Sintra
Sintra
Sintra
Sintra
Sintra
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
Sintra
Sintra
Sintra
Sintra
Sintra
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
City Guide
Table of Contents
IN A NUTSHELL
Visit Sintra with Kids
Located between the foothills of Sintra Mountains and the Atlantic ocean, the landscape invites to beautiful moments and pictures. There is a deep connection with nature, which gives children a greater love for nature as it feeds their senses with adventure. Walking to the mountain is one example of connecting with nature. However, you must be prepared for steep walks on the hills, which can be hard with younger children. Sintra is full of castles and palaces, so you and your kids will feel like you’re living in a fairy tale. Moreover, Sintra is also a great place to discover art and history as a family. Have we got your interest to visit Sintra with kids? Jump to the sections below for a tantrum free trip to Sintra with lots of interesting places to visit, kid-friendly restaurants to dine at, parks and playgrounds to run around and so much more!
How to Get to Sintra with Kids
By Train
Sintra is just a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon. You can walk to the historical centre and the Quinta da Regaleira from the railway station. Check out the train timetables to visit Sintra.
The Best Time to Visit Sintra with Kids
Spring and early Autumn are the best times to visit Sintra. The best months to visit Sintra with kids are April and May, or September and October. You will surely enjoy more the outdoor activities during these time and you will also be visiting during a less touristic season.
In Summer, Sintra is sunny but with cooler temperatures than Lisbon, due to its position. Sintra also provides a lot of shade due to the alpine trees and the forests of Sera de Sintra.
From mid Autumn to early Spring, the weather is more unpredictable with some wet days around winter. However, it is never way to cold, and you will always get some sunshine.
Must Dos When in Sintra with Kids
There are interesting monuments, parks and gardens and view points in Sintra.
- Pena Palace and Gardens,
- Regaleira Palace,
- Monserrate Palace and gardens,
- Azenhas do Mar (A picturesque setting of small blue-edged houses built on a cliff top, with the sea waves crashing up against the rock wall),
- Cabo da Roca (Enjoy the sunset at the westernmost point of the European continent).
Visit Sintra’s historic heritage and discover all of its cultural heritage.
LOCATION
Hotels in Sintra
Sintra Inn will help you find the accommodation that suits you best when visiting Sintra with kids. You will find a variety of hotels, houses, apartments on hills and fields, by the beach or in towns and urban areas.
Family-friendly Hotels in Sintra
Penha Longa Resort ***** – A family suite is available accommodating up to 7 people. The bathroom consists of a bath tub and a separate shower. The balcony offers spectacular views. The family suite consists of a king and 2 double beds, cribs and rollaway beds are available upon request. This resort also offers an amazing playground for kids, swimming lessons, scavenger hunts, paining and many more kid-friendly activities. Kids under 4 years get to enjoy children DVDs, the swimming pool along with pool toys, and the playground full of trampolines, slides, and a sand box. Older kids get to enjoy board games, the games room, cooking workshops and they can also go to the kid’s club. There is also lots of fun stuff for teens including mountain bike rental, glitter makeup, manicure, the games room and cooking workshops amongst others.
Arribas Sintra Hotel **** – This is located in Praia Grande, which is 12 km from Sintra’s historical centre. Arribas Sintra Hotel is also a 10-minute drive from Sintra National Park and 7 km away from Regaleira Palace and Gardens. Family suites are available here, accommodating up to 4 people. The room has a great view of the ocean and a wonderful swimming pool. The outdoor swimming pool is suitable for kids and it is a sea-water pool.
Quinta Verde Sintra ****– This hotel is located in Casal da Granja, approximately 6 kilometers from Sintra’s Historic Center. The National Palace of Sintra is 5 km away from the hotel and Praia Grande and Praia das Maçãs are 10 km away. The master suite is ideal for families, with a spacious bedroom that can also hold an extra bed, a garden view, an equipped kitchenette and a bathroom. Kid’s outdoor play equipment is also available.
