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Of all the places we went to in Sintra, this would be the one that I would skip. It actually looks better from other locations and it looks cooler. Once you're there, you have great views, but it doesn't really look like how you thought it would from a distance. It doesn't look like the pictures that were in my travel book. That was disappointing. It's a lot of stairs and a lot of climbing, and when we went, it was very windy, so do not look cute and wear a dress like we did. Definitely wear hiking gear!
Amazing! Too bad we only got about 20 minutes there. Definitely check the website for official closing times. And be prepared that it may even change once you get to the gate. When we arrived I believe it was closing around 530 or 630. Some people got burned because online ticket sales said it close at 8 PM. But we bought our full price ticket and ran around for 20 minutes. It was amazing! You are really high up walking along the castle walls and it is quite the experience. I will say if you're afraid of heights, you may have trouble here. I did not feel I was in danger of falling, but psychologically our fears may get the best of us. It was also quite windy when we went up there. It is a heck of a lot of fun to run around those walls in soaking all the history. Highly recommend it!
After the crazy crowds of the Pena Palace this place was a welcome respite. We took the short walk down the hill from Pena to the Moorish castle. I should have bought tickets ahead of time on-line for this site (like I did for Pena) since there was a bit of a line but my sister knew there was another ticket office uphill inside the castle's gate. We took the short hike up and sure enough you can buy tickets inside and almost no line. The highlight is walking the wall - not for the faint of heart in some places and if you have kids keep a good grip on them. The views are stunning. I felt like I was in a GOT episode. This place is really cool.
After an absolutely amazing afternoon spent at the Pena Palace, my fiancé and I spent the end our day exploring the Castelo Dos Mouros. At about 6:00pm, there was a fair amount of foot traffic, but luckily, we had bought our tickets beforehand at Pena and didn't have to wait in any lines! Although I found the castle itself to be slightly underwhelming when compared to what I had just seen at the Pena Palace, the views are absolutely breathtaking. For those who are comfortable enough to do a hike up to the top, I would highly recommend it. There are a lot of steps, but there are a few different platforms where you can stop to take a breather. Full disclosure, I'm afraid of heights but I was able to conquer my fear and make it to the top! And trust me, it was totally worth it! Once you are at the top, make sure you take a good look around - you'll get a different view from every which way you look. Tip, you can even see the Pena Palace in the distance! If you're in or near Sintra, Castelo Dos Mouros is definitely worth a stop. My suggestion is to wear your walking shoes, dress in layers (it gets cooler once you're at the top) and bring your camera because you're going to want to take some photos!
It's closely located around the Pena Park and Palace so be sure to visit this place when you are in the area. From the outside, this castle wall looks huge, but after going inside it's actually manageable even after some long walking time over at the park. However if you are afraid of height - don't go, the climb up the castle wall is pretty steep and narrow, I would say you need to be somewhat physically fit to go up especially when it gets crowded in the afternoon and need to make space. The view at the top of the wall is amazing. On a clear day you can see the Pena Palace colorful exterior. Just be careful when you are standing on the highest point, the "walls of the wall" are not high and with the number of visitors there it can be quite dangerous if you are not being careful. Definitely mark this place down as one of the must visit spot when you are in Lisbon!
Hands down my favorite part of the trip to Sintra. The views from here are just unreal! Make sure you come hydrated because it's a pretty serious trek! A 20 minute Uber ride from downtown Lisbon, it was totally worth the € just to get out here. When you get dropped off at the main entrance to the Castle, you can pop into the ticket kiosk and buy your entry tickets. No tickets are required up until the actual entrance to the castle walls. It's a brisk hike through the magical woods for about 1 mile or so. The views down to Sintra are remarkable and lots of photo ops with the beautiful nature. Lots of castle cats roaming around, which I loved! Once you get to the main entrance I would suggest picking which side you want to start climbing up because it's pretty grueling and you want to pace yourself! The views were so amazingly beautiful and I was glad we went up the left side because we were able to see the Pena Palace peeping out between the clouds and made for some amazing photo ops.
