sintra tourist pass

The Sintra Pass

Beautyfull sintra.

Sintra is a beautiful Portuguese city located just outside of Lisbon . It is known for its stunning architecture, lush forests, and historic monuments. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an adventurous day trip, Sintra has something to offer everyone. From the breathtaking Pena Palace to the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira, there are plenty of tourist attractions to discover in this picturesque town. So come explore Sintra and discover its beauty for yourself!

Sights fot visit with your Sintra Pass

Visit multiple Sintra sights with a tourist pass and enjoy a discounted rate. Enjoy a hassle-free and convenient way to explore museums, transport, and other popular attractions while saving on your expenses.

Here are some suggestions:

• Park and Pena Palace
• Sintra’s National Palace

Castle of the Moors

• Quinta da Regaleira
• Monserrate Palace
• Cabo da Roca

Park and Pena Palace in Sintra

Just hop on the train (free with this Sinta Pass ticket), and explore this picturesque royal retreat of Sintra, plucked straight from a fairy tale!

The Park and Pena Palace in Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace was built in the 18th century, which makes it one of the youngest of all Portuguese palaces. It was originally built for Queen Maria I and King John VI by Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, who served as Prime Minister to both kings.

National Palace

Welcome to the enchanting world of Sintra’s National Palace! Nestled in the picturesque town of Sintra, this magnificent palace is a true gem that will transport you back in time.

Sintra’s National Palace is a captivating architectural masterpiece, renowned for its distinctive two conical chimneys. As you step through its grand entrance, be prepared to be awestruck by the intricate details and vibrant colors that adorn every corner of this historic landmark.

Explore the opulent rooms and halls, each with its own unique charm and story to tell. Marvel at the stunning tilework that adorns the walls, depicting scenes from Portuguese history and mythology. Admire the intricately carved ceilings and elegant furnishings that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Portugal.

As you wander through Sintra’s National Palace, you’ll discover hidden treasures at every turn. From the stunning Sala dos Brasões (Coat of Arms Room) to the enchanting Swan Room with its romantic ceiling adorned with swans, each room offers a glimpse into a bygone era.

The panoramic views from Sintra’s National Palace are simply breathtaking. From its elevated position on a hilltop, you can gaze out over the charming town below and take in sweeping vistas of lush green forests and rolling hills.

Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or simply seeking an unforgettable experience, a visit to Sintra’s National Palace is an absolute must. Immerse yourself in history, marvel at exquisite craftsmanship, and let your imagination soar as you step into this fairytale-like setting.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to explore one of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks. Plan your visit to Sintra’s National Palace today and prepare to be captivated by its timeless beauty!

The Castle of the Moors is a Moorish-style palace in the Portuguese town of Sintra. Overlooking the Sintra Hills, the Castle of the Moors is an impressive fortification, boasting amazing views of the city and beyond. A visit to the castle is a history lesson on scintillating Sintra!

The castle’s name derives from its original purpose – to defend against Moorish invasions from North Africa.

Stroll the scenic walkways, photograph the town of Sintra, Pena Palace and the surrounding hills, and learn about the Moorish conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.

Lisbon and Sintra Audio Guides

Your pass also includes access to two handy audio guides. Whether you’re wandering sun-kissed Lisbon or hilly Sintra, follow a digital map with various points of interest, and hear bitesize audio snippets providing the most important cultural context.

More discount with your Sintra Pass

Want to see more of Sintra? This pass earns you a 10% discount for use on all Tiqets’ other Sintra experiences!

More time to spend? How about Lisbon?

Lisbon is one of the most popular destinations for global tourists. Its weather, culture, and numerous attractions cause thousands of people to travel to Lisbon. Discover the capital of Portugal with a Lisbon Card !

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Discover Lisbon with the Lisbon Card

Lisboa Card Discover Lisbon with the Lisbon Card

Travel for free and enjoy free access to Lisbon’s best museums and attractions with the Lisboa Card. The card includes free admission to the Torre de Belem, Jeronimos Monastery and the Santa Justa Elevator among others.

The Lisboa Card also includes free transport by metro to and from the airport.

• Where to buy

Free travel

Unlimited free travel by bus, metro, tram and elevadores.

Visit Lisbon´s best museums and attractions free of charge.

Deals & discounts

Save money on transport, attractions and tours.

Free guidebook

Complimentary tourist guide full of helpful city info.

Convenience

No need to buy seperate tickets for each attraction.

Free day trips

Free travel by train to Sintra and Cascais.

The Lisboa Card is valid for a full calendar year after its purchase date (just in case you need to postpone your trip), and is validated upon its first use.

The Lisboa Card (a.k.a. the Lisbon Card) is Lisbon´s official city travel card. It looks like a credit card and allows visitors save time and money during their stay. This card is the easiest way to make your trip cheaper, easier, more convenient and certainly more memorable.

The Lisboa Card is a 3-in-1 transport card , museum pass and discount card .

The Lisboa Card is ideal for Lisbon visitors looking to get the most out of their Portuguese romp. Lisboa Card holders can take advantage of:

• Free unlimited travel by public transport (bus, tram, metro, elevators and funiculars)
• Free travel on CP train lines to Sintra and Cascais (popular daytrip destinations)
• Free access to 26 museums, monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Deals and discounts on visits, tours, shopping and nightlife

Rather than skipping the city’s top attractions, skimping on souvenirs and walking your feet into the ground, just snap up a Lisboa Card and leave your worries (and walking shoes) at home.

Use the booking form on the left to buy the Lisboa Card. Once your purchase is confirmed (usually within minutes) you will receive an email voucher that can be exchanged for your very own Lisboa Card once you hit the city.

The card is activated on the first use, so no need to worry about the card expiring before you arrive in Lisbon.

The Lisboa Card is ideal for visitors with only a few days to tackle the city, especially since it includes free use of the city’s public transportation system. So, just hop on a bus, tram or train and head to the stately Palacio Nacional da Ajuda, the vibrant Azulejos Museum or the historic Roman Theatre Museum - for free.

After that, jump back on and head to the Discovery Monument, Castillo Sao Jorge or the fascinating Carmo Archeology Museum, where you can enjoy generous discounts. If you still have energy, explore the city via a Sidecar Touring adventure or a spin on the Circuito Colinas Tram.

The Lisboa Card is ideal no matter how long you’ll be in the city. Available in 24, 48 or 72 consecutive hour options, this travel card is flexible enough to fit almost any guest and any trip. It’s also valid for a full calendar year after its purchase date (just in case you need to postpone your trip), and is validated upon its first use.

With your Lisboa Card in hand, you’re ready to eat, drink, shop, ride and experience all the sights and sounds of this beautiful riverside city. Knowing you’re saving a bundle in the process will make your Lisbon adventure all the sweeter.

• Visit Sintra
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Book your holidays in 3 clicks all over Portugal using the button below. I have created for you a page that gathers the best rated and most recommended English speaking tours and activities throughout Portugal as well as the luxury hotels or villas classified by the most sought after and appreciated criteria.

Sintra is the famous suburb of Lisbon which includes many parks and palaces. You will discover a beautiful natural landscape, the center of a small Portuguese city, royal palaces and charming parks, all surrounded by beautiful vegetation. The visit to Sintra is a must for all those who come to visit Lisbon. In this article you will find all the information you need to visit Sintra: how to get there by bus, what are the main visits to Sintra and some information about each of them regarding prices or timetables.

Guided tour of Sintra

Some of you will want to visit Sintra alone and this is not a problem if your visit is well prepared, so that you are sure not to miss anything. There are many things to see in Sintra and it would be a shame for your first one to miss half of them and their meaning.

That’s why for those who wish to organise a guided tour of Sintra, i.e. to be accompanied by an english speaking guide who knows what he is talking about, then you will find below a selection of the best rated and commented guided tours of the area. If you wish to discover others to make your choice, just click on the button just below. The comments are visible, the visits are all organized by english-speaking guides and can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the start of the visit, so that you don’t take any risks and don’t make any mistakes.

Some organizers will meet you somewhere in Lisbon, others will pick you up directly at the hotel, depending on the price of the tour. You have visits by bus, mini-van, on foot, organized for a day or half-day, it’s up to you to choose according to your wishes. Please note that you have some visits only of Sintra but in general, the organizers take you to discover the surroundings also as Cascais.

How to get to Sintra

First of all, please note that it is not necessarily necessary to find a hotel in Lisbon depending on your visit to Sintra. Some of the guided tours of Sintra pick you up in front of your hotel and if you do this tour on your own, then you can easily take transport from Lisbon to the train station and then to Sintra. Oriente or Entrecampos train stations will take you there but they are not in the centre of Lisbon. Unlike the Rossio station where the train will take you to Sintra in only 40 minutes. It’s not complicated and it’s not expensive, so you can take it several times and make as many return trips to Lisbon and Sintra as you like.

If your hotel is in Cascais, then you can take bus number 403 to Sintra via Cape Roca.

For your information, there is the Lisboa Card: a card that will give you access to many discounts on transport, tickets to monuments and even free entrance to some of Lisbon’s sights. Discover the main discounts and all you need to know about the card by visiting the Lisboa Card page, or click on the card below to order it directly online.

Click on the Lisboa Card to order it online

Lovers of chic historical hotels will be able to stay directly in Sintra, I recommend one of these two hotels:

• The Tivoli Palacio of Seteais : a five-star hotel with all imaginable and unimaginable amenities and a magnificent view of the Castle of Moors and the Palace of Pena. If this building had not been a hotel, it could have been a museum!
• The Palacio of Sintra Bed & Breakfast is also a very good choice, not far from the Quinta da Regaleira estate and much more affordable than a five-star palace.

Bus to Sintra from Lisbon

Different buses to go to the different visits of Sintra :

• Palais national de Sintra : Bus n° 434 et n° 435
• Palais Pena (Palais + Parc) : Bus n° 434
• Palais de Pena (Parc) : Bus n° 434
• Château des Marues : Bus n° 434
• Le manoir de la comtesse Elda : Bus n° 434
• Quinta da Rigaleira : Bus n° 435
• Palais de Montserrat : Bus n° 435
• Monastère des Capucins : Bus n° 435

Excursions to Sintra

Visit to the national palace of sintra.

The most accessible and best known of all the excursions in Sintra: the National Palace of Sintra. You can easily get there from the train station. The walk will not take more than 10-15 minutes. Buses 434 and 435 pass in front of the palace. The National Palace is located in the centre of Sintra and around it there are houses, restaurants, cafes and museums. There is no park nearby.

It is the only palace in Sintra that has kept its shape since the Middle Ages. It began to be built in the 12th century. During the first three centuries, the palace was rebuilt, rebuilt, decorated in a new way, and then left as it was in the middle of the 16th century. In the National Palace of Sintra, you will see rooms decorated in the Mudejar style, tiled with azulejos, furniture, that is to say, the Portuguese coloration is strongly present. The visit will last about an hour and a half.

It is possible to register for the visit with a guide directly on the spot but only in English at 2.30pm every day. In addition to the tickets, you will have to pay 5 € for the guided tour. You can also discover on this website a guided tour of Lisbon according to your wishes.

Visit to the Pena Palace in Sintra

The Pena Palace is one of the most beautiful pearls of Sintra and an unmissable site. If you have to visit only one, then this is it. Most tourists visit this palace perched in the hills of Sintra. It was built in the first half of the 19th century by the Portuguese king of German origin, Ferdinand II (Fernando II), in the style of historical romanticism.

The appearance of the palace is enchanting and attracts the attention of all those who have only seen it on a postcard or on the Internet. Pena Palace is surrounded by a huge park, also worthy of attention. The view from the top of the palace is breathtaking but be careful, the climb is rough. There are paying minibuses that will take you from the entrance of the park to the foot of the Pena Palace.

You can also book a tour with a guide on the spot but only in English at 2.30pm every day. In addition to the tickets, you will have to pay 5 € for the visit. The estate of the Countess of Elda is located in the park of Pena: it is a modest alpine chalet. For the Portuguese, this residence is important, as well as the memory of the love story of their king and a simple opera singer. If you still want to visit this house, you can plan to drop by on your way up to Pena Castle.

If you get to the bottom of Sintra, you can easily find a tuk tuk that will take you up to Pena Palace.

Visit of the Castle of the Moors in Sintra

The Moorish castle is located very close to the palace of Pena de Sintra , the distance between the two is only 200 meters, but the vegetation is lush and the journey will not be easy. The Castle of the Moors is a medieval fortress that has been extensively restored. The view is superb, you will remember it. There is no interior in the Moorish castle but there are archaeological areas. The Moorish castle is very close to the castle of St. George in Lisbon .

For a day trip to Sintra, I advise you to visit the National Palace, the Pena Palace and Park and the Moorish Castle. It’s already a lot and you will find it difficult to see more on one day. The palaces and the castle are located along a bus line number 434, which is very convenient if you visit Sintra by yourself.

Visit of the Quinta da Rigaleira to Sintra

Quinta da Regaleira was built by the Brazilian Portuguese millionaire, Carvalho Monteiro, at the beginning of the 20th century. The peculiarity of this vast and very interesting building is its mystery and symbolism. Until the 1960s, the estate was privately owned and has since passed into the public domain. At Quinta da Regaleira there is a mysterious initiation well or inverted tower that sinks deep into the ground. The 9 floors of the tower symbolize the 9 circles of hell of Dante’s Divine Comedy. And that’s not all, there are many different pavilions in the park, caves and underground passages. Everything was built for a particular reason and has a deep religious significance.

A walk through the park and the palace will take between 2 and 3 hours. From the train station the estate is only 2 km away and the terrain is quite flat. It is quite possible to do it on foot. But if you also want to visit the Palace of Montserrat, you must absolutely book a ticket for bus number 435 round trip.

Visit of the Montserrat Palace in Sintra

The Montserrat Palace is located on the other side of the Sintra Mountain and is not visible from the Quinta da Regaleira estate. It is practically impossible to reach it on foot, 4 km from the centre of Sintra by road.

The palace of Montserrat is famous for its British masters and for the fact that Byron himself sang it in his poem “Child’s Harold’s Pilgrimage”. When he visited Sintra in 1809, the palace of Pena and the Quinta da Regaleira estate did not yet coexist. The interior of the palace of Montserrat is characteristic of medieval, Indian and Moorish styles. The palace is surrounded by a magnificent park, more like a collection of plants collected from all over the world, than a botanical garden. The estate was built in several stages. Our current vision is that of the British industrialist Sir Francis Cook from 1856 to 1863.

Visit of the Queluz palace in Sintra

The Queluz Palace is an example of Portuguese Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassicism. Built in 1747, the palace later became the permanent residence of the royal family. The Palace of Queluz surrounds a beautiful park and differs from all the palace complexes and parks already mentioned by the fact that it was built in the same style as Versailles in Paris. Its visit will be interesting for those who want to get acquainted with the peculiarities of the Portuguese Baroque. Those who have already managed to see several Baroque palaces elsewhere may find it somewhat similar.

The Queluz Palace is located 14 km from the centre of Lisbon and 15 km from Sintra. There are two ways to get there: if you go to Sintra by train, you have to get off at Monte Abrão or Queluz-Belas station before going to Sintra. Count about 1 km between the stations and this palace of Sintra.

Or you can go to Queluz Palace by bus directly from Lisbon. Bus number 101 leaves from Tercena metro station, bus number 106 leaves from Falagueira-Carcavelos metro station. In one of the palace buildings there is a luxury hotel (the Pousada Palacio de Queluz ) with a reasonable price for the standard and services offered.

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Due to the complexity of this process, I have found only one serious english speaking service provider to assist you with the registration of your vehicle in Portugal. This is a law firm based near Lisbon that will take care of the registration application + the ISV exemption application to the customs . The price of this firm is 2000€ per vehicle and does not include the costs of the technical inspection, the registration and the registration fee.

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How to Take the Perfect Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip (+ Tips for Visiting!)

On our very first trip to Portugal, taking a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon–and specifically, seeing the colorful Pena Palace–was the highest priority on our bucket list.

Ever since, we’ve remembered the glistening view of Pena Palace from the Cruz Alta viewpoint, perched improbably on its hill in the distance (scroll up for a peak at that) as one of the most memorable viewpoints in Portugal–and at this point, after living in Lisbon for more than a year, we have seen a lot of Portugal!

Many, many Sintra day trips after that first one, it’s safe to say we’ve seen virtually all sides of the town that is the most popular day trip from Lisbon.

If you’re planning a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon but are a bit confused about the logistics, from whether to book a tour to exactly how many castles and palaces it’s realistic to see in one day (hint: probably fewer than you think), this Sintra day trip guide has you covered.

This is the Sintra travel guide we wish we would have had years ago on our own first day trip to Sintra, and our hope is that it helps your one day in Sintra become as memorable as our first trip was.

Here’s everything you need to know about planning a Sintra day trip from Lisbon!

