10 Boutique Sintra Hotels That Are Ideal For a Romantic Getaway

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Written by: | Last updated on February 29, 2024 | Est. Reading Time: 5 minutes

Like a real-life fairytale, Sintra is set within the forested foothills of the Serra De Sintra mountains with brightly-coloured palaces at its core. It’s a place to come and discover Portugal’s eclectic history, from its UNESCO-protected Moorish architecture to its opulent gardens once graced by Portuguese royals. Alongside its dreamy sights, you can find a quaint atmosphere in its old Medieval town where plant-covered terraced restaurants and charming cafes line its streets. Only 40-50 minutes by train from Lisbon, this historic town is not only worth of a day trip but an overnight as well. 

Tivoli Palacio de Seteais

Tivoli Palacio de Seteais bedroom

Set on the green slopes of the Serra mountains, Tivoli Palácio de Seteais gives you far-reaching views over the city and out towards the Atlantic Ocean. The luxury hotel combines classically-styled interiors with mod cons such as Wi-Fi, satellite TV and Nespresso coffee machines in each of the rooms. What sets this place apart from the others though, is its stunning gardens with a swimming pool area at the edge. Perfectly pruned and elegantly designed, the gardens make for a peaceful setting for an afternoon stroll.

São Miguel Guest House

Sao Miguel Guest House living room

São Miguel Guest House puts you within the heart of Sintra’s old town with the Moorish castle and Pena National Palace within sight. Housed in a 19th-century house, this boutique hotel is brimming with historic charm, from its shuttered windows and high ceilings to its antique furnishings and luxury marble bathrooms. After a busy day of exploring, you can retreat the hotel’s plant-filled garden or cosy up against the open fire during the colder months in the hotel’s library.

Lawrence’s Hotel

Lawrences Hotel

Enjoy a sense of old-world charm when you stay at Lawrence’s Hotel. Set within a countryside manor house, this charming hotel takes you back in time thanks to its original features like the French windows and classically-styled interiors. As well as a traditional atmosphere, you can enjoy international and regional dishes in the hotel’s restaurant followed by drinks from the bar. There’s also a lovely plant-covered terrace area where you can shade from the sun as you enjoy your meal.

Chalet Saudade

Chalet Saudade bedroom

Find peace and tranquillity in Sintra’s Chalet Saudade. Set in a quiet quarter of the old town, the hotel is within short walking distance to the main sights, but offers a relaxing setting among pond-filled gardens. Dating back to the 19th century, this luxury hotel provides a historic atmosphere where each room has its own unique character. Find tastefully-decorated bedrooms with a mix of original features like Portuguese tiling and modern decor.

Quinta Do Scoto

Quinta Do Scoto living room

Set on the outskirts of Sintra in its lush countryside, Quinta do Scoto is a peaceful retreat where guests can relax between days in the city. The bed and breakfast is housed in a converted barn which dates back to 1746. With a beautifully-designed rustic interior in-keeping with the original atmosphere, the hotel offers spacious suites and charming communal spaces. Outside, there’s a large saltwater pool, a BBQ area and seven acres of land for you to roam around.

Chalet Relogio Guesthouse

Chalet Relogio Guesthouse Bedroom

Stay in a striking historical mansion designed by the same Italian architect who planned Milan’s La Scala. This boutique stay has been tastefully renovated to bring new life to the mansion’s original features such as the parquet flooring and wooden panelling, while lending an up-to-date feel with modern furnishings. You’ll be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with a mountain view on the hotel’s balcony area. The green, tree-filled gardens are a delight too.

Casa da Estefanea Boutique Bed and Breakfast

Casa da Estefanea bedroom

Enjoy a sleek old-town stay at Casa da Estefanea Boutique Bed and Breakfast. Set within an old Portuguese building with a Romantic-style facade, this boutique hotel fuses historical features with a contemporary decor. Stylishly decorated with minimal detailing, modern art, and backdropped by mountain views, the rooms feel pleasingly bright and spacious. They’re also air-conditioned, which makes a pleasant surprise if you’re visiting in the height of summer.

Sintra1012 Boutique Guesthouse

Sintra1012 Boutique Guesthouse bedroom

Set among the cobbled streets of the old town, Sintra1012 Boutique Guesthouse puts you within short walking distance to the city’s main sights. Beyond its historical, yellow-painted facade, the hotel reveals a carefully-curated modern interior which complements the traditional Portuguese styling. Find colourful Azulejo-inspired tiling and contemporary detailing throughout the hotel. The studio rooms come with a kitchenette and a balcony so you can enjoy a self-catered stay.

Sintra Marmoris Palace

Sintra Marmoris Palace bedroom

Feel like king or queen of the palace in this luxury manor house stay. Dripping in grandeur, Sintra Marmoris Palace is designed in the finest of tastes with spacious suites complete with freestanding baths and chandelier-adorned rooms. As well as having scenic views of the Sintra Cascais Natural Park, the hotel is surrounded by verdant gardens, offering a peaceful setting. You can spend your days sunbathing by the swimming pool or shading under the hotel’s luxury cabana-style beds.

Moon Hill Hostel

Moon Hill Hostel lounge

If you’re after both a stylish stay and a social atmosphere, Moon Hill Hostel is the ideal choice. This hostel, which is located just 450 yards from the Sintra National Palace, boasts a modern interior with a clean, minimal vibe. You can stay in a shared dorm, or a single or double bedroom if you prefer your own space. Communal areas like the lounge, bar and coffee shop bring guests together. There’s also a shared kitchen, which is great if you’re budgeting, and perks like board games, DVDs and a playstation which can get you chatting with other guests.

Written by

James Cave is the founder of Portugalist and the author of the bestselling book, Moving to Portugal Made Simple. He has visited just about every part of Portugal, including Madeira and all nine islands of the Azores, and lived in several parts of Portugal including Lisbon, the Algarve, and Northern Portugal.

You can contact James by emailing james@portugalist.com or via the site's contact form.

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  1. We love sintra and have been visiting for many years. There is too muuch to see in a single day, you need to stay over, and a boutique hotel is perfect. We hope to come back this year.

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