Historic landmarks
Main monuments, best viewpoints, and what’s worth your time in Colares.
Private transfers & day trips
Private Transfers in Colares, Airport & Day Trips
Private and reliable transfers in Colares, airport, hotel, business travel and day trips across Portugal.
Explore the best of Colares
Colares is in the Lisbon & Surroundings region of Portugal, about 35 km from Lisbon Airport.
Weather
18°CPartly cloudy
Lisbon time 14:02 • 12 Nov 2026
Nearest airport
LIS35 km
Lisbon Airport (LIS) · 35 kmRegion
Lisbon & Surroundings
Portugal
Population
8,000
Residents
Overview
Guide to Colares
Colares is not a municipality. This page does not use an INE Census 2021 municipality total.
Places associated with Colares: Praia da Adraga, Praia Grande and Praia das Macas. Opening hours, ticket prices and heritage classification are not cited here; the monument search is at imovel.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt.
Regional products and dishes to look for: Pastéis de Belém, Ginjinha and Queijadas de Sintra. The national DOP/IGP register is at DGADR.
The nearest airport recorded on this page is Lisbon Airport (LIS), 35 km away. Journey time is not stated where it is not confirmed.
In the same region, the visit combines with Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Loures.
Confirmed monuments for Colares: 24. Paisagem Cultural de Sintra (Património Mundial da Unesco), Sítio Arqueológico do Alto da Vigia (Sítio de Interesse Público), Convento dos Capuchos (Imóvel de Interesse Público), Anta de Adrenunes (Monumento Nacional), Igreja Paroquial de Almoçageme (Incluído em sítio classificado), Monumento pré-histórico da Praia das Maçãs (Monumento Nacional), Pelourinho de Colares (Monumento Nacional), Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ulgueira (Monumento de Interesse Público), Quinta de Vale de Marinha e sua casa (Imóvel de Interesse Municipal), Casa dos Lafetás (Imóvel de Interesse Municipal), Capela de Santo António (Imóvel de Interesse Público), Capela da Misericórdia de Colares (Imóvel de Interesse Público), Villa romana de Santo André de Almoçageme (Imóvel de Interesse Público), Capela de Nossa Senhora da Penha (Colares) (Imóvel de Interesse Público), Forte da Roca (Imóvel de Interesse Público), Convento de Santa Ana da Ordem do Carmo, Convento de Sant'Ana da Ordem do Carmo, Convento do Carmo (Imóvel de Interesse Público), Quinta Mazziotti (Em vias de classificação), Colónia de Férias dos Comboios de Portugal (CP) (Monumento de Interesse Municipal), Linha do elétrico de Sintra, na totalidade do seu percurso atualmente subsistente, incluindo as respetivas estruturas de apoio e composições (Monumento de Interesse Municipal), Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, matriz de Colares (Monumento de Interesse Público), Cine-Teatro Gomes da Silva (Incluído em sítio classificado), Casa Branca, ou Casa do Marco (Em vias de classificação), Recinto da Feira das Mercês e Muro de Derrete e imóveis que fazem parte do "espaço social" envolvente (Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Mercês, Cruzeiro das Mercês e casa-agrícola pombalina) (Imóvel de Interesse Municipal), Cerca do Convento dos Capuchos (Incluído em sítio classificado).
Landmarks · Cuisine · Hotels
Hotels & stays
Book the right stay in Colares: best areas, smart picks, and options for every budget.
Paisagem Cultural de Sintra
The Sintra Cultural Landscape earned UNESCO World Heritage status for its remarkable fusion of natural beauty and architectural heritage. This protected area encompasses palaces, convents, estates and forests that reflect centuries of royal patronage and romantic imagination. The landscape connects Colares to a broader tapestry of monuments scattered across the Sintra hills.
Sítio Arqueológico do Alto da Vigia
The Sítio Arqueológico do Alto da Vigia is a clifftop archaeological site overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, officially recognised as a Site of Public Interest. This ancient settlement reveals traces of human occupation spanning from prehistoric times through the Roman period, offering remarkable views where land meets sea along the Sintra coastline.
Convent dos Capuchos
The Convent dos Capuchos is a sixteenth century Franciscan monastery built into the rocky hillside of the Serra de Sintra. Known for its extreme austerity and tiny cork-lined cells, this remote hermitage offers a striking glimpse into the lives of monks who embraced poverty and silence. The site holds official recognition as a Building of Public Interest.
