The National Palace of Sintra, also known as Palácio da Vila, is one of the best-preserved medieval royal palaces in the world, with origins tracing back to Moorish governors in the 9th century.
It became the official royal residence under King João I in the 14th century, who commissioned the palace’s iconic twin conical chimneys, the Swan Room, and the Magpie Room; King Manuel I later added the Coat of Arms Room in the early 16th century. The Portuguese royal family used the palace until the monarchy ended in 1910.
The palace is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (the ticket office closes 12-1 p.m., though machines remain available), and a full visit through the numbered room sequence takes about 60 to 90 minutes.