Table of Contents

Do you need a tour to visit Sintra from Lisbon?

How to travel from lisbon to sintra (and back), the best things to do in sintra in one day, 3 example one day sintra itineraries, getting around during a day trip to sintra, should you spend more than one day in sintra, tips for taking a sintra day trip from lisbon, faq for visiting sintra from lisbon, read more about visiting lisbon + portugal.

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As you sketch out your Sintra day trip, you’re likely asking yourself a very common question: is it better to book an organized day trip like this (easily one of the most popular, if not the most popular, day trips in the country) or to travel independently?

And the answer is: it depends!

There are very good reasons to book a day trip to Sintra, and plenty of compelling reasons to go it alone as, well.

The pros of taking a tour are simple: as the palaces in Sintra are far enough apart that you can’t walk between most of them, parking is very tricky, and waiting in line for the bus is a hassle, it saves you time and allows you to see more.

It also allows you to visit spots that are a bit further out, like Cabo da Roca, in the most efficient way possible.

The cons are simple too: with so many stops to make, you won’t have much time to linger.

If you’d rather travel independently, you can absolutely do that as well, though we recommend nabbing your  tickets for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira , at a minimum, in advance.

If you do choose to book a tour…

… keep in mind that different tours cater to different focuses on Sintra!

This popular day trip (reviewed over 6,000 times and counting), for example, only includes one palace (Pena Palace), but also includes visits to Sintra’s town center, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais .

Meanwhile, this tour visits both Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira but skips Cabo da Roca in order to build in enough time to visit both palaces.

As you’ll see throughout this guide, whether you book a tour or visit independently, designing a one day Sintra itinerary is all about making hard choices: it’s simply impossible to see it all!

Book your Sintra day trip today!

Prefer a private tour?

Want to enjoy the best of both worlds, combining complete control over your schedule with incredibly simple transportation?

If so, a private tour of Sintra like this may be right for you!

While a bit pricier than a group trip, note that most private Sintra day tours charge per group or 2 or 3, rather than per person, making the cost more similar than you might think at first glance.

A private tour also gives you the opportunity to change your schedule on the fly, meaning that you’ll spend far less time watching the clock than on a group tour or independent day trip.

Book your private day trip to Sintra today!

When traveling from Lisbon to Sintra independently, by far the easiest method is to take the train.

Trains depart every 40 minutes or so (more frequently during weekday rush hour) from Rossio Station, which is located in the heart of Lisbon’s tourism district–virtually around the corner from Rossio Square in Baixa.

It takes about 40 minutes to arrive in Sintra, and when you do, you’ll be within an easy walk of stops for both of Sintra’s main bus routes that head to the palaces (more on that in the “getting around Sintra” section later).

Train tickets are inexpensive and easy to purchase at the counter in the train station, but if you happen to have a Lisbon Card , it covers your train tickets (though it needs to be activated before it can be used!).

Note that the Lisbon Card no longer covers entrance to any of the palaces.

When traveling from Sintra to Lisbon, the train is just as consistent–however, it necessitates getting back to the Sintra train station at the end of your day trip, which will undoubtedly be a bit of a haul from your last sightseeing stop.

Alternatively, Uber operates within Sintra, and it’s easy to call for a ride back to Lisbon.

In theory, it takes about 30-40 minutes to drive from Sintra to central Lisbon, but with traffic, it realistically tends to take closer to 45-55 minutes or so.

The one method of transportation you should not entertain when visiting Sintra for the day?

Driving yourself!

Parking is extremely limited in Sintra (even more than a few years ago), and on top of that, driving around the palaces and town center is a congested experience.

While there are many wonderful things to do in Sintra, we’ve focused this section on the best Sintra attractions to visit on a day trip.

Unfortunately, the reality is that even this abridged list is made up of too many things to see in Sintra in one day–aiming to enjoy 2-3 of them makes for a full, but still realistic, day trip.

We’ll cover a few more things to do in Sintra (which includes some of our offbeat favorites!) in the “should you spend more than one day in Sintra” section later on.

For now, here are the best places to visit in Sintra in one day!

Marvel at the vibrant Pena Palace.

If there is a crown jewel of Sintra, it’s undoubtedly Pena Palace.

Seeing a photo of the vibrant and whimsical Pena Palace was one of my first glimpses of Portugal, and probably one of yours, too!

Restored by the royal family in the 19th century on the site of a former monastery, Pena Palace is known for its views (don’t miss the Cruz Alta viewpoint or the palaces’ terraces), its expansive grounds, and its beautiful interior.

Pena Palace is actually technically called the Pena Palace and Park, thanks to just how expansive the grounds are, and how much there is to see on them (including the Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla).

Note that while you can opt for a cheaper ticket to only access the park, rather than the park and palace, that cheaper ticket does not include the palace terraces (the ticket structure used to be different, so there is some confusion online).

If you want to have access to the terraces (and you do), opt for the full park and palace ticket –and be sure not to miss your timed entrance to view the interior, if you plan to step inside!

Book tickets to visit Pena Palace and Park today!

Patrol the walls of the Castle of the Moors.

Dating to the 8th century, the Castle of the Moors (also called the Moorish Castle) is the oldest of the castles of Sintra.

And, despite the fact that all of the city’s palaces are sometimes referred to as Sintra’s castles, the Castle of the Moors is the only one that served a traditional fortification purpose, acting as a defense system for the surrounding area during Portugal’s Islamic period.

Today, the Castle of the Moors is best known for its series of battlements that offer some of the absolute best views in Sintra–which makes perfect sense, when you remember that being able to see as far as possible was a major purpose of the construction!

The Moorish Castle also has the distinction of being a reasonable walk downhill from Pena Palace, making combining the two one of the easiest ways to structure a day trip to Sintra.

Book tickets to visit the Castle of the Moors today!

Enjoy the whimsical grounds of Quinta da Regaleira.

If you’ve seen one photo of Quinta da Regaleira , it’s probably of the famous Initiation Well (of which there are actually two!).

And, if you’ve seen that photo, you’re no doubt intrigued by the idea of seeing it!

Quinta da Regaleira is (in today’s form) the brainchild of the wealthy Carvalho Monteiro and Italian architect Luigi Manini, who was responsible for transforming the property into Monteiro’s whimsical vision in the early 20th century.

Visiting the grounds of Quinta da Regaleira is a bit like falling down the proverbial rabbit hole, so to speak.

There are tree-lined paths, caves, grottos, waterfalls, flowers, towers to climb, and wells to descend into.

Plus, of course, a palace to tour (though to be perfectly honest, the interior paled in comparison to the grounds for us).

Book tickets to visit Quinta da Regaleira today!

Admire the azulejos of the Sintra National Palace.

Restored and expanded continually for hundreds of years, the Sintra National Palace is one of the (slightly) lesser-known palaces of Sintra.

The home of the Portuguese royal family at various points, the Sintra National Palace lacks the extreme views offered at Pena Palace or the Castle of the Moors, and the whimsy of Quinta da Regaleira.

In exchange, though, it offers one of the best interiors of any palace in Sintra, as well as one of the longest histories.

It’s also known for its traditional azulejos , so iconic in Portuguese culture.

The Sintra National Palace is also the closest palace to Sintra’s town center, making it one of the easier destinations to add on when trying to optimize your Sintra itinerary.

Book tickets to visit the Sintra National Palace today!

Pay a visit to Sintra’s historic center and taste traditional pastries.

Not all day trips to Sintra will leave you enough time to meander through the town center–but if yours does, it’s worth a quick look!

The entire town of Sintra is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it has all the markings of a resort-town-turned-tourist enclave: meandering streets, small shops selling Portuguese souvenirs , and many restaurants.

… Plus, this being Portugal, plenty of pastry shops!

Sintra, specifically, is known for two pastries: the travesseiro  and queijada de Sintra .

Like so many Portuguese desserts, including the iconic pastel de nata , egg yolks, sugar, and pastry dough feature prominently in a travesseiro , while the queijada de Sintra steps outside the box a bit and features sweet cheese.

To sample them from the most iconic bakeries, head to Casa Piriquita and Queijadas da Sapa (known for queijadas ).

Step off the beaten path at the Palace of Monserrate.

Built in the mid-19th century on the site of a former palace of the same name, Monserrate Palace is one of Sintra’s most off-the-beaten-path palaces… and one of my favorites.

Steeped in Romanticism from every angle, the architecture is unique, the interior worth a tour, and the grounds magnificent.

Don’t miss the Chapel Ruin when exploring the grounds!

Ethereal and otherworldly, it took me right back to visiting Angkor Wat halfway across the world and is one of my personal favorite spots in Sintra.

The upside of visiting Monserrate–other than its many charms–is that it tends to be much less crowded than the most popular palaces.

The downside is that there’s a reason for that: as the palace furthest away from Sintra’s town center of those covered in this section of our guide, it’s a bit more of a commitment to get to.

If you’d like to visit, it’s most easily paired with Quinta da Regaleira.

Book tickets to visit Monserrate Palace today!

Soak in stunning views at Cabo da Roca.

Long believed to be the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and now simply a stunning viewpoint, Cabo da Roca boasts some of the best views of the Portuguese coast that you can find close to Lisbon!

We love this viewpoint and have visited several times, but it’s located about 30 minutes by car from most of the palaces (on the western edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, as opposed to the eastern side where you’ll find Sintra’s town center).

For reasons of time, most travelers day-tripping to Sintra from Lisbon will only visit Cabo da Roca if they book a guided tour , though the bus system (Route 403) does technically head out there.

If your trip to Portugal doesn’t include time in the Algarve, we’d recommend placing Cabo da Roca a bit higher on your priority list than if, say, you’re headed to Lagos after Lisbon.

It doesn’t necessarily need to be from this spot, but admiring the sparkling sea from the perch of a cliff should definitely be on your Portugal bucket list!

There are two unavoidable realities when it comes to planning a one day Sintra itinerary: first, the bad news, which is you can’t see (even close to) everything.

But here’s the good news: each and every palace is unique and beautiful, and whichever you decide to visit–even if it’s only one of them–you’ll have a wonderful day and feel like you got a solid taste of what it’s like to visit Sintra.

That being said, here are a few recommended one day Sintra itineraries, structured based on organizing your day geographically.

Ultimately, any combination of 2 places to visit is reasonable, and for speedy sightseers who get an early start, 3 is doable.

When recommending an itinerary for one day in Sintra to friends and family, though, we would tend to suggest combining:

Pena Palace + Quinta da Regaleira + Cascais

One of the most classic Sintra itineraries, popular with guided tours like this who want to show travelers a little bit of everything.

Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira are the most popular palaces in Sintra, and they also simultaneously take the longest to see of the palaces and are situated more or less across town from each other.

For that reason, while you certainly can visit both in one day independently, an organized day trip is extremely helpful for managing your day with this itinerary ( especially if you’re visiting during high season when the buses get backed up).

Book your day trip to Sintra today!

Pena Palace + Castle of the Moors + Sintra Town Center

Perfect for travelers who want to soak up the views, Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors are conveniently located within walking distance of each other (cutting down on bus time and waiting time).

Note that Pena Palace is often more crowded in the mornings (since everyone rushes there), so you can try to balance the crowds by starting with the Castle of the Moors.

That being said, you’ll then be walking uphill to Pena Palace, rather than downhill–so there are definite pros and cons to each strategy!

If your goal is to see as many palaces as possible, you might be able to squeeze in the Sintra National Palace here–but if you do, I’d skip touring the inside of Pena Palace to save time.

Monserrate Palace + Quinta da Regaleira

More interested in whimsical gardens and getting a little breathing room from the crowds than seeing the iconic Pena Palace?

If so, skipping the crowded 434 bus entirely and opting to visit Monserrate Palace and Quinta da Regaleira might be right for you!

Start at Monserrate Palace, enjoying the relatively small and peaceful interior, and the expansive gardens, before heading to Quinta da Regaleira.

Keep in mind that while the two palaces look close on the map, they’re about a 45-minute walk along a narrow road from each other, so skip the walk and hop on the bus!

Once you arrive in Sintra and choose which palaces to visit, you’re not done deciding how to get around!

Sadly, you can’t walk everywhere in Sintra, due to the distance between the palaces (the steep hills, crowds, and traffic don’t make it any more appealing to try, either).

Driving is not a good option in Sintra, either: traffic is heavy and parking is extremely limited.

During the summer high season, the road leading to Pena Palace is even closed to car traffic entirely!

Instead, opt for one (or more) of these options to navigate during your Sintra day trip.

Sintra has a handful of bus routes that are targeted specifically at tourists visiting the palaces, and are therefore easy to find (they stop near the train station) and use.

For independent travelers, this is generally the most popular way to get around Sintra.

The most popular is Route 434, which travels to Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors, and Sintra Vila (the historic center).

You also access the Sintra National Palace from this route.

A smaller bus operates on Route 435, which heads to Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace.

You can see a map of these routes here , and purchase hop-on/hop-off tickets either at the ticket office across from the train station or from the driver.

These buses can get very crowded, so be prepared for long lines, traffic delays, and standing-room-only levels of crowds.

If you plan to visit Cabo da Roca via public transportation, Route 403 is the bus to look for.

Don’t want to navigate via bus routes?

Grabbing a taxi or Uber is another useful option–with one caveat.

Due to traffic restrictions, and traffic in general, they may not be able to drop you as close to the palaces as you would prefer (especially the most popular ones, like Pena Palace).

In recent years, tuk-tuks have become very popular with visitors hoping to get around Sintra more efficiently than via car (thanks to their small size) and more comfortably than via bus.

However, tuk-tuks are also undoubtedly the most expensive option for getting around Sintra as well.

If you opt to use one, be sure to negotiate the price very clearly before hopping in!

Overwhelmed looking at just how many things to do in Sintra there are, and wondering if you should spend more than one day in town?

You’re not alone!

The easy answer to the question is yes, of course–spending 2-3 days in Sintra is ideal, and will allow you to sample all the best things to do in Sintra in a day, and get off the beaten path, as well.

Attractions like the Capuchin Convent, Praia da Ursa (arguably one of the most picturesque beaches in Portugal), Villa Sassetti, and the Queluz National Palace (one of my favorites around town, and we had it almost to ourselves when we visited), are absolutely worth your time.

Plus, the chance to spend time in the town center and enjoy the most popular palaces at your leisure instead of constantly checking the clock is tempting, too!

Of course, the reality is that most travelers have very limited time to work with on their trip, which is why our recommended 10 day Portugal itinerary only includes one day in Sintra.

If you have 2 weeks or more in the country and Sintra is toward the top of your bucket list, I’d absolutely consider adding another day.

If you aren’t sure it appeals to you as much as some of the other incredible places to visit near Lisbon (just a few of my favorites include Cascais , Evora , Obidos , and the UNESCO monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaca), it’s safe to say that you can see enough of Sintra in one day to opt to stick with a day trip, too.

Get an early start (or stay late).

Sintra is beautiful, but it’s also ridiculously popular… and ridiculously crowded.

During the summer especially, crowds can reach theme-park levels, with what feels like lineups around every corner.

The more you can opt to avoid peak times in the middle of the day, the more relaxed your day trip to Sintra will be!

Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Tempting as it can be to squeeze in just one more palace, the more time you have at each, the better!

Personally, we never visit more than 2 palaces in one day, and don’t think there’s anything wrong with a Sintra day trip that only features one, as long as you pick the one you’re most excited about!

For speedy and ambitious travelers, 3 is doable in one day, though you won’t have much time to linger in any one spot.

Not having time to see it all is frustrating, but then again, so is having to cut each visit short and miss cool features of the properties!

Be picky about which palaces you step inside.

With only one day in Sintra, you’ll need to be very picky about which palaces you visit–including when to go inside!

Sintra’s most popular palaces, Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, are known for being interesting enough on the inside… but the exteriors are where they truly shine!

Despite paying for an entrance ticket (if you’re traveling independently) to one or both of these palaces, make it a separate decision whether or not to eat up precious time on your Sintra day trip going inside.

The answer is different for everyone, but having been inside both, I can confirm that as far as we’re concerned, the exteriors (and grounds) are the best parts.

For Pena Palace, note that you do need a combined Pena Palace and Park ticket to access the palaces’ terraces (which are incredible).

This is a new rule as of a couple of years ago (previously, a cheaper park-only ticket allowed you access to the terraces), so be sure to purchase the right one!

Wondering which of the Sintra palaces has the best interior?

Generally, the Sintra National Palace, with its many azulejos , is considered to hold the honor, and Pena Palace and Monserrate have their high points, too.

Be aware of the potential for motion sickness.

Sintra’s famous hills have a side effect: the roads are very windy, and thanks to the many trees (and stone walls) lining them, they don’t tend to have great sight lines, either.

Add in stop-and-go traffic, and, well… let’s just say the bus or car journey to the palaces isn’t the most fun part of the day.

