sintra and cascais tour from lisbon

A Comparison of Sintra Tours from Lisbon

The beautiful and captivating town of Sintra in Portugal is the perfect day trip from the capital Lisbon. Here is a comparison of Sintra day tours from Lisbon. 

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

It may be mainland Europe’s westernmost capital city but Lisbon feels anything but poorly located. The Portugal capital has everything you could wish for at its doorstep, from beautiful beaches and resorts to mystic forests and hiking trails. There are also some incredible historic towns to visit on a day trip, arguably the most famous being Sintra. Found in the cooling hills of Serra de Sintra, this town and municipality is a one-time royal retreat and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with historic sites and impressive architecture, all surrounded by lush forests. Here is a comparison of Sintra day tours from Lisbon. 

From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour

This is an action-packed full day tour, visiting Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point, and Cascais seaside town. At Sintra you will visit Pena Palace, a fine example of 19th-century Romanticism, and its opulent gardens, walk through the medieval streets and take in historic architecture. Then it’s off to Roca Cape before travelling along the Atlantic coast to Azenhas do Mar beach, with its natural rock pools. The last stop is in Cascais, a one-time holiday retreat for the royal family and the European aristocracy. This is a fantastic trip that combines the best man-made beauty of Portugal with the country’s most captivating natural wonders. From €56.95.

Book at Getyourguide.com

From Lisbon 3 Cities Fátima, Nazaré & Sintra Tour Full Day

This tour also fits a lot in to a full day. During nine hours you’ll get to see many different sides of Portugal, from the splendor of Sintra and its palace to the laid-back surfer culture of Nazaré. Also included with this trip is a stop at Fátima, home to a globally acclaimed Sanctuary and a revered pilgrimage site. The charming coastal village of Nazaré, where authentic traditions and surfers looking for the world’s biggest waves come together in harmony, is a great place to kick back. At Sintra there will be time to see the majestic palaces, lush gardens, and historic streets. Included in the tour is travel by minibus and ticket and guided tour of the exterior of the Palace of Pena and Park of Pena, plus a guided tour of Sítio da Nazaré. From €63.20.

Lisbon: Guided Day Tour of Sintra, Pena, Regaleira & Cascais

This full day tour aims to see as much as possible of Sintra, with visits to both the palace and the Quinta Da Regaleira. The latter is a 19th-century Gothic mansion located at the end of the historical centre of Sintra. The mansion combines Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance features and is filled with mysterious features inside and out. There are underground tunnels, intriguing fountains, and secret caves – this is certainly something not to miss. Included in the trip are the entry ticket to Pena Palace and gardens with guided tour; entry ticket to Quinta da Regaleira with guided tour (depending on the option chosen); Sintra walking tour; Cascais walking tour; and of course, a professional guide. From €79.

From Lisbon: Sintra and Cascais Private Tour

This is an eight-hour private day tour from Lisbon focusing on Sintra and stopping off at Cascais. While in Sintra you’ll see the town’s most iconic sights, including the Pena Palace and the fascinating Quinta da Regaleira. A nice local touch too – there is also time scheduled in to stop at a local cafe to sample some travesseiros de Sintra (traditional cake.) Then it’s on to Cascais and an opportunity to walk around this charming coastal resort. You’ll also get to see the view from Cabo da Roca, the western-most point in Europe, and have a stroll along Guincho Beach. Before returning to Lisbon there will be just enough time to witness the rocky formations of Boca do Inferno too. From €240 per group up to four. 

Lisbon: Tour to Sintra and Pena Palace

This is a good value half day tour that just visits Sintra – perfect if you are only in Lisbon for a short vacation. It’s a super small group, so feels a bit like a private tour, and you’ll get to tick off Sintra’s palaces and natural delights and be back to Lisbon in time for some afternoon shopping. Included is a stress-free hotel pickup and drop-off  too. It’s worth noting that admission to the palace at Sintra is not included so you’ll need to factor that in. From €49.00.

Book at Viator.com

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The Perfect Day Trip from Lisbon: Visiting Sintra and Cascais

While there are plenty of things to see, do and eat in the pretty Portuguese capital of Lisbon, there are also some beautiful sites nearby that are worth making a day trip out of. If you can tear yourself away from the pastéis del nata and the colourful tiles, then be sure to visit mountainous Sintra Portugal and seaside Cascais. Both Sintra and Cascais can be reached by day trip from Lisbon and are essential to the perfect Portugal itinerary.

The perfect day trip from Lisbon

Sintra portugal.

Located less than an hour from Lisbon, the stunning UNESCO World-Heritage Site of Sintra is like the setting of a real life fairytale. Nestled high up in the lush, green mountains, Sintra is known most famously for its magnificent palaces, pastel-hued residences, quaint shops and beautiful gardens. The mystical and romantic allure of Sintra has even led it to be described as the ‘Disneyland for grown-ups’ — who can really resist that description! The cooler, mountainous climate has attracted the Portuguese nobility and royalty over the centuries, who constructed some of the most exquisite manors and palaces in all of the country.

