Both sites sit on the same forested hilltop in Sintra. It's just a 10–15 minute walk between them. Visiting separately would mean two trips up the same hill
One hill, two chapters of history
The Moors built their castle here in the 8th century; King Ferdinand II built Pena Palace right next to it a thousand years later, even borrowing its Moorish style. Together, they tell the full story.
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A combo ticket gets you into both UNESCO World Heritage Sites at a lower price than buying them separately. Two landmarks, one booking, and money left over for a pastel de nata.
Two totally different views of Sintra
Pena Palace dazzles up close with its colorful towers and ornate interiors. The Moorish Castle hands you panoramic views across the entire region. Same hill, two completely different payoffs.
What’s the best way to go about it?
Feature
Separate tickets
Combo tours
Cost
Pena Palace from €24; Moorish Castle from €15 — paid individually
From €33; typically lower overall cost than buying both separately
Availability
Pena Palace requires timed-entry slots that sell out fast, especially in peak season
Combo tickets secure both sites in one booking; fewer gaps, less risk of missing out
Timeslots
Pena Palace demands a specific entry time; Moorish Castle is more flexible but can still get busy
Entry time for Pena Palace is pre-arranged; Moorish Castle can be visited flexibly around it
Convenience
Two separate bookings, two confirmations, two queues to manage
One booking, one confirmation — just show up and explore
Flexibility
Full control over your own schedule, but more coordination required
Fixed Pena Palace entry slot; Moorish Castle visited at your own pace on the same or different day
Best for
Travelers who have a very specific itinerary
Visitors who want to see both without the planning hassle
Making the most of your experience
Book smart with Pena Palace and Moorish Castle tickets
Skip two separate queues and one unnecessary headache. A single combo booking covers both sites. Just pick your Pena Palace entry time, and you're set.
Plan your combo day
Allow 2 to 2.5 hours for Pena Palace and its park, then head to the Moorish Castle for another 1 to 1.5 hours. Budget around 4 hours total for a relaxed, unhurried visit.
Getting from one to the other
The walk from Pena Palace to Moorish Castle takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes downhill through the forested park path. Scenic, straightforward, and no transport needed.
Upgrade your experience
Add an audio-guided tour to Pena Palace for expert context on its Romanticist architecture and royal history. The option also covers the Moorish Castle, giving you deeper insight across both sites.
Pena Palace opening hours: Open daily from 9:30am to 7pm . Timed-entry slots are mandatory. So, book in advance.
Moorish Castle opening hours: Open daily from 9:30am to 8pm. No timed-entry required, you can visit flexibly within opening hours.
Start with Pena Palace: Always begin at Pena Palace since it requires a timed-entry slot. The Moorish Castle is more flexible, making it the perfect follow-up once you're done inside the palace.
Best time to visit: Arrive at Pena Palace when it opens, as the crowds are noticeably thinner in the first hour. By the time you reach the Moorish Castle mid-morning, tour groups are still working their way up.
Avoid peak crowds: Weekends and the Jul to Aug window are the busiest periods at both sites. Visiting on a weekday, particularly Tuesday to Thursday, makes a noticeable difference.
Pena Palace: Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, Portugal
Pena Palace to Moorish Castle walk: The Pena Palace to Moorish Castle walk takes 10 to 15 minutes downhill along a signed forest path inside the park.
By train: Take the Sintra Line from Lisbon's Rossio or Oriente station to Sintra Station. From there, hop on Bus 434, which stops at both the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace sequentially.
By car: From Lisbon, take the A37/IC19 toward Sintra. Parking near Pena Palace is limited and fills up fast in peak season. Arrive early or use the lower Sintra town car parks and take the bus up.
Pena Palace: The Palace store, restaurant, cafeteria, and terraces are fully accessible, with an elevator linking floors. The Palace interior visitor route is not accessible due to staircases throughout.
Moorish Castle: The inner castle walls route is accessible for visitors with mobility restrictions, though steep sections require traction equipment. A lifting platform provides access to the upper castle walls, giving wheelchair users the full panoramic views over Sintra.
Wheelchair Rental: Manual folding wheelchairs are available at both sites; a reservation is required in advance.
Accessible Restrooms: Accessible WC facilities are available at both Pena Palace (near the store and cafeteria) and the Moorish Castle (near the store and cafeteria inside the monument).
Parking: Dedicated disabled persons parking spaces are available at the entrances of both sites.
The façade photo spot everyone misses: For the most dramatic shot of Pena Palace's two-toned façade, walk to the Queen's Terrace viewpoint rather than shooting from the main courtyard.
On a clear day, look west from the ramparts: From the Moorish Castle's highest tower, you can spot the Atlantic Ocean on the horizon. It's one of the few places in Europe where you can see a 10th-century fortress with an ocean backdrop.
Wear proper footwear: The forest path between the two sites and the castle ramparts are cobbled, steep, and uneven. Trainers or hiking shoes are non-negotiable.
There's a great picnic spot nobody talks about: The park surrounding Pena Palace has shaded benches and lawn areas perfect for a mid-visit break.
Check the weather the morning of your visit: It can be sunny in Lisbon and completely foggy on the hilltop. A foggy Moorish Castle is atmospheric, but you'll lose those Atlantic views entirely.
Frequently asked questions about Pena Palace and Moorish Castle combo tickets
Yes, it's a 10–15 minute downhill walk along a signed forest path inside the park. No transport needed, and the trail itself is a lovely bonus.
You can book directly here. Booking in advance is strongly recommended. Pena Palace timed-entry slots sell out quickly, especially between April and October.