If you have a tendency to get motion sick like I do, consider coming prepared with your usual remedies (I opt for Sea Bands , and non-drowsy Dramamine in a pinch).

Keep an eye on the bus schedule as you explore.

This goes for whether you’re keeping an eye out for your tour bus or for one of the public buses available to tourists in Sintra!

Whichever transportation option you choose, unless you’re on a private tour , a big part of taking a Sintra day trip is time management.

This is especially important because, given their expansive grounds, the drop-off points for various palaces and the places you’ll actually spend the bulk of your time are not necessarily right next door to each other.

As you walk into the grounds of a given palace, keep an eye on your watch to know how much time to allot on the walk back!

Be very careful when walking between palaces in Sintra!

While several of the Sintra palaces are technically within walking distance of each other, and you’ll probably want to walk between a couple of them, be sure to keep your eyes on the road!

The roads through Sintra have a tendency to be narrow, lined with stone walls, and to not leave a lot of room for pedestrians.

While people safely walk there every day, it’s not exactly a relaxing experience with tuk-tuks, buses, and cars going by, so be cautious!

Be prepared to be on your feet most of the day.

Between climbing hills and climbing staircases, you’ll get quite a workout on a standard day trip to Sintra!

This isn’t a time for casual sandals or anything with a heel: be sure to wear shoes you’re comfortable walking and standing in all day!

Sintra’s palaces are further apart than you think.

When you hear “small city in Portugal”, you’d be forgiven for assuming that many of its top attractions are within walking distance of each other–but in Sintra, that’s far from the case!

With a couple of exceptions, like walking downhill from Pena Palace to the Castle of the Moors, and walking from Quinta da Regaleira to Sintra National Palace, you’ll need to hop in a vehicle (bus, taxi, or tuk-tuk) between each palace.

The biggest limiting factor to this–other than the traffic–is that it eats into your limited time visiting Sintra.

Keep in mind that Sintra’s most famous attractions are newer than you might think.

It doesn’t make much of a difference in their whimsical nature or beauty, but it’s worth keeping in mind that several of Sintra’s most famous features are newer–and some are less royally connected–than you might think!

With the exception of the Castle of the Moors (built in the 8th and 9th centuries, indisputably the most historic of them all), none of Sintra’s castles are exactly, well, castles, either.

The bulk of the Sintra “castles” that we visit today are vacation homes of the wealthy built during the Romantic Era of the 1800s–which is, of course, exactly why they are so whimsical!

They did tend to be built on the grounds of older buildings (hence the Chapel Ruin, for example), but the iconic facades themselves aren’t particularly old.

Plan your Sintra day trip for a clear day if you can.

One of the best parts about visiting Sintra–particularly Pena Palace, Pena Park, and the Moorish Castle–is the views!

On a clear day, you can see all the way to the sea.

While spending one day in Sintra can be very rewarding on a cloudy day too (and the smaller crowds are a big perk!), it’s definitely worth prioritizing visiting on a day when the views are at their best.

Avoid weekends (and cruise ship days) when possible.

Whether we’re talking about international visitors on weekend getaways, locals, or travelers coming in on cruise ships, Sintra is a ridiculously popular place to visit.

While this is understandable, it does mean that it’s best to avoid weekend days if you can!

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday tend to be the least crowded days to visit Sintra (though don’t confuse this with being uncrowded , unless you choose to head out on a rainy day in February).

In addition to picking the day of the week, you may want to check your schedule against Lisbon’s cruise ship arrivals –if you can opt to visit on a day when fewer (or smaller) ships are in port, your day trip to Sintra will be easier for it.

How much time is enough for Sintra?

To have a chance to enjoy all of the cool things to do in Sintra, from touring the many palaces to enjoying the area’s natural beauty, a 2-3 day visit is ideal.

However, for most people planning a trip to Portugal, taking a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon is more realistic, and it’s definitely enough time to make visiting Sintra worth the (relatively short) journey from the capital!

How long does it take to travel to Sintra from Lisbon?

It takes about 40 minutes each way to travel between Sintra and Lisbon (Rossio Station) by train.

By car, the route is theoretically about the same or a little faster, but in reality, driving often takes longer due to traffic.

Can you do Sintra in half a day?

While you won’t see a ton in half a day–in fact, for an independent traveler, we’d recommend only visiting one palace on a half-day trip to Sintra–it can definitely be worth the effort!

Many organized day trips, including this popular one , don’t actually spend all day in Sintra, instead combining it with a visit to Cascais and/or Cabo da Roca (technically part of Sintra, but far from its center).

While more time is virtually always better when it comes to appreciating a travel destination, if you only have a half-day to visit Sintra and are dreaming of seeing it, you won’t regret making the effort to go.

What are the best places to visit in Sintra?

The two most popular palaces to visit in Sintra are Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, and they’re both worth your time.

For travelers seeking views, the Castle of the Moors is excellent.

For those wanting the best palace interior, head to the Sintra National Palace.

And to escape the crowds, Monserrate Palace or Queluz National Palace (far out of the way but very uncrowded) have a lot to offer.

What are the least crowded palaces in Sintra?

Of Sintra’s five most famous and centrally located palaces, the Sintra National Palace and Monserrate Palace tend to draw the smallest crowds.

Can you walk everywhere in Sintra?

No, you can’t realistically walk everywhere when visiting Sintra for a day.

Plan to use the bus, taxi/Uber, and/or tuk-tuk services in addition to walking.

Is Sintra worth visiting?

As one of the most famous and unique places to visit in Portugal, Sintra is worth visiting!

However, that does come with a caveat: Sintra’s popularity and proximity to Lisbon make it very crowded, and while it is a very worthwhile day trip from Lisbon, it’s not the only one.

If you have a low tolerance for crowds and little patience for lines/queues, you may prefer to peruse some of the other incredible day trips from Lisbon , which range from palaces with more elbow room to beach towns to ossuaries to monasteries and beyond!

In other words, a Sintra day trip from Lisbon is delightful, but if it’s not right for you, you certainly don’t have to visit Sintra in order to enjoy a very rewarding trip to Portugal.

Planning a trip to Portugal soon and want to keep reading?

You can browse our many Portugal blog posts here , or check out these guides:

• 21+ Hidden Gems in Lisbon: Secret Spots + Offbeat Treasures
• The Ultimate 3 Days in Lisbon Itinerary
• The Perfect 10 Days in Portugal Itinerary (+ Travel Tips!)
• 15 Exciting Things to Do in Evora, Portugal (+ Nearby!)
• The Perfect One Day in Porto Itinerary (+ Tips!)

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

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Complete Guide to Sintra: How to go? What to see?

Exploring Pena Palace and the Main Attractions of the UNESCO World Heritage City

Less than an hour’s drive from Lisbon, the magical town of Sintra is located in the northwest hills of Serra de Sintra. It is a cultural landscape , drawing in visitors from around the world curious to see the fortress-like castles, enchanting palaces and magnificent villa s all nestled into the scenic mountains and overgrown greenery. 

Those who visit are amazed at how their expectations were far exceeded not only by the fascinating architecture but also by the unbelievable natural beauty and geography . The amount of greenery is a stark contrast to the tiled buildings of Lisbon and the jagged cliff beaches just a stone's throw away. 

Its unique and often cool microclimate attracted the royal families and wealthy elite to establish their summer residences in Sintra. But, you will have to read more below to find out how this extraordinary town came to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as one of the wealthiest municipalities in Portugal. 

What is Sintra?

Understanding the history of Sintra, even in a brief glance, will help to navigate the city and its rich heritage. 

The history can be divided into three main eras . Beginning in the 9th century, it was the Moors who ruled Portugal. After years of constant battling with the Christian crusaders, they lost control of the Iberian region. In the 15th to 18th centuries, Sintra was overrun by the royals who controlled the area and built their palaces here. Shortly after, beginning in the 19th century, Romanticism swept through Portugal and resulted in the extravagant palaces and villas you find today. 

After spending a day in Sintra it is easy to argue that all three eras are elegantly intertwined with one another, showing themselves in the architecture which is unique to the area. 

Exploring the Old Town of Sintra (Vila Velha)

At the base of all of Sintra’s monumental and majestic palaces and castles sits its charming and quaint old town. The big attractions listed in this article normally are first on visitors' agendas, but Vila Velha should be explored between attractions or after. 

What to see in Vila Velha

Here you will discover a variety of establishments, from boutique hotels to traditional Portuguese eateries , tourist centered souvenir shops , bakeries with window displays filled with sticky sweets, floor to ceiling bottle-lined wine shops, artists selling handmade goods, the famous Queijadas da Sapa- baking cheesecakes since 1756, the tourism office and the Parque da Liberdade, the public park of the city.  

The town hall and clock are marvelous examples of revivialist architecture from the early 20th century, featuring medieval details. And perhaps, the most stunning feature found alongside the overgrown roads of Sintra's forest is the Fonte Mourisca fountain- an unbelievable work of architecture, tiling and a beautiful photo opportunity if there ever was one. 

How to go to Sintra from Lisbon?

Taking the train, catching the bus.

We suggest using a form of public transportation as Sintra was not designed to accommodate the amount of car traffic which now fills the small city. Parking is almost impossible and the roads are narrow and windy. 

Sintra Shuttle

Once in Sintra there is a shuttle bus that makes a loop of all the major sights . It is numbered as the 434 tourist bus and is named the Circuito da Pena .

It picks passengers up at the Sintra train station and then makes a round through the historic center, Castelo dos Mouros, Pena Palace, back again to the historic center and finally ends at the train station. This allows for a quicker tour and to visit most of the big sights without unnecessary time wasted. 

What to do in Sintra?

There is enough in Sintra to keep a visitor busy for days, but we have chosen to highlight the top attractions which can all be seen in a day. 

1. Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena)

As Pena Palace is the main attraction in Sintra, we will be explaining it briefly here and in more detail later in the article. 

Being the most popular attraction in Sintra, it’s ideal to see the palace first thing in the morning.  Arrive shortly before the doors open and you can hopefully skip the long longs and be rewarded with the chance to take some incredible pictures without too many other tourists in the background. Pena Palace is regarded to be one of the best castles in all of Europe .

• Compare the top-rated Pena Palace Tickets HERE.

2. The Quinta da Regaleira

The Quinta da Regaleira is a  Neo-Gothic private mansion with gardens more incredible than you can imagine- complete with all the features that make them feel as if they were pulled from the pages of a fairytale. 

The estate was built in the first decade of the 1900s as a project of Carvalho Monteiro. As it grew in size and grandeur it was nicknamed “The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire.” The house became a masterpiece of architecture and the landscaping included grottos, fountains and tunnels.

The nine acres of garden are truly the most impressive feature of the property and the best way to tour them is to wander the grounds. One of the highlights is the 27 meter deep inverted tunnel which was used as an Initiation Well by the secret order of the Knights Templar. 

• Check out the most popular Quinta da Regaleira Ticket Options HERE.

3. Castelo dos Mouros

While Pena Palace occupies the top of one Sintra mountain, the Moorish castle with its fort walls holds its own on the neighboring hill and has earned the nickname, the Great Wall of Portugal.

It is believed to have been built in about the 9th century and was occupied by the Moors from North Africa until being pushed out by the crusaders . Over the years it slowly crumbled until, in the 19th century, King Ferdinand II had it restored.

A visit inside is well worth your time, and if you’re not afraid of heights and the narrow pathways at the top, we suggest climbing the Castelo dos Mouros walls. 

→ Interested in seeing more castles during your visit to Portugal. Be sure to read about São Jorge Castle in Lisbon and what there is to see and do there!

4. The National Palace of Sintra

Located in the center of the historic old town, the medieval National Palace of Sintra, with its giant cone chimneys is impossible to miss. Don’t be fooled by them; despite appearing to be for decorative purposes, they are actually placed above the massive kitchens within the palace. 

The National Palace was constructed in the early 15th century and was used continuously until the 19th century, making it the most used royal residence in Portugal’s history . 

Like many of the structures in Lisbon and her vicinity, the palace was severely destroyed during the earthquake of 1755, but the tiling, ceiling art and luxurious decorative themes of the rooms were almost perfectly restored. 

5. Monserrate Palace

Monserrate Palace is a lesser visited attraction in Sintra, as it isn't directly located in the center of the old town. However, if you can manage transportation to the palace, which is only a short drive away, you will be wowed once again.

Built in 1863, it is an intricately designed palace with arabian features . It was built on the site of a former chapel and home.

→. Sintra isn't the only place you can discover Lisbon's fascinating architecture . Download the easy to use audio guide Tour of Belém from YourMobileGuide and visit some of the top sights in the country!

A Guide to Pena Palace

Pena Palace is truly the jewel of Sintra. Eye catching with its vibrant colors, seated above all the other attractions, it’s easy to understand why this castle has been attracting visitors for centuries. A spectacular example of 19th century romantic architecture and taste which became widely popular at the time it was built.

The History Behind Pena Palace

Construction began in the 19th century and was completed in 1854. A young and somewhat inexperienced German architect, Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege,  was commissioned for the job, and it was his exposure to different architectural styles and castles around from Europe and Africa  which resulted in the designs you will find at Pena today. 

Despite being overwhelmingly Romantic, there are varying details which draw from Gothic influence as well as Moorish styles . It includes mythological statues, gargoyles who stand guard, terraces which look out in every direction offering panoramic views of the region and exterior tiling that will make your draw drop. And all of this is just on the outside of the palace. A tour inside will open up a world of lavish extremities and a glimpse into what money can purchase when there is no limit. 

Pena Palace was home to Portuguese royalty until 1910 when the revolution began . They immediately fled the country, in search of safety in Brazil. Leaving the palace to fall into the hands of the public. But before the palace found its home here, a monastery was located on the site,  built in the 1500s. There was also a chapel, established in the middle ages, dedicated to Our Lady of Pena. Both were destroyed from the earthquake of 1755 and left in shambles until King Ferdinard II had the palace built as his summer getaway.

Experiencing the Palace Gardens

The park gardens which surround the palace are not to be missed. They are so fantastic that they have been included in the Portuguese National forest service since 1910 . The landscaping includes imported trees and plants, ornamental statues and viewpoints that are just as impressive as those from the terraces. Get lost in the whimsical gardens which feature lakes, ponds, waterfalls and fountains.  It's debatable whether Pena Palace has inspired the castles of fairy tales or whether the fairy tales have inspired Pena,  but rumor has it that it's the muse of the castle in Cinderella. 

We hope this full day guide to Sintra’s top attractions and Pena Palace was helpful. If you have more time to explore Lisbon and her nearby districts, we have created a Three Day Guide to Lisbon , an Ultimate One Day Guide to Lisbon and a Guide to the Historic Alfama . 

In the comments section below let us know what you enjoyed from the article and found helpful. 

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How to do a Sintra day trip

This mystical land of Sintra, just a short trip from Lisbon, takes you on a journey through centuries of opulent artistic creations.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

Updated: March 5, 2024

How to do a Sintra day trip from Lisbon

This is not a single attraction, but a whole landscape of different sights, and you'll need to do a bit of planning for a day trip to Sintra.

Whether you would prefer one of the tours to Sintra or you want to visit independently, I've got all the information you need here, including:

A brief history of Sintra

How to visit sintra in one day, how to get to sintra from lisbon, what to see in sintra in one day.

• Some tips for the best tours to Sintra

I take my first steps down the Initiation Well here at the Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra. This deep hole in the ground has a spiral staircase around the edge and I continue down, deeper and deeper.

It gradually gets darker. Looking up, I can see the circle of light at the top where I came in. It’s 27 metres above me. This strange inverted tower, full of symbols of ancient cults and mysticism, has me in its grasp.

I am now truly underground and a tunnel has opened up in front of me. I decide to follow it, head bowed, through the darkness, not quite sure where it will lead. All I know is that this is a part of the experience of a Sintra day trip – a mysterious journey into an almost-magical realm with constant marvels and surprises.

Thankfully, though, most of the journey in Sintra is above ground, not in the long dark tunnels of the Quinta da Regaleira. Because the highlights of Sintra are found in its lush green mountains full of romantic palaces and fairy tale estates.

Is it worth visiting Sintra?

It’s certainly worth visiting Sintra, and I suspect it will be a highlight of your visit to Lisbon . What makes Sintra so special is the variety of sights packed so densely into a relatively small landscape – where you’re able to see ancient castles, royal palaces, and grand private estates.

Can you do Sintra as a day trip?

There is enough here to easily spend a few days, but it’s also possible to visit Sintra as a day trip (and that’s what most people do). You’ll want to make the most of your time, though, which is why I recommend doing a bit of planning for a Sintra day trip.

Can you go to Sintra without a tour?

