The Best Boutique Hotels in Sintra, Portugal, for Stunning Views

The Sintra Boutique Hotel is located in the centre of the historic old town, just a four-minute walk from the National Palace of Sintra. Simple rooms feature a neutral palette, with flat-screen TVs and either city or garden views. Upgrade to the junior suite for the best vistas and an extra-large soaking tub. Downstairs, the restaurant serves Portuguese specialities made with fresh, local ingredients.

The Lawrence’s Hotel is a Unesco-protected site in its own right, and is reputedly the oldest hotel in Portugal and Spain, having opened in 1764. It’s a great choice for history buffs, as it once sheltered both British poet Lord Byron and Portuguese writer Eça de Queirós. The 16 double rooms and suites feature four-poster beds and floral linen with picture-perfect views from the large, old-fashioned windows.

Chalet Saudade is a vintage-inspired boutique hotel built in the style of an Alpine chalet and located on the Vale da Raposa. All rooms have stunning views of the Sintra mountains or Castelo dos Mouros, apart from the small double economy room. Cafe Saudade is a hub for locals and visitors, serving up hot coffee and delicious pastéis de nata(egg custard tarts).

Built in the 1800s, the São Miguel Guest House is elegant with bright-pink walls, marble bathrooms and views of the Castelo dos Mouros from its five rooms. While staying at the guesthouse you can enjoy use of a cosy library and strolls through the hotel’s romantic garden. It’s even possible to spot the National Palace from the terrace. In stark contrast to the vintage interior, there’s also a high-tech modern sauna to bask in during the winter months.

The Tivoli Palacio de Seteais is the epitome of elegance, boasting manicured grounds and suites that reflect a combination of 21st-century and 18th-century styles. Between the neoclassical architecture, fresco murals and antique furniture, you’ll find 30 opulent rooms – book one with a view of the mountains and valley. Enjoy a deep-tissue massage at the Anantara Spa, where they only use all-natural Biologique Recherche products. Start your day with a sumptuous breakfast in the main restaurant and finish it by sampling rare local wines in the Seteais Colares DOC room.

The Quinta de São Tadeu is the first hotel on this list to include views of the Monserrate and Pena Palaces, two of Sintra’s most iconic landmarks. Choose between regular or deluxe suites in this 18th-century farmhouse, painted a distinctive pink. Each room is embellished with classic furniture, and you can even book out the entire farmhouse to sleep 18. In the breakfast room, azulejo tiles add a traditional touch. Town is just a picturesque 35-minute walk away.

If you’re visiting by train, the Five House is only a seven-minute walk from Sintra station. Behind the buttercup-yellow facade there are just three individually decorated rooms, while friendly hosts Filipe and Vera can give local insights on what to see and do. As the couple are both photographers, they can also take your portrait with one of the beautiful buildings in Sintra as your backdrop.

Just minutes from Regaleira Palace, the family-run Águamel is housed in a pretty 19th-century building. Rooms are individually decorated and all come with breakfast included. Opt for one of the rooms with a private balcony for stunning panoramas of the Sintra Mountains and the belfries. And when it’s time to explore, Sintra centre is a five-minute walk away, or you can get to the hilltop Pena National Palace in 10 minutes by car.

Tucked away just far enough from Sintra centre to feel like a secluded escape, Quinta de São Sebastião makes for an Instagram-worthy stay. When you’re not marvelling at the pale-green facade with regal arched windows, make a beeline for the outdoor pool with its city views or take a wander through the private forest and park at the hotel. For an extra dose of privacy, a stay in the luxe garden villa is a must.

If spending your days visiting the palaces of Sintra isn’t enough, why not stay in one too? Sintra Marmòris Palace has been looked after by the same family since it was built in 1890. The clan is known for its work in the marble industry, so you can expect marble-clad everything here. No expense is spared and each of the nine rooms is exceptionally large – some even have deep-soak tubs, made from marble, of course.

Ideal for the no-fuss traveller, Sintra Bliss Hotel places you two minutes from the train station, where buses to the nearby landmarks are frequent and there’s always a buzzy vibe. After snapping up a 100-year-old dilapidated building, the owners of Sintra Bliss transformed it into a modern hub with vibrant, light-filled rooms, private balconies and a sun-soaked garden.