Sintra has always been a place wrapped in magic and mystery. Known since ancient times as the Mountain of the Moon, this village was considered sacred by Arabs, Templars, and alchemists.
Its colorful palaces, mist-covered forests, and enigmatic caves are the stage for haunted legends and ghost stories passed down through generations.

Below, discover the 6 most haunted places in Sintra, where beauty and the supernatural walk hand in hand.

1. Biester Palace: The mysterious “Witch House”

Biester Palace, also known as the Witch House, is one of the most mysterious places in Sintra. With neo-Gothic architecture, medieval frescoes, and occult symbols, this site is linked to secret societies and enigmatic rituals.

Its dark atmosphere and esoteric symbolism inspired the film The Ninth Gate, starring Johnny Depp. According to legend, one of the three copies of the book written by the devil may be hidden here. Want to know more about this story? Click here.

Location: Estrada da Pena, Sintra
Legend: The devil’s book and secret societies

Distance from Casa do Valle: 1.2 kilometers

Official website

2. Valenças Palace: The ghost of Palmira

In the heart of the village, Valenças Palace is famous for the legend of Palmira, a maid who fell in love with the count and, after being rejected, took her own life.
Since then, it’s believed that Palmira’s ghost roams the palace, sighing and making the floorboards creak.

Former employees of the old Municipal Library have reported strange noises and unexplained voices, reinforcing the building’s haunted reputation.

Location: Rua Visconde de Monserrate, 1, Sintra
Legend: The spirit of the maid Palmira

Distance from Casa do Valle: 700 meters

3. Quinta da Penha Verde: The unexplained rain of stones

Quinta da Penha Verde became famous for a documented paranormal phenomenon on October 17, 1982: for six hours, stones mysteriously fell out of nowhere onto the property.
The event was witnessed by firefighters, GNR officers, and locals; to this day, no convincing explanation has been found.

Location: Estrada da Nova Rainha, Sintra
Legend: The rain of stones of Penha Verde

Distance from Casa do Valle: 4.5 kilometers

4. Quinta da Regaleira: The Initiatic Well and the occult

Quinta da Regaleira is one of Sintra’s most visited and mystical sites. Its gardens hide Templar and Masonic symbols, caves, and underground tunnels.
The Initiatic Well represents the descent into the unconscious and the search for spiritual rebirth. Many visitors report temperature changes, echoes, and sensations of a presence.

Location: Rua Barbosa du Bocage, Sintra
Legend: The mystery of the Initiatic Well

Distance from Casa do Valle: 1.2 kilometers

Official website

5. National Palace of Sintra: The knight of the Coats of Arms Hall

In the village center, the National Palace of Sintra is known for its iconic chimneys and the Coats of Arms Hall, where, according to legend, the ghost of a knight who died in a duel appears.
It is said that on quiet nights, one can hear the sound of armor dragging through the corridors.

Location: Largo Rainha D. Amélia, Sintra
Legend: The knight wandering in search of redemption

Distance from Casa do Valle: 500 meters

Official website

6. Haunted road of Vale dos Anjos: The hitchhiking ghost

Between Colares and Vale dos Anjos lies a stretch of road locals call the “haunted road.”
Several drivers claim to have seen a woman asking for a ride, who then mysteriously disappears upon reaching her destination.
The phenomenon is known as “the hitchhiking ghost” and is one of the creepiest stories in Sintra.

Location: Estrada do Vale dos Anjos, Colares
Legend: The woman who vanishes after the ride

Distance from Casa do Valle: 1.2 kilometers

The most haunted places in Sintra: between the real and the supernatural

Known as the Mountain of the Moon, Sintra continues to inspire mysticism and curiosity.
Among unexplained phenomena, templars, and alchemists, the village remains one of Portugal’s most haunted and enigmatic destinations.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, one thing is certain: Sintra has a unique energy that leaves no one indifferent.

If you are curious to uncover more of Sintra’s secrets, we invite you to take part in experiences where you become the protagonist of the story, uncovering the town’s hidden mysteries step by step.

Escape Warriors: Step into an interactive escape room where you and your team will be “locked” inside a themed setting filled with clues, puzzles, and riddles. Work together to solve the enigmas and find your way out before time runs out.

