Enjoy the most beautiful Sintra day trips from Lisbon

Sintra is one of the most popular tourist destinations close to Lisbon. So when visiting the Portuguese capital, you might want to enjoy a day trip to Sintra!

We visit Sintra regularly, and although we have seen the famous landmarks such as Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira regularly, there are many hidden gems to uncover. But with so many palaces and landmarks, finding the best options for you can be challenging.

This post will include example itineraries for Sintra day trips from Lisbon and more information about the most famous sights. This way you can decide what you would like to visit and how. Therefore, I will also explain how to get to Sintra train station from Lisbon and which Sintra tours are available.

Where and what is Sintra?

Sintra is a town and municipality just outside of Lisbon in Portugal. It’s part of the Greater Lisbon Region and is known for its palaces, historic castles, parks, gardens, and stunning beaches. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, and there are many options for your Sintra day trip. Getting to Sintra usually takes less than an hour from Lisbon’s city centre.

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon?

Travelling from Lisbon to Sintra train station is super easy. Most visitors take the train, but there are some other options to reach the historic town center. Let’s examine all options.

Trains from Lisbon to Sintra

Travelling from Lisbon to Sintra by train is super easy, so planning your own Sintra day trips from Lisbon is pretty straightforward. If you stay in Lisbon’s city centre, you can take a train from Rossio Train Station. Sintra is the last stop on the route, and from the station, it’s a short and stunning walk to town.

The other service comes from Oriente Station, which offers a direct line to Sintra. The train from both these stations is the easiest way to travel to Sintra, and renting a car is not advisable if you only visit the town and palaces. Check this guide to help you travel from Lisbon to Sintra by train. If you want to explore more than Sintra town and the palaces, you can rent a car from Lisbon Airport or the city centre and spend a holiday in the mountains and at sea.

To travel cheaper within Lisbon and the surrounding area, you can purchase a Navegante Occasional Card (one per person) for € 0.50. This reusable card must be validated at the station. A one-way ticket from Rossio-Sintra and Oriente-Sintra costs € 2.40 and can be purchased at the station’s counters or machines. 

A 24-hour unlimited Lisbon public transport ticket costs € 10.70. It can be bought at Lisbon urban train ticket offices and ticket vending machines at the station. Travelling to Sintra by train is the cheapest option. But as many people come to Sintra by train, the train station gets bustling in the summer. Arriving early will be worth it!

The Sintra Green Card for your Sintra day trips from Lisbon

The Sintra Green Card is fantastic as it’s an all-in-one ticket for your visit to Sintra. The Sintra Green Card 1 includes a Sintra line train ticket, the Pena circuit (bus Scotturb route 434), admission to the Pena Palace and Park, Sintra National Palace, and a museum of your choice. The price is only € 31,00 per person. The Sintra Green Card 2 includes the same, but additionally, you can visit Queluz Palace. This ticket costs € 39,50 per person.

Organised Sintra day tours from Lisbon

Most organised Sintra day tours from Lisbon combine a couple of places and other sights in the area. One of the most popular routes is visiting Pena Palace, followed by Quinta da Regaleira. In the afternoon, you’ll see the cliffs and lighthouse at Cabo da Roca. The last stop is a visit to Cascais before heading back to Lisbon.

Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and Quinta da Regaleira are common combinations. Or Palácio da Pena, Palácio Nacional de Sintra, and Quinta da Regaleira. Below are some of the most popular options and excursions to Sintra.

Benefits of booking Sintra day trips from Lisbon

If time is short, the easiest and best way to see Sintra is with an organised tour. With a Sintra tour from Lisbon, everything will be ready from start to finish, and you can fully enjoy the day in this magical place. Your guide will know all the ins and outs of the locations you visit, making it a beautiful day out and an educational one.

Many tours offer hotel pick-ups or have a central meeting point in Lisbon. Booking a group tour is also a great way to meet new people. Or book a private tour for your travel group, so you enjoy a personalised day out. Especially for the first time, an organised day trip to Sintra is the ideal way to discover the most famous sights.

Drawbacks of excursions to Sintra

Sintra day tours from Lisbon are more expensive than organising the trip yourself. It will also take some time to plan out your day. Which palaces do you want to see? On the other side, visiting Sintra independently allows you to visit whichever place you want and when you want!

A day tour to Sintra can feel rushed, and you can only see the most popular sites in Sintra as the excursions have a pre-set itinerary. This probably means you’ll run into big crowds in the high season and miss hidden gems in Sintra.

When you arrive at Sintra Train Station, you can continue your journey on foot to Sintra town, the National Palace, and Quinta da Regaleira. If you want to visit Biester Palace, the Moorish Castle, and Pena Palace, you can take the 434 bus outside Sintra train station.

