto it.
We walked past them while exploring the Historic Centre, and the modern interiors really stood out among all the historic buildings.
18.21 Quinta Velha
If visiting Pena Palace is your top priority, this is probably the closest place you can stay.
Set within Pena Park, it feels far removed from the crowds.
The beautiful gardens, outdoor pool, and peaceful surroundings are what make this stay stand out.
2. Regaleira – Best for luxury stays and a peaceful escape
If staying in a grand palace or historic mansion has always been on your bucket list, this is the area to do it.
You’re still within walking distance of the Historic Centre, but it feels much quieter and far less touristy and almost feels like staying in a forest.
We walked through this area on our way to Quinta da Regaleira and immediately noticed the difference.
Instead of busy streets filled with tourists, there were tree-lined roads, elegant villas and beautiful mansions hidden behind old stone walls.
It almost felt like we had wandered into a private estate.
Another reason you should consider staying here is that most roads are open to private vehicles.
Unlike the Historic Centre, arriving by car is much easier, which is a big advantage if you’re road-tripping through Portugal.
The only downside is that there are fewer food places and it is expensive.
You’ll probably end up walking into the Historic Centre or station for most meals.
I didn’t stay here simply because it was beyond our budget.
But if I ever returned to Sintra for a special occasion or anniversary, this is probably the area I’d choose.
Best places to stay near Quinta da Regaleira
Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais
If money isn’t a concern, you should pick this 1787 palace converted into super-luxury hotel.
Johnny Depp stayed here while filming his movie “The Ninth Gate.”
But the palace, gardens and views are reason enough to book it. It’s also only about a 600 m walk from Quinta da Regaleira.
Lawrence’s Hotel
If you want to stay in the oldest operating hotel since 1764 in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), stay in Lawrence’s.
Despite being a luxury hotel, it’s more affordable than many other high-end stays in Sintra.
Guests love its old-world charm, food, and peaceful forest setting.
3. Portela de Sintra near the train station – Best for travellers with a car and short stays
If you have a car but still want to stay closer to the Historic Centre, want easy access to food late at night, or prefer being near the train station so you don’t have to worry about getting to your next destination by train, you should stay in Portela de Sintra.
This area has more modern hotels, so lifts are much more common here.
We walked around this area one evening and could understand why some travellers prefer it.
There are plenty of food options here, even at 10 pm. I could even go to a few vegetarian friendly restaurants here.
The Historic Centre is only about 2 km away.
The one disadvantage of staying here is the noise. The trains, buses and busy restaurants may not be ideal if you’re a light sleeper.
That is why I didn’t choose this area.
I needed peace at night. After all, we knew we’d be walking a lot in Sintra and wanted quiet nights.
Best places to stay in Portela de Sintra near the train station
Sintra Bliss Hotel
A mid-range hotel that is highly rated by family travellers.
It has everything I would want as a traveller with family, like a lift, restaurant and car parking, and it’s just outside the Historic Centre.
If I were staying in Portela de Sintra with my family, I’d choose this.
Casa de Hóspedes D. Maria Parreirinha
Probably the best budget stay in SIntra with car parking and ideal for one night stay.
Despite being one of the cheapest accommodations in Sintra, guests say the rooms are spacious.
There is no lift here, but it is just Ground plus one floor.
4. Sintra Coast, Colares – Best for beach holidays and longer stays
If you enjoy dramatic cliffs, quiet beaches, and coastal walks more than exploring palaces and historic streets, staying along the Sintra Coast is the best choice.
Think of the coast as a collection of small villages, including Colares, Almoçageme, Azenhas do Mar, and Praia das Maçãs. We have visited many of these villages.
We stopped for coffee in Almoçageme before visiting Praia da Adraga, one of my favourite beaches in Portugal.
We also visited Praia das Maçãs after riding Sintra’s historic tram.
This town was the quietest of all the towns I visited in Portugal. Apart from the ocean waves, I could almost hear nothing.
The biggest downside is the location.
You’re around 20 to 30 minutes from Sintra’s main attractions, so a car makes getting around much easier.
I’d only choose the coast if I planned to spend a week in Sintra, combining beach time, hiking and palace hopping.
Best places to stay along the Sintra Coast
Residencial Real Guest House, Praia das Maçãs
If waking up to the Atlantic Ocean is your priority, I’d shortlist this one.
We walked past it after getting off Sintra’s historic tram, and almost every room seemed to have an ocean view.
Arribas Sintra Hotel, Praia Grande
Pick this for a luxury beach holiday. The oceanfront pool and sea-view rooms are what make it stand out.
Luxury travellers praise it for it’s views, food and even a gym that overlooks Atlantic.
WOT Sarrazola Soul, Colares
If you want to stay close to both the beach and the mountains while keeping costs down, stay here.
Most seafront accommodation costs a bomb, and this gives you easy access to Praia da Adraga without paying beachfront prices.
Where not to stay in Sintra as a tourist and why
As a traveller staying in Sintra for sightseeing, I wouldn’t recommend choosing Algueirão-Mem Martins.
The hotels here are much cheaper and often include parking, a lift and breakfast.
But they’re far from the places you’ll actually want to visit as a tourist.
Algueirão-Mem Martins area is ideal for business travellers, not for tourists visiting Sintra.
I came across Algueirão-Mem Martins while looking for a budget hotel with a lift and car parking.
That’s when I found the usual business hotel chain Ibis Lisboa Sintra
Travellers even loved Flag Hotel Lisboa Sintra in the area which is closer to shopping malls.
Both were much cheaper than similar hotels in the Historic Centre or near the train station.
But they are about 5 to 7 km from Sintra’s main attractions. You can take buses to the attractions, but it adds extra travel time every day.
For me, staying in Sintra for just 2 nights and 3 days, spending extra time getting around just to save some money didn’t make sense.
Quick booking recap—best Sintra accommodation by travel style
Things to know before booking accommodations in Sintra
