Moorish Castle Entry Tickets

About this experience

Your experience Step into the Moorish Castle’s storied stone walls and explore Sintra’s hilltop history at your own pace. Getting started Begin at the main entrance of the Moorish Castle, where your ticket is validated. These are dated tickets, so you can visit anytime within operating hours and stay for as long as you like, taking your time to admire the sweeping cityscapes and rich history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. What to expect Dating back to the 8th century, the Moorish Castle stands as a fortified landmark overlooking the Serra de Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean. Its granite walls and towers reflect centuries of Iberian history, from the Muslim occupation to medieval Christian rule. Features Second Circle of Walls: Start your exploration at this historic entry point, offering a first glimpse of the castle’s defensive architecture. Islamic Houses: Walk through remnants of the original settlement, revealing the site’s early cultural layers. Medieval Christian Necropolis: Visit this burial site to connect with the castle’s later Christian history. Primary Wall and Old Stables: Discover how the castle’s design blended with the rugged landscape for defense and daily life. Panoramic viewpoints: Enjoy sweeping views over Sintra, the Palace of Pena, and the Atlantic Ocean from the parapet walk. You can upgrade and add a multilingual audio guide or guided tour to your visit and dive deeper into the history of this military fortress that once defended against Catholic invasions.

Highlights

• Step into Portugal’s past at Sintra’s 9th-century Moorish Castle. Entry includes access to the full complex and scenic marked hiking trails.
• Discover the storied walls, Islamic settlement, and medieval necropolis as you wander this military fortress set atop Sintra’s lush hills.
• Climb the castle's ancient ramparts to savor panoramic views stretching from the Pena Palace to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Add extra depth to your visit with a multilingual audio guide or join an English guided tour filled with tales of Moorish rule and Christian conquest.

What is included

• Entry to Moorish Castle
• Access to surrounding hiking trails
• Audio guide in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French (as per option selected)
• Offline content: text, audio, narration, and maps (as per option selected)
• English guided tour of Moorish Castle (as per option selected)
• Dog-friendly access

Not included

• Food and drinks

Before you go

Arrival and timing Your ticket is dated, so you may arrive at any point during operating hours and stay for as long as you wish. Present your ticket at the main entrance for validation before heading in. The site covers a considerable area of uneven terrain, so allow yourself plenty of time to walk the full circuit of walls and reach the higher viewpoints. Getting around the site The visit is self-guided and follows the castle's ramparts and interior paths. You will pass through the Second Circle of Walls, the remains of the Islamic Houses, the Medieval Christian Necropolis, and the Primary Wall before reaching the parapet walk with its panoramic views over Sintra and the Atlantic. Wear sturdy, flat footwear as the stone surfaces are irregular and can be slippery. An audio guide or guided tour can be added on the day if you would like more context as you explore. During your visit Photography for personal use is generally welcome in open-air heritage sites such as this, but be mindful of other visitors on narrow walkways. There are no indoor performance spaces, so standard quiet conduct applies throughout. Check any on-site signage regarding food, drink, and restricted areas before you begin your route.

Cancellation terms

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.