Castle of the Moors
Sintra, Portugal
A ruined Moorish fortress whose walls follow the granite ridge above Sintra, with a walkway along the battlements and wide views to the coast. Wear sturdy shoes, as the steps are uneven and can be slippery.
According to the source, the Castelo dos Mouros was built by the Moors in the 8th or 9th century to protect the surrounding land and its inhabitants. King Afonso Henriques took the fortress in 1147; by tradition it surrendered to the Christian forces without a fight. A chapel was added in the 12th century and is now a ruin. A cistern from the Moorish period also survives; much of what you see today comes from 19th-century restoration.
The castle lies half hidden by forest in the Serra de Sintra. A signposted wall walk about 450 metres long runs around the walls, with views over the forest and across Sintra. From the Pena Palace side it is a 30 to 40 minute walk; a bus also runs from the town. Wear sturdy shoes, as the steps are uneven and can be slippery. Allow about one to two hours for the visit.
- Nearest town
- Sintra, Portugal
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 38.7916, -9.3893
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- quinta 7 nomesCampsite7 km from Castle of the MoorsWi-Fi
- Orbitur GuinchoCampsite10 km from Castle of the MoorsTentsCaravans
- Area MafraMotorhome stopover17 km from Castle of the Moors · 7 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
- Lisboa CampingCampsite18 km from Castle of the MoorsTentsCaravansWi-Fi
- Parque de Campismo INATEL da CaparicaCampsite20 km from Castle of the Moors
- Orbitur Costa da CaparicaCampsite20 km from Castle of the MoorsTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Portugal · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Castle of the Moors?
Castle of the Moors is in Sintra, Portugal, at GPS 38.7916, -9.3893. It is about 11 km from Cascais.
Can you camp near Castle of the Moors?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Portela de Sintra, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Castle of the Moors?
Places worth a stop nearby: Palácio da Pena (0 km), Quinta da Regaleira (1 km), Azenhas do Mar (8 km) and Cabo da Roca (10 km).
When is the best time to visit Castle of the Moors?
The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)