Vila Galé Sintra Resort Hotel ***** – Situated in Rua da Fonte da Granja in Várzea de Sintra which is only 1.4 km from the centre. This hotel has a family twin room that can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. This room is equipped with air condition, a minibar, a flat screen TV, WiFi and a safety deposit box. The bathroom has a walk-in shower a hair dryer and free toiletries. There is also a kid’s pool. Children up to and including 3 years stay for free when using an available cot. Kids up to and including 12 years stay for free when using an available extra bed. Any type of extra bed or child’s cot/crib is upon request.
Other family-friendly Accommodations in Sintra
Casa dos Malmequeres **** – A beach/coast house. This house is located 1.8 km from Praia do Magoito, 10 km from Sintra, and 28 km from Lisbon Airport. Casa dos Malmequeres in Magoito, features Wifi access, beautiful garden views, it has a barbecue with an outdoor table to enjoy meals outside, a swing bench and play equipment for kids in the garden including a wooden playhouse. Casa dos Malmequeres has 3 bedrooms, an extra double bed, a baby cot, 2 bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen.
Apartamento – Santa Maria Casa Nostra – This apartment boasts a great view of the Serra de Sintra. The apartment features 2 bedrooms, a single bedroom and a double bedroom. There are 2 bathrooms, a living room with TV, a fully equipped kitchenette including a dishwasher, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, and kettle.
©Sintra Council
PLAY
Activities for children ages 0-5
Tiring our babies and toddlers whilst they absorb all that is around them.
Sintra’s activities are more suitable for older kids, but there are still a few things that you can do with your little ones.
The best things to do with babies and toddlers in Sintra
Música para Bébés – Music for babies with occasional activities for babies.
Pena Palace and Gardens – Round about 10 minutes walking uphill walk from the castle, you will find the former summer residence of the Portuguese Royal Family. This is known as The Pena Palace. Explore the various terraces and courtyards here.
Regaleira Palace – Just a 15-minute walk from the main tourist center in the Old Town. The main attraction here is the well that has a staircase to an underground tunnel. This well is believed to have served for the initiation ceremony for the Knights Templar.
Kid-friendly beaches – These include: Praia Grande, Praia do Magoito and Praia Sao Juliao.
Tip: If you’re travelling with babies, make sure to take a baby carrier, and invest in a good pair of shoes.
PLAY
Activities for older kids
Keeping the older kids happy, entertained, and reducing the amount of times they ask for a screen or complain about being bored.
There are many interesting things to see and do when visiting Sintra with kids.
The best things to do when visiting Sintra with older kids
Eléctrico de Sintra – Sintra Tram – A route between Sintra and the Atlantic. This is a special trip where children can experience a transport like the olden days, as the railway line has retained its original track from 1904.
Regaleira Palace – In the gardens there is a well with a deep spiral staircase descending underground to a tunnel. The entrance to the staircase is disguised as a pile of rocks.
Pena Palace – A fairy-tale palace with its bright colours and turrets and watchtowers.
MAT – Museu da Água e Resíduos (Museum of Water and Waste) – The Water and Waste Museum has a diversified programme, focused on the educational community, through actions of education and awareness of the community for the adoption of values and habits related to the preservation of the environmental heritage, especially with regards to the water cycle.
Sintra Myths and Legends – English audio-guides are available. This is a journey through the myths and legends of Sintra with images of the town, the sound of the forest and where the children can experience arriving at the top of the Sintra Mountains.
Burros do Magoito – The Asinine breed (Donkeys) is currently one of the animal species in danger of extinction in Portuguese territory and in the world. Here you will find a set of activities aimed at families and the general public, schools, seniors and children with special needs.
Parques Sintra Monte da Lua – Family activities – Different programs that include activities devised especially for children aged between 3 and 12, in which adults are invited to join the fun with their little ones. In the company of specialised instructors and in direct contact with the heritage, the aim is to combine knowledge and fun on activities that allow for the discovery of the parks, palaces and monuments .
Newsmuseum – Engaging and interactive experiences. The NewsMuseum experience has educational value for young people
in the second and third cycle of primary education and secondary education. The museum will offer a bilingual experience, with all the content available in Portuguese and English.
QuantusPark Cacém – The largest trampoline, climbing, ninja course and in door skate park in the country.
Cabo da Roca – Enjoy a beautiful sunset from this point.
