Gay Hotels Sintra

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Sintra Portugal (2023 Updated)

Sintra is a resort town in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, near the capital, Lisbon. A longtime royal sanctuary, its forested terrain is studded with pastel-colored villas and palaces and gay friendly hotels Sintra.  The Moorish- and Manueline-style Sintra National Palace is distinguished by dramatic twin chimneys and elaborate tile work. The hilltop 19th-century Pena National Palace is known for a whimsical design and sweeping views.

Gay PRIDE Lisbon is a peaceful march of LGBT people and their relatives and friends, which combines social and political protest with entertainment such as live concerts. It takes place every year in the month of April in Lisbon the main destination of Portugal. Like most countries in Western Europe the  city of Sintra have many gay bars, clubs and gay friendly hotels. You can reach the gay parade in Lisbon from Sintra by trains which run regularly every 20 minutes

Consider this your open invitation to pack your bags and find Sintra city hotels that are members of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association.

 

What are the top attractions to visit in Sintra?

Nowadays, Sintra and its surroundings are a popular vacation spot for the Portuguese as well as for the international jet set and regular foreign tourists, all of them drawn by its fine beaches. The town hosts many international events, including sailing and surfing.

Top 5 sights in Sintra (for a day trip)

National Palace of Sintra
Quinta da Regaleira
Pena Palace
Moorish Castle

Boca do Inferno

1. Tivoli Sintra Hotel 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Sintra

 

Gay Friendly Hotel Sintra
Gay Friendly Hotel Sintra

Situated in the heart of the UNESCO heritage town of Sintra, the 4-star Tivoli Sintra Hotel offers accommodation in a tranquil setting, offering panoramic views across a dramatic landscape.

All guest rooms at the Tivoli Sintra hotel feature air conditioning, a minibar and satellite TV. Many of the rooms offer far-reaching views across the town towards Sintra Cascais Natural Park.

The Monserrate Restaurant offers some of the best views in the hotel, and serves an eclectic menu of Portuguese and international dishes. The Panoramic Bar provides a small and intimate environment in which to enjoy an evening drink.

Right in the centre of the town of Sintra, this is a discreet 4-star Sintra Portugal hotel with private parking which gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the surrounding scenery, history and leisure facilities. Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Breakfast in the Monserrate restaurant at Tivoli Sintra allows you to enjoy the quality food at this welcoming and friendly Central Sintra hotel. The view from the panoramic bar reveals its stunning location: between the Serra de Sintra and the Palacio da Vila, where the sea can just be seen on the horizon.

This hotel is in a superb location, a few metres from the centre of town yet in a totally quiet and secluded position. No noise from outside, and also no inside noise as the rooms are genuinely well-soundproof. Set on the top and side of a hill so great views, including the Atlantic in the middle-distance.

Pros: great location directly across the street from the National Palace. Only a ten minute walk to the Quinta da Regaleira. Pleasant and helpful desk staff. Our room offered a balcony with a view of the Moorish Castle.

The hotel are localized downtown and you are walk distance from restaurants, bars and pastelarias. The south rooms have an amazing view to Mouro’s castle. The bed are terrific! I highly recommended it.

The views from the hotel are exceptional. I wandered all over Sintra for a few days and walked into every establishment that advertised the views, but really the best view came from my room! My room had floor to ceiling glass window that gave me an amazing panorama. Tivoli Sintra is a great choice to while visiting Sintra Portugal.

Pros:

– Almost right next to Sintra National Palace, and Quinta de Regaleira is around the corner (easy walking distance)
– Short drive away from Pena Palace and the Moors’ Castle (take a tuk-tuk rather than a taxi up there)
– Plenty of shops, restaurants, and other sights/landmarks in the area — including some beautiful gardens
– Very helpful and welcoming staff / front desk
– Large room with a fantastic balcony
– Breakfast is pretty nice and located in an area with great views
– The room price is very reasonable, although I got it at a special rate.

Tivoli Sintra
Tivoli Sintra

 

How much does a room costs at Hotel Tivoli Sintra?