Yes, both sites sell individual tickets. However, separate bookings mean managing two queues and two entry slots. A combo is simpler and usually a better value overall.
The two sites are approximately 500 metres apart on the same hilltop. The walk from Pena Palace to Moorish Castle follows a shaded forest path and takes around 10–15 minutes.
No buffer needed, they're on the same hilltop. Finish Pena Palace, walk down the forest path, and you're at the Moorish Castle entrance in about 15 minutes.
Pena Palace and Moorish Castle combo tickets are valid for the same day, or you can use them on different days as per your schedule.
Both sites offer meaningful accessibility. Pena Palace's terraces, restaurant, and cafeteria are fully accessible via elevator. At the Moorish Castle, a lifting platform provides access to the upper walls, and the inner castle route is accessible with traction equipment support. Wheelchair rental is available at both sites with a reservation.
What to bring
Moorish Castle
Make sure to wear sturdy walking shoes as you’ll encounter lots of uneven terrain inside the castle.
Mobile signal may be weak at the site; it's best to download your ticket via WiFi before your visit.
Pet dogs are welcome at the castle. Make sure to read these guidelines before bringing your pet dog along.
Pena Palace and Park
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as exploring the palace will involve a considerable amount of walking.
Carry plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen, especially when visiting during the summer.
Remember to bring a valid ID for ticket authentication.
What’s not allowed
Moorish Castle
Flash photography, tripods, and filming equipment are not allowed inside the exhibition spaces.
Pena Palace and Park
Pets are not allowed at the palace (except guide dogs)
Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the palace.
Avoid bringing any large bags or luggage as you can’t take them inside the palace.
Carrying drones and tripods is prohibited at the palace.
Accessibility
Moorish Castle
The experience is not fully wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and historic structures.
Certain areas of the castle are wheelchair accessible. These include the inner portions of the castle, the Moorish Castle Church, the store, and the cafeteria.
There is parking for disabled persons.
Pena Palace and Park
Wheelchair access is available, but certain areas might be tricky to navigate because of slopes and uneven terrain.
Guide dogs are welcome at the palace.
Additional information
Moorish Castle
The audio tour is compatible only with Android (version 5.0 and later) and iOS (version 15.0 and later) smartphones. Not compatible with Windows Phones, iPhone 6/6 Plus or older, iPod Touch 6th generation or older, iPad 4th generation or older, iPad Air 1st generation, or iPad Mini 3rd generation or older.
Private parking is otherwise not available. We’d recommend parking at the historic center of Sintra and relying on public transportation to reach the castle.
Pena Palace and Park
Make sure to bring a fully charged phone and your best earphones for a great experience.
Your selected time slot is for entry to Pena Palace. Since it’s about a 30-minute uphill walk from the park entrance to the palace, make sure to arrive early. Late arrivals may be denied entry.
Private vehicles are not permitted, so visitors should use pedestrian trails or public transport.
About 30 km from Lisbon, Pena Palace sits in Sintra, where parking is available in the historic center or outer lots, though spaces can be limited.
Download the free Zoom Guide app before your visit for access to multilingual audio guides, images, and more to help you navigate better.
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Inclusions
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Moorish Castle
Entry to Moorish Castle
Audio guide in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French (as per option selected)
Offline content: text, audio, narration, and maps (as per option selected)
Pena Palace and Park
Entry to Pena Palace and Park
Audio guide in English, Spanish, French, and German (as per option selected)
Make sure to wear sturdy walking shoes as you’ll encounter lots of uneven terrain inside the castle.
Mobile signal may be weak at the site; it's best to download your ticket via WiFi before your visit.
Pet dogs are welcome at the castle. Make sure to read these guidelines before bringing your pet dog along.
Pena Palace and Park
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as exploring the palace will involve a considerable amount of walking.
Carry plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen, especially when visiting during the summer.
Remember to bring a valid ID for ticket authentication.
What’s not allowed
Moorish Castle
Flash photography, tripods, and filming equipment are not allowed inside the exhibition spaces.
Pena Palace and Park
Pets are not allowed at the palace (except guide dogs)
Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the palace.
Avoid bringing any large bags or luggage as you can’t take them inside the palace.
Carrying drones and tripods is prohibited at the palace.
Accessibility
Moorish Castle
The experience is not fully wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and historic structures.
Certain areas of the castle are wheelchair accessible. These include the inner portions of the castle, the Moorish Castle Church, the store, and the cafeteria.
There is parking for disabled persons.
Pena Palace and Park
Wheelchair access is available, but certain areas might be tricky to navigate because of slopes and uneven terrain.
Guide dogs are welcome at the palace.
Additional information
Moorish Castle
The audio tour is compatible only with Android (version 5.0 and later) and iOS (version 15.0 and later) smartphones. Not compatible with Windows Phones, iPhone 6/6 Plus or older, iPod Touch 6th generation or older, iPad 4th generation or older, iPad Air 1st generation, or iPad Mini 3rd generation or older.
Private parking is otherwise not available. We’d recommend parking at the historic center of Sintra and relying on public transportation to reach the castle.
Pena Palace and Park
Make sure to bring a fully charged phone and your best earphones for a great experience.
Your selected time slot is for entry to Pena Palace. Since it’s about a 30-minute uphill walk from the park entrance to the palace, make sure to arrive early. Late arrivals may be denied entry.
Private vehicles are not permitted, so visitors should use pedestrian trails or public transport.
About 30 km from Lisbon, Pena Palace sits in Sintra, where parking is available in the historic center or outer lots, though spaces can be limited.
Download the free Zoom Guide app before your visit for access to multilingual audio guides, images, and more to help you navigate better.