Official website

Mystery City: Sintra Outdoor Escape Game

Embark on an outdoor adventure through Sintra’s enchanting streets. This scavenger hunt, inspired by a true story, leads you to famous landmarks and hidden corners, revealing tales of love, power, and royal intrigue that shaped the town’s legend. Official website:

Official website

Dare to explore Sintra’s most haunted places?

Stay at Casa do Valle and uncover the mysteries of Sintra.

The post The most haunted places in Sintra: legends, mysteries, and ghost stories appeared first on Casa do Valle.

We want to alert you to the following:

• The Pena Palace and its gardens are located in the mountain, within the natural park. The palace itself is in the middle of the park, which is about 15–30-minute walk from the gates. These are accessible by public transportation (bus and taxi) or by foot; private cars are not allowed up the mountain.
• When purchasing the ticket, keep in mind that you have to be at the gates of the park at least 30 minutes before your chosen time slot, as the public transportation will leave you at the main gates and not at the entrance of the Palace;
• We strongly recommend that you enter through the Garden Gates instead of the main gates, to avoid crowds on your way to the palace (and the gardens are magnificent). This walk will be at least 30 minutes.

How to get to Pena Palace from Casa do Valle?

• If you are hiking from Casa do Valle to the Palace, it will take you up to an hour and a half to get to the gates of the park, and nearly two hours to the main gates;
• If you are going by taxi from Casa do Valle, it will take you about 30 minutes;
• If you prefer the bus, you can walk to the Historical Center, 500 meters from Casa do Valle, and take the bus 434 up to the Pena Palace. This option will take you at least one hour.

As our guest, we will happily assist you with planning your visit at check-in if needed. We can provide you with maps for your hike, or, alternatively, you can guide yourself through our free hiking app WalkSintra, which you can download on Google Play and the APP Store to follow the trail of the amazing hike to the Palace.

The post How to get to Pena Palace: Important tips to enhance your visit appeared first on Casa do Valle.

Our Hike & Wine suggestions take you to wonderful, local, award winning special vineyards of our region, where you can enjoy a guided tour and a wine tasting at the end of your walk. Best yet, there is a perfect walk for everyone:  there is a route for you, whether you wish to walk through the countryside, on the coast, or in the mountain. You can choose to walk just 5 kms or make it a day with a 15 km walk. Want to have lunch on the way? Also possible.

Following are some of our suggestions for you,

Through the mountain paths: Casa do Valle to Almoçageme and Casal Santa Maria or Adega Viuva Gomes, 13 kms.  Or 5,5 kms if you start near Monserrate palace.   There are nice little restaurants in the village for lunch or dinner.

From the Historic Center to the countryside of Janas: Casa do Valle to Quinta San Michel, 7.5 kms.  Lunch options in the nearby village.

The classic Colares roundtrip wine route:  15 kms in the Colares region in the villages, on the coast and in the in the pine forest starting and finishing at the Adega Regional of Colares. You can take the historic tram or a bus from Casa do Valle to the starting point.

These walks are great for you alone or for a group activity!

Take a look at short 1 minute videos on our YouTube Channel of what the walks and places look like.

And while you are at it, there are other little videos on walking in Sintra, our beaches and Casa do Valle!  Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications on new suggestions for your Sintra adventures.

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Here is a short 2-minute introduction video to the beaches:

Praia da Ursa – (Our cover  foto) The southernmost of Sintra beaches got its name from a double arch that used be on the beach that resembled a bear sculpted by a giant. The beach is accessible by foot only, on a accentuated footpath (good shoes are advisable due to loose rocks). Though the ‘bear arches’ no longer exist, there are many other rock formations on the beach, and the effort of the descent is well worth it. This is the closest beach to Cabo da Roca,  the westernmost point of Continental Europe.  This is the only beach in Sintra where you will see nudists.

Bus #403 toward Cascais gets you to Azoia and Cabo da Roca – distance from Casa do Valle is about 14 kms.

Praia da Adraga comes next. With its stone arch it is one of the most beautiful beaches of Sintra.  It is an accessible beach, with parking and a great restaurant.  It is popular for walks even outside the bathing season, and during the bathing season it has lifeguards and also lounge chairs and shades to rent. A few of our guests actually got married on the beach there!  The cliffs have caves that you can explore.  Busses #403 and #439 take you to Almoçageme, the beach is another 2.8 kms down from the village. Distance from Casa do Valle to Almoçageme is 10 kms, 13 kms to the beach.