 

Prices start 120$/night for Standard Double Room with CityView. The Superior Double Room with Valley View is 140$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This double room has a balcony, minibar and bathrobe.

Where to book online – Tivoli Sintra –  Gay Friendly Hotels Sintra – you can find the best hotels deals in Sintra  during the  Mardi Gras which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Sintra on Booking.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

2. Villas de Cintra 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Sintra

 

Gay Hotels Sintra
Gay Hotels Sintra

Set in Sintra in the Lisbon Region, 300 m from Sintra National Palace, Villas de Cintra features views of the sea. Quinta da Regaleira is 400 m away. Free WiFi is offered .

The accommodation is air conditioned and has a TV. There is a seating and/or dining area in some units. There is also a kitchenette, fitted with a microwave, fridge and stove top. There is a private bathroom with a shower in each unit. Bed linen is provided.

Set in Sintra in the Lisbon Region, 300 m from Sintra National Palace, Villas de Cintra features a barbecue and views of the sea. All the apartments have AC and TV. There is a seating and/or dining area in some units. There is also a kitchenette, fitted with a microwave, fridge and stove top. There is a private bathroom with a shower in each unit. Bed linen is provided and free WiFi is offered in all areas. An array of activities are offered in the area, such as golfing and hiking. Quinta da Regaleira is 400 m away. Moors Castle is 800 m from Villas de Cintra. The nearest airport is Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, 23 km from Villas de Cintra.

Very well located, very nice remodeled apartments. Would highly recommend. The staff are very friendly just need to keep in touch with them when you will arrive and depart. No parking. Have to park rather far away but, easy enough to get to and drop luggage at the apartments. Everything is walking distance from this apartment.

This hotel is perfectly located and close to the station. The amenities are great, the bed is conformable, what more can you ask for. The service was helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend staying here

Very beautiful villa in great location to Sintra, just off the main roundabout as you enter the city. The main square is 5-10 min walk. Our host/hotel manager is very friendly and gave us a lot of tips.

The villa/hotel itself is very beautiful. We had a family apartment (a double bed and a bunk bed in one room, with separate living room with fully equipped kitchen, dining table, and sofa, and a bathroom) as well as a studio (twin beds, also with kitchen, and bathroom). There are 4 studios which overlooked the back garden and in the afternoon we could sunbathe while enjoying our coffee.

The rooms are newly renovated so it has modern touches.

Villas de Cintra
Villas de Cintra

 

How much does a room costs at Hotel Villas de Cintra?

 

Prices start 80$/night for Superior Studio. The One-Bedroom Apartment is 90$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This studio features a microwave, tile/marble floor and barbecue.

Where to book onlineVillas de Cintra –  Gay Hotels Sintra – you can find the best hotels deals in Sintra  during the  The Sintra Festival on Booking.com or Trip.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

3. Arribas Sintra Hotel 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Sintra

 

Gay Hotels Sintra Portugal
Gay Hotels Sintra Portugal

Situated on Praia Grande, Arribas Sintra Hotel boasts panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the beach. Featuring recently renovated public areas, the hotel was the recipient of the 2018 Green Key Award, for its environmental practices. it has a large saltwater pool with sun-lounger terrace.

Arribas’s spacious rooms have air conditioning and feature panoramic ocean views. They come equipped with a minibar and satellite TV. Some rooms include a spacious seating area and the superior rooms were recently renovated. It offers furnished balconies.

Each morning the hotel serves a buffet breakfast with fresh fruit. The renovated Terrace Restaurant offers vegetarian cuisine, seafood, and traditional Portuguese dishes. There is also a sun terrace with a snack bar.

Arribas Sintra Hotel is located on the magnificent coast of Sintra, perfectly situated on top of Praia Grande, making it not only part of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, but the westernmost hotel of Europe. Renovated in 2017, this is a contemporary hotel featuring one of Europe’s largest swimming pools, and 59 fabulous guestrooms and suites, all with a private balcony with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and the stunning beach. You can also enjoy this panoramic view over the course of a lovely meal at the Arribas Terrace Restaurant.

