The 33-meter-tall conical chimneys were designed to vent smoke from the royal kitchens directly out of the palace.
The Sala dos Brasões (Blazon Room) displays the coats of arms of 72 Portuguese noble families on its vaulted dome.
King Afonso VI was imprisoned in the Sala dos Archeiros for nine years until his death in 1683.
The palace contains a rare collection of 16th-century 'cuenca' tiles, which feature raised edges to separate glaze colors.
The structure originated as a Moorish palace; it was later surrendered to King Afonso Henriques in 1147.
The Swan Room's ceiling features 24 painted swans, each in a unique pose, representing the heraldry of the Portuguese royal family.
The Magpie Room features a ceiling painted with 136 magpies, each holding a rose in its beak, said to be a retort to court gossip.
The National Palace of Sintra is the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal, featuring a distinctive silhouette defined by two massive conical chimneys. Its architecture reflects a syncretism of Gothic, Manueline, and Mudéjar styles, developed over centuries of royal use. The interior contains one of the largest collections of Hispano-Moresque tiles in the world, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Notable rooms include the Swan Room, adorned with a 17th-century painted ceiling, and the Magpie Room, named for the depictions of birds on its ceiling. The palace served as a primary summer residence for the Portuguese monarchy until the late 19th century. Its structure is built directly into the urban fabric of the Sintra town center. The kitchen, with its 33-meter-high chimneys, remains one of the most significant medieval culinary spaces in Europe.
From the Largo Rainha Dona Amélia, looking up to capture the iconic twin conical chimneys against the Sintra hills.
Arrive as early in the day as possible to avoid the heavy influx of tour groups.
Focus your attention on the courtyard tiles, which are among the oldest in the palace.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the floors are made of stone and can be uneven.
Do not attempt to drive into the town center, as roads are extremely narrow and parking is virtually non-existent.
Open daily throughout the year, including weekends and holidays; occasionally closed for state ceremonies.
Maintain a quiet volume, refrain from touching historic tapestries or wall tiles, and do not use flash photography in galleries.