You can visit Sintra without a tour and that’s how many people will do it. But going from Lisbon to Sintra for the day does involve quite a few logistics, including the train to get there, the bus to get around, tickets at each sight – not to mention dealing with the crowds! I definitely think it’s worth considering taking a tour, because they’ll take care of all the hassle and you can just focus on enjoying the day. I recommend this Sintra tour if you want to cover all the highlights – or I’ve got some more suggestions later in the article.

In some ways, it’s hard to believe that it’s so easy to get from Lisbon to Sintra, and that it’s just 25 kilometres away from the capital. Because, here in the cooler hills of forests and rocky outcrops, it feels like you’ve entered another world.

What is Sintra? Well, to understand what Sintra is, think of it as a huge district (about five times the size of Manhattan) where the royals and wealthy of Portugal have built grandiose homes over the years.

For centuries, they have created their own little domains with opulent buildings and vast gardens full of amusements. Many of them are still privately owned today. But the best ones are now open for us to explore.

Although you can find more than 1000 years of history at Sintra, I think it’s easiest to think of its development in three important stages.

The first stage in the history of Sintra that’s worth mentioning is the few hundred years from the 9th century. This is the period when the Moors occupied different parts of the Iberian Peninsula and were in constant conflict with Christians.

With battle after battle, the region of Sintra changed hands back and forth between the Moors and the Christians. Many of the buildings constructed during this period would form the foundations for the palaces that would come later. The most famous sites left from this period is the Moorish Castle, which I’ll talk about shortly.

The second important period is from approximately the early 1400s until the 1600s. This is the time when the Portuguese Royal Family decided to make Sintra their holiday retreat.

It doesn’t take long to get from Lisbon to Sintra, even back then, and so the cool hills were the perfect summer escape from the heat of the capital.

Different rulers left their own marks on the landscape of Sintra and used the palaces and gardens for various purposes. The most important construction of this time was, without doubt, the iconic National Palace of Sintra in the centre of the town.

The Romantics

Perhaps the period that most defines Sintra these days is the period in the 18th and 19th centuries when the idea of Romanticism took over the area. It became the first centre of European Romantic architecture as a new generation of wealthy and artistically-minded people moved here and created new estates.

With a mix of design influences from across the world, with bright colours, and with some playful artistic embellishments, Sintra was transformed into a playground. I think it’s this period that has come to define the fairy tale land that visitors are looking for on a visit to Sintra… including the Initiation Well where I began my tale.

So, as you may be able to tell by now, there are lots of things to see at Sintra. As well as the time exploring the main Sintra attractions, the large landscape takes a while to get around (plus waiting for the bus – the best way to get around, as I’ll explain soon).

It would be very easy to spend two or three days seeing the main attractions, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see Sintra in one day… it just means you need to make some decisions about what you want to focus on.

The first choice you need to make is whether you want to take one of the Sintra tours or whether you want to visit independently.

Most of this article is about how to arrange a Sintra day trip by yourself, but I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a tour later on. For now, though, I’ll just mention that I think this Sintra tour is the best to see the highlights, and this private tour might make sense if you’ve got a group.

Plus there are a few other tour options here to consider:

If you would like to visit independently, I’m going to share some information for the best way to do a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon. After having done it myself, I think this is the best way to maximise your time and see all the highlights.

The only word of warning I would give is that most visitors do a similar itinerary because it is the best and most obvious way to see Sintra in one day.

If you are prepared to leave knowing you didn’t see the biggest attractions, you might want to consider swapping a couple of these main sights for something smaller, for a different experience without the crowds.

Before I start getting into all the details, these are the key points that I think are important for planning your day trip from Lisbon to Sintra:

• Even if you have a car, parking is really difficult. It’s much better to catch the train from Lisbon to Sintra. It leaves from Rossio station and costs €2.30 each way.
• There are a few attractions you can walk to from the train station, but some of the best are too far away. The best way to get to them is with the Bus 434, which is €7.60 for a hop-on/hop-off round trip.
• In peak season, there can be long lines at the most popular sights. Consider buying tickets in advance to skip the queues.
• The most popular sight at Sintra is Pena Palace and it gets really busy in the middle of the day when most of the tours arrive. My suggested itinerary (below) has you visiting later in the day to avoid the crowds, but the other option is to go there first (but keep in mind that Bus 434 is a one-way loop).
• An advantage of visiting independently is you can choose which sights to visit. The most significant are the National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, the Moorish Castle, and Pena Palace. There’s just enough time to see them all – so if you consider seeing somewhere different, you’ll need to swap something in my suggested itinerary, not just add it in!
• There are cafes at a few of the sights but they’re overpriced and the food isn’t great. They’re fine for a coffee, but you’ll probably want to eat in the main town of Sintra where there are lots of good options. Otherwise bring some food to get you through the day (maybe even just some snacks, so you can have a late lunch).

Here is the map showing the suggested itinerary that I’m going to explain. I’ve marked the route of the Bus 434, so you can see how that fits into the order of sights to visit.

If it looks a bit confusing, don’t worry. The easy thing about a day trip to Sintra that just focuses on the highlights is that the Bus 434 and much of the other tourist infrastructure is designed to take you exactly where you want to go!

I’m going to assume that you’re coming to Sintra from Lisbon. The good news is that it’s really easy to get from Lisbon to Sintra and I would recommend you take the train.

It leaves from Rossio station and takes only 40 minutes. There are relatively regular departures but some are direct and some will involve a change. You can see the timetable here .

The National Palace of Sintra, my first suggested stop, opens at 9:30, so I would suggest choosing a train that gets you there around then.

The trip costs €2.30 each way but you’ll need to buy a transit card for €0.50 if you don’t have one already, making it a return cost of €5.10 total.

This train line is included for free in the Lisboa Card . The Lisboa Card will give you some other savings if you’re going to Sintra for the day, because some of the sites offer discounts – but it’s probably not worth it .

If you just get the 24-hour card, the whole day will cost you €58.90 as opposed to €48.50 if you pay for each ticket individually (these calculations include all the transportation as well). It doesn’t make sense to get a 24-hour card just to go to Lisbon but, as I explain here , it could make sense to visit Sintra on the third day of the 72 hour card.

Bus 434 Sintra

Once you arrive at Sintra train station, you’ll see that some of the sights are walkable. However, to see some of the best things in Sintra, you’ll need transportation.

There will probably be lots of tuk-tuks or other private companies offering transportation. They’re generally a rip-off, although it may suit your circumstances. But for most people, I think it’s better to use the public Bus 434 which is designed to take tourists to the main areas.

You’ll see the signs for Bus 434 Sintra at the train station. Here you can buy a hop-on/hop-off loop ticket for €7.60 that lets you get on and off at each stop of the loop, right back to the train station. You can see the schedule and other details here .

The most important thing to remember is that this only goes in one direction, so think about what you want to see and visit those attractions in that order.

I’m going to recommend four main sights to see during a Sintra day trip. It’s very manageable to do all of these without rushing but it will be a long day.

However, there isn’t any one particular sight that I would suggest skipping if you’re in a hurry. Just try to get to Sintra early enough in the morning to fit it all in (the first sight opens at 09:30).

Although I have suggested a particular itinerary, I will mention one caveat. If you go on a day when there are lots of tourists, many of them will also follow this same itinerary.

So, if you want to avoid some of the crowds, you can skip straight to my second or third suggestion and then come back and do the others in the afternoon (and then walk back to the train station when you’re finished).

National Palace of Sintra

Starting from the train station, you can get bus 434 to the National Palace of Sintra to begin your loop trip. However, the walk is only about 20 minutes and it’s a nice way to start to get a sense of the atmosphere here in the mountains.

Although there were structures on this spot from the Moorish period, the palace that you see today is mostly from the start of the 15th century when the Portuguese kings began to spend more time at Sintra as a holiday destination.

From the outside, the most remarkable feature of the National Palace of Sintra is the two enormous chimneys that give it an unusual shape. When you go inside, you’ll realise that they are there for practical reasons and sit above the enormous kitchen.

Inside, the rooms are decorated with furniture and art from the periods when the palace was used the most. The tile decorations are particularly interesting and worth taking note of. One of the most famous parts is called the Swan Room because of the painted swans on the ceiling.

The National Palace of Sintra is open from 09:30 to 18:30 every day (with last admission at 18:00).

Admission for an adult is €13 and a concession is €10. You will get a 10% discount with the Lisboa Card .

For more information, you can visit the palace’s website .

Quinta da Regaleira

The Quinta da Regaleira is not on the bus loop so you have two options. I would recommend just walking along the street because it’s only 15 minutes away and there are some nice views. However, a different bus – number 435 – will take you there. It costs €2.50 per trip.

Quinta da Regaleira has a ‘palace’, which is really just a grand house. But the reason you would visit is for the incredible park around it. When a wealthy man called Carvalho Monteiro bought the estate in 1892, he decided to turn this park into a collection of oddities.

As you walk around, you’ll find towers, fountains, sculptures, bridges, and terraces. Even if you use the map provided, you’ll probably get a bit lost and just discover new things as you wander.

I think the highlight is the well (or inverted tower) that I told you about at the start of this story. You can climb down the 27-metre-deep spiral staircase and then follow the underground tunnels to pop up at a second well or further down the garden.

Quinta da Regaleira is open at the following times: January to March : 10:00 – 18:30 April to September : 10:00 – 19:30 October – December : 10:00 – 18:30. It is closed on 1 January, and 24, 25 and 31 December.

Admission for an adult is €12 and a concession is €7. There is a 20% discount with the Lisboa Card .

For more information, you can visit the estate’s website .

The Moorish Castle

From Quinta da Regaleira, walk back to the centre of Sintra town and catch the 434 bus from outside the National Palace up to the Moorish Castle.

The castle was built at the top of a peak by the Moors in the 10th century. Although it was presumably used for residential and official purposes, it was also part of the fortification effort of Sintra. In the centuries afterwards, the location and foundations were used by various Portuguese rulers who added to the structures but none of them lasted.

The Moorish Castle is in ruins these days and there aren’t many actual buildings to see. What makes a visit to the castle so special is being able to climb up and walk along the defensive walls. You will get incredible views across the region from here, including a great angle of Pena Palace.

The Moorish Castle is open from 09:30 to 18:00 every day, with the last admission at 18:00.

Admission for an adult is €12 and a concession is €10.

If you want to avoid the line to get in, you can buy a fast- track ticket online in advance.

For more information, you can visit the castle’s website .

Pena Palace

From the Moorish Castle, you can get the bus to Pena Palace or just walk along the road for 10 minutes.

This is another one of the most iconic buildings in Sintra, high on a hill with its yellow and red towers and turrets and dome. Once you go through the entrance gate for the park, you’ll walk up the hill to the castle (or you can pay a few euros to take a transfer bus).

One wing of the palace is an old monastery that was built in 1511. Work to change it into a modern and luxurious structure started in 1838 under the direction of King Ferdinand II. He then added the second wing to make it even bigger and more opulent.

Around the building is a wall that is all about aesthetics rather than defences. It’s a fantasised version of a medieval castle wall that has battlements, watchtowers, and even a drawbridge.

Pena Palace is a perfect representation of the Romantic movement that swept through Sintra in the 19th century and stands as the ultimate symbol of this style.

Pena Palace is open from 09:30 to 18:30 every day (the park is open for an extra 30 minutes before and after).

You can buy a ticket for just the park or a combined ticket for the palace and the park. (You can’t buy a ticket for just the palace).

The ticket for just the park does allow you to get up close to the palace, you just can’t go inside and tour the rooms.

There is often a queue to buy a ticket so you’ll save a lot of time by getting a skip-the-line ticket online in advance.

For just the park, it’s €6 for an adult and €4.50 for a concession. For the palace and the park, it’s €13 for an adult and €10 for a concession. You will get a 10% discount with the Lisboa Card .

The best tours to Sintra

Hopefully, I’ve explained well enough how you can do a Sintra day trip from Lisbon. But, as you’ve probably realised, there are quite a lot of logistical issues to deal with for the day.

I think Sintra is the kind of place where doing a day tour is actually quite a good idea. Not only will it save you a lot of hassle, but you’ll appreciate having a guide to explain all the background about the palaces.

There is an excellent private tour that would be a good option if you’re in a group. Or there’s also a very good day tour that includes Cabo da Roca and Cascais.

And there are some other good options here that I would also recommend:

However you choose to explore Sintra, I hope you find the time to make the trip from Lisbon. The Moors, the Royals, the Romantics – none of them made this for us. They made it for their own amusement because they appreciated how special this land was.

The fact that we can now enjoy what they have left for us just shows how much care they took in the creation of this fairy tale playground.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN SINTRA

While I have put together this guide to help you plan a one-day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, there are also quite a few accommodation options in Sintra and it is a wonderful place to stay

For a great budget option, Casa Azul Hostel has comfortable beds in a good location.

If you would like a cheap private room, Valdez Guesthouse is a really cosy choice.

For something modern, Sintra Boutique Hotel has a really stylish design.

And a luxury option that is true to Sintra’s ideals is Tivoli Palacio de Seteais – it’s quite incredible!

This site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List ! I'm on a mission to visit as many World Heritage Sites as I can. Only about 800 more to go... eek!

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18 thoughts on “How to do a Sintra day trip”

“Entrance is free for the park and the palace with the Lisboa Card”. I don’t think this is correct, it says 10% off on most sources online

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I can’t find the original source I used but you are definitely correct, it’s just a 10% discount. It seems there have been a few changes to the Lisboa Card even since I published this post, so it’s been a good opportunity to make sure everything is up to date. Cheers!

CRAZY!!! I HOPE TO SEE THIS ALL!

very good, informative and practical, keep going, you are doing a good job helping people find their ways in travelling,

Hello, If you could only see two or three castles in Sintra, what would be your choices.

Hi Brenda. If you’re short of time, you can do just the National Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira because you can walk between them and don’t need to do the long bus loop up the mountain. However, if you do have enough time, try to also get to Pena Palace. You’ll need to do the bus, which adds time, but it’s the most spectacular of them all. Hope that helps!

That certainly was a wealth of information. Thank you!!

WE are a group of 5 adults in our 50s and 60s..and would love to discover most of what you have described so wonderfully in our one day tour, however was just wondering if there was a way we could limit walking too much. Yes we will take the train from Lisbon to Sintra and use buses as suggested

we are a group of pilgrims 50 persons, a Filipino Catholic community living in Belgium. we are going for pilgrimage to Fatima with our OWN BUS from august 15 to 16. and on august 17 our itinerary includes Sintra, from Fatima we go to Lisbon at 8 am and expected to arrive in Syntra at 9:30 am, we hope to go around Syntra for until 15 hr. ONLY and then visit Belem and city center then back to Fatima hostel, on that same day. We go back to Belgium on 18 August. Now my question are: since we are a big group, with very limited time we like to see only the BEST AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF SYNTRA. like the palaces, castle, park, etc. DO WE NEED TO BOOK ONLINE ? ( no time follow a line every entrance) how much is the complete/combine ticket for a group of 53 persons (including the drivers and me) we need a GOOD GUIDE TO SHOW US THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF SYNTRA. english speaking. we do not need to go around the city syntra anymore. how do we book online? best regards please send your response to my email please if there are important details please inform me. thanks

This was a very helpful and useful summary, thank for writing it! Looking forward to visit Sintra in October.

Awesome help! This helped me decide whether I want to take a guided tour or just take the bus etc. Visiting this December – will just do on my own. Bus 434!! Question – worth going to Cascais/Boca de Inferno etc at that time? We are anyway headed to Azores after here.

Your guide to Sinatra is so helpful in highlighting what there is to see. Having to leave anything out from this list would be a great shame. Realistically, how many sights can one see in a day (eating lunch on the run).

Great article. Thank you very much for sharing such a lovely experience in Sintra! We’ve just just published an article of our Top 20 things to do in Sintra. We invite you to read it! https://www.jumpin-tours.com/20-things-to-do-in-sintra/

Nice blog. Thank you for sharing this blog.

How I can take the discount of Lisboa Card if I will buy the ticket on line to skip the line and save some time ? I will visit Lisbon & Sintra in the first week of Sept. 2022.

I have this exact question. We’re a group of four and will be going to Sintra 3rd wk of September. Please reply if you have the answers. Thanks’

We visited on 15th March 2023 and the tourist bus 434 (and 435) now costs €12.50 for an adult. Also, the route from the station on the 434 goes to the centre of Sintra and therefore the National Palace after leaving Pena Palace, so it is possible to see the 4 recommended sites in the order you describe, but you would have to walk to the National Palace unless you wanted to use up a lot of time on the bus. Other rhan these details which have changed, a very useful blog.

Thank you so much for this guide. It’s the best of all of those that I have read in preparation for our trip to Portugal in 2 days. I especially appreciated the information on transit to and around the area, as I can’t do too much walking due to a severe injury I suffered while on vacation in France last year. Cheers!

