Fairytale Castles and Luxury at Penha Longa Resort in Sintra, Protugal
We based ourselves at the beautiful Penha Longa Resort, a Ritz Carlton property set on a lush green golf course on the west coast of Portugal. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member this resort offers incredible redemption value for points, especially during low season in February when we visited. We secured this luxury property for about 30,000 points per night, which is amazing value for a Ritz Carlton.
The best part of the resort is that is have an actual monastery on the grounds, which we planned to explore during our stay. But first, we had castles and fortresses to discover with our friends Krystal and Titus, making this a first-time Portugal adventure for all four of us.
Even though we had a rental car, we quickly discovered the best way to get around Sintra is on the public bus system. You can catch these buses at the central train station, and a day ticket costs only €13.50. The ticket gives you hop-on, hop-off access to all the major sites and remains valid for 24 hours.
Two different bus routes cover the various locations and attractions you’ll want to see. This system beats driving yourself because the roads in Sintra are super tiny and parking is sparse. The buses get incredibly close to other vehicles and walls, which would be nerve-wracking if you were driving yourself through these narrow streets.
Moorish Castle
Our first stop was the Moorish Castle, dating back to the 10th century when the Moors (Muslims from North Africa) lived here until 1147. That year, Christians took over the area and Muslims began to leave, transforming it into a Christian settlement.
The castle costs €12 per person to enter, and it’s incredibly beautiful and peaceful to walk around. One fascinating discovery we made was a unique tomb from the 1800s. During King Ferdinand II’s reconstruction of the area, workers damaged the church grounds and found human remains. Not knowing if they were Christian or Muslim, they created a monument featuring both a cross and a crescent moon with skull and crossbones below, essentially saying “let God decide what they were and have mercy on their souls.”
From the top of the Moorish Castle, you can actually see your next destination: Pena Palace perched high on another hill.
We spent almost 2 hours exploring the Moorish Castle and we still had to get to Pena Palace so be sure to allow plenty of time when visiting Sintra’s sites because you don’t want to feel rushed. The views are incredible, and you’ll want to appreciate all the small details as you walk up lots of steps and navigate cobblestone paths.
When we left the Moorish Castle, it was a short 3-4 minute walk down a very busy road that led to the main entrance to Pena Palace. There was an alternate route through the wood, which our friends Krystal and Titus decided to walk; it only took a couple extra minutes, but we were told it was a much more beautiful way to get to the entrance.
We had already paid for transfers when we bought our tickets online. Entrance to Pena Palace costs €10 for the gardens, and additional €10 to enter the Palace, and you can add a €2.50 transfer from the bottom to the top since it would be a 25-minute uphill walk otherwise.
Pena Palace: A Royal Resurrection
Pena Palace sits atop a very tall hill overlooking Sintra and serves as the National Palace of the area. Established in the 12th century, it was essentially obliterated by the 1755 earthquake that hit Lisbon. Reconstruction didn’t begin until the 1800s.
During all that time, a monastery operated here and continued functioning even when everything around it had been completely flattened by the earthquake.
The main pathways are cobblestone or brick, making walking comfortable, but there are numerous smaller trails leading to hidden fountains and different plant collections.
The monastery gardens, which later became the palace gardens, are designed for getting lost. There are countless incredible spots, twists, turns, and places to sit where you can find peace and quiet to contemplate. Since we visited in February 2025 during off-season, it was much more peaceful than it would be during summer.
Beautiful Structures in Pena Park
The Chalet: Built in 1869 for Countess Edla (Elise Hensler), wife of King Ferdinand, this structure features walls made of wood and cork with beautiful tilework in what used to be the kitchen. Titus thought it looked like the witch’s house from Hansel and Gretel.
Lagos (The Lakes Area): Several small man-made lakes that served as the water source pumped up to the palace.
We didn’t make it to the highest point, Cruz Alta, so that adventure awaits our next visit.
Penha Longa Resort: Luxury and Relaxation
After our castle adventures, we returned to our resort to enjoy the pool, sauna, steam room, and Turkish bath – all complimentary amenities.
Our one-bedroom executive suite overlooked the golf course and featured a separate living area with smart TV (perfect for watching our latest videos on YouTube), an espresso maker with complimentary coffee and tea, unlimited still water, and beautiful golf course views.
The bedroom included a comfortable king-size bed, wardrobe area, and marble bathroom with luxurious Diptyque products. The bathroom featured both a wonderful soaking tub and a shower.
The private patio with table was perfect for evening wine with golf course views.
Sintra combines stunning natural beauty with incredible historical architecture in a way that feels almost magical. The UNESCO World Heritage designation is well-deserved, and we understand why this area has captivated visitors for centuries. The combination of Moorish and Christian influences, royal palaces, and monastic tranquility creates a destination that satisfies history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone seeking natural beauty.
Want to see our explorations? Watch our complete Sintra adventure on our YouTube channel:
