17 Best Sights in Sintra, the Estoril Coast, and the Setúbal Peninsula, Portugal

The most visited attraction in the area around Cascais is the forbiddingly named Boca do Inferno ("Mouth of Hell"), one of several natural grottoes in the rugged coastline. Located just 2 km (1 mile) west of town, it is best appreciated at high tide or in stormy weather, when the waves crash high onto the surrounding cliffs. You can walk along the fenced paths to the viewing platforms above the grotto and peer into the abyss. A path leads down to secluded spots on the rocks below, where fishermen cast their lines. The bleakly beautiful spot is where English occultist and magician Aleister Crowley faked his own suicide in 1930, shocking onlookers when he appeared at a Berlin art gallery three weeks later. A white plaque at the site marks the intriguing occasion, together with the text of the "suicide note" he left behind.

This salt-encrusted headland—crowned by a whitewashed convent surrounded by 18th-century pilgrim rest houses—is the southwestern point of the Setúbal Peninsula, marked by a red-and-white lighthouse. It's a ruggedly beautiful spot, where the cliffs rise hundreds of feet out of the stormy Atlantic. To the north, unsullied beaches extend as far as Caparica, with only local roads and footpaths connecting them. It's a good spot for hiking, with marked trails leading down to some clearly visible dinosaur footprints.

Portugal’s best known contemporary artist, Paula Rego died in 2022 but her legacy lives on in her incredible body of thought-provoking work, much of which is showcased at this modern building in the Cascais Museum Quarter. Designed by the renowned architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, the eye-catching pyramid-like building houses a permanent display of many of Rego’s works, along with visiting exhibitions from other celebrated modern artists.

Designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura, one of Portugal's preeminent architects, the striking terra-cotta-colored buildings of this museum are as intriguing as the notable work shown inside. The building houses some of the works of Portugal's best-known contemporary artist, Paula Rego, and there's a small amphitheater on-site that sometimes hosts speakers and literary and art events.

Thought to have inspired the James Bond novel (and subsequent movie) Casino Royale, the glitzy Casino Estoril retains a glamorous allure. It's one of the largest casinos in Europe, with a nightclub, art gallery, bars, and restaurants alongside the gambling salons. You can make an evening of it here, with dinner and dancing to live music or DJs, but it's a pricey night out.

Sitting high above the city is the Castelo de Sesimbra, which was conquered in 1165 by Dom Afonso Henriques but fell back into the hands of the Moors until 1200. The castle lost importance and fell into disrepair during the next several hundred years until Dom João IV ordered that it be adapted for the use of artillery in 1648. Classified as a National Monument, reconstruction was done to restore it to its previous glory after the great earthquake of 1755. From Sesimbra, a steep marked walking trail leads up the side of the pine-covered hill to the castle grounds. Aside from the incredible views of the ocean and the city below, there is a chapel, a small museum, and a café with an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a gin and tonic or a bagaço (a clear Portuguese liquor) as the sun goes down.

A dramatic sight against the greenery of the forest, this sprawling 16th-century monastery is built into the hills of the Serra da Arrábida. The glorious views take in the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of the coast. Tours, which must be booked in advance, take place on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Built in a similar style to the celebrated palace at Versailles and now restored from pink to its original blue, Queluz National Palace was ordered as a royal summer residence by Dom Pedro III in 1747. Architect Mateus Vicente de Oliveira took five years to make the place habitable; Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Robillon spent 40 more executing a detailed baroque plan that also comprised imported trees and statues, and azulejo-lined canals and fountains. You can tour the apartments and elegant staterooms, including the frescoed Music Salon, the Hall of Ambassadors, and the mirrored Throne Room with its crystal chandeliers and gilt trim. 

The enormous twin chimneys rising out of Sintra Palace are among the town's most iconic landmarks. There has probably been a palace here since Moorish times, although the current structure dates from the late 14th century. It is the only surviving royal palace in Portugal from the Middle Ages and displays a combination of Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline architecture. The chapel has Mudéjar (Moorish-influenced) azulejo tiles from the 15th and 16th centuries. The ceiling of the Sala dos Brasões is painted with the coats of arms of 72 noble families, and the grand Sala dos Cisnes has a remarkable ceiling of painted swans.  Bilingual descriptions in each room let you enjoy them at your own pace.