The ticket price for the Pena Castle in Sintra, Portugal is 7.50 Euros for the park only and 6.50 Euros for concession. What is the concession for? Is it mandatory to purchase it? The official site for the Pena Castle site only shows tickets for park only are 9 or 10 Euros.

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Sintra Itinerary: How to Best Explore Sintra in 1, 2, and 3 Days (Map + Flexible Itinerary)

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click an affiliate link, we may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Also, please check for opening times, restrictions, weather, etc., on the days of your trip. We do our best to keep the post updated, but these things can change quickly.

Are you confident about your Sintra itinerary? Sintra, Portugal, is one of the places where you are pampered with a lot of options. But it is also the kind of place where you never plan an extended stay. Sintra is also one of the most popular day trip destinations (I hope now you get why? Because the internet says it’s a day trip location). Well, it’s a bit true and a bit not.

Sintra is a small town, so you would only need a day if things went smoothly. But here’s the thing. It is also filled with palaces and castles, among other things, and you know what? They are super popular and will be flooded with tourists most of the year. And that is why your Sintra itinerary might fall apart because you haven’t considered the time involved in visiting each place. What might look like it is possible to be done in a day might not be achievable in the end. Hence, people are disappointed.

And that is why I have made a realistic Sintra itinerary considering the average amount of days people have for their trip. This could suit you if you have just a day in Sintra or up to 3 days. (The 3rd day is not very packed, giving you the time and flexibility to modify it to a 2-day itinerary). There is a complete section at the end giving you all the best possible ways to alter this Sintra itinerary and yet have a satisfying and enjoyable visit to this charming fairy-tale town in Portugal.

1-Day Sintra Itinerary

Reach Sintra From Lisbon

• Pena Palace
• Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)
• Monserrate Palace
• Return to Lisbon

3-Days Sintra Itinerary

End of Day 1 in Sintra

• Quinta da Regaleira
• Monserrate Palace (It is logical to take the bus from Quinta da Regaleira to Monserrate 435)
• National Palace of Sintra

End of Day 2 in Sintra

• Cabo da Roca
• Cascais (Optional)

Tip!   If you are spending just one night and want to make the best choice, my personal preference is spending 2 days in Sintra by combining Sintra 1-Day Itinerary and Day 3 in Sintra 3-Days Itinerary .

If you are here for just two days and want to see a change of scenery, you could skip day 2 and do day 3 (or more like half a day). It’s all your choice, well who is to ask? Well, I surely would love to know how your trip went, though. Feel free to modify the itinerary at your convenience and time availability.

How To Use The Map?

The orange suitcases are the locations from the itinerary. If required, zoom in and click on a suitcase to view brief details about the location. Click ‘View in Google Maps’ to view the location’s complete details in Google Maps.

Are you on a budget?  Don’t worry! We are also on a budget and are frugal wherever possible. We research the best ways to explore a place while spending as little as possible. Sometimes we learn the trick the hard way. But you don’t have to, as I have mentioned loads of tips based on our experience to save you a lot of money and time. (Also, time is money, folks! Sometimes you will have to spend more and sometimes less to fit the trip into your budget.)

Okay, let’s begin right away!

Day 1 of Sintra Itinerary

If you reached Sintra the previous night, it’s great. But I will start from Lisbon like we did on our actual trip.

There are trains from  Lisbon Oriente  and  Lisbon Rossio  station to Sintra quite frequently. 

Tip!  Usually, I recommend getting the day pass for whichever city you visit as they are more economical. But this time, I would have to suggest otherwise. Buy the tickets instead of using the Lisbon card or 24hr day pass of Lisbon, as these won’t work for the rest of your trip in Sintra. Day passes are coming up in Sintra, though! See, I never completely give up on them. They give the best value, trust me! I have done so many not-so-interesting excel sheet calculations. (Ugh! They are boring.)

What About Train Tickets?

The one-way train fare from Lisbon as of 2023 is €2.30 for an adult. You can use your Viva Viagem card and load tickets in it. (Check out this post for more information on the Viva Viagem card .)

You can find the train timetable from Lisbon to Sintra  here .

When to Start?

This is a complete game-changer, folks. I am not at all kidding. Take the earliest train possible from Lisbon to Sintra. The earlier, the better. You don’t want to spend half your day standing in queues which can affect your overall experience.

Okay, I have researched for you to find that the first trains from Lisbon to Sintra are at 6:01 am from Rossio and 6:08 from Oriente. The journey takes around an hour, and you should reach around 7:00 am. This gives you time to grab breakfast, explore the old town a bit, and take pictures without the crowd.

Psst!  Try to reach Sintra by 8:45 am as it gives you enough time to buy your tickets and board the first bus to Pena Palace.

Note for folks who want to visit Sintra by car ! You can drive to Sintra, but consider taking the bus and public transport for the rest of your journey. It is not advisable to drive in Sintra, and it is almost impossible to find a parking spot near any of the tourist attractions.

Big Note! You can no longer drive to the Pena Palace and Castle of the Moors. The only possible options are to take bus 434 or hike up to the palace.

Always check for the latest information in the official website .

First Stop is Pena Palace

Pena Palace is the crown jewel of Sintra and  the MOST CROWDED  place in Sintra. (I was quite reminded of one of the most crowded and popular religious destinations back home, which was used as a reference to indicate the crowd). So, I am already prepping you up for what to expect. I already had an idea before my visit. However, I still underestimated it as I was visiting in the fall, which is off-peak time. (I am not at all exaggerating!)

Is it worth it?  This is always up to one’s personal preference. Still, I would regret it if I hadn’t visited the Pena Palace, so the simple answer is yes, it is worth it. But you could enjoy the place a lot by following all my tips.

How to Reach Pena Palace Park’s Entrance?

I believe you have reached Sintra by train. As soon as you step out of the station’s main entrance, immediately to your left, you can find the stop from where the 434 bus, which covers the Pena Circuit, starts.

Buy your tickets from the driver directly. Make sure to get the 24-hour economical ticket, which costs around €11.50 . (If you have the time, get the paper map of the bus route from the ScottUrb office on the station lane, or a quicker option would be to click a picture of the map on the bus stop.)

Your stop!  Pena Palace’s stop comes after the stop for the Castle of the Moors. And I hate to say it, but I do not trust the stops suggested by Google maps. It made us get down at the wrong stop. Also, it is not easy to miss the stop. The entire crowd from the bus will get down at Pena Palace, and also they make an announcement on the bus.

Good to know!  As the Moorish Castle comes first in this route, do not get tempted to get down here and cover Pena Palace later if you are starting in the morning. The crowd will increase in the Pena Palace if you do so. I advise you to complete Pena Palace and walk downhill to Moorish Castle.

Tip!   Carry some cash with you. If you don’t, you could withdraw it from the ATMs in and around the station.

Public Washrooms!   The cafe opposite the Sintra station has a clean washroom that is free for customers and costs €1 otherwise. Also, there is one available in the Sintra station itself.

What About Tickets?

Buy the tickets online (and ensure you can reach the palace entrance well before the time slot). The tickets sell out and make sure to buy yours a day or two before, preferably.

As of 2023, adult ticket is €14 ( €13.30 online), youth/seniors ticket is €12.50 ( €11.88 online), and family ticket is €49 ( €46.55 online).

For our Sintra itinerary, I advise you to take the day’s first slot (9:30 am or 10 am). You could enjoy the palace easily 10 times better than a mid-day slot. (To all not-so-morning people like me – overall experience matters, it is not so much fun to wake up early, but we gotta do what we gotta do).

Bonus!   Plus you get a little discount for buying it online. And also, you could skip standing in the ticket line, which is separate from the entrance line. (Whoo! 2 lines already, and it’s not the last. Time as well as a money saver.)

What to Expect at Pena Palace Park’s Entrance?

Be sure to be there in the provided time slot, which is for entering the palace. The provided time slot is not for entering the park. It will take around 20 minutes to walk from the park entrance to the palace entrance, provided there is no queue to enter the park (the waiting time will be less around the opening time). Well, there are two ways to get to the palace entrance:

• One is by walking for around 15 to 20 minutes from the Pena Palace park entrance, where you have just validated your ticket. (Many sources would say it is a steep walk and should take around 30 minutes, but it is not; it should only take you half the time, and it is not difficult).
• The other way is to take a shuttle to the palace entrance, the ticket for which can also be bought along with your Pena palace entry ticket. But the shuttle is very small and can only carry a few people at a time (which means another QUEUE), so I suggest walking if you can so there is less crowd for people who need the shuttle.
• When you reach the palace entrance, check with the security staff at the gate to identify the queue for your time slot. If people have already queued up, then join the lines. For example, you could see the queue for 13:30 already in line before the people from the 13:00 slot are allowed inside. This means another 30 to 45 minutes of waiting based on the time of the day. Taking the first slot of the day saves you this time, and you will have the entire day to yourself to check out other places.

Facilities in Pena Palace

Public Washrooms

There are multiple public washrooms available, starting from one at the entrance. There is also a WC with disabled access provision.

Cafes 

There is a €1 coffee available from the machine, which is quite tricky to operate (but also has options to choose syrup), and a couple of vending machines at the main entrance.

There is also a small cafe on one of the terraces in the palace. You may grab a quick bite while enjoying the views.

Wheelchair friendly!   The park and the palace of Pena are wheelchair accessible. Also, some of the cafes are undergoing renovation to be wheelchair accessible.

How Long Does It Take to Tour Pena Palace?

It would easily take around 2 hours to just enjoy the palace and admire its beauty at a nice pace (including the time taken to click your dream pictures). When everything works in your favor, you will take at least an hour to get inside the palace, considering you bought your tickets online. So dedicate at least 4 hours for the entire visit.

Ideal time!   Dedicate half a day in your calendar for a visit. If you put in so much effort, it is also better to enjoy the views. 

If you have a lot of time, you could also explore the park of the palace, which is very beautiful indeed. Take a map of the place from the entrance of the park.

Walk Through the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)

After exploring Pena Palace and its park, head to the Castle of the Moors. This millennium-old castle is constructed strategically with a vantage point overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Sintra Hills, and the surrounding plains.

How to Reach Moorish Castle?

Since the buses operate in a loop (owing to the narrow winding roads), you can’t find a bus coming from Pena Palace to the Castle of the Moors. But it is a very short walk downhill from the Pena Palace Park entrance and should take around 10 minutes.

From the main entrance where the bus stops, you have to walk a little further to the actual entrance. There are signboards at every intersection, so you will stay aware of the walking trails.

Note!  There is considerable climbing involved, and the castle is at the top of a hill, so if you are afraid of heights or have vertigo, consider skipping it.

As of 2023, adult ticket is €8 ( €7.60 online), youth/seniors ticket is €6.5 ( €6.18 online), family ticket is €26 ( €24.70 online), and free for children under 6.

You can book your tickets online here .

Tip!  Buy your tickets online, as this is the next popular tourist attraction after Pena Palace. You wouldn’t want to be standing in another queue. And also, dear budget travelers gotta save every penny that we can. (The online ticket gets you a discount. Hurray!)

Facilities in Moorish Castle

There are a few washrooms inside the castle. Also, there is a free and clean washroom on the opposite side of the road at the Castle’s entrance.

The official map shows a few cafes inside the castle, but I couldn’t find any open when I visited. Make sure to carry some snacks or try to have something while in Pena Palace. It could be a while before you can get to any restaurants.

How Long Does It Take to Tour Moorish Castle?

You will easily spend 2 hours visiting the castle.

Return to Sintra Station and Grab Lunch

Get back to Sintra station, where we will get to the next destination.

Catch the Bus to Sintra Station

You take bus 434, which will go to Sintra station from the entrance of Castle of Moors. On the opposite side of the road, look for the sign for the bus stop. The bus will go to Sintra station via Pena Palace and the National Palace of Sintra (which we will visit later).

Tips for hiking enthusiasts!  There are trails from the Moorish Castle leading to the National Palace of Sintra, which is closer to the center of the town. You could take this trail on the way back after visiting the castle or hike up to the castle.

Could We Call It Lunch if It’s Not Lunchtime?

If you have only one day in Sintra, I would advise you to quickly grab something to eat from the cafes or burger joints near the Sintra Station before heading on to the next stop. It is probably a bit late for lunch, but today is the day we go on having multiple small bites rather than one nice meal.

Get Charmed by the Monserrate Palace

Monserrate Palace is not usually the first choice for many tourists. I really wonder why, though? Probably they may not be aware of it. I presume because it is really a hidden gem and is worth traveling a bit more to see it. It is smaller than Pena Palace, but it is very charming, and it’s a must-visit place in Sintra, which is why it made it to day one.

Tip!   You could visit Monserrate Palace after the National Palace of Sintra on Day 2 of our Sintra itinerary if you stay more than a day and visit everything more relaxedly. I added this to Day 1 of our Sintra itinerary, especially for people on a day trip to Sintra. Alternatively, you could explore the local town on the evening of Day 1.

How to Reach Monserrate Palace?

You could easily take a tuk-tuk or bus to the park’s entrance. It is not far away from the town of Sintra. Bus 435 goes to Monserrate Palace, and the bus stop is the first one on the right of the Sintra station. 

Psst!   I guess it may not be popular because this route is unfamiliar to tourists. Sometimes you can see that the bus is disguised as a small van. So don’t dismiss it as a private vehicle, and look out for the bus number stuck on the windshield.

You could get the tickets from the front desk, which is not very crowded. But hey! We gotta save a few bucks, so get that discount by buying it online.

Good to know!   Monserrate Palace has a very well-curated tropical garden which makes you feel that you are in a tropical forest, but you are actually not. As you walk towards the palace’s entrance from the gate, your path will separate into different routes, each indicating the distance to the palace. Take the longer route if you are not pressed for time, and you will thank me later.

Facilities in Monserrate Palace

There is a washroom within the palace compounds, as well as one inside the main palace as well.

There is also a cafe located inside the palace compound.

That’s it for today. If you are spending the night in Sintra, enjoy a nice dinner in a restaurant around the main town as you wouldn’t find many others outside the main center. Also, make sure to have dinner before returning to your stay, especially if you are walking. 

If you are on a day trip, you could take the train back to Rossio or Oriente Lisbon from Sintra station.

Where to Stay in Sintra?

Sintra has a lot of stay options , but you need to decide what suits you best when you plan a trip to Sintra. Let me answer a few questions regarding the stay options.

I Have Decided to Stay a Day Now, but Where?

During our trip to Sintra in early November, we spent a night in Casa do Valle , a lovely place for the price. It is around a 10 minutes walk from the Sintra station, so it will be perfect if you do not have a car and want to stay close to the center.

The place was very cozy and comfortable and had a common dining area with a kitchen; if you wanted to cook or heat up the takeaway. The hosts had an adorable dog (Cleo, if I remember correctly) who just bonded with us immediately. She belonged to the welcome committee, as we were told (just kidding).

Oops, I did it again. I could keep talking about how sweet the dogs are and won’t shut up. But let’s move past it for now.

Tip!  Not just this place, but for any stay options in Sintra, which does not have a restaurant option, this holds true. Have your dinner before returning to the stay, as you won’t find any place to eat nearby. However, this stay is pretty close to the center. The walk includes slightly steep roads, and it could become difficult to walk back when it is dark.

We had gotten takeaway from a burger joint in the center. The hosts were surprised that we had already researched about the place to know this. (Me putting up a proud face!)

The hosts were also happy to keep our luggage before and after our checkout so we could happily roam around without worrying about it.

Tip!   If there is no option to leave your luggage during your stay, do not worry! There is a souvenir shop opposite the Sintra station where you can keep the luggage for the entire day for a cost of €10 per bag. If you store your luggage in their shop, you also get a 10% discount on anything you shop there. That’s pretty sweet!

What if I Have a Car or Do Not Mind Staying Far From the Center?

Consider staying at Azenhas do Mar ( Azenhas do Mar West Coast Design and Surf Villas or Azenhas do Mar Valley House ).

Please, do check out this place. It looks SO DAMN GOOD. The location, the ambiance, and the views are top-notch and stunning. I can already imagine myself enjoying the sunrise and sunset from this place.

They have different options for different budgets. Rarely available, but if you are like me and plan your travel well ahead, you could get this place at an excellent price. This place literally looks like a mini Santorini.

Alternative Options

• Casa da Ferraria
• Casa da Pendoa
• Casas da Biquinha
• Águamel Sintra, Boutique Guest House
• Palácio de Sintra Boutique House
• Sintra Green Chalet Bed & Breakfast
• Casa Holstein Quinta de Sao Sebastiao Sintra
• Villa Bela Vista
• A Capela – A Essencia de Sintra (If you don’t mind splurging, check out this chapel that has been converted to a villa.)

Want to explore more options? Please search in Booking.com here . We use Booking.com to book all our stays and have always had a good experience.