What to do in Sintra

Palacio Nacional de Sintra: The sprawling national palace, located in the heart of the old town, is distinguished by its unusual, conical chimneys that have become the emblem of the town. It was built as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family who resided there from the early 15th century and was in continuous use up until the late 19th century. The white-washed exterior and gothic architecture make for impressive photos.

Castelo dos Mouros: This ruinous castle is the oldest structure in the city. Originally dating back to the 9th century, the North African Moors originally constructed this castle to guard the town of Sintra, although it fell into disrepair after the Christian conquest of Portugal. The crumbling ruins offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Palacio da Pena: Sintra’s most spectacular and famous site is the colourful, ornate and grand Palacio da Pena, which is constructed on one of the highest peaks. This vibrantly painted summer palace stands out like a beacon and is in stark contrast to the lush green of the surrounding mountains. Its architectural style is one of the most impressive and unusual in the entire country. If the weather permits, the views afforded from the palace over the entire region are some of the best in all of Portugal. Unfortunately, on our visit, the Palacio da Pena was completely enshrouded in dense cloud, which meant that sadly we missed out!

Historic town centre:  Sintra’s charming historic town centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and every visitor should spend some time exploring the maze of cobblestoned lanes lined with quaint shops and cafes that snake their way up the hill. Don’t leave without trying the famous Sintra pastries here: the ‘queijadas’ (cheese pastries) and the ‘travesseiros’ (egg and almond pastries)!

What to do in Cascais, Portugal

Instead of returning directly to Lisbon from Sintra, follow the scenic road along the rugged, golden coast and the most westerly point of mainland Europe to stop in at the charming seaside town of Cascais. Once a sleepy fishing village, Cascais has transformed into a favourite holiday destination for many Portuguese and other Europeans with many people now considering it to be one of Lisbon’s most sophisticated destinations.

What to do in Cascais

Cascais beaches:  The main attraction of Cascais is its range of golden beaches, which are wonderfully varied and offer something for everyone.

Cidadela de Cascais:  The Cidadela de Cascais is an imposing fortress that stands overlooking the marina and harbour. It’s an impressive landmark of the town and has now been transformed into an exclusive hotel and cultural centre.

Largo Luís de Camões: This is the historic centre of Cascais and has an energetic vibe due to the many cafés, restaurants and fashionable bars that line the square.

Marina:  There is room for over 650 boats to be moored at the Cascais marina. Take a stroll along the quays to admire the expensive yachts.

Free museums:  One of the great features of Cascais is that all the museums and buildings of interest are free to enter. There are lots of interesting exhibitions hidden throughout town so be nosy, wander in and explore!

Eat fresh seafood:  Cascais restaurants serve some of the freshest fish in the region, since it comes directly from fishermen’s boats in the town’s small harbour. There are plenty of outstanding seafood restaurants dotted all over the town.

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Sintra and Cascais Tour from Lisbon

Walk through Sintra and Cascais

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 8 hours
• Tag Tour Type: Public
• 9:00 – Pickup at your hotel or address
• Sintra (stop)
• Visit to Pena Palace
• Stroll in the village of Sintra (lunch)
• Roca Cape (stop)
• Drive towards Guincho beach
• Boca do Inferno (stop)
• Visit to the village of Cascais
• Drop off at your hotel

Tour Sintra & Cascais From Lisbon

Visit Sintra, a village near Lisbon that looks like it’s straight from the pages of a fairy tale. This enchanting village is full of castles, palaces, gardens, and magic.

Then stop by the coastal village of Cascais and enjoy amazing views in Cabo da Roca – the westernmost point in Europe – and Boca do Inferno.

This Sintra and Cascais tour is the best way to immerse yourself in the amazing cultural aspects of Portugal. Explore the villages and learn about their incredible histories. Enjoy an authentic lunch in the village of Sintra before heading toward Cascais.

You won’t want to miss this incredible opportunity to see the sights and embark on an unforgettable Portugal walking tour in two iconic cities.

Reserve your tickets online today.

Pickup only in the center of Lisbon. Contact us for pickup/dropoff outside of the city center. There is a two-person minimum for the tour to go out.

Related Tours

• Tag Private
• Hour Glass 7 hours

Private Sintra Tour

Visit the most symbolic sightseeing points in the charismatic village of Sintra. Gaze at the ornate facade of the Quinta da Regaleira and experience endless ocean views from Cabo da Roca.

• Hour Glass 8 hours

Lisbon Like Never Before

You can choose where you want to go on this unique Lisbon walking tour! Explore the São Jorge Castle, sail in the Tagus River, or spend the whole day in Fátima. The choice is yours!

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There are two bus routes from Cascais Bus Station. Bus 1623 is direct, Bus 1624 goes the scenic way via Cabo da Roca. Once in Sintra there are any number of ways to get around the various sights, some of which are a long way from the town.

Bus times can be found at http://www.carrismetropolitana.pt

Or take taxi or uber to Sintra if the extra cost is OK with you.

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