Praia Grande has a long stretch of sand. The sea offers a great swell all year around, attracting surfers and body boarders. The World Body board championships, which are part of the sport’s international circuit, are held there every year, in the beginning of September.  Praia Grande has good facilities, as well as the advantage of having a car park  located very close to the sand, in an area with cafés and restaurants along the road on the beachfront. Life guards are on duty during the bathing season, lounge chairs and shades for hire as well.  In a basalt cliff face on the south end of the Praia Grande there are dinosaur footprints.  There is a paragliding take-off site close to the footprints.  You can reach Praia Grande with busses #441 and #439.  Also the old Sintra tram passes about 1 km from the beach.  Praia Grande is 10 kms from Casa do Valle.

Praia Pequena is just North of Praia Grande.  No facilities, great for fishing.  It is also sought after by lovers of water sports.  Though it has no lifeguards, it is favourite for bathing as it is sheltered. Same busses as to Praia Grande, #441 and #439.  It is also about 10 kms from Casa do Valle.

Praia das Maçãs, the Apple beach,is the first of the Sintra beaches to become famous for tourism; many families from the Lisbon region had their vacation houses here. An ‘eating house’ was built there in 1888 and holiday houses soon began to appear.  In 1904 the tramway terminus was built, and you can still take the tram down from Sintra centre.  Its name came from the large quantity of apples that used to to appear on the beach, carried by the water of the brook that crosses the lowland, where once there were numerous orchards.   It is well served by restaurants, shops, bars and parking. Public outside swimming pool with slides, and tennis courts are near by.  Lifeguards and lounge chairs are available during the bathing season.  In addition to the tram, you can reach the beach with bus #441 – about 10 kms from Casa do Valle.

Next beach to the North is Azenhas do Mar, a picturesque village sitting on a cliff and natural sea water pools down at the bottom.  Sometimes, depending on the tide, there is an accumulation  of sand, creating a small beach on the top of the rocks.  A nice restaurant, great for fishing, no lifeguards. Distance from Casa do Valle is about 11 kms, and the busses #440 and #441 take you there.

Praia da Aguda is reachable by a long staircase from the parking lot.  It is a long beach that in the winter months is often almost non-existent; during very low tides it is connected to Praia do Magoito. In the summer it is popular among families, as it is a dog-friendly beach.  There are no services here. The area on top of the beach is a take-off site for paragliding.

Praia do Magoito, like Praia Grande and Praia das Maçãs, has a large stretch of sand. Formed in a valley cut by the Mata Brook, it forms a contrast with the surrounding cliffs.  It has good facilities, parking is up the hill, and it is quite popular during the bathing season.  It is reachable both with stairs and ramps from the parking area. It is 9 kms from Casa do Valle, and is served by bus #444.

Praia da Samarra is at the mouth of a brook between two slopes.  Its relatively small stretch of sand   opens itself to the quiet ocean in a vee.  The rocks on both sides of the mouth of the brook are great spots for line fishing.   The beach is only reachable through Assafora.  Follow the signposts till you reach Catribana, passing through Cortezia. At the end of the asphalted road  you will find the road to Samarra.  No facilities.   Assafora is about 15kms from Casa do Valle, Bus #443 takes you to Catribana.

Praia da Vigia is a beach with very high cliffs and access is currently difficult.  You can reach it  through a footpath called Caminho de Descedouro das Mós – or at low tide you can walk to Vigia from the Southern point of Praia de S. Julião. There are no services here.

Lastly, we have Praia de São Julião.  At the northern boundary of the municipality, and shared with the neighbouring municipality, Mafra. It is a large, sandy beach,  located at the mouth of Ribeira  de Falcão that has, throughout the years, excavated the cliff, forming a very sizeable creek.  It has good facilities, and can be quite crowded during weekends.  Access  to the beach is about 3 kms from Assafora village, 18 kms from Casa do Valle to the beach, and reachable by  bus #443 (to Assafora).

Lots of diffrent beaches to choose from, you can go to a different one everyday!

The following 5-minute version of the Beach Filme is with more details of the beaches, including information on services, facilities, and surfing possibilities amongst other things to help you make an informed choice for your day.

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