Very good location, offering a variety of options from hiking along the coastal cliffs to Sintra palaces which are only a few minutes drive away (Uber). Amazing boot sale market on Sunday in the nearby village close to Avenida do Atlantico, across from the supermarket, unique items for a euro or two.

The hotel has an amazing location, right in front of the beach with a huge swimming pool and very close to restaurants ( one of them is bar do fundo which is amazing for seafood lovers).

The location is amazing and the sight when you enter the hotel is truly jaw dropping. All rooms are spacious & have a sea view with balcony. Clean, modern & comfy. We ate in the restaurant and the food was excellent and a great choice at breakfast, and what a view! The staff are delightful and the hotel itself has a wonderful feel to it. Brilliant area for walking and thoroughly recommend that you climb the cliff at the end of the beach to see the 🦕footprints ! We got the Tram to Sintra which was delightful and sailed past the traffic. So much to see & do and this is a great place to stay to enjoy the beach & take a trip in to Sintra, or just relax and be mesmerised by the waves.

l. All rooms have a sea view and given that it is neatly positioned on a beach popular with surfers, it is an impressive view. Staff were friendly and rooms were comfortable.

The hotel is in a fairly remote area which may not suit everyone and while that area is particularly beautiful, a car is a necessity.

his is absolutely unique place – you won’t find another ocean facing hotel with 100m long swimming pool in Europe. Sensitively reconstructed rooms, with simple, but functional furniture and ample bathrooms. To get the best view, try to get room on the third floor (second floor has only suites). If that is not enough, this three star property is in many aspects better than many of four star hotels, particularly in overall cleanliness, housekeeping and front office stuff.

Arribas Sintra Hotel
Arribas Sintra Hotel

 

How much does a room costs at Arribas Sintra Hotel?

 

Prices start 135$/night for Double Room with Balcony and Sea View. Superior Double  Room with Balcony and Sea View is 160$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This studio features a microwave, tile/marble floor and barbecue.

Where to book onlineArribas Sintra Hotel –  Gay Friendly Hotels Sintra – you can find the best hotels deals in Sintra  during the  The Sintra Festival on Booking.com or Trivago.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

4. Tivoli Palacio de Seteais 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Sintra

Gay Hotels Sintra
Gay Hotels Sintra

Tivoli Palácio de Seteais is an elegant 5-star hotel set in the mountainside of Sintra with privileged views of the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace. It features a swimming pool, tennis courts and an equestrian centre.

The richly decorated rooms at the Tivoli Palácio hotel come with air conditioning, a minibar and satellite TV. Each features in-room internet access, private Nespresso machine and a rain shower in the bathroom. Many offer views across the Sintra Cascais Natural Park.

 

More than just a five-star Sintra hotel, a luxurious and romantic palace which takes us back to the days of the elegance and architecture of the XVIII century. On the mountainside of Sintra, a town classified as world heritage by UNESCO, and with spectacular views of the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace, enjoy the magnificent surroundings of lush gardens and spectacular scenery. The beautifully decorated rooms with furnishings of extraordinary wealth and the ballrooms with their rich tapestries and incredible frescos make this hotel something quite unique and every event or stay becomes an unforgettable experience.

The Palacio de Seteais is everything that the name suggests. A very grand place indeed. The palacio is very large, elegantly decorated yet comfortable.
Service is top notch.

A note to drivers: you must take the road via Sao Pedro rather than drive through central Sintra. Then follow the signs.

Breakfast is a beautiful affair with many courses and excellent presentation. The berries in particular are delicious.

Set in gorgeous grounds with a spectacular panoramic view, this palatial but personable boutique style hotel with its chic spa, gorgeous breakfast room/restaurant (with a beautiful terrace) serving excellent cuisine, and grand but warm and welcoming reception areas (cocktails in the salon were divine) offers very easy access to the major sites of Sintra (some within walking distance).
A stunning property exuding character, history and charm, the Tivoli Palacio de Seteais is very strongly recommended for gay travelers alike.

Location of the hotel is excellent for visiting Quinta da Regaleira and is a short (steep!) walk into Sintra.

The palace is beautiful from the exterior and is very authentic which leads to its pros and cons – it is a unique experience to stay in a palace but it is obvious that the interior is old and run down.

