Sintra in November: Weather, Prices and What Is On

Weather and What to Pack

November in Sintra brings mild, damp days with average highs of 17°C (63°F) and lows of 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 to 15 days of the month, often as light drizzle or short showers. The famous mist can cloak the Pena Palace and Moorish Castle, creating a moody, romantic atmosphere. Daylight lasts from about 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, so plan outdoor visits for the morning. Bring a waterproof jacket with a hood, sturdy walking shoes with good grip (the cobblestones and forest trails get slippery), and layers for cool evenings.

The upside of the wet weather is fewer crowds. In July and August, queues for the Pena Palace can exceed an hour by 10 AM. In November, you can often walk straight in. The trade-off is that some outdoor cafés and kiosks close for the season, and the tram to Praia das Maçãs runs on a reduced schedule—usually just weekends if at all. Check locally. For the best chance of dry weather, aim for mid-November, which statistically sees fewer rainy days than early or late in the month.

Prices and Where to Stay

November is low season in Sintra, so hotel prices drop significantly compared to summer. Expect to pay €70–€120 per night for a double room in a mid-range guesthouse or small hotel in the historic centre (around the National Palace). Luxury options like the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais or Penha Longa Resort start around €200–€300. Budget hostels in the centre offer beds from €25–€40. Prices are lower on weekdays and outside the first week of the month, which includes the All Saints' holiday on 1 November.

Most visitors stay in Sintra's historic centre, within walking distance of the 434 bus to Pena Palace and the train station. The neighbourhood around the station has several guesthouses with free parking, useful if you drive. If you prefer a quieter base, consider São Pedro de Penaferrim, a 15-minute walk from the centre, or Colares, a 20-minute drive toward the coast, where you can find rural cottages. For a beach stay, Praia Grande has a few hotels, but many restaurants close in November. I would book a place in the historic centre for convenience, as buses to the palaces are frequent and you can walk to most sights.

What Is On and What to Do

November is not a major festival month in Sintra, but there are still events. The Sintra Queijadas festival, usually held in late November, celebrates the local pastry with tastings and workshops. The Sintra Municipal Market hosts a monthly flea market on the second Sunday. For culture, the Olga Cadaval Cultural Centre in the centre has a programme of concerts and theatre; check their schedule online. The Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Moorish Castle remain open daily, though some monuments close earlier (around 5:30 PM). The National Palace of Sintra and the Monserrate Palace are also open, with reduced crowds.

Outdoor enthusiasts can hike the trails in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, which are lush and green after the autumn rains. The 8-km trail from Sintra to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, offers dramatic coastal views. Buses to Cabo da Roca (403 from Sintra station) run hourly. If it rains, retreat to the interior of Quinta da Regaleira with its tunnels and initiation well, or sample local pastries like travesseiros and queijadas in the cafés near the station. For a day trip, Cascais is a 30-minute drive or a scenic train ride from Sintra, with its own museums and a lively market on Wednesdays.

Getting There and Around

Sintra is a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon's Rossio station, with trains running roughly every 30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs about €2.30. If you're driving from Lisbon, take the A37 or A16; the journey is 30–40 minutes outside rush hour. Parking in Sintra centre is limited and expensive (€1–€2 per hour), so the train is often easier. Once in Sintra, the 434 bus loops from the train station to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle (€6.90 for a hop-on-hop-off day pass), while the 435 goes to Monserrate and Seteais. Taxis and tuk-tuks are available but negotiate the fare beforehand. For Cabo da Roca, take bus 403 from the station (€2.60).

Given the frequent rain, consider hiring a car for a day to explore the coast at your own pace, but be aware that parking at popular sights fills up by 11 AM. Many hotels in Sintra offer free parking if you stay outside the centre. If you're based in Lisbon, the train is reliable and lets you avoid traffic. For a hotel in Lisbon, the Baixa or Alfama districts are convenient for Rossio station, with doubles from €80–€150 in November. I would book a hotel in Sintra's historic centre for one or two nights to experience the town after day-trippers leave, then return to Lisbon for the rest of your trip.