Whimsical and fanciful, Sintra seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon. Yet, it is easy to reach on a Sintra Day Trip!
The Lisbon-to-Sintra train whisks passengers between the two in less than an hour, making it a very popular tourist destination.
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We are providing our detailed Day Trip from Lisbon to Sintra Itinerary that shows fellow travelers how they can plan their time.
Plus, we offer need-to-know info about getting there, how to get around and what you will need to take with you when visiting Sintra from Lisbon
Best Things To Do in Sintra, Portugal
In order to plan your ideal trip to Sintra from Lisbon (or choose the best tour), you need to decide what to see!
The region extends roughly 11 miles from the Old Town Sintra Village to the picturesque coastline. There are impressive attractions scattered throughout the landscape.
That said, some of the very best things to do in Sintra are located within close proximity. This makes it very convenient for Lisbon day trippers to plan their own adventure.
Top Things To See in Sintra in One Day
The prime attractions to see on a Lisbon to Sintra trip are the Pena Palace and Park, the Moorish Castle, Vila Sassetti, Regaleira Estate, the National Palace and the historic Old Town.
We are highlighting each spot along with a brief description. You will find top guided tour options and our suggested itinerary for Sintra later in the article.
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#1 Pena Palace – Palacio Nacional da Pena
The colorful, hill-topping Palace of Pena is the highlight of Sintra – and it’s not to be missed!
The Neo-Romantic palace incorporates parts of a previous chapel (Our Lady of Pena) and monastery that survived the 1755 Great Lisbon Earthquake.
In the mid-1800s, King Consort Ferdinand II had the ruins converted into a royal summer residence.
Pena Palace was built in the Romantic style. However, other elements, such as Medieval, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance and Islamic touches, can be observed throughout the property.
The Pena Palace interior is richly decorated and the terraces and watchtowers provide exceptional views of Sintra (and out to sea on clear days).
Tickets for the interior of Pena Palace need to be purchased in advance with a specific date and time selected for your visit.
#2 Pena Palace Park
The expansive Palace of Pena Park encompasses more than 200 acres of land around the Pena Palace. The planned park features numerous statues, pleasant ponds and wonderful viewpoints.
Trees and plants from around the world decorate the garden – and a network of trails weave through the park. It’s a stunningly serene and exceptionally beautiful green space.
#3 Moorish Castle – Castelo dos Mouros
Strategically located for defense purposes, the imposing Moorish Castle was constructed from the 8th to 10th centuries.
Built by the Berbers (Moors) who controlled the territory at the time, the castle has been expanded and altered throughout history.
From the 12th century to the 15th century, it featured a chapel and was used more for religious functions than as a military fort.
In 1840, King Consort Ferdinand II renovated the castle and, soon after, an archaeological investigation began.
#4 Vila Sassetti Sintra
Built in the 1890s, Vila Sassetti was designed as the summer residence of Victor Carlos Sassetti, a wealthy hotel owner.
After Sassetti’s death, the home passed through several entities – and both the compound and garden were expanded.
Inspired by castles in the Northern Italian region of Lombardy, the residence features a turret and terracotta decoration.
Antique 17th century tiles are found on the outer wall near an entrance door. It’s free to tour the gardens, but you can’t actually go inside the villa.
#5 Quinta da Regaleira Estate
The Regaleira Estate is named for the Viscountess of Regaleira. However, it was Caralho Monteiro who transformed the land into the fairytale estate it is today.
Constructed between 1904 and 1910, the extraordinary complex includes an intricately decorated palace and chapel, as well as a hillside garden that is fraught with extravagant features.
#6 Palace of Sintra
Easily recognizable by the double cone chimneys, this historic palace was established sometime before the 10th century under Islamic Moorish rule.
Destroyed, expanded and embellished over the years, the Palace of Sintra was used by the Portuguese royal family from the 15th to 19th centuries.
#7 Sintra Town
The town of Sintra, which crawls up the hill toward the Moorish Castle, is quaint and beautiful.
Cobblestone lanes and narrow alleys weave in between ancient buildings, passing boutique shops and bakery cafes.
More Ideas for What To Do
Above, we outlined our top picks of what to see in Sintra in One Day. Detailed further in our Sintra Itinerary below, they are the most famous sights and are ideal destinations for first-time visitors.
However, there is much more to see in the region. Guests with a car, those staying in Sintra or anyone looking to make multiple trips might want to add in these attractions.
Additionally, organized tours (which we outline later) include some of these spots that are found further from Sintra.
Monserrate Palace
Founded on the site of an ancient chapel, Monserrate Palace was built in 1863. It features Romanticism, Moorish Revival and Neo-Gothic elements.
The property is surrounded by a large park that features grottos, ponds and exotic plants.
