Top 20 Castles in Lisbon

It's impossible to get lost, everything is signposted and there are only 2 paths.

The National Palace of Mafra, located in the town of Mafra, Portugal, is a monumental complex that includes a palace, a convent, a basilica, and the Tapada de Mafra (hunting grounds). Construction began in 1717, commissioned by King John V of Portugal in fulfillment of a vow for the succession of his wife, and it is the most important monument of Portuguese Baroque. Since 2019, the Palace has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The path along the ancient walls of the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) leads directly across the impressively restored battlements of the medieval fortress. Between battlements, stone steps, and narrow passages, a spectacular panorama unfolds, encompassing Sintra, Pena Palace, and the surrounding hills. An absolutely captivating section that perfectly combines history, views, and adventure.

Pena Park surrounds the palace like a vast, romantic garden filled with exotic plants, winding paths, and hidden viewpoints. Among ferns, camellias, towering trees, and tranquil ponds, a fairytale atmosphere is created that perfectly complements the palace's architecture. It's a sprawling natural and cultural experience where you can wander for hours, constantly discovering new and enchanting corners.

The view of Pena Palace and Sintra from the Castelo dos Mouros is one of the most spectacular in the entire region. Walking along the castle walls, you'll discover a landscape that blends history, architecture, and nature in perfect harmony.

The trail along the ancient walls of the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) in Sintra is one of the most impressive experiences you can have in the region. This medieval castle, built in the 9th century by the Moors, perches on a rocky ridge in the Serra de Sintra, offering spectacular views and a complete immersion in history and nature.

The Sintra National Palace, also known as Palácio da Vila, is one of Portugal's most iconic monuments and the oldest royal palace in the country. Located in the historic center of Sintra, it is easily recognizable by its two large, white, conical chimneys, nearly 33 meters high, visible from many points in the city.

Baroque architectural complex comprising a Palace, a Basilica and a Convent, together with gardens and a vast Tapada, forming a historical heritage complex covering over 1,200 hectares, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. Built by order of King João V in fulfilment of a succession vow, Mafra Palace is one of the most important Baroque monuments in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe, occupying a construction area of 38,000 m2, with around 1,200 rooms, 5,200 doors and windows and 156 staircases. UNESCO has recognised this monument as a feat of architecture, engineering and human genius. Based on designs by Filippo Juvarra, its final design was carried out by the German Johann Friedrich Ludwig (João Frederico Ludovice) and construction was led by the kingdom's chief engineer, Custódio Vieira. The first stone was laid on 17 November 1717 and the Basilica was consecrated on 22 October 1730. The Basilica, inspired by the great churches of Rome, has one of the most significant collections of Italian sculpture of its time, with 58 statues, a large crucifix with archangels in adoration and three high reliefs, as well as an important collection of paintings, representing some of the most famous painters active in Italy and France in the early 1730s. The collection of vestments and liturgical implements is also very significant, due to its quality and rarity. The Palace Library is one of the most iconic spaces in the monument. With a refined selection of around 30,000 volumes, it is one of the exponents of Enlightenment knowledge representative of the court culture of the first half of the 18th century. Also noteworthy is the bell ringing ensemble, with 120 bells, which include two of the largest carillons of the 18th century, cast in Antwerp and Liège in the workshops of Willem Witlockx and Nicolas Levache, respectively. The bells are accompanied by two clocks dating from the first half of the 18th century, as well as four automatons for automatic music. Inside the Basilica is a set of pipe organs, unique in the world, consisting of six instruments designed to play together, built between 1792 and 1807 by the Portuguese organ builders António Machado e Cerveira and Joaquim Peres Fontanes. The Mafra Palace has been a member of the Association of European Royal Residences since 2009.