This estate, 6 km (3½ miles) west of Sintra, was laid out by English gardeners in the mid-19th century at the behest of a wealthy Englishman, Sir Francis Cook. The centerpiece is the Romantic-style, three-dome Palácio de Monserrate, which combines Gothic and Indian architectural influences with Moorish touches. The gardens, with their trickling streams and waterfalls, are famed for an array of tree and plant species, with notable species clearly marked and identified.

The biggest draw in Sintra, this colorful palace is a glorious conglomeration of turrets and domes awash in bright pastels. In 1503 the Monastery of Nossa Senhora da Pena was constructed here, but it was badly damaged by the devastating earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755. The monastery remained active in the ruined building, but it was abandoned when religious orders were expelled from Portugal in 1834. In 1836, the ruins were purchased by Maria II's consort, Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Inspired by the Bavarian castles of his homeland, Ferdinand commissioned a German mineralist and mining engineer, Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, to build the palace of his fantasies, in styles that range from Arabian to Portuguese Gothic. Work was finished around 1860, by which time he was Fernando II. The surrounding park is filled with trees and flowers, as well as hidden temples, grottoes, and the Valley of the Lakes, where swans glide the mystical surrounds. Portugal's last monarchs used Pena Palace as a summer home, the last of whom—Queen Amélia—went into exile in England after the Republic was proclaimed on October 5, 1910. Inside is an ostentatious and often bizarre collection of European furniture, ornaments, and paintings. Placards explain each room. Visitors can walk along high palace walls, peek into turrets, and refresh at one of two on-site cafés. A path beyond an enormous statue (thought to be Fernando II himself, forever guarding the park and the palace) on a nearby crag leads to the Cruz Alta, a 16th-century stone cross 1,732 feet above sea level, with stupendous views.  Buy timed tickets in advance and arrive at least an hour before your designated tour time; you will either have to take a shuttle bus or make the 30-minute uphill trek to the palace from the park entrance.

Occupying the entire southern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula is the Parque Natural da Arrábida, dominated by the Serra da Arrábida—a 5,000-foot-high mountain range whose wild crags fall steeply to the sea. There's profuse plant life at these heights, particularly in spring, when the rocks are carpeted with colorful wildflowers. The park is distinguished by a rich geological heritage and numerous species of butterflies, birds, and mammals (you might spot foxes and mongoose, and even wild boar). The park is a favorite destination for bikers, hikers, horseback riders, and adventure-sports enthusiasts. There are also some lovely hidden beaches for those prepared to put in the footwork.

This small fishing village is a popular destination for Lisboetas, who appreciate the beautiful beaches, whose wonderfully clear blue-green waters and white sands create a dramatic contrast with the green, pine-covered hills. A handful of good fish and seafood restaurants offer terraces with views out to sea. Due to the high number of visitors, cars are banned June to mid-September, but free buses run here from Setúbal to Portinho da Arrábida and other picturesque beaches. Parking can be difficult even outside peak season.

A favorite destination for celebrities, Comporta's snow-white sands are dotted with colorful sun loungers and straw-roofed beach huts selling cocktails as well as fresh seafood, and the clear, bright blue invites you to take a cooling dip. Although one of the busier beaches in the Alentejo, this is still quieter than the beaches of the Algarve, and there’s plenty of elbow room even during the summer high season. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets; food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Surfers can always be seen braving the waves here regardless of the season. The undertow can be dangerous, and even accomplished swimmers have had to summon lifeguards. If you prefer something more sedate, this beach—with the Serra da Sintra serving as a backdrop—is an ideal spot to watch the sunset. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; windsurfing.

A 10-minute walk along the main road past the tourist office takes you to one of Sintra's most intriguing privately owned mansions. Quinta da Regaleira was built in the early 20th century for a Brazilian mining magnate with a keen interest in Freemasonry and the Knights Templar (who made their 11th-century headquarters on this site). The estate includes gardens where almost everything—statues, water features, grottoes, lookout towers—is linked to one or the other of his favorite subjects. Spookiest of all is the 100-foot-deep Poço do Iniciático (Initiation Well)—an inverted underground tower. Audio guides in English are available at reception.

Wine-loving locals flock to this scenic family estate to stock up on its wonderful red and white table wines. It’s hidden down a long dusty track, but well worth the trip: you can take a seat at one of the outdoor tables and enjoy those excellent wines by the bottle or glass, along with the Quinta’s equally delicious homemade cheeses and preserves. Friendly goats, piglets, and ponies keep younger visitors entertained while the adults enjoy the food, wine, and beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards and the Arrábida hills.