Seteais Palace
The national landmark Seteais Palace was built in the late 1700s and expanded in the early 1800s.
The neoclassical structure now houses the luxury Valverde Hotel and its restaurant offers decadent meals and creative libations.
Sintra to Cabo da Roca
Cape Roca is the westernmost point of Portugal (and the European continent) – and can be reached from Sintra by car, bus or bike.
Steep cliffs and weathered rocks line the coast and the prominent red lighthouse is one of the oldest in the country.
Cascais
Seaside Cascais is an inviting tourist town famous for its beaches and dramatic coastline.
Long a summertime escape for Lisbon’s wealthy, Cascais exudes a posh ambiance. It’s 10 miles from Sintra and it takes just 20 minutes to get there from Sintra.
Top Tip: Plan your time with our list of Top Things To Do in Cascais!
Sintra Museums
There are a handful of small museums that you might want to see during your day tour of Sintra.
Sintra Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum opened in 2009 and is a interesting place to see for families planning a Sintra day trip with kids.
The artifacts on display belonged to the private collection of Miguel Barbosa. Top attractions include fossils and a Big Bang simulation.
Ferreira de Castro House
This museum celebrates the writings of author Ferreira de Castro – and displays some of his personal affects.
Anjos Teixeira House
A small, 4-room museum showcasing the sculptures of father-and-son artists, Artur and Pedro Anjos Teixeira.
MU.SA Sintra Museum of Art
An array of artworks housed in a beautiful old casino building. Exhibitions range from sculptures to photographs to contemporary works.
Tour To Sintra from Lisbon
Now that you know what to see on Lisbon day trips to Sintra, you need to decide if you want to join a tour or plan to go on your own!
Best Organized Lisbon Day Tours to Sintra
We are highlighting a few of the best guided Sintra tours from Lisbon. This one visits Pena Palace, Regaleira and Sintra Old Town.
Those who want to see both Sintra and Cascais can join one of the many tours that makes stops in both destinations.
On this popular day trip from Lisbon to Sintra and Cascais, participants visit the Palace of Pena, Roca Cape coastline and Cascais Beach.
With this small-group excursion, you visit both Sintra and Cascais, including Pena Palace, Regaleira Estate and Cabo Roco.
Alternatively, book a private guided tour for the entire day – allowing for more intimate sightseeing!
Those short on time can join a full-day private tour of Lisbon and the surrounding area. After touring Sintra, you travel to Cascais and Estoril before arriving at Belem. End the day discovering Lisbon’s Alfama District.
If you make your own way to Sintra – but want a ride once you arrive – consider taking a Tuk Tuk Tour. While this tour does not enter any attractions, it does offer a quick overview.
DIY Day Trip to Sintra
Before we jump into our DIY Sintra Itinerary, we need to cover some logistical information for your journey.
How To Get to Sintra from Lisbon
This is actually fairly easy. Hop on the direct Lisbon-Sintra train at the Rossio Train Station and exit with everyone else at the final stop!
Current Lisbon to Sintra train times can be found online at the official Comboios de Portugal (CP) website.
Train fares are calculated by zones and paid with a Navegante Card. Passengers traveling from Rossio (or anywhere in central Lisbon) will cross 4 zones. Find a complete fare explanation here.
How To Get Around Sintra on a Day Trip
Once you are actually in Sintra, there are multiple ways to get around. This includes walking, buses, taxis, mini cars, tuk tuks and bikes.
Sintra Walking Trails
The top Sintra things to do are linked together by intertwining trails through forested parks. These paths allow visitors to create their own Sintra walking tour from sight-to-sight.
Not only is it free, but it’s also less chaotic and requires zero time standing in lines. That said, the region is covered in hills – and the uphill walk can be strenuous.
Relatively fit people with good walking shoes shouldn’t have an issue, but rainy season creates muddy paths and the summer heat can make for an arduous trek. Bottom line, use your own judgement.
Top Tip: Get a map of the Sintra Pedestrian Path from the tourist office.
Sintra Bus 434
This option is economical and fairly straight-forward. The Sintra tourist bus route, Circuito da Pena, departs from the train station (Sintra Estacao) and makes stops at all the important Sintra sights.
You can choose a one-way, round-trip or 24 hour Sintra Hop On Hop Off ticket. The all-day option includes Line 435 (to Monserrate Palace), 403 (for Cabo da Roca) and 417 to Cascais.
Sintra Sightseeing Car
Those who want to go further afield, but want to move at their own pace, can hire a compact e-car that features GPS enabled commentary.
Fellow travelers proclaim that these cars are easy to drive and park – making it simple to get around on your day tour in Sintra. Learn more about the talking cars of Sintra!