If you are in Lisbon and can spare a day, I highly recommend a trip to Sintra and the Castle of the Moors. From Lisbon, its less than an hour train ride from Rossio station. When you get out of the station, follow the people up the hill to the center of town. There are tons of things to see and do in Sintra, which is why I recommend a full day here, but I'll focus on the Castle, which is a Unesco World Heritage site. There's a 434 bus that drives in a loop to some of the major attractions. You might be tempted to walk - don't. The bus is only 5 Euros, and the road is all uphill and incredibly twisty. Plus, you will do a lot of climbing and walking once you get to the top. The castle was constructed during the 8th century, with many additions and renovations since that time. Its astounding to think people over 1200 years ago had the technology and skills to create something so massive on the top of a mountain! Where the bus drops you off, you purchase a ticket, and begin your walk up the hill to the top. The views are scenic, and there are several places where you can sit to rest or just enjoy the amazing scenery. Climb the tops of the towers. You will be rewarded with amazing views of the mountains and countryside, and will see some of the other attractions like the Palace of Pena.
Really enjoyed spending time wandering around here. Hiked here from Sintra (not too bad, follow the path not the road). It's very close to Peña Palace. The views are pretty incredible and it's unlike anything else in the area. You can get a discounted ticket if you purchase your ticket to Peña Palace at the same time. Probably not a must-see (I would prioritize Quinta da Regaleira and Peña Palace), but if you have the time and interest, it's definitely worth it!
We walked over here from the palace, which only took a few minutes. Although it was raining off and on, this did not detract from the amazing views. The fort looks small from a distance but it's quite large once you go inside. There are a lot of stairs but it's very doable. The views are amazing. You can see the Pena Palace in the distance if there is no fog. You can also take great pictures from one side of the fort to the other. It's really worth the hike up. I would skip the Guard's Building as there really isn't anything to see. If you're too tired to hike back down to the center there is usually a line of tuk-tuks in front and the cost is five euros per person. We bought tickets for this site in a combo package and it was definitely worth the visit.
Over a 2 week work trip in Portugal, I really wanted a chance to see many different aspects in a condensed period of free time. A weekend day trip to Cabo Da Roca and Sintra was a wonderful choice to fill some time with history and sights. Castelo Dos Mouros is a combination of a museum, hiking trail, and amazing views that everyone should experience while visiting this region of Portugal. The entry fee was reasonable, parking in Sintra and walking up worked quite well, and restaurants are plentiful for when you work up an appetite hiking. I am taking one star as i was hurried out a bit sooner than i would have preferred. It would have been nice to stay until darker.
A fabulous fort steeped in history built high up in the hills. If you are game you can walk up here from the town centre of Sintra and it's a good uphill walk but worth doing. You pass through some amazing small villages, scenery and so on along the way. If I recall correctly it took us about 90 mins to walk up the hill. If you like history and castles / forts you will enjoy this place. See my photos for an appreciation of the view and the history. If you are in Sintra for a day you have to visit this place.
AMAZING CASTLE NEAR PENA PALACE IN SINTRA, PORTUGAL ================================================= My husband, son, daughter-in-law and I visted the Castelo Dos Mouros on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. We had just finished our visit to the Pena Palace and walk through the Pena Palace Park. The entrance up this castle is close to the bottom of the park. This castle was built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries. It was taken by Christian forces after the fall of Lisbon in 1147. It is a National Monument and a Unesco World Heritage Site. There was a couple scary parts when we walked up stairs to walk along the tops of the castle walls. The walkways are narrow and there was only room for people walking in one direction. I panicked a bit when I saw someone walking towards me because there was no way two people would fit and there was a drop off on one side. The views are amazing up there so you will have lots of photo opportunities. There's also a little cafe where you can order something to drink, grab a bite to eat and several tables and chairs, so you can sit down and take a break. My husband and I definitely took a break while my son and daughter-in-law tackled one of the last steep sets of stairs. We got about 15,000 steps in that day. The landscaping around the castle is gorgeous too. read more
I walked here after visiting Pena palace and this was a really nice stroll. The pictures don't do this castle and the views from it any justice. You really have to come and see for yourself. The paths were quite narrow in some areas without much safety precautions in place so I felt a bit wobbly in some areas where other tourists were in a bit of a rush, but I just let them go ahead of me. The path does get quite steep so make sure to bring good shoes and water to stay hydrated. read more
