Sintra National Palace

The Sintra National Palace stands at the centre of Sintra's historic town, its two great conical chimneys rising above the rooftops and making it one of the most recognisable royal buildings in Portugal. It is the best-preserved medieval royal palace in the country, having served as a residence for Portuguese kings from the early fifteenth century through to the late nineteenth century. The interior holds a remarkable collection of Moorish and Manueline architectural detail, including some of the finest azulejo tile panels in existence, along with painted ceilings that document the court life and heraldry of successive royal dynasties.

Visitors today can explore the palace through a self-guided audio tour, which brings the ceremonial halls, royal kitchens, and private chambers to life with historical commentary. Sintra itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the palace sits at the cultural core of that designation, drawing those who come to understand the layered history of the Portuguese crown and its centuries of occupation of this cool, forested hill town above Lisbon.