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Castelo dos Mouros, Sintra

4.5
#3 of 123 in Things to do in Sintra
Must see · Castle · Historic Site
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A symbol of Islamic presence in the area, the medieval Castelo dos Mouros has served as protection for several groups throughout history. Visiting this World Heritage Site atop a mountainous cliff, you'll have great views of Sintra. This castle was built in the eighth or ninth century to defend the agricultural region and its people. In 1147, the castle surrendered to Christian forces after the conquest of Lisbon. The castle was used as a watchtower and military fortification, and was restored by Ferdinand II based on the Romantic style popular at the time. You can tour this irregular structure, which features a double belt of walls, internal cistern, and royal tower. Add Castelo dos Mouros and other attractions to your Sintra trip itinerary using our Sintra trip planner.
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Castelo dos Mouros reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
6,647 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • Beautiful place and views, but a bit steep. We visited in the morning and it was fairly quiet, so we could amble at our own pace. 
    Beautiful place and views, but a bit steep. We visited in the morning and it was fairly quiet, so we could amble at our own pace.  more »
  • So there is a lot to see in Sintra and I read somewhere that if you have limited time, skip this. WRONG! This was the highlight of the Sintra day trip for everyone. Imagine hearing the sound of the....  more
    So there is a lot to see in Sintra and I read somewhere that if you have limited time, skip this. WRONG! This was the highlight of the Sintra day trip for everyone. Imagine hearing the sound of the....  more »
Google
  • Breathtaking views. Unbelievable views. You can even see Pena Palace in the distance. It's 400 km from the entrance to the Castle itself which provides lovely green walks. The Castle Walls themselves have a lot of steps but it's worth it for the views. We went when the weather was gorgeous and so sunny and warm which made it even better.
  • We loved spending a couple of hours climbing the walls of the old castle. It is a workout but the views are spectacular. It was very windy the day we were there, late June, so you may want to take a jacket and something to contain long hair. The entrance was 8€ each for us. There were pretty nice views of Pena Palace from one of the watchtowers.

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