We purchased our tickets eight dollars each from a kiosk in front of the entrance. We walked and walked to the castle. We climbed up and down uneven steps taking in the spectacular views of Sintra and miles away. The rocks and foliage contributed to the spectacular views. This is not for those that have difficulty walking or those afraid of heights. This Moorish Castle was listed in 1,000 things to see before you die, it is another UNESCO historical sight home for kings commanding the highest peak of the 8th century ruins & Moorish citadel with heavenly views. Built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries, it was an important strategic point during the Reconquista, and was taken by Christian forces after the fall of Lisbon in 1147. It is also classified as a National Monument. The 1755 earthquake destroyed the castle & slowly it was reconstructed. In 1979 archaeological excavations in the Chapel of São Pedro were begun by the cultural services of Portugal & medieval funerary tombs, dating to the turn of the 13th century. We found the castle poorly detailed & marked. A map, guide & more info would have been very helpful. Many had difficulty managing the kiosk to purchase tickets. We never found the gift shop. I waited :10 for what I thought was the only restroom only to be told that there were more downstairs; who knew! read more
Of all the places we went to in Sintra, this would be the one that I would skip. It actually looks better from other locations and it looks cooler. Once you're there, you have great views, but it doesn't really look like how you thought it would from a distance. It doesn't look like the pictures that were in my travel book. That was disappointing. It's a lot of stairs and a lot of climbing, and when we went, it was very windy, so do not look cute and wear a dress like we did. Definitely wear hiking gear! read more
Amazing! Too bad we only got about 20 minutes there. Definitely check the website for official closing times. And be prepared that it may even change once you get to the gate. When we arrived I believe it was closing around 530 or 630. Some people got burned because online ticket sales said it close at 8 PM. But we bought our full price ticket and ran around for 20 minutes. It was amazing! You are really high up walking along the castle walls and it is quite the experience. I will say if you're afraid of heights, you may have trouble here. I did not feel I was in danger of falling, but psychologically our fears may get the best of us. It was also quite windy when we went up there. It is a heck of a lot of fun to run around those walls in soaking all the history. Highly recommend it! read more
After the crazy crowds of the Pena Palace this place was a welcome respite. We took the short walk down the hill from Pena to the Moorish castle. I should have bought tickets ahead of time on-line for this site (like I did for Pena) since there was a bit of a line but my sister knew there was another ticket office uphill inside the castle's gate. We took the short hike up and sure enough you can buy tickets inside and almost no line. The highlight is walking the wall - not for the faint of heart in some places and if you have kids keep a good grip on them. The views are stunning. I felt like I was in a GOT episode. This place is really cool. read more
After an absolutely amazing afternoon spent at the Pena Palace, my fiancé and I spent the end our day exploring the Castelo Dos Mouros. At about 6:00pm, there was a fair amount of foot traffic, but luckily, we had bought our tickets beforehand at Pena and didn't have to wait in any lines! Although I found the castle itself to be slightly underwhelming when compared to what I had just seen at the Pena Palace, the views are absolutely breathtaking. For those who are comfortable enough to do a hike up to the top, I would highly recommend it. There are a lot of steps, but there are a few different platforms where you can stop to take a breather. Full disclosure, I'm afraid of heights but I was able to conquer my fear and make it to the top! And trust me, it was totally worth it! Once you are at the top, make sure you take a good look around - you'll get a different view from every which way you look. Tip, you can even see the Pena Palace in the distance! If you're in or near Sintra, Castelo Dos Mouros is definitely worth a stop. My suggestion is to wear your walking shoes, dress in layers (it gets cooler once you're at the top) and bring your camera because you're going to want to take some photos! read more
It's closely located around the Pena Park and Palace so be sure to visit this place when you are in the area. From the outside, this castle wall looks huge, but after going inside it's actually manageable even after some long walking time over at the park. However if you are afraid of height - don't go, the climb up the castle wall is pretty steep and narrow, I would say you need to be somewhat physically fit to go up especially when it gets crowded in the afternoon and need to make space. The view at the top of the wall is amazing. On a clear day you can see the Pena Palace colorful exterior. Just be careful when you are standing on the highest point, the "walls of the wall" are not high and with the number of visitors there it can be quite dangerous if you are not being careful. Definitely mark this place down as one of the must visit spot when you are in Lisbon! read more