Day 2 of Sintra Itinerary

Let’s continue to explore more of Sintra today. We’ll start by exploring Quinta da Regaleira.

Explore the Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira is such an intriguing 19th-century villa located in Sintra. What sets Quinta da Regaleira apart from the others is that this palace has a lot of secretive passages and spiral staircases down to a well. The entire place gives you a mystical vibe.

The palace has a lot to explore around the main palace as well. By visiting it at a slow pace, you get to enjoy everything it has to offer and obviously take stunning pictures.

How to Reach Quinta da Regaleira?

You could easily take a tuk-tuk or bus to the entrance. It is close to the town of Sintra. Bus 435, which goes to Monserrate Palace, stops at the Quinta da Regaleira first. This is the same bus (maybe a van) you take for Monserrate palace.

This is one of the popular tourist attractions, unlike Monserrate, so you could expect big queues. It is best to arrive here first thing in the morning and for tickets, make sure to buy them online. I hate to break it to you that you don’t get to save money purchasing tickets online for this one. But sure you will save time waiting in the queues.

As of 2023, adult ticket is €11 , youth/seniors ticket is €6 , and free for children under 5 and seniors above 80 years.

Visit the National Palace of Sintra

Located right in the middle of the town, you can instantly spot this palace once you are in Sintra. If you are puzzled looking at a big white building with two inverted funnel-shaped towers and wondering what it is, yes, that’s the one.

This building holds a lot of history of entire Portugal. Are you a history buff and want to know more? There are many guided tours that can give you more insight into the place during your visit.

As of 2023, adult ticket is €10 ( €9.50 online), youth/seniors ticket is €8.5 ( €8.08 online), family ticket is €33 ( €31.35 online), and free for children under 6.

How to Reach National Palace of Sintra?

The quickest way to get from Quinta da Regaleira to the National Palace of Sintra is to walk about 1 km. You can reach the destination in 15 minutes. You could also explore the neighborhood as you are walking. To get back to the Sintra station, you could take bus 434, which stops at the National Palace of Sintra before returning to the Sintra Station.

You have the rest of the day to explore Monserrate Palace if you haven’t already visited it on Day 1. Or you could do some souvenir shopping and dine at a nice local restaurant. (Skip the touristy ones!)

Day 3 of Sintra Itinerary

Let’s change the scenery, shall we? I think I have already hinted at what we are gonna do today.

Chill at Cabo da Roca

Cabo da Roca or the Cape Roca, located 18 km west of Sintra, marks the westernmost point of mainland Europe. It’s one of those places that is right out of a painting. You just feel like you are inside one.

Good to know!  Do not go beyond the fencing, even for a picture, as the winds are very strong and unpredictable. You could be literally blown away and injure yourself.

Tip!  Consider bringing a light jacket even in warmer months, as the winds could be chilly up here.

How to Reach Cabo da Roca?

Take the 403 bus that goes up to Cascais from Sintra station, and it takes a while but not that far. You could also drive up to this place.

There are no tickets and no entry timings as well for visiting Cabo da Roca. It’s a public place open to all. Yay, that is good for the pockets!

Facilities in Cabo da Roca

Nearby there is a little cafe. You could enjoy incredible views while sipping your coffee from here. Also, there is a souvenir shop selling personalized certificates that you visited Cabo da Roca.

There is a washroom near the bus stop, which charges around 50 cents if I remember correctly.

Wander Around Cascais (Optional)

You could also go to Cascais from Cabo da Roca and enjoy the remaining part of the day if you have the time and energy.

Cascais is where the action is. It is a busy, cute little old fishing town filled with white-washed houses and cobblestone streets along the beautiful coast. It gets more alive in the early noon. Still, it is mostly peaceful early in the mornings when you can enjoy walking around the picturesque old town. It is also filled with shops to take back cute little souvenirs. Cascais has beautiful beaches and also has a few popular surfing spots.

It is also possible to enjoy the entire place on foot, and there are many excellent options to enjoy biking. Being well connected with Sintra and Lisbon attracts many tourists and locals on the weekends.

End of Day 3 in Sintra

And that is all we have for our Sintra itinerary. It is time to get back to Lisbon!

How to Get Back to Lisbon?

Assuming that’s where you started this part of the journey, let’s get back.

From Sintra

From Sintra station, hop on a train to Lisbon Rossio or Oriente.

From Cascais

You could take the train from Cascais to Cais do Sodré, Lisbon, and take a metro to the main city.

From Cabo da Roca

You could either go to Cascais and proceed as above or take the same 403 bus heading in the opposite direction towards Sintra. From Sintra station, hop on a train to Lisbon Rossio or Oriente.

For more information on how to use public transport and tips, check our post about some  useful information to know before you visit Sintra . Also, do check out the best things to do when you are in Lisbon .

Hey, I am Kiki! A full-time software developer and hardcore travel enthusiast who is always up for a new adventure and the author of RooKiExplorers. I love to travel the world and enjoy talking about it, helping everyone around me plan their trips, and avoiding making the mistakes I made.

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21 helpful tips for visiting india the first time, 10 thoughts on “sintra itinerary: how to best explore sintra in 1, 2, and 3 days (map + flexible itinerary)”.

Kiki this is such an awesome post! The detail you give is amazing, I have traveled to Sintra and still learned a lot from this. I wish I had gone to Cabo da Roca…I will save your post for a future trip back to Portugal! Great pictures!

Thank you very much, Sierra! Hope you get to visit Cabo da Roca next time when you are in Portugal. It is a magical place! 🙂

I was not aware of Sintra before but you have impacted me to visit. I would really like to see Monserrate Palace; it looks like a very intriguing place to visit.

Yeah, it is a hidden gem in Sintra and hence it is not very crowded. It also lets you have a quiet time to yourself. 🙂

What a great itinerary, and your photos are absolutely stunning! I keep hearing about Sintra and have definitely been convinced to visit someday; now I know exactly what to do when I go 🙂. Xx Sara

Thanks, Sara! We’re glad we could convince you to add Sintra to your list. It is indeed as beautiful as it seems. 🙂

I had never heard of Sintra before. It looks beautiful and well worth spending a few days. I look forward to visiting one day.

Yeah, Sintra is very beautiful!

Hope you get to visit and enjoy Sintra one day. 🙂

I love Sintra and always stay the night! I’m lucky cos I live very close but I try to visit just one palace and enjoy nature. There is just so much to see in Sintra! Thanks for your comprehensive list! Great tips!

Yeah, Sintra has a lot to offer. You are lucky to live close by! 🙂

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Sintra-Portugal.com

The best independent guide to Sintra

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Sintra, Portugal; a tourism guide for 2024

Sintra is a charming Portuguese town situated within the cooling hills of the Serra de Sintra. Once a summer retreat for Portuguese nobility and royalty, this UNESCO World Heritage Site captivates visitors with its wealth of opulent palaces, extravagant villas, and historic sites, all set amidst lush forests and jagged hills.

These world-class tourist sights include the whimsical Palácio da Pena, the ruins of the Moorish castle, the mystical gardens of the Quinta da Regaleira, and the Arabian-inspired Palácio de Monserrate. Venturing beyond the well-trodden tourist routes, reveals an alternative side of Sintra, one with dense forests, rugged coastlines, secluded religious sites, and wondrous viewpoints—all awaiting exploration by intrepid travellers.

This variety of fascinating sights, abundance of Portuguese charm and stunning natural scenery, makes Sintra an outstanding tourist destination, which is regarded as the best day trip of the Lisbon region. A visit to this wonderful town is often a highlight of a trip to Portugal, and it will make a fantastic addition to your holiday plans. This article will show you why you must visit Sintra and how to get the most from your trip here.

What are the highlights of Sintra?

There is so much to see in Sintra, and sights which can't be missed are: The Palácio Nacional da Pena – One of Europe's finest palaces, with a vividly painted exterior, and an interior restored to how it appeared in 1910 when the Portuguese nobility fled the country ( guide here )

The Pena Palace as seen from the Cruz Alto viewpoint

The Quinta da Regaleira – A neo-gothic mansion but the real attraction are the gardens, which conceal secret passages, mystical symbolism and even a Knights of Templar initiation well ( guide here )

The Poço Iniciático well in the grounds of the Quinta da Regaleira

The Palácio Nacional de Sintra – The original medieval palace of Sintra, which was a favourite with the early Portuguese rulers.

The Castelo dos Mouros – The ancient ruins of a Moorish castle that stands atop a craggy peak and once guarded the entire region ( guide here )

Monserrate Palace – An Arabian inspired villa with intricate latticework stone carving and tranquil gardens. This is where to escape the tourist crowds of Sintra

If you are fortunate to have a car, there is also a lot to see within the hills of the Serra de Sintra. There is the stunning driving along the N247 between Almoçageme and Almuinhas Velhas, there is the forest-covered monastery of Convento dos Capuchos , the amazing viewpoint from the Sanctuary of Peninha and the Cabo da Roca cliffs - the most westerly point of mainland Europe.

The Sintra coastline also boasts many magnificent beaches, and these include the wild surfing beach of Guincho , the charming beach town of Praia das Maçãs , or the untamed natural beauty of Praia da Ursa . Most visitors only consider Sintra for a day trip, but there is an amazing amount to see and do in within the region!

The interactive map below displays the highlights of Sintra and the Sintra region. The green markers and line display what is usually seen in the first day of sightseeing in Sintra, the blue markers and line on a second day of sightseeing and the yellow pins display the best sights of the Sintra region , but a car (or guide) is needed to see them. Note: Zoom out to see the regional yellow markers

Key: 1) Palácio Nacional de Sintra 2) Castelo dos Mouros 3) Palácio Nacional da Pena 4) Quinta da Regaleira 5) Palácio de Seteais 6) Vila Sassetti 7) Palácio de Monserrate 8) Convento dos Capuchos 9) Sanctuary of Peninha 10) N247 scenic drive 11) Cabo da Roca 12) Praia das Maçãs 13) Praia do Guincho (beach) 14) Praia da Ursa (beach) 15) Praia da Adraga (beach) Related articles: Sights & attractions in Sintra

Insight: During the peak season there can be very long queues for tickets. Tickets for the main tourist attractions can be purchased prior to your day trip from Getyourguide: • Palácio Nacional da Pena (€20)

The battlements of the Moorish castle provide spectacular views over the Sintra region

• A day trip to Sintra

The majority of tourists visit Sintra as a day trip, either from Lisbon or the resort towns of Cascais and Estoril. Sintra is an enjoyable day trip, as it has a lot to offer visitors, while being suitable for all ages.

Travel to Sintra is hassle-free, as there is a regular train service between Lisbon and Sintra, or a direct bus service from Cascais and Estoril (travel details are found later in this article).

The most common route to combine the main sights in a single day of sightseeing is: • Train or bus to Sintra • Palácio Nacional da Pena (highlight of the day) • Palácio da Pena gardens • Castelo dos Mouros (optional) • Lunch in the historic centre • Explore the historic centre of Sintra • Quinta da Regaleira (or Palácio Nacional)

Most day-trippers to Sintra follow the same order, as this is the route of the 434-tourist bus. The 434 bus route connects Sintra train station to the Castelo dos Mouros and the Palácio da Pena, before returning to the train station via the historic centre of Sintra. Related articles: A day trip to Sintra – Lisbon to Sintra – 434 tourist bus Advice: Generally, we recommend Sintra as the first-day trip if you are based in Lisbon, or as the second-day trip if your holiday is to Cascais or Estoril (the first-day trip would be to Lisbon).

The decorative entrance to the Pena Palace

Two or three days in Sintra

Sintra is often visited as a day trip from Lisbon, but there are sufficient attractions to easily fill two or three days of sightseeing. Suggested itineraries for two or three days in Sintra, which follow on from the 1-day trip include: A second day in Sintra • Quinta da Regaleira and gardens (or the Palácio Nacional de Sintra) • Palácio de Seteais • Palácio de Monserrate • Vila Sassetti and gardens (optional) • Hike up the Caminho de Vila Sassetti (optional) Third day in Sintra • Convento dos Capuchos • Peninha Sanctuary and viewpoint (highlight) • Cabo da Roca • Praia da Ursa or Praia da Adraga • Chalet da Condessa D'Edla (Pena Park) • Hike to Cruz Alta (Pena Park) Note: this day trip requires a car Related articles: A second day in Sintra – Sintra’s secret sights

Why spend a night in Sintra?

If you plan to spend two or three days visiting Sintra, it is recommended to stay within the town, instead of travelling in from Lisbon each day. The main advantage of being based in Sintra is that the town can be enjoyed once the day-trippers and coach tours have left.

The key national monuments of Sintra have extending opening hours, allowing you to visit before or after the daytime rush. The town offers a fantastic range of hotels to choose from, with many of these in keeping with the style and charm of the region.

The map below shows the location of hotels and rental rooms in Sintra, and by altering the date to your holiday, the map will display current prices:

Why are there so many palaces and grand mansions in Sintra?

Historically, the reason was due to the slightly cooler climate that the hills of the Serra de Sintra provide. This enticed the nobility of Portugal to construct their summer residences here. During the 19th century, Sintra was a popular destination for Europe's wealthy artisans and elite, who built elaborate mansions following the Romanticism style of architecture.

The Quinta da Regaleira

Travel to Sintra

There are two regular and inexpensive train services that connect Lisbon to Sintra. The first service departs from Rossio station in central Lisbon, while the second departs from the Estação do Oriente. The train journey takes 40min (from Rossio) or 47min (from Oriente), and both cost €4.80 for a return. The services start early in the morning and continue late into the night, with up to three departures per hour.

Advice: Never drive to Sintra. The narrow hill roads were never designed for today's heavy traffic, and there is almost no car parking. In the summer, there is a constant traffic jam as frustrated drivers search for car parking spaces.

There are direct bus services to Sintra from the resort towns of Cascais and Estoril. The 417 service departs from Cascais bus station, takes 30 minutes and costs €4.25 for a single. From Estoril, the bus service is the number 418 route, which departs from the train station and takes 30 minutes. Related articles: Lisbon to Sintra – Cascais to Sintra – Estoril to Sintra

Sintra as part of an organised tour

There are many benefits of visiting Sintra as a part of a small group tour. Sintra is a destination where the main tourist sights are spread across a wide region of steep hills, and a tour eliminates the hassle of public transport. Portuguese tour guides are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and the tours also cater for more worldly visitors.

An organised tour is the only way to visit both Sintra and Cascais in a single day, as taking this route by public transport does not provide enough time for sightseeing. We have worked with GetYourGuide.com for the past six years, with some of their best Sintra tours including: • Sintra Highlights Full-Day Tour (€65) • Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour from Lisbon (€63) • Pena Palace and Regaleira Guided Tour from Lisbon (€65) • Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca Coast Day Tour (€85)

Does Sintra Portugal get crowded with day-trippers?

Unfortunately, Sintra often gets very crowded in the summer. This can mean long queues for admission tickets, tourist buses running out of space, and even long queues in Rossio station.

Our key advice would be to start a day trip to Sintra early in the day, or try to avoid the peak visiting hours of 11am to 3pm. Admission tickets can be purchased in advance to avoid some of the queues. Another tip to avoid the crowds is to visit the Palácio Nacional da Pena in the morning, as most visitors arrive in the afternoon when following the route of the 434-tourist bus.

There are quieter monuments and attractions in Sintra, and the best is the Palácio de Monserrate. Other quieter and less touristy places to visit, include: • Convento dos Capuchos • Peninha Sanctuary • Vila Sassetti Mansion • Chalet da Condessa D'Edla • The southern side of the Parque da Pena

The Santuário da Peninha is at the highest point of the Parque Natural de Sintra and is where to go to escape the tourist crowds

The 434 and 435 tourist buses

The walk from the historic centre of Sintra to the Palácio Nacional da Pena and the Castelo dos Mouros is up a very steep hill and can be very challenging walk. The 434-tourist bus removes the need for this walk, as it connects the train station to the historic centre, then climbs the hill to the Palácio Nacional da Pena (via the Castle of the Moors ) before returning to the train station.

The ticket for the entire route cost €7.60 (and is known as the ‘Pena Circuit Round Trip’), while the 24-hour unlimited use of all Sintra buses costs €15. The bus departs from Sintra train station every 15 minutes during the summer season. Note: The 434-bus is the cheapest and best method to explore Sintra as a day trip.

The 435-tourist bus connects the train station to the Palácio de Monserrate, and passes the historic centre, the Quinta da Regaleira and the Seteais Palace. This bus is ideal for the second day in Sintra. Related articles: The 434-tourist bus

The 435 and 434 buses waiting at the train station

Our favourite attractions in Sintra

Our favourite attractions in Sintra are: 1) Palácio Nacional da Pena 2) Quinta da Regaleira 3) Palácio Nacional de Sintra 4) Palácio de Monserrate 5) Castelo dos Mouros 6) Palácio de Seteais 7) Vila Sassetti

The Castelo dos Mouros is postioned high above the old town of Sintra

The Romanticism style of architecture

The town of Sintra is regarded as Europe's finest example of the whimsical and colourful Romanticism style of architecture. This elaborate, 19th-century design style was inspired by a love of art and the mysticism of ancient cultures, creating decorative and flamboyant buildings of which the Palácio da Pena is the greatest example.

