Above Sintra’s tiled rooftops, the Moorish Castle’s granite walls wind across a ridge of green hills. Walk up from the historic centre and you’ll arrive with the landscape unfolding around you: forested slopes, Pena Palace on a nearby peak and the Atlantic on the horizon. Give the climb and the ramparts their own space in your day before deciding whether to continue to Pena.
The walk up through Sintra
The Santa Maria trail begins near Sintra’s historic centre and climbs about 1.8 kilometres through woodland to the castle. It takes around an hour and makes a rewarding approach in its own right, as the town gradually falls away below the trees. The castle has no access for private cars, so arrive on foot or use public transport up the hill. The route has stone steps and uneven ground.
Follow the walls along the ridge
Inside, the walk follows the castle’s long defensive walls, passing towers and old stonework along the ridge. Every turn brings a different view: down to Sintra, across to Pena, or out over the hills toward the coast. The path includes steep stairs and exposed sections, making the rampart walk feel like part of the adventure rather than simply a viewpoint.
View in GoExploringPair it with Pena Palace?
Marked paths link the Moorish Castle with Pena Park, so you can continue to the palace and gardens on foot. The park itself is extensive, and reaching its entrance is only the start of that visit. The castle and palace require separate tickets; check opening arrangements and admission times before combining them. If you have a palace reservation, leave generous time to enjoy the castle rather than turning both into a race between time slots.
If the weather closes in or your legs have had enough, public transport can take some of the uphill effort out of the day. For more walks beyond Sintra, explore our Portugal hiking guide.