Anta de Adrenunes
Anta de Adrenunes is a Neolithic dolmen hidden in the wooded hills near Colares, classified as a National Monument. This ancient stone burial chamber, built thousands of years ago, stands as one of the most important megalithic structures in the Sintra region. The monument offers a rare glimpse into the prehistoric communities that once inhabited this coastal area.
Church Paroquial de Almoçageme
The Church Paroquial de Almoçageme stands as the parish church of this small coastal village within the protected Cultural Landscape of Sintra. This modest religious building serves the local community and reflects the rural character of the region, where traditional architecture blends quietly into the surrounding countryside between the mountains and the Atlantic.
Monumento pré-histórico da Praia das Maçãs
This prehistoric monument sits near Praia das Maçãs, a coastal area where ancient communities once settled along the Atlantic shoreline. Classified as a National Monument, the site preserves traces of human presence from thousands of years ago. The archaeological remains offer a glimpse into early life on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula.
Pillory de Colares
The Pillory of Colares stands in the heart of this historic village as a National Monument, representing centuries of local judicial authority. This stone column, topped with an iron cage, served as the public symbol of municipal power during the medieval period. Its preservation offers visitors a tangible connection to the administrative traditions of old Portugal.
Church de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ulgueira
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Ulgueira stands as a Monument of Public Interest in the Colares area, reflecting centuries of religious heritage. This historic church preserves traditional Portuguese ecclesiastical architecture and remains an active place of worship. Its quiet setting offers visitors a glimpse into the spiritual life of the surrounding rural communities.
Quinta de Vale de Marinha e sua casa
Quinta de Vale de Marinha is a historic estate in Colares recognized as a Property of Municipal Interest for its architectural and rural heritage. The quinta and its main house reflect centuries of agricultural tradition in the Sintra region, where wine production and aristocratic country living shaped the landscape. Set among vineyards and coastal hills, it represents the enduring character of Colares estates.
Casa dos Lafetás
Casa dos Lafetás stands as a classified building of municipal interest in Colares, representing centuries of local architectural heritage. This historic residence reflects the traditional noble houses that once dotted the Sintra region, maintaining its original character through careful preservation. The building offers a glimpse into the residential architecture that shaped this remarkable corner of Portugal.
Chapel de Santo António
The Chapel de Santo António stands as a Building of Public Interest in Colares, reflecting centuries of local devotion and architectural heritage. This modest place of worship embodies the quiet spiritual character of the Sintra countryside, where faith and tradition have shaped the landscape alongside the more famous monuments of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra.
Chapel da Misericórdia de Colares
The Chapel of Misericórdia in Colares is a protected Building of Public Interest that stands as a testament to the tradition of charitable institutions across Portugal. This modest chapel represents the local expression of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia movement, combining religious devotion with social care in a village setting.
Vinho de Colares
Made from vines grown in sandy Atlantic soils, Colares wine is one of Portugal’s most singular and historic wine traditions.
Travesseiros de Sintra
Among the regional sweets of the Lisbon and Surroundings region of Portugal, Travesseiros de Sintra holds a special place, made to a recipe resistant to
Queijadas de Sintra
Queijadas de Sintra is one of the Lisbon and Surroundings region of Portugal's most cherished sweet traditions, tied to local ingredients and a long pastry
Malvasia de Colares
This white wine style reflects the rare Atlantic viticulture that makes Colares historically important.
Frequently asked questions
Colares is not a municipality.
On this page: Paisagem Cultural de Sintra, Sítio Arqueológico do Alto da Vigia and Convent dos Capuchos.
Regional cooking points to Vinho de Colares, Travesseiros de Sintra and Queijadas de Sintra.
Yes. gotoo trips and transfers runs the transfer to Colares from Lisbon Airport (LIS), 35 km away.
Map of Colares
Highlights
- Traditional wine-producing region
- Rural landscapes near Sintra
- Calm village atmosphere
- Proximity to Atlantic beaches
- Easy access from Lisbon and Sintra
- Ideal for cultural and nature-focused trips
Private transfers in Colares
- ✓ Fixed price · no surprises
- ✓ Up to 90 min airport waiting included
- ✓ Professional licensed driver
Getting to Colares
Colares sits about 37 km from Lisbon Airport, roughly 30 minutes by road. Public transport often means changes and waiting, and may leave you a walk from where you want to be. A private transfer takes you door-to-door, with a fixed price and no connections, from €58 from Lisbon Airport.