Sintra Self Guided Tour via E-Bike
One of the things that makes it difficult to get around Sintra is all of the hills – but not with an e-Bike! Day trippers can rent an e-Bike to explore not only the sights of Sintra, but go all the way to the coast.
Our Recommended Way to See Sintra
We believe the best way to see Sintra is a combination of bus and walking. Start by buying a one-way ticket on Route 434 at the bus/train station.
You will save time and energy by riding uphill to Pena Palace. Then walk between the sights the rest of the day.
Top Tip: Do not walk on the road to the Moorish Castle from Pena Palace! There is a path that leads between them.
It is also important to note that taking the bus – or anything with wheels – will not completely eliminate the need to walk.
After passing the entry gates, the Palace of Pena and Moorish Castle still require a fair bit of walking to actually enter them.
Additionally, the parks at both Pena Palace and Regaleira Estate are part of the attraction and really shouldn’t be missed!
Sintra Tickets Tips
Tickets are required for almost all Sintra sightseeing. Although they are not individually expensive, they do add up. Buying online tickets for Sintra not only saves time and hassle, but also money!
Tickets for Pena Palace, Moorish Castle and Sintra Palace can all be purchased at least 3 days in advance on the official website for a 15% discount.
Keep in mind that if you plan to go inside Pena Palace, it is required that you purchase tickets in advance for a specific date and time.
Quinta da Regaleira Estate tickets are available on their own website (recommended) or in person (long lines).
One Day in Sintra Itinerary
On our DIY Sintra full day tour, we offer a step-by-step plan to get the most out of your visit.
We include information about each stop and how to travel from sight-to-sight, as well as a Sintra map of attractions.
Hop Aboard a Train from Lisbon to Sintra
In order to make the most of the day, you need to be on one of the early trains from Lisbon. We recommend departing Lisbon by 8am.
If you are taking public transport to get to Rossio (or any other station), give yourself plenty of time for connections. Buses and trams don’t always run on time.
When you arrive at the Sintra railway station, you will need your Navegante Card to tap out, so keep it handy.
There will likely be lines to just exit the station. Next, find the 434 Bus Stop just out front, purchase a one-way ticket from the driver and ride to Pena Palace.
Note: We have heard that drivers are only selling the all day ticket on-board. If that’s the case, it might be cheaper to just take an Uber (especially if you can share the ride with other travelers).
Pena Palace
It’s typically crowded by mid-day, so make it your first stop and allow 1-3 hours (depending on whether you plan to go inside) to tour the palace and the grounds.
Key points of interest include the Coat of Arms (above the second archway leading up), the main façade geometric tiles, the intricate Triton (Half-Man Half-Fish) above the entrance, the west-facing balcony and the Wall Walk.
The inside of Pena Palace is lavishly decorated with sleek tiles, luxurious furniture and special touches.
Visitors have access to the main areas – including the King and Queen bedrooms, the dining room, kitchen and Noble Hall.
Pena Palace Park
Now take a leisurely stroll, finding your way along twisting paths, around picture-perfect lakes and up to viewpoints. Hidden among the lush grounds are statues, sculptures and grottos.
While we feel it’s best to simply enjoy the gardens and see what you stumble upon, but you might want to track down the Temple of Columns, Warrior Statue and High Cross (Cruz Alta) scenic point.
Moorish Castle
Those interested in historic sights and epic views will not want to miss the Moorish Castle. Inside, you are free to explore the grounds, towers and walls. (Allow at least 1 hour).
On clear days, the Castle Keep provides incredible views of the Old Town of Sintra and out to sea, while the Royal Tower overlooks the Palace of Pena.
Spend time taking in the panoramic views, visiting the Cistern and learning about the site. Take note of the various flags flying from the towers; each represents a different ruler.
When you depart the castle, rather than exiting through the archway to the main road, detour to the right onto the Sintra Pedestrian Path.
Sintra Forest Path
The Sintra Forest Trail leads to Vila Sassetti. The trail entrance is on the right through an arch just before exiting the Moorish Castle to the street. Allow a half hour to walk down from the castle.
The path, which initially runs parallel to the road, leads to a simple viewing platform. Stop and take in the grandeur of the magnificent castle before heading down the stairs and through the forest.
The path winds around the base of the Penedo da Amizade – a towering 150-foot sheer cliff face, which is used for recreational rock climbing.
The route then passes through two doorways and begins a decent of switchbacks through gardens to the villa.
Villa Sassetti
Not nearly as popular as other tourist attractions in Sintra, you likely won’t have any crowds to contend with here.
Admire the quaint, stone residence – making sure to see the antique tiles near the door that date to the 17th century. Next, step into the tranquil garden.
