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About this place
Cascatas do Mourão are two waterfalls on the Ribeira de Mourão stream, tucked into a valley near the village of Anços in the Montelavar parish, close to Sintra. The site is also known as Cascata de Anços or Cascata de Mourão. It lies in the Lisbon region, which makes it an easy nature escape from the city.
What will you see?
The stream drops in two steps. The upper fall is about 10–15 metres high. Water plunges into a wide pool framed by dense vegetation, mostly trees, which gives the spot a shaded, wooded feel.
The second fall sits lower downstream and is less dramatic. Water runs down a gently sloping, multi-tiered shelf about 3–5 metres high. The Mourão stream is a tributary of the Lisandro river and feeds both drops.
How do you reach the waterfall?
The walk is short. The path from Anços is just over 400 metres one way, so the round trip is under a kilometre. The trail is well signposted, passes through lush greenery and offers pleasant views. The ground can be uneven, so comfortable shoes with good grip are a good idea.
How do you get here from Lisbon?
From Lisbon, Montelavar and Anços are reached by driving northwest for roughly 40–45 minutes via the A5, A9 and A16 motorways. That makes these falls one of the more accessible waterfall spots near the Portuguese capital.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Cascatas do Mourão? Near the village of Anços, in the Montelavar parish, close to Sintra in the Lisbon region.
How many waterfalls are there? Two: an upper one of about 10–15 m and a lower one of about 3–5 m.
Is the walk difficult? No. The trail is a little over 400 m each way and is marked, though the terrain can be uneven.
How far is it from Lisbon? About 40–45 minutes by car to the northwest.
What should you wear? Comfortable footwear for uneven ground. The short route needs no special equipment.
Who is it for?
It suits a short daytime outing: families, photographers and anyone who wants water and greenery near Sintra without a long hike. The visit pairs easily with other sights in the region.
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