Castle of the Moors (Sintra): Tickets and Tours

Overlooking the town of Sintra and Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors is a fortification with origins that dates back to the 10th century.

The granite walls snake along the Sintra Hills— with the parapet walk offering incredible views of the surrounding area.

Book your Castle of the Moors tickets to experience one of Sintra’s most popular attractions for yourself.

Put on your walking shoes and learn about the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula as you take in the stunning views that reach all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Here's everything you need to know about the Castle of the Moors, one of the most exciting day tours from Lisbon.

What are the prices of Castle of the Moors tickets?

You can choose between buying your Castle of the Moors tickets at the onsite ticket office or purchasing them online.

• Adults: €8
• Children under 18: €6.5

Book your Castle of the Moors tickets online ahead of time to skip the queue at the onsite ticket office.

Who gets a discount?

Seniors over 65 receive a discounted ticket rate of €6.5 per person instead of €8 per person. Identification is required in order to receive this discount.

Family tickets are available at €26 each and grant access to two children and two adults.

Is it worth booking in advance?

When you book your Castle of the Moors tickets online, you automatically receive a 5% discount. Additionally, you’ll be able to skip the line when you reach the fortification, thus saving you both time and money.

Begin planning your Sintra itinerary and book your Castle of the Moors tickets in advance.

What are the best Castle of the Moors tours?

Self-guided audio tours

Pay a small additional fee on top of your ticket price to access a convenient audio guide, which can be downloaded onto your phone.

Learn about all the most important features of the Castle of the Moors as you stroll around the fortification at your own pace.

Self-guided audio tours are a convenient and affordable way to add value to your visit— just remember to bring your own headphones. Audio guides are available in several different languages and can be accessed before, after and during your visit.

What are the highlights at the Castle of the Moors?

The Castle of the Moors is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a long rich history that dates back to the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.

There is so much to see during your visit to the Moorish Castle, so set aside at least two hours for your visit.

Second Ring of Walls

Afonso Henriques was responsible for creating a second line of walls that aimed to protect the population and their animals. The second line of walls gives us an idea of the size of the population at the time.

Silos

The silos were used for storing legumes and cereals and were popular amongst the Moorish people. Silos are present throughout the castle area and can easily be spotted as you walk around the fortification.

Islamic Houses

Moorish people lived within the castle walls for almost two centuries, and the Islamic houses are evidence of what their dwellings looked like. You’ll even find traces of a community oven near the East Wall.

Tomb

A common tomb was created in 1839 to deposit the human bones found in the Medieval Quarter. As it is not certain whether the bones belonged to Christians or Muslims, symbols from both faiths can be found above the tomb.

Church of São Pedro de Canaferrim

The church was built in the 12th century and boasts beautiful gothic paintings. The church has since been converted into the Moorish Castle Interpretation Center and exhibits various archaeological finds.

Door of Betrayal

The Door of Betrayal was used to allow discrete access to the interior, but if enemies found the door, they could access the fortification. The door appears to be somewhat hidden and can be found near the eastern wall.

Royal Tower

The Royal Tower offers incredible views of the Palace and Pena and is thought to have been a favorite recreational spot for Ferdinand II, who enjoyed painting scenes of the views provided by the Royal Tower.

How can I there?

The Castle of the Moors can be found on one of the peaks in the Sintra Hills, overlooking the town below. The castle can be reached by taking Bus 434 from Sintra’s train station.

If you are driving, it is best to leave your vehicle in one of the town’s parking lots and take the bus up to the castle as the Castle of the Moors does not offer any parking.

Many visitors choose to hike to the fortification from Sintra’s train station, which makes for a memorable experience. As the hike is roughly 5 kilometers there and back, you’ll require a moderate level of fitness.

What are the opening times?

The Castle of the Moors is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, with the last admission taking place at 6 PM.

The only days on which the fortification is closed are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, although certain sections may be closed from time to time for maintenance.

When is the best time to tour the Castle of the Moors?

Sintra day tours from Lisbon are known for crowds visiting the attractions, so if you want to avoid it, the best plan it's to visit the fortification during the week as it opens. Fortunately, the fortification is surprisingly large and can handle a large number of people at any given time.

The Castle of the Moors is an amazing place to watch the sunset as you get to see 360-degree views of the surrounding area. However, because of these incredible sunset views, this can be a particularly busy time of day.

Which other day tours to Sintra can be done from Lisbon?

• Pena Palace
• Quinta da Regaleira
• Queluz Palace
• Monserrate Palace
• National Palace of Sintra
• Convent of the Capuchos

Travel tips

• Make sure your camera is fully charged as there are many fantastic photo opportunities. Capture images of Pena Palace, the town of Sintra and the surrounding hills.
• Wear comfortable shoes and breathable clothing for walking around the fortification as you could easily end up walking at least a few kilometers.
• There is a large dog-accessible area at the Castle of the Moors, where dogs are welcome and dog bowls filled with water are provided.
• Take the time to visit some of the other attractions on offer during your time in Sintra.