There is no fee or ticket required to visit the grounds, and there’s even free toilets! Now follow this map to get to the next stop.
Quinta da Regaleira Estate
An absolutely fascinating property, we believe the Regaleira Estate is a must on your day trip to Sintra. Allow 2-3 hours here.
Start your tour inside the mansion and chapel. Then discover the sights that are sprinkled (and sometimes a bit hidden) throughout the garden.
In addition to the fountains, ponds and towers, the land is riddled with a network of tunnels which are open to be explored (just bring a flashlight).
The most intriguing sights at Quinta da Regaleira are the Initiation Wells – or Inverted Towers. Never actually used as water wells, stairs spiral underground and provide access to the tunnels.
Old Town and the Palace of Sintra
Now retrace your steps to the National Palace in the center of historic Sintra. Allow 1 hour to visit the interior and 1 hour to tour the town.
Not as colorful or embellished as the flashy Pena, the National Sintra Palace is a place of royal history. All of Portugal’s rulers resided here until 1910, when the last monarch left in exile.
Now a Portuguese national monument, you can tour the spacious rooms where furniture, paintings and a collection of artifacts are on display.
Next, it’s time to tour the lanes of Sintra and pop into the shops or stop at a café for a refreshment. You can get a taste of the Portuguese liquor, Ginja, at Pateo das Laranjas.
We suggest also finding the famous Casa Piriquita for a classic treat. Founded in 1862, they churn out delectable sweets that are legendary in Sintra.
The original owners and bakers were well-known for their Queijadas. This confection is made using requeijao cheese, eggs, milk and sugar.
In the 1940s, the founder’s granddaughter created a new pastry, the Travesseiro. Often referred to as the Sintra Pillow Pastry, the recipe for the rectangular, cream-filled pastry is top secret!
As your Sintra day trip is coming to a close, stroll through the center of town and admire the architecture.
Our favorite building is the Camara Municipal de Sintra – or Town Hall – which has several unique features, including an ornate clock tower and tiled roof.
Sintra Train Station
After a full day of discovering Sintra, it’s time to head back to Lisbon. Make sure to board the Rossio bound train if you’re heading into Lisbon city center. We hoped you enjoyed your day trip to Sintra!
Sintra Tourist Map
Use our Map of Sintra Attractions below – or this Google Map – to locate all the top sights we featured above!
What You Need for your Sintra Day Trip
Trips from Lisbon are a lot more enjoyable if you are prepared. Don’t visit Sintra, Portugal without these essential items!
Durable Shoes
With hilly terrain and expansive sights, sturdy travel shoes are a requirement for your one day trip to Sintra from Lisbon.
Hiking boots are not necessary, but a good pair of trainers with a slip-resistant sole are. I like these by New Balance and Kris prefers trail shoes by Merrell.
Water Bottle
Make sure to bring plenty of water with you on your tour to Sintra from Lisbon. We recommend carrying a liter per person.
There are some places to refill water bottles, but look for signs to make sure the water is potable.
Travel Camera
Sintra is super photogenic – so don’t forget your camera! Although phones can capture the beauty of the town, it’s far better to upgrade to a real travel camera.
We always travel with a Canon Rebel, which is a great budget DSLR camera, and use a 18-135mm zoom lens.
Picnic Lunch
There are places to eat during your Sintra one day tour, but you can save time and money by bringing your own food. We found an incredible place to eat our lunch: the tallest turret at the Pena Palace!
Day Pack
Unfortunately, pickpockets are a problem (especially on the trains), so it’s best to keep your valuables zipped up. A great day bag is a safe place for your personal effects other everyday travel items.
Patience
This may be the most important thing you will need for your day trip to Sintra! Crowds are inevitable. It’s best to take a deep breath, relax and roll with it.
More Lisbon, Portugal Travel Tips
Lisbon is a fascinating city with so much to see and do. Use our guides to help plan your amazing vacation to Portugal.
- Best of Portugal in 14 Days
- How To Spend 3 Days in Lisbon
- Essential Lisbon Travel Tips
- Best Lisbon Viewpoints
- Top Churches To See in Lisbon
- Visiting Lisbon Cristo Rei
- Free Things To Do in Lisbon
- Lisbon Self-Guided Walking Tour
Planning a Trip to Portugal
There is a lot that goes into preparing a Portugal Itinerary and a Trip to Europe. Stay on top of all the details with our printable Travel Planner!
Also Visiting Porto? Great! Be sure to check out our complete Porto Itinerary and our step-by-step Free Porto Walking Tour. Then read our advice on where to get amazing Porto Food and the Best Craft Beer!
How about an Island Getaway? Read our Madeira Itinerary and guide to 7 Days in the Azores and try to choose which one best suits you!
Start planning your trip to Portugal! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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