The beds are very comfortable and deserve a mention – but the facilities need an upgrade and all areas a refurbishment to inject freshness and luxury worth the 5* rating. Currently it’s 4* at best.

This is a luxury hotel with all the amenities. A former palace it is probably the nicest place in Sintra. Restaurant on premises, pool and manicured gardens. The beds are comfortable, rooms have robes, slippers, turn down service. A bowl of fruit and water was waiting for us. Great views of the Moorish Castle. A short 5 minute walk to the Regaleira and to main historic center. Staff is phenomenal.

It is a very small hotel, in guest terms, and the approach to everything is luxury. We had a room on the front of the hotel with views towards the mountains. The room was very spacious and well appointed with plenty of room to spread out your luggage.

There was a heated towel rack in the bathroom and plenty of towels and amenities (like toothbrush kit, sewing kit, etc.), which was helpful after we got caught in a rainstorm. The breakfast was set up in an elegant room–ask for eggs prepared how you like it. The art in the hallways of the hotel is worth slowing down to enjoy. The hotel is in a secluded location near Quinta da Regaleira but was easy enough to walk to from town.

Food in the hotel was excellent and the service was perfect.Sintra is just a walk away and is well worth the visit.

Tivoli Palacio de Seteais
Tivoli Palacio de Seteais

 

How much does a room costs at Tivoli Palacio de Seteais – The Leading Hotels of the World?

 

Prices start 280$/night for Superior Double with Garden View. Premium Twin Room with Valley View 350$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This double room has air conditioning.

Where to book onlineTivoli Palacio de Seteais – The Leading Hotels of the World –  Gay  Friendly Hotels Sintra – you can find the best hotels deals in Sintra  during the  The Sintra Festival on Booking.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

5. Sintra Boutique Hotel 4* – Gay Friendly Hotel Sintra

Gay Hotels Sintra
Gay Hotels Sintra

Located in centre of the historic UNESCO town of Sintra, this boutique hotel offers rooms and suites with views of the old town and Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It has a landscaped garden where guests can relax at the courtyard bar.

The modern, spacious rooms contain flat-screen TVs and are all individually decorated. Each has a private bathroom which comes with free toiletries. Free Wi-Fi is also provided.

The Sintra Boutique Hotel offers an upscale restaurant serving contemporary Portuguese cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast can be prepared upon request.

What a lovely hotel nestled in the heart of Sintra! This location is perfect for anyone looking to stay in a stunning and charming hotel close enough to walk to all the things you would want to see but still far enough away that it is silent at night.

The staff go above and beyond here, including taking you to the room when you check in to make sure that you see all of the amenities. Each room has a safe, a mini fridge (with complimentary water, Coca Cola, and Orange juice. The room we were in had a lovely view with a seat at the window to sit and take it all in.

Comfortable beds, great water pressure, good food, etc. You simply must stay here if going to visit the Moorish Castle, Pena Palace, and more. Most people make the mistake of only going to Sintra for a day trip, but you should absolutely stay one night if you fit it into your schedule. We arrived midday, checked into our hotel, had lunch at Cafe Paris, and visited Quinta da Regaleira in the afternoon.

Bed was very comfortable and room well lit. Loved the Escher inspired bathroom tiles. The room we paid for came with a buffet breakfast which was surprisingly elaborate. Definitely one of the highlights of the hotel as they featured an amazing display of sausages, salmon , cheeses and local pastries. I can’t say how pleased we were with the choice we made on this hotel. We hope to return one day in the future.

Sintra Boutique Hotel
Sintra Boutique Hotel

 

How much does a room costs at Sintra Boutique Hotel ?

 

Prices start 144$/night for  Double Room. Deluxe Double  is 190$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This room features a spacious, private bathroom with a bathtub. It has views of Sintra’s old town and natural park.

It comes equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and tea/coffee facilities.

Where to book online – Sintra Boutique Hotel  –  LGBT Friendly Hotels Sintra – you can find the best hotels deals in Sintra  during the  The Sintra Festival on Booking.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.