©Sintra Council
©Sintra Council
©Sintra Council
PLAY
Parks & Playgrounds
Tiring our babies and toddlers whilst they absorb all that is around them.
Parks and Gardens to visit in Sintra with kids
- Liberty Park
- Monserrate Park
- Pena Park
- Picnic Park
- Quinta da Ribafria Gardens
- Villa Sassetti
- Regaleira Gardens
- Biester Park
Playgrounds in Sintra for Kids
Parque Infantil do Jardim do Bico – Located towards Sintra’s historical centre.
Parque Infantil em Sintra – Here, you will find open and closed slides, platforms to jump from and a climbing wall with obstacles just for the bravest. A more adventurous area awaits the kids in the park.
Farms in Sintra to Visit with Kids
The Farmyard of Monserrate – This farmyard recreates a small farm with areas featuring different types of crops and animals.
Tip: Since there are a lot of parks and gardens, kids will surely enjoy running around and there is a chance that they might stumble and get scratched. So, make sure to carry with you some band aids.
©Sintra Council
FOOD
Family-friendly cafés & restaurants in Sintra
In Sintra’s historic center you will find several restaurants with terraces that families enjoy to dine at. We’re listing our top favourite cafés and restaurants for when you visit Sintra with kids.
Bar do Fundo – Serving Mediterranean cuisine. A great experience for families, as kids can also have some fun on the beach.
Cantinho do Picadeiro – Serving Portuguese cuisine. This restaurant has a lovely garden and a kid’s play area where you will spot various animals walking about. This restaurant is also next door to a riding stable that you can visit.
Café Paris – Located in Sintra’s historicla centre, this restaurant is not to be missed. The restaurant offers traditional Portuguese cuisine and some international cuisine dishes. They also have some delicious sweets and bakes to finish your meal on a good note.
Da Adraga – A seafood restaurant that also has some great desserts.
Sabores de Sintra – A Portuguese restaurant serving traditional dishes and comfort food.
Check out the most loved restaurants in Sintra.
TRANSPORTATION
How to Get Around Sintra with Kids
By Bus
You can travel around Sintra by bus. You will need to take the 434 bus to get to the mountain to visit Pena Palace and Moorish castle. Take the 435 bus to get to the Park and Palace of Monserrate. You can purchase bus tickets in Sintra to visit these places.
If you’re staying a Cascais or Estoril, bus 417 and 418 connect Sintra with the coast. You can purchase tickets which cover travel in Sintra and the journey to the town.
By Car
If you drive to Sintra, you must park outside the historical centre, which is now almost car-free. Discover the parking areas in Sintra.
By Train
Get from Lisbon to Sintra by train. Discover more about the railway to Sintra.
Tuktuk
Enjoy a bumpy ride around Sintra on a Tuktuk. You should note that Tuktuks are usually quite overpriced.
TOYS
Toy Shops & Clothing Stores in Sintra
Centroxogo Brinquedos Sintra – Located in Alegro, Sintra. Centroxogo offers a wide variety of toys for children of all ages.
Dreamy World – Located in Alegro, Sintra. A fantasy world of your kid’s favourite characters.
Mayoral – A children’s clothes shop in Sintra.
Loja Marias – A beautiful baby clothing store in Sintra.
Insider Tips
Taste the local pastry
Try out:
Travesseiros, a puff pastry with eggs and almond cream inside.
Queijadas, prepared with queijo (cheese), eggs, milk, flour, and sugar.
Walking Shoes
Invest in a pair of good walking shoes as there is a lot of walking to do. In Sintra, very often the weather is foggy and you may not see the landscape in the distance, but you will have an intense and mysterious experience.
Baby Carrier
The majority of the town is not buggy friendly. Thus, carry with you a baby carrier. Sintra is also full of steep hills, uneven surfaces, and old buildings not designed with babies and toddlers in mind.
TRAVEL TO SINTRA
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Booking With Kids gives you family travel tips to inspiration on the best places to travel with kids, we’re here to help you make your next trip a positive one.
Booking With Kids gives you family travel tips to inspiration on the best places to travel with kids, we’re here to help you make your next trip a positive one.