Our most popular guides to Sintra

Sintra Home

Introduction to Sintra - everything you need for your trip to Sintra

Sights & activities

Discover the best sights and attractions of Sintra

Secret Sintra

Avoid Sintra’s crowds and find the hidden sights of the region

Free Sintra

Make your trip to Sintra much cheaper with these ideas

Sintra day trip

What to see and do for your day trip to Sintra

Sintra Hotels

Find the best hotels in Sintra for the lowest prices

Pena Palace

A guide to the stunning Palacio da Pena

Walk to Pena

The challenging hiking trail up to the Palácio da Pena

How many days?

How many days should you spend in Sintra?

Lisbon to Sintra

What’s the best way to travel from Lisbon to Sintra?

Beautiful palace and Sintra’s best undiscover sight

Sintra's beaches

Discover the finest beaches in the Sintra region

The 434 bus

The essential tourist bus that connects all of the sights of Sintra

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What are the best day trips from Lisbon?

The vibrant and dynamic capital of Portugal

Lisbon's beaches

Discover the finest beaches in the Sintra/Lisbon region

The premier resort town of the Lisbon coastline

The capital of the Alentejo region is steeped in history

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A complete list of all of our Sintra and Lisbon guides

Sintra guides

• Sintra Introduction

Sights of Sintra

• How many days in Sintra?
• The hidden gems of Sintra
• Free and inexpensive Sintra
• Walk up to the castle
• Sintra in 2 days
• Airport to Sintra
• The 434 tourist bus
• When to Visit Sintra
• Sintra to Cascais
• Sintra or Cascais?
• Evora or Sintra?
• Palácio da Pena
• Palácio Nacional de Sintra
• Castelo dos Mouros
• Quinta da Regaleira
• Palácio de Monserrate
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• Convento dos Capuchos
• Parque da Pena
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• Lisbon to Cascais
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• Lisbon to Evora
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• Obidos Introduction
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• Ericeira introduction
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• Peninsula de Troia

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• Lisbon introduction
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Portugal Guides

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North Portugal

• Douro Valley
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• Porto where to stay
• How Long in Porto
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• Porto in 1 Day
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• Porto 1 Week
• Foz do Douro
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• Porto Trams

South Portugal

• Algarve introduction
• Albufeira guide
• Albufeira activities
• Albufeira beaches
• Day trip to Albufeira
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• Funchal introduction
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• Vila Nova de Milfontes

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Sintra Day Trip

Sintra second day

What can be seen in a second day in Sintra?

This bus connects all the main sights of Sintra

There are so many enjoyable day trips from Lisbon

Lisbon is on a coastline of glorious beaches

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One Day In Sintra Itinerary, Sintra Day Trip From Lisbon

Beautiful Sintra is one of the best and most popular day trips from Lisbon.

Sintra is a dazzling and romantic town that Lord Byron once described as a “glorious Eden.”

It’s a mystical world that was once the preserve of royals, aristocrats, artists, and poets. Sintra seems far removed from the hustle and bustle of Lisbon. Verdant forests and greenery extend in every direction.

A bundle of unforgettable fantasy castles dot the tropical landscapes and craggy hilltops. Even though the plush and lush town is typically mobbed with tourists, it’s still quite magnificent and well worth a day trip.

Snapshot Of One Day In Sintra Itinerary

Here’s what you can see with this itinerary:

• Pena Palace and Park:  After arriving in Sintra town, take a tuk tuk, taxi, or Bus 434 up to Pena Palace and explore the palace and park. 
• Moorish Castle:  Walk from Pena Palace down to the Castle of the Moors, explore, and enjoy the views
• Lunch in Sintra Town:  Walk or take the bus back to the center of Sintra for lunch.
• Sintra National Palace:  After lunch, walk to Sintra National Palace. Be sure to go inside to admire the lavish rooms.
• Quinta da Regaleira:  Walk to Quinta da Regaleira and explore this Neo-Gothic palace. Once you are done exploring, it’s a short walk back to the Sintra train station.
• Monserrate Palace : If you have any time left, drive or taxi out to Monserrate Palace, which closes at 7:00 pm.

Tickets For Sintra

Purchase your tickets and tours online in advance. This will save you time, as you won’t have to wait in the ticket line.

• Lisbon-Sintra Pass
• guided day trip from Lisbon to Sintra
• Pena Palace ticket
• Quinta da Regaleira ticket
• National Palace ticket
• Castle of the Moors ticket

Mini History Of Sintra

Like so much of Portugal, Sintra was settled by the Romans in the 1st and 2nd centuries. After the fall of Rome , the Moors took over. In 1147, Portugal’s first king, Afonso, conquered Sintra and took over the Moorish Castle.

In the centuries that followed, Sintra became the private hideaway of Portuguese royalty and aristocracy. Sintra provided a quiet and breezy escape from the politics of Lisbon.

In the mid 1800s, King Ferdinand II arrived in Sintra. He got busy turning a ruined monastery into an ornate palace.

Under his influence, Sintra became the first center of European Romantic architecture.

One Day In Sintra Itinerary

1. pena palace.

Pena Palace is the most popular palace in Sintra and one of the seven wonders of Portugal. It opens at 9:30 am. This is where you’ll start your one day in Sintra.

You’ll want to have a pre-booked skip the line ticket and get there a bit early. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting in a long queue and waste precious time.

You can book a ticket for the castle grounds and park or one that also allows you to go inside. You’ll have a designated time for the interior.

It’s a 45-60 minute steep hike up to the palace. To save time, you’ll probably want to take an Uber, tuk tuk, or Bus 434 to the top.

You’ll enter the castle through an Islamic-style gateway that’s reminiscent of the Alhambra  in Granada Spain .

Pena Palace is a place of unmistakable whimsy. With its anything goes ethos, the palace is an attraction that’s launched a thousand clicks.

It’s a dizzying hodgepodge of primary colors and architectural styles — with Medieval, Manueline, and Moorish elements.

The palace looks like several castles smooshed together. There’s a whirlwind of onion domes, turrets, crenellated ramparts, and fanciful sneering gargoyles.

If you want to visit the interior of the palace, there’s a separate line. Which is not terribly romantic. You enter through the Triton Arch, with its leering gargoyle set amid shells and coral.

The passageway leads you to a Manueline cloister. The next series of rooms is an equally opulent hodgepodge.

There’s a veritable warehouse of oriental rugs, Chinese porcelain, Portuguese style teak furniture, and  tromp l’oeil  murals. The walls are decorated with 16th century Hispano-Arabic tiles. 

Like the outside, none of it really matches or is in a cohesive style. It’s rather amazing that someone wanted it all under the same roof.

The balconies, parapets, and breathtaking mountain views are surreal, especially from the Queen’s Terrace.

Besides the palace itself, the estate boasts a lush green park of over 200 hectares, with plenty of trails and a treasure trove of sights and follies to keep you busy.

King Ferdinand and his Countess wanted the gardens to be a wild maze of romantic paths. They sought out and imported plants from all over the world. 

The highlights are the Chalet of the Countess of Edla, the Fountain of Small Birds, the statue of Ferdinand, the lush fern gardens, and the grottos.

The chalet was built for Ferdinand’s wife Elisa as a recreational escape pad. The outside is painted stucco. It’s made to resemble a log cabin. Inside, there are beautiful cork ceilings and murals.

The chalet was restored and opened to the public in 2011.

• Hours : The palace is open from 9:30 to 6:30 pm. The park is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• Entry fee : Palace + park = 14 euros, Park only is 7.50 euros
• Buy skip the line ticket here

2. Castle of the Moors

When you’re done at Pena Palace, the next stop on your one day in Sintra itinerary is the Moorish Castle. It’s a short 10 minute walk from Pena Palace and signs point you toward it.

The 8th century Moorish Castle is a no nonsense holdover from Arab rule. It’s a craggy fortress restored over the years. It’s actually more of a wall than a fortress, snaking over the mountaintop.

Once you pass through the ticket gate, you’ll see a garden with stone steps leading upwards. It’s a bit of a steep hike (maybe 15 minutes) to get to the top. There’s a quarter mile loop along the ramparts.

You’ll have stunning 360 panoramic views over Sintra and Pena Palace. You can almost imagine knights of old ascending the turrets to guard the town.

• Hours : 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
• Entry fee : 8 euros

From the Moorish Castle, you have four options to get back down to the town center: 434 Bus, Tuk Tuk, Uber, or walking. Each of these options takes roughly 30 minutes. If you’re there in the off season, a vehicle is the fastest way.

You may want to consider packing a lunch for your one day in Sintra. There are just a smattering of restaurants and mom-and-pop shops. Plus, eating quickly will give you more time to see the myriad attractions.

If you want a proper meal, you can try Romaria de Baco or Sopa d’Avó .

The local specialty is Queijada de Sintra . It’s a sweet pastry with a cheesecake-like filling. You can get these at Piriquita .

4. Sintra National Palace

The National Palace is the third stop on your one day in Sintra itinerary. It sits right in the center of the town and is the oldest surviving royal palace in Portugal, with 800 years of history.

Sometimes people skip this palace. Don’t do it.

It’s a lavish showpiece, whose faded white exterior belies what lies inside. And it won’t be crowded like Pena Palace.

The palace was originally home to the Moors. But what you see today is the work of King Joao I and Manuel I from the 15th and 16th centuries.

You enter through a Gothic arch and head up a spiral staircase. You can visit the Swan Room, the Magpie Room, Blazon’s Hall, the Arab Room, King Sebastian’s Bedroom, the Palace Chapel, and the Coat of Arms room.

The most striking room is Coat of Arms Room. It’s wallpapered in blue and white azulejo tiles depicting historical scenes.

The Swan Room is the largest room in the palace and was used for banquets and official receptions. 27 swans are painted on the ceiling.

Similarly, the Magpies Room has 136 magpies on the ceiling spouting the king’s motto “for the best.”

Blazon’s Hall juts out over the garden and has splendid views. There are paintings of stags and portraits of the royal children. The room has heraldic decoration, azulejos tiles, and Manueline decoration.

Outside in the central courtyard, there’s a grotto tiled with 18th century azulejos.

The National Palace was used by Portuguese nobility from the 15th to 19th centuries, making it the most consistently used royal residence in Portugal.

It was damaged in the great Lisbon Earthquake in 1755, but was fully restored to its original state.

• Entry fee : 10 euros
• Buy ticket here

From the National Palace, it’s just a 15 minute walk to your next destination, Quinta da Regaleira Palace.

5. Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira is my absolute favorite fairytale palace in Sintra. The name “Quinta” refers to a private estate or mansion, and this place truly lives up to its enchanting title.

Built in the 19th century by the eccentric and superstitious millionaire Antonio Monteiro, the palace exudes personality at every turn. As you explore, you’ll quickly understand why Quinta is described as an “imaginary universe of symbolism and metaphor” in the brochure.

Prepare to be mesmerized by the stunning gardens, which boast grottos, fountains, towers. There are even mysterious damp caves connected by a labyrinth of tunnels.

The palace itself, along with its architectural ensemble, is a sight to behold. It combines Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance influences, creating a magnificent fusion of styles. Intricate carvings associated with Masonry, the Knights Templar, and the Rosicrucians further add to the palace’s mystique.

The garden complex of Quinta is a treasure trove of architectural wonders. As you wander through, you’ll encounter charming follies, picturesque gazebos, and even a quaint chapel. But it’s the Promenade of the Gods that truly steals the show.

Along this pathway, stone statues of Greek deities such as Venus, Hermes, and Dionysus gracefully adorn the landscape, adding a touch of mythological allure.

However, the real showstopper awaits in the form of an astonishing “initiation well.” This inverted tower served as a setting for secretive initiation rites.

You descend the spiral staircase down 90 feet, which can be a tad slippery. You’ll enter an underground tunnel that leads you back to the enchanting gardens.

The well itself is an architectural marvel, featuring nine platforms. It is believed that these platforms symbolize the nine circles of Hell, the nine sections of Purgatory, and the nine celestial realms of Paradise, drawing inspiration from Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Once inside the palace, you can only visit the first floor. There are formal rooms, such as the dining room, music room, etc. You’ll see intricate inlaid mosaic floors, ornate fireplaces, and elaborate wooden ceilings. 

For more information, here’s my complete guide to visiting Quinta da Regaleira . You should pre-book a skip the line ticket to avoid a wait in line. Your ticket comes with a map showing you what to see on the grounds.

If you just want to see Quinta on your visit to Sintra, you can book this 4 hour guided tour from Lisbon . It might be worth it given the palace’s unique history and architecture.

• Hours : 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
• Entry fee : 8 euros without a guided tour
• Guided tour : The palace offers 90 minute guided tours from Tuesday to Saturday.

6. Monserrate Palace

The beautiful Monserrate Palace is just a couple miles to the west of the town center.

You probably won’t be able to visit it with only one day in Sintra. But it doesn’t close until 7:00 pm.

If you’ve had an efficient day and are traveling by car, you may be able to squeeze it in. You can also take a bus or taxi to get to the palace.

The candy pink palace was built as a summer home for Sir Francis Cook in 1863. It’s an extravagant Arab and Romantic style architectural set piece that looks simply divine.

It’s not very large, so you can explore it in 30-40 minutes.

The palace’s name derives from a religious order that once lived there. The palace was neglected for decades, but was fully restored in the 1990s.

The interior has lattice carvings, geometric patterns, and an exotic vibe that may make you feel you’ve been transported to the Middle East.

The palace has over 80 acres of gardens, which invite a stroll. There are cypresses, rhododendrons, and other exotic species that like the humid climate.

As you stroll, you’ll find the ruins of a chapel and the ornate Arch of India that Cook brought back. There’s also a cafe in the former stables.

• Hours : 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Tips For Visiting Sintra

1. how to get to sintra.

Sintra is 20 miles from Lisbon. It takes about 30 minutes to drive there.

Park on the outskirts of Sintra and walk 5-10 minutes into the village center. You don’t want to drive into the town center. You’ll almost certainly get lost and your GPS might not work.

You can take the train from Lisbon’s Rossio Staton. Three trains leave every hour.

It takes 40-50 minutes to get to Sintra. It’s a 20 minute walk from the train station to the town center.

By Guided Tour:

There’s a lot to do in one day in Sintra and it’s a bit of a hassle to get to the sites. 

If you don’t want to juggle train schedules and buses, you may want to book a guided tour from Lisbon, just for ease.

Check out this 6 hour guided day trip from Lisbon . You can also book a  guided day tour  that includes Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira or a  guided tour that includes Sintra and the Lisbon Riviera .

You can also opt for a private tour from Lisbon .

2. How To Get Around Sintra

Sintra is rather tough to get around. It’s congested and wasn’t made for heavy traffic and massive crowds. The town’s roads are narrow, winding, and not really suitable for two way traffic.

You can get around Sintra by walking, tuk tuks, taxis, and Ubers. Uber is the cheapest method.

You’ll do a lot of walking and climbing to get to the various sites. Wear comfortable shoes.

You can also use the 434 tourist bus. The bus runs in a one way loop from 9:15 am to 7:50 pm in the summer and 9:30 am to 6:20 pm in the winter.

It stops at the Sintra train station, Sintra center, and three palaces: the National Palace, the Moorish Castle, and Pena Palace. You have to take a separate bus, 435, to get to Quinta da Regaleira or Monserrate Palace.

You can rent a small electric car or scooter from Go2Cintra . This may be a decent option, but then you have to do the hazardous driving.

Another mode of transportation to get around Sintra is by EBike. Parkebike.com provides ebikes with an app by Routzz. There are 6 self-guided routes to choose from.

You can also book a 4 hour jeep tour of Sintra and the surrounding villages.

3. Is One Day Enough In Sintra?

One day is enough to see some of the highlights of Sintra if you start early. But you won’t see everything with just one day in Sintra. There’s just too many attractions to fit into a day.

There are ancient castles, sumptuous palaces, convents, and parks. There’s even a new attraction, the News Museum in town.

And you can’t avoid wasting some time in transit between sites. If you want to experience everything Sintra has on offer, stay overnight and spend 2 days in the area.

4. Where To Stay In Sintra

It might make sense to spend the night in Sintra before you begin touring the castles and palaces. That way, you’ll have a full day without rushing from Lisbon.

The 18th century Palacio de Seteais is a luxury hotel with wonderful views. The interior has grand staircases and delicate murals.

Penha Longa Resort is one of the best hotels in Portugal. It has a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and 10 restaurants.