Bus 434 is a one-way route ending in Sintra Town Centre. If you want to visit the Moorish castle and Pena Palace, visiting Sintra Castelo dos Mouros first is best. You can then walk to Pena National Palace or hop on bus 434 again.

The other bus line is the 435. This bus stops near Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace. Both bus lines are operated by Scotturb, and you can buy a single ticket on the bus for € 4,55 per person. The hop-on hop-off bus in Sintra costs € 12,50.

Taxis and tuk-tuks in Sintra

As soon as you arrive at the train station in Sintra, you’ll be asked to join a ride with a tuk-tuk. Some offer just transport to highlights such as Quinta da Regaleira and Pena National Palace, and others provide full guided tours. The tuk-tuk is very convenient for getting around on the windy roads, and it’s also a bit of an adventure. This is also the most expensive way to get around.

Many windy roads don’t allow cars, so renting a car to see Pena Palace is not necessary. You can, however, take a taxi from Lisbon to Sintra. Uber and Bolt offer pretty good prices, and it’s a comfortable way to get there without crowds. You can also book Uber and Bolt in Sintra and travel between the Sintra highlights.

Reservations and ticket tips for all the attractions in Sintra

As you can see, a Sintra day trip from Lisbon is a must! Now you know how to get there, let’s look at all the highlights in Sintra. This way, you can select your favourite sights before heading out. With all the details in your pocket, you can decide whether you want to book an excursion to Sintra or whether you want to travel independently. Pre-booking tickets and tours are a must when you travel in the high season!

Skip the line tickets for your day trip from Lisbon to Sintra

Booking your tickets online is always recommended when visiting the palaces and sights. So, when you make a Sintra day trip from Lisbon independently rather than with a guided tour, be sure to be prepared. Especially in summer, chances are there are no more tickets available to the palaces. Book your tickets in advance when you come to Sintra without an organised tour. Tickets are often included when booking an organised tour.

Always buy Sintra skip-the-line tickets for:

• Pena Palace
• Quinta da Regaleira
• Moorish Castle
• Sintra National Palace
• Excursions with a guided tour from Lisbon to Sintra

Discover all the attractions in Sintra

Sintra is a unique place with palaces, castles, villas, museums, and natural beauty. If you have time, it’s a place not to miss this close to Lisbon. Below, you’ll get an idea of places you can visit in Sintra, but there is much more!

1. Sintra historic town center

The historic center in the hills of the Sintra Mountains is charming. Ancient castles, green hills, villas and palaces surround the municipality of Sintra, and the old town is a labyrinth of small streets, cosy restaurants and lovely shops.

There are also numerous museums to visit in the little town. Examples are the Natural History Museum, Ferreira de Castro Museum House, Anjos Teixeira Museum House, the News Museum, Museo de Bonsai, and the Sintra Art Museum MU.SA. Please note that the museums are closed on Mondays.

Extra info: The town centre is entirely free to visit during your Sintra day trip. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch or come back for dinner. The tourist bus stops here, too, and you can easily visit the main attractions from here.

2. Pena National Palace

The number one spot people visit is Parque e Palácio Nacional da Pena. Pena Palace stands on top of a hill, and it was once the summer residence of the Portuguese Royal Family. During your visit, you can visit the palace and Pena Park.

From the ticket office, it is a short but steep walk up to the palace entrance. If you have difficulty walking, there is a shuttle bus for an additional fee at Palacio Nacional da Pena. You receive a timed ticket for the stunning palace, so ensure you are on time. Allow extra time from the ticket office to the entrance of Pena Palace.

Once inside, you will visit several rooms and the courtyard of Pena Palace. The palace’s interior includes the Arms Room, the kitchen, and the former royal bedrooms. The Arabic, dining, and Stag rooms are also well worth visiting. The Manueline Cloister is covered in azulejo tiles, and you can see the chapel in the courtyard. The views from here are just fantastic!

Pena Park is often overlooked as tourists rush to the next palace in Sintra. Take your time before leaving Pena Palace, as the vast gardens are stunning and worth visiting! In the park, you’ll discover Templo das Colunas (Temple of Columns), Estátua do Guerreiro (the Warrior Statue), Chalet of the Countess of Edla, and Cruz Alta (the High Cross). Don’t forget to visit the mesmerising Valley of Lakes and Little Birds Fountain (Vale dos Lagos e Pateira) below the palace. 

The royal residence is a popular tourist destination, and planning your visit to Palácio Nacional da Pena is necessary. Booking ahead of time is also a must, as Pena National Palace is one of the most visited palaces in Sintra! Read more about the most beautiful royal palaces, or book your online ticket for Pena Palace below. 

