The Sintra National Palace — also called the Town Palace — is the oldest and most historically significant of Sintra's monuments. Unlike Pena Palace's 19th-century fantasy, this is a real working royal palace with almost continuous history from the Moorish period through the early 20th century. Every Portuguese king from João I to Manuel II used it, and the building shows the accumulation of their additions: Moorish arches alongside Gothic vaulting alongside Manueline decoration.
The interior is exceptional. The Magpie Room (Sala das Pegas) has a ceiling covered with magpies, each holding a flower in its beak — painted on orders of João I after he was caught kissing a lady-in-waiting and insisted the scene was "for good reason." The Swan Room and the Arab Room are also remarkable. The azulejo tile collection is one of the finest in Portugal. This is a quieter visit than Pena Palace and arguably more rewarding for those interested in history rather than spectacle.