Hands down my favorite part of the trip to Sintra. The views from here are just unreal! Make sure you come hydrated because it's a pretty serious trek! A 20 minute Uber ride from downtown Lisbon, it was totally worth the € just to get out here. When you get dropped off at the main entrance to the Castle, you can pop into the ticket kiosk and buy your entry tickets. No tickets are required up until the actual entrance to the castle walls. It's a brisk hike through the magical woods for about 1 mile or so. The views down to Sintra are remarkable and lots of photo ops with the beautiful nature. Lots of castle cats roaming around, which I loved! Once you get to the main entrance I would suggest picking which side you want to start climbing up because it's pretty grueling and you want to pace yourself! The views were so amazingly beautiful and I was glad we went up the left side because we were able to see the Pena Palace peeping out between the clouds and made for some amazing photo ops. read more
6 years ago
If you are in Lisbon and can spare a day, I highly recommend a trip to Sintra and the Castle of the Moors. From Lisbon, its less than an hour train ride from Rossio station. When you get out of the station, follow the people up the hill to the center of town. There are tons of things to see and do in Sintra, which is why I recommend a full day here, but I'll focus on the Castle, which is a Unesco World Heritage site. There's a 434 bus that drives in a loop to some of the major attractions. You might be tempted to walk - don't. The bus is only 5 Euros, and the road is all uphill and incredibly twisty. Plus, you will do a lot of climbing and walking once you get to the top. The castle was constructed during the 8th century, with many additions and renovations since that time. Its astounding to think people over 1200 years ago had the technology and skills to create something so massive on the top of a mountain! Where the bus drops you off, you purchase a ticket, and begin your walk up the hill to the top. The views are scenic, and there are several places where you can sit to rest or just enjoy the amazing scenery. Climb the tops of the towers. You will be rewarded with amazing views of the mountains and countryside, and will see some of the other attractions like the Palace of Pena. read more
10 years ago
Really enjoyed spending time wandering around here. Hiked here from Sintra (not too bad, follow the path not the road). It's very close to Peña Palace. The views are pretty incredible and it's unlike anything else in the area. You can get a discounted ticket if you purchase your ticket to Peña Palace at the same time. Probably not a must-see (I would prioritize Quinta da Regaleira and Peña Palace), but if you have the time and interest, it's definitely worth it! read more
We walked over here from the palace, which only took a few minutes. Although it was raining off and on, this did not detract from the amazing views. The fort looks small from a distance but it's quite large once you go inside. There are a lot of stairs but it's very doable. The views are amazing. You can see the Pena Palace in the distance if there is no fog. You can also take great pictures from one side of the fort to the other. It's really worth the hike up. I would skip the Guard's Building as there really isn't anything to see. If you're too tired to hike back down to the center there is usually a line of tuk-tuks in front and the cost is five euros per person. We bought tickets for this site in a combo package and it was definitely worth the visit. read more
Over a 2 week work trip in Portugal, I really wanted a chance to see many different aspects in a condensed period of free time. A weekend day trip to Cabo Da Roca and Sintra was a wonderful choice to fill some time with history and sights. Castelo Dos Mouros is a combination of a museum, hiking trail, and amazing views that everyone should experience while visiting this region of Portugal. The entry fee was reasonable, parking in Sintra and walking up worked quite well, and restaurants are plentiful for when you work up an appetite hiking. I am taking one star as i was hurried out a bit sooner than i would have preferred. It would have been nice to stay until darker. read more
A fabulous fort steeped in history built high up in the hills. If you are game you can walk up here from the town centre of Sintra and it's a good uphill walk but worth doing. You pass through some amazing small villages, scenery and so on along the way. If I recall correctly it took us about 90 mins to walk up the hill. If you like history and castles / forts you will enjoy this place. See my photos for an appreciation of the view and the history. If you are in Sintra for a day you have to visit this place. read more
6 years ago
They do not take cash!!! No warning from anywhere . We got there with tons of euros and they just refused to take them . We had to figure out a way to buy tickets online and let them scan . If you have no smartphone with data you are screwed! If you have no PayPal account you are screwed !! If you are not physically fit , do not even waste your time here. It's a nightmare of stairs !!!! read more
8 years ago
7 years ago
12 years ago
11 years ago
Beautiful castle fortress way up high in the hills of Sintra. You're so high up you can see the Atlantic Ocean from the top. The fortress of this Moorish castle are fascinating to explore but very exhausting. I can only recommend visiting if you're in good physical shape because it is rather steep in spots. If you're in top shape and want to visit, you'll be happy you did. An extremely comfortable pair of sneakers is highly recommended for the hike. Also, it's quite a bit cooler and windy up here so because to bring a sweatshirt as well. read more
10 years ago
Of course if you Like old fortresses it's interesting to go there... But The entrance is 8 euros And for this price it's a bit expensive as if The point of view is very nice. read more
10 years ago
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