Chalet Saudade is a lovely hotel decorated with vintage furniture. It’s near the train station and has a rooftop terrace.

Literary buffs should check out the luxurious Lawrence’s Hotel . It’s the oldest hotel in Portugal and has hosted famous writers. Its 16 guest rooms are filled with antiques.

5. When To Visit Sintra

Since Sintra is always packed in the summer, you should try to visit during shoulder season in the spring or fall.

If possible, you should aim to visit mid-week. That way, you can avoid the cruise ship crowds visiting around the weekend.

6. Can You Do Sintra And Cascais In One Day?

Cascais is a charming beach town just 30 minutes from Sintra.

It’s a coastal resort with pedestrian friendly streets and a posh ambiance. The town boasts world class beaches, historic architecture, an enticing lineup of restaurants, and a buzzing marina.

You can combine Sintra and Cascais on a day trip from Lisbon, but you would have to see fewer things in Sintra.

If you want to squeeze both places in, you may want to book a guided tour from Lisbon .

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to spending one day in Sintra. You may enjoy these other Portugal travel guides and itineraries:

• 10 day itinerary for Portugal
• Historic landmarks in Portugal
• 2 days in Lisbon itinerary
• 4 day itinerary for Lisbon
• 2 days in Porto itinerary
• 1 day in Coimbra itinerary
• 1 day in Guimaraes itinerary
• 1 day in Tomar itinerary
• Guide to Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood
• Guide to Lisbon’s Belem neighborhood
• Guide to Pena Palace
• Day trips from Lisbon

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We are a part of 4 with unfortunately only 1 day to spend in Sintra. Above I see that you have a very attractive 1-day program to see the important sites we want to visit, including Pena Palace, Morish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, and if time Monserrate Palace. Our day of travel to Sintra will be on Friday, September 23. We would appreciate getting a quote for a tour guide for 4 people that could take us to the front of the lines with prepaid tickets to avoid long waits. Thank you and i look forward to your response. Best regards, Frank Dohn

Hi Frank. Yes, Sintra is great. There are plenty of links to skip the line tickets and/or tours in my article. The one place you absolutely have to have a ticket for is Pena Palace. In late September, you probably won’t need a skip the line ticket for the other palaces. If you want a smooth journey and skip the line to all places, you should book a guided day tour from Lisbon. That will likely be the most efficient way.

An alternative mode of transportation to get around Sintra is by Ebike. Parkebike.com provides ebikes with an app by Routzz, with 6 self-guided routes to choose from to explore the many places listed in the article.

Thanks Eric!

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Last Updated on January 6, 2024 by Leslie Livingston

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Home » Travel » Destinations » 1 Day Sintra Itinerary: A Super Efficient Guide

1 Day Sintra Itinerary: A Super Efficient Guide

Nestled in the scenic central mountains of Portugal, Sintra is unlike any other town I’ve visited. Taking a day trip to Sintra is like visiting a theme park for architecture lovers. From the rainbow towers of Pena Palace to the Gothic mansion of Quinta da Regaleira, this 1 day Sintra itinerary covers the area’s highlights as efficiently as possible.

Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular attractions in Portugal. Every year, millions of visitors flock to the former residences of the rich and royal families.

Unfortunately, the area’s old and winding roads weren’t built to handle the mass tourism we see today. Between the one-way streets and constant traffic jams, driving in Sintra can get frustrating quickly.

When you only have a day in Sintra, you don’t want to waste precious time stuck inside an Uber!

I truly believe the best way to see Sintra is on foot. And that’s why I designed this itinerary as a Sintra walking tour.

You’ll start at the colorful Pena Palace, the highest point in town. From there, you’ll work your way down to the Castle of the Moors, a.k.a. the great wall of Portugal.

After another downhill hike to the town center, you’ll have lunch and check out the dual-coned National Palace. And finally, the day trip ends at the mysterious grounds of Quinta do Regaleira.

Now I’ll be honest: this is a pretty ambitious itinerary. But I’ll share a few tips and tricks along the way to make things easier on your legs (did I mention Sintra was on a mountain?). You could start by doing some squats while you read this Sintra guide!

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Sintra Day Trip Guide

• Pena Palace
• Castle of the Moors
• Lunch in Sintra Town Center
• Sintra National Palace
• Quinta da Regaleira

Map of Sintra Walking Tour

Tips for taking a sintra day trip, guided day trip tours of sintra, where to go after this 1 day sintra itinerary, 1 day sintra itinerary, 9:15am: arrive at pena palace.

Of all the places to visit in Sintra, Pena Palace is the most popular. And that’s why I recommend you arrive 15 minutes before the 9:30am opening time.

If you’re coming from the train station, you’ll definitely want to take an Uber up here . Otherwise it’s a 45 minute uphill walk, and that’s not the best way to start your day in Sintra!

Fortunately, Uber is quite affordable in Portugal, and the ride should only cost you about 7 euros.

Before you can even get into the queue for the palace grounds, you need an entry ticket. When we arrived on a weekday during the off-season, there were already dozens of people waiting in the ticket line.

To save yourself the time and hassle of waiting in this line, you should buy your tickets online in advance. It was so convenient to walk right into the entrance queue and show our tickets on my phone.

Buy your skip-the-line tickets for Pena Palace here!

There are two separate tickets for Pena. One grants you access to the gardens and terraces, while the other includes access to the state rooms.

I definitely recommend the full ticket. The state rooms were beautifully decorated and had some amazing views through the windows. You’ll also get access to the stunning multi-floor inner courtyards.

9:30-11:15am: Explore Pena Palace

Photos cannot do Pena Palace justice. The whole experience of exploring the grounds, turrets, and balconies was wondrous and a bit surreal.

Given its vibrant primary color palette, you’d be surprised to learn that it started out as a monastery from the Middle Ages.

In the 1800s, King Ferdinand greatly expanded the existing structure into a summer palace for the royal family. When the Portuguese monarchy was deposed in 1910, the site became a national monument and museum.

After passing through the entrance gate, you’ll start out in the gardens beneath the palace. You can enjoy the lovely trees and flowers here as you wind your way up to the terrace.

Once you’re inside the palace walls, it’s hard to know where to look. The colors, details, and archways all demand your attention at once.

But don’t get overwhelmed, because you need to make an important decision at this point: explore the exterior or head straight for the state rooms.

As you can probably tell from the lack of people in my photos, I chose to explore the towers and terraces first. I wanted to get as many photos of this extraordinary place as possible before the crowds swelled.

However, you could certainly go into the state rooms first and have them mostly to yourself.

My favorite spot in Pena Palace was the rear area, which had a clock tower and a massive wall of blue tiles.

This area also has stunning views over the town below. Photographing this area was a major highlight of my Sintra day trip.

The state rooms are elegant and full of surprises. Be sure to look out the sitting room windows for a view of the Castle of the Moors!

You might have noticed that Pena Palace is surrounded by a massive park, which has everything from a swan-filled pond to a charming chalet house.

Unfortunately. with a 1 day Sintra itinerary, time is very limited. Unless you speed through the palace, you won’t have much time (if any) to properly explore the gardens.

11:15am: Walk to Castle of the Moors

Luckily, the walk from Pena Palace to the Castle of the Moors is quick and easy. Just head back to the main entrance and follow the Estrada da Pena north. There will be signs pointing to the Moorish Castle along the way.

Eventually you’ll see the brown ticket building on your right. Just like Pena Palace, it’s much faster to buy your ticket online in advance.

Buy your skip-the-line tickets for the Castle of the Moors here!

From here, it’s a short but steep walk up to the castle.

11:30am-12:30pm: Explore the Castle of the Moors

Don’t let the name fool you. The Moorish Castle is more akin to the Great Wall of China than a typical European home for medieval royalty. But that doesn’t make it any less epic.

I think the Castle of the Moors is one of Sintra’s most impressive sites. Originally constructed in the 8th century, the site was rebuilt several times, which is why you can still walk the walls without them crumbling beneath your feet.

Once you pass through the ticket gate, you’ll see a lovely little garden with stone steps leading upwards. After a few minutes of steep climbing, you’ll reach the walls.

From up here, you can reach multiple overlook towers with views all the way to the ocean. The walls leading towards the castle ruins do get narrow at times, so take care when passing others.

Fortunately, the intense climb to the highest tower is wide enough that you don’t need to feel guilty when stopping to catch your breath!

If you’re visiting Sintra in the summer, you’ll want plenty of water and maybe a hat to keep the sun off your head. There’s absolutely no shade up on the walls, and I could feel my scalp starting to burn where my hair was parted.

Save me for later!

12:30-2pm: Travel to Sintra town center and eat lunch

I know I said this was a Sintra walking tour. But you do have four choices for going from the Moorish Castle to the town center: bus, Tuk Tuk, Uber, and walking. Each of these options takes roughly 30 minutes, though the vehicle routes will be faster in the off season.

• Bus 434 runs from the castle to Sintra train station. You can buy a single ticket from the driver for 4 euros.
• There will be Tuk Tuks waiting outside the castle exit that can take you to the town center for about 5 euros per person.
• An Uber from the castle to the town will cost about 7 euros. However, it could take a long time for one to arrive depending on traffic.
• There’s a nice, shaded walking path that runs from the castle exit path to the town centre. Look for signs that point to the Sintra Centro Historico.

After a long morning of hiking, we were famished. There are plenty of lunch restaurants in Sintra, but I can personally recommend Sopa d’Avó.

For 9 euros per person, we had a veritable feast of traditional Portuguese food. And the English-speaking staff meant I didn’t have to struggle with Portuguese after a tiring morning.

2:15-3:45pm: Visit the National Palace

My biggest regret about our day trip to Sintra was missing the National Palace. I was looking forward to seeing the famous azulejo tile salon, and the beautifully painted Swan Room.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it happen due to personal circumstances. So you’ll just need to enjoy it for the both of us!

Next to Pena Palace, the National Palace of Sintra is the most frequently visited site in town. Thus, you should absolutely get your tickets online in advance.

Buy your skip-the-line tickets for the Sintra National Palace here!

Although I didn’t explore the palace, my fellow travel blogging friends recommend spending an hour to 90 minutes here.

3:45-4pm: Walk to Quinta da Regaleira

Good news: the last stop on this Sintra day trip is only 15 minutes away from the National Palace! Simply exit the palace and head southwest on the main road (N375). Follow the road as it curves north, and you’ll eventually see the ticket entrance for Quinta da Regaleira.

The queue to enter depends heavily on the day of the week and time of year. Because it’s so late in the day, you probably won’t have any trouble buying a same-day ticket on a weekday in the off season. When we arrived around 3pm, we only waited in line for about 5 minutes.

Based on what other travelers have told me, however, the lines can be long even in the late afternoon. So I recommend buying a skip-the-line ticket in advance, especially if you’re visiting Friday-Sunday or any time May-September.

Buy your skip-the-line tickets for Quinta da Regaleira here!

4-5pm: Explore Quinta da Regaleira

If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, Uncharted, or Tomb Raider, you’ll love Quinta da Regaleira. Exploring the grounds made me feel like a modern day adventurer.

There are overgrown gardens, Gothic buildings rising from the trees, damp caves, and even a spooky well that spirals deep into the ground. I half-expected to see Lara Croft or Nathan Drake sneaking around the place…

Although Quinta da Regaleira looks like a mystical old ruin, it was actually designed in the 1900s. When you combine this with Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors, you can see why I compare Sintra to a theme park!

Your tickets come with a map, and you’ll find multiple signs pointing to the major highlights.

We worked our way to the Initiation Well first, explored the grounds, and wrapped up at the gorgeous Gothic mansion. Frankly, I can’t think of a better way to round out your 1 day Sintra itinerary!

Part of the magic of Quinta da Regaleira lies in discovering it as you explore. I don’t want to ruin the surprises here, so I’ll let these photos be the teasers.

Because of the site’s unique history, architecture, and hidden secrets, it’s definitely worth booking a live guided tour to get the full experience.

Click here to access the full interactive map!

• The best day to visit Sintra would be either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. This will help you avoid the Lisbon cruise ship tourists and the locals who visit as part of a long weekend.
• Bring good walking shoes, especially if you’re doing the hike from Castle of the Moors to Sintra town center.
• A water bottle is a must. There are several public fountains where you can refill.
• If you’re visiting Sintra in the fall or spring, you should layer up. Temperatures can change dramatically based on the time of day and your elevation.
• You might not have great cell reception in Sintra, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to take an Uber.

Taking a Sintra day trip from Lisbon

Getting to Sintra from Lisbon is very straightforward. You can catch a direct train from Lisbon to Sintra at Rossio Station. There are three trains departing every hour, and the journey takes about 40 minutes.

Note that you can’t book advance tickets on this line, so you’ll need to buy them at the station.

For this one day in Sintra itinerary, you’ll want to take an Uber or Tuk Tuk from Sintra train station to Pena Palace.

Taking a Sintra day trip from Cascais

Getting to Sintra from Cascais is quick and easy by car. Taking an Uber only cost us $15 and took 35 minutes. Although we use public transit 90% of the time, it just didn’t make sense in this case.

If navigating a mountain town in a foreign country isn’t your thing, no worries! You can book a guided tour with a local expert for a surprisingly affordable price.

• Cascais: This charming beach town is only 30 minutes away from Sintra. Discover what to do in Cascais with my detailed guide!
• Lisbon: A short train ride will take you to the capital city, where you can spend a few days in Lisbon enjoying incredible architecture and vibrant culture.
• Porto: Head north and spend 2 days in Porto exploring the colorful Ribeira and eating the best food in Portugal.

19 thoughts on “1 Day Sintra Itinerary: A Super Efficient Guide”

This was very valuable Thank you

Thanks Ian, glad you found it useful!

Really nice content… made my trip easy and saved time on research! Thanks.

Thank you for this post! We will be here in January and will follow your guide. It’s exactly what we need.

We’re hoping to go soon, this will be super helpful, thanks! 🙂

Thank you very much for this itinerary! Next week we are visiting Lisbon and planning to visit Sintra as well. Your guide will be very helpful!

Lucky me, I’m staying in Sintra for 2 days, so I was able to split your fabulous tour in half and take my time. I honestly don’t know how you would do all of this in 1 day…massive amounts of walking! I much prefer stopping here and there for a cold glass of wine. 🍷🥰

Going there this May. This is very helpful. Thanks a lot!

Loved this. Wish you’d mention where to park if you arrive with a car! Thanks.

Hi Caroline. If you plan on driving to Sintra, I recommend parking near the train station in one of the large lots, and then doing this itinerary in reverse (starting at Quinta da Regaleira). Once you finish at Pena Palace, you can then take an Uber or bus back down the mountain to retrive your car and head home. Just note that going this way will be a major workout, as you’ll be walking uphill the whole time!

This blog is so helpful. We are going next week! Thank you so much for all the tips, very valuable information.

This was a great summary. We’re going in October and I’m having a terrible time deciding what areas of Sintra to see, where to go inside vs. just stay outside. Originally I thought I’d just do the outside of the Pena Palace to give me time to see other spots. But your description makes me want to do the inside as well. If picking between Queluz or Monserrate Gardens, which would you add on? (as well as Quinta La Regaleira. Would you choose either of those more than the Moorish castle?

Hi Ruby, glad the itinerary was helpful. Queluz is a fair distance outside of Sintra proper, so you’d want to stop there before or after traveling around Sintra park. I’d suggest skipping the Sintra National Palace in lieu of Queluz or Monserrate. Queluz would probably be easier to add into this itinerary, as you could travel into Queluz-Belas Station by train directly from Sintra Station.

Hi Chelsea,

I followed your itinerary to a tee and it worked wonderfully! I was able to see everything, including the national palace and eat at the Sopa restaurant (got squid stew for 9 euro). Only things to consider; if doing an audio guide through the app cloud guide to download the tour info first as wifi is spotty, and to visit the initiation well last (after 5 pm) when the kids head home. I went there first at 4 pm on a Wednesday and still had to wait 30 mins. Glad I did Peña first, was out of there by 11:15 while those who arrived at 10:30 waited an hour plus to get in. Thanks so much for your itinerary! Abrigado

Thank you so much, Michael! I’m pleased you enjoyed your trip, and appreciate the extra tips.

Off there tomorrow (Thursday Sept 22nd 2022) and going to follow your advice pretty much to the letter. Sounds great and thanking you in advance… ❤️

I am on my way there right now, flying from Nantes in 4 hours. I will follow your guided tour for Sintra. Thank you

This trip sounds perfect for me. I am going late September 2023. Can you please tell me how difficult the hills are walking this tour. Very strenuous?

Hi Laura, I think the most strenuous part of this itinerary is the climb up to the top of the Castle of the Moors. It’s a lot of steps and fairly steep in areas. However, it all depends on how in shape you are (there were elderly women making the climb when I visited and they did fine, just moved slowly).

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