Quick recap: Pre-booking your tickets for Palacio Nacional da Pena is a must! There are ticket kiosks at the palace, but as you receive a time slot in the high season, you might not be able to enter right then and there. It gets busy, but the gardens are quieter and one of the highlights of your day trip from Lisbon! You need 2 hours to see the palace, including transportation, or 4 hours to explore the gardens.

3. Castelo dos Mouros

Castelo dos Mouros is located just below Pena Palace, which is built on the same hill. The easiest way to get here is by tuk-tuk or bus. The distance between the two is walkable, and many people visit the two places simultaneously. If you take the tourist bus up the hill, be sure to visit Castelo do Mouros first and then Pena Palace!

The Moorish castle was built in the 10th century, and from its walls, you can enjoy a stunning view over Sintra and the mountains. The castle walls can also be climbed from the courtyard, so there will be a good amount of walking and some climbing involved. Many organised tours include both the castle and Pena Palace.

Extra information: You can see the Moorish castle in about 45-60 minutes. The walk to the castle walls takes some time, too, so from the main road, you’ll need a minimum of 1.5 hours for your visit to Castelo dos Mouros. Pre-booking your ticket is highly advisable!

4. Parque e Palácio de Monserrate

A little further out of town, you’ll discover the beauty of Parque e Palácio de Monserrate, my personal favourite! Even in the height of the season, Monserrate Palace is much quieter than the most famous Sintra sights. The garden is simply stunning and a tranquil paradise.

Monserrate Palace has a rich history, which you’ll discover during your visit. The building has Indian, Gothic, and Moorish influences. If you are travelling independently, you can reach Monserrate Palace by bus, car, or taxi. Please click here to read the whole post or prebook your ticket online.

Additional travel info: You need 45 minutes to one hour to see Monserrate Palace. But the gardens here are incredible! There are even hidden chapel ruins and rare plants from all over the world. To enjoy this magical place fully, block out at least 3 to 4 hours. Also, remember that Monserrate Palace is a bit further out of town, so it takes extra time to get here. There is a car park, but it’s a little small.

5. Convento dos Capuchos

One of the most challenging places to get to (unless you take a taxi or drive) is Convento dos Capuchos, another hidden gem and personal favourite! The Convent of the Capuchos is situated in the middle of the forest of the Sintra Mountains.

The Franciscan convent, known as the Convent of Cork, was first built in 1560. Cork was used as a finishing material, hence the nickname. Read more information about this tranquil place here.

Extra information: There is a large car park available if you drive to the Cork Convent.

6. Palácio Nacional de Sintra

On the other hand, Palacio Nacional de Sintra is extremely easy to get to. The palace is located in the heart of Sintra town, and the structure is easy to notice. Sintra National Palace contains two massive chimneys that have become the symbol of Sintra. When visiting Sintra, the National Palace is the perfect place to dive into Portuguese history.

Inside Sintra National Palace, you can visit several rooms. Discover the Swan Room, the Magpie Room, and the Golden Room. But the highlight is yet to come. Your jaw might drop when entering Sala dos Brasões or the Heraldic Hall! Your ticket will also include an audio tour to learn more about what is known as the oldest palace in Portugal!

Additional information: You need about 1,5 hours to see Sintra National Palace. Buying tickets upfront is highly recommended.

7. Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira is within walking distance from Sintra Train Station. It’s a mysterious place full of magic and mystery. You can visit the villa’s interiors, and the park has many hidden secrets.

One of the most famous sights is the Poço Iniciático (the Initiation Well), with a spiral staircase that leads to the Templar Cross on the ground. When walking down the inverted tower, can you decipher all the symbols with links to masonry, alchemy, and tarot?

In the gardens, you’ll also discover Waterfall Lake (Lago da Cascata), Poço Imperfeito, a chapel, Gruta do Labyrint and Leda’s Cave underneath the Regaleira Tower. For more information, check the blog about Quinta da Regaleira here. 

Quinta da Regaleira travel info: Booking your tickets online is a must, as this place is always busy! The inverted tower, the Initiation Well, is a visitor’s highlight. When the park is busy, you might queue for over 1,5 hours to walk to the bottom. It is well worth waiting, but it’s good to mention if you plan multiple sights on your one-day trip to Sintra.

8. Palácio e Parque Biester

Have you seen the movie The Ninth Gate with Johnny Depp? Then Biester Palace might look familiar as it was used as a film set. After extensive renovations, the palace has been open to the public since April 2022.

It was first built in 1880, and the neo-gothic windows look out over the mountains and Pena Palace. From Sintra Town, it takes around 15 minutes by foot to reach Biester Palace. 

