Sintra Portugal Real Estate: An Overview | Goldcrest

The beautiful palaces of Sintra are like stepping into a fairytale. With the postcard-picture village, the ocean not far away, and glorious beaches secretly tucked away, you are very well placed. Sintra real estate in Portugal is where you will find sought-after properties, waterfront homes, and a touch of pure elegance, but is also a practical place to live, with top international schools to be found here and beautiful natural landscapes. Investors will be happy to know that Sintra has high yields. With this in mind, Sintra is the perfect place to have a home or invest in the property market. 

Just a short distance northeast of Lisbon, you will come across Sintra. The tuk-tuks in the summer herald the arrival of the tourists who are there to see Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. Sintra really is a gem of Portugal – you will only need one brief visit to be convinced. 

Alongside being a smart investment option, if you are looking to live in Portugal, Sintra is an excellent place to consider. In this article, we’ll provide you with an overview of Sintra Portugal real estate. Following this, we’ll run over the history of Sintra and why the region is utterly unique before providing you with some practical information that will be useful to you. 

Sintra Portugal Real Estate

Should you be considering snapping up property in Sintra, you’ll want to have a clear picture of what to expect. Here, we provide a rundown of property prices, rental yields, and the types of properties available on the market.

Property prices

The average asking price for a house in Sintra was €2,664/m2 in 2023, which is much more affordable when compared with Lisbon real estate. If you are looking for luxury properties, you should expect to pay more. Additional facilities, such as security, a private pool, and a gym, will also boost up the price. 

However, property in Portugal is generally more affordable than in other European countries. Therefore, property buyers should be able to find some stunning properties at reasonable prices.

Rental yields in Sintra

Rental yields in Sintra offer investors strong returns on investment. In the third trimester of 2023, average rental yields stood at 6.3 percent. This is a strong incentive for investors to turn their heads towards Sintra Portugal real estate. Yields here have been relatively stable for the past five years, remaining standing between 6.0 percent and 7.5 percent. 

Types of properties in Sintra

There are many different properties and homes for sale in Sintra Portugal. In and around Sintra, you have a range of property types to invest in and diversify your investment portfolio. You’ll find affordable townhouses in Sintra, luxury villas with historic flourishes, and contemporary properties with spectacular views of the Atlantic. You may even be able to find a palace that is on the market should you be looking to invest in something truly special. 

History of Sintra

Nearly all periods in Portuguese history have been overseen by Sintra, from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze and Iron Ages to the Roman and Moorish occupations, and finally to the foundation of Portugal in 1154. Indeed, Sintra managed somehow to escape the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and experienced its own golden age from the late 18th century to the end of the 19th century.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the romantic movement and the allure of the Portuguese aristocracy culminated in the grand palaces of Sintra. For example, the poet William Beckford came in the summer of 1787 and marveled at the beauty of the landscapes. The neo-Gothic mansion was built between 1791 and 1793. Also, Princess Carlota Joaquina bought the Ramalhão Estate and Palace at the beginning of the 19th century. As such, beautiful palaces were constructed over the years, including an oriental-style pavilion. 

The development of the landscape of Sintra peaked during the reign of D. Fernando II (18-36-1885). He was regarded by some as an artist king and he fully established Romanticism to the landscape – transforming Pena Convent into the colorful Pena Palace that is there today. The king also took care to restore the forests of the mountains, with thousands of trees planted – indigenous oaks, Mexican cypresses, Australian acacias, stone pines, amongst other species. 

The Sintra mountains, therefore, became a unique and unusual cultural landscape, with exotic trees intertwining with indigenous trees. During the second half of the 19th century, Sintra became a favorite amongst artistic circles. The excitement of the region has continued up until the present, where Sintra decisively maintains its position as a centerpiece of beauty, romanticism, and escapism. 

Best Places to Live or Invest in Sintra, Portugal

Sintra was the first European UNESCO world heritage site defined as a Cultural Landscape, and the natural beauty of this part of Portugal, with the Sintra National Palace, Moorish Castle, and historic town, makes Sintra a top investment opportunity. If you are considering investing in Sintra, or relocating to this beautiful part of Portugal, below you can find three top locations to consider.

Quinta da Beloura

Quinta da Beloura, to the east of the Sintra Cascais Nature Reserve, offers a luxurious lifestyle with golf courses, equestrian centers, and upscale amenities all close at hand. If you are looking to invest in luxury villas and have to be well situated to get to Lisbon and Cascais easily, then Quiinta da Beloura could be the perfect spot.

Colares

Colares is a coastal parish in the municipality of Sintra, a key wine-growing region known for the famous Colares wine and its picturesque landscapes. Here, you could not be closer to the stunning Sintra Cascais Natural Park, as well as stunning palaces, such as Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. Colares itself is a picturesque town that will likely see a boost of interest in the future. It provides a tranquil, rural lifestyle while still being close to Sintra’s key attractions, the Atlantic coast, and is also not far from Lisbon, so you can enjoy everything that comes with living close to a bustling, cosmopolitan capital.

Sintra town center

When it comes to the best places to stay in Sintra Portugal, the historic center is an excellent place to begin, which also translates to it being an excellent investment opportunity as tourists look to stay here. The town center is vibrant, with cafes and shops within walking distance and excellent public transport links to Lisbon. If you are looking to invest in Sintra hotels or buy a commercial property to transform into a boutique hotel, then this could be a smart move.

Climate in Sintra

The climate in Sintra can be a little unusual as it has its own ecosystem. For example, it can be very sunny and warm in Lisbon, and cold in Sintra, and vice versa. The mountainous landscape likely has a role to play in this. 

Despite this, the climate here is mild, with a temperate and usually warm climate. The winter months see the most rain, with little rain falling in the summer. As with everywhere in the country, the climate is one of the reasons why expats move to Portugal.

Getting Around in Sintra

Sintra is a short 30-minute drive from Lisbon and the Lisbon Airport, with Cascais also being close at hand. You have many incredible locations along the coast that you will be able to explore from Sintra. You will find that there are local buses here, while the train provides easy links to Lisbon and other key areas. To get to some of the quieter beaches and make the most of living in this part of Portugal, having a car is recommended.  

International Interest in Sintra

Alongside real estate and expats looking to relocate to Sintra, recent international interest continues to increase in the area, providing greater accessibility and better infrastructure for the region. A recent partnership between the Belgian company Mitiska REIM and the UK urban logistics developer Chancerygate has set its sights on five plots of land in Portugal to develop “light industrial” rental projects.

Together, they have acquired a 2.7-hectare plot in Sintra, which is well-connected to Lisbon and the airport. This venture highlights the resilience and continued investor interest in Portugal’s logistics and industrial sector and makes Sintra an attractive option for international property investors. They also aim to expand into Lisbon and Porto, showing their long-term commitment to the region.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice.

Why choose Goldcrest?

• Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
• Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements.
• Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time.
• Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
• Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.