Extra information: Biester Chalet is a true hidden gem that is often overlooked. So, if you prefer a quiet spot in Sintra, this is the place to be! For that reason, there is no reason to pre-book tickets. But the tickets with GetYourGuide are currently cheaper than buying them at the ticket kiosks!

Example Sintra itinerary for your day trip

Most visitors can only spend one day in Sintra, so preparation is crucial. After reading a bit more about the highlights, you can decide which places you want to visit. When you book an organized tour from Lisbon, the guide will follow a set Sintra itinerary. But if you take the train from Rossio Station, you can also make your own plans. Here are some ideas for the perfect Sintra day trip! You can also, of course, reverse the morning with the afternoon.

1. Start your day at the Moorish castle walls to enjoy the best mountain views. From here, you can make your way to Pena National Palace. After spending time at Pena Palace and the gardens, head back to town to enjoy lunch. Afterwards, you can visit Quinta da Regaleira or Sintra National Palace in the afternoon.
2. Start your day at the UNESCO World Heritage site Pena Palace in the morning. Enjoy lunch in the village and spend the afternoon in the gardens of Monserrate Palace.
3. Discover the hidden gems on your Sintra day trip and avoid the crowds by visiting Biester Palace, Monserrate Palace and the Convent of the Capuchos.
4. Stay one night so you can see even more Sintra highlights. On day one, you can visit the Moorish castle walls and Pena National Palace in the morning. After lunch, you can visit the National Palace and the historical centre. On day two, you can start at Quinta da Regaleira and spend the afternoon at Monserrate Palace.

How long do I need to visit Sintra?

You can visit a maximum of 2 to 3 palaces daily, especially if you want to see the gardens. I see many people running around at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Parques de Sintra. Ultimately, you will be exhausted and see only a tiny part of it when you visit Pena Palace, for example. You’ll need around half a day to see the areas in most palaces.

The most popular places in Sintra are Palácio da Pena and Quinta da Regaleira. The palaces can get packed in summer, so you must pre-book your ticket and prepare for possible delays. Inside Pena Palace and at the Initiation Well, you can most definitely expect a queue.

You’ll also be walking a lot at the sights, although tuk-tuks and buses are available to and from the palaces. Be sure to wear good walking shoes! Booking an organised tour will ensure you see a lot in one day, but if you plan it well, you can cover a lot on your day from Lisbon to Sintra.

Other places to discover during a day trip to Sintra

Sintra includes more than just the town and the palaces. Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is a favourite hiking spot by many, and the coastline is simply gorgeous! If you’ve rented a car and you’re fit to walk, you can discover Praia da Ursa. It’s a little hike to the beach, but it’s oh-so worth it! Discover more Sintra beaches!

Or visit Cabo da Roca, the most western point of mainland Europe. Some of my favourite coastal towns are Azenhas do Mar and Praia das Maçãs. When you plan a trip to Sintra from Lisbon, add some of these places to your wish list!

The easiest way to discover these parts of Sintra is by car. If you plan to visit Sintra town and the palaces, a car is more of a nuisance than a help. However, a car is helpful to discover the tiny seaside towns, hidden beaches, and waterfalls. 

Bonus tips: also visit Fervença waterfall, Praia do Magoito, Colares, and the Sanctuary of Peninha. Or take a look at the picturesque village Aldeia da Mata Pequena, where you can even stay the night!

Staying overnight in Sintra

Sintra has many beautiful places where you can stay. And there are many benefits to staying in Sintra overnight. You won’t have to travel back to Lisbon, meaning you can enjoy a lovely dinner in Sintra.

The town is quieter at night, and the same goes for the early morning. You can be the first in line at the palaces and sights. It’s easy to spend 2-3 days in Sintra if you want to visit more than two places. Renting a hotel or B&B is the perfect way to make the most of your fairy-tale trip to Sintra.

Some of Discover Portugal’s favourites are Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais and Chalet Saudade in Sintra Town. Quinta das Murtas is perfect if you like to sleep in Sintra style! Vila Município is just outside of the town, and MouraLua is ideal if you want to stay within budget.

Do you want to stay in nature or on the beautiful coast? Villa Maça House, Azenhas do Mar, and the Arribas Sintra Hotel are stunning and convenient. Check the map below to find your perfect Sintra accommodation!

FAQ

Conclusion

Depending on your time, there are several ways to visit Sintra. If time is scarce, and you don’t fancy organising it all by yourself, an organised tour is the best value for money. You can visit anywhere from 1 to 3 palaces, and your tour might include a visit to Cabo da Roca and Cascais.

If you have time, staying the night allows you to visit more places. The most famous sights are Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, the Moorish castle walls, and Sintra Palace.

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