30km from Lisbon
The Pena Palace sits atop the Sintra Mountains as its most prized and best-preserved landmark. Its vibrant facade, intricate architecture, and centuries of history make it a must-visit in Sintra.
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Why choose day trips to Sintra?
Sintra is one of the most sought-after destinations in Portugal, with several attractions such as the Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and the Quinta da Regaleira. While you can explore them individually, the best and most convenient option is to cover all of them in a single day trip. Since all day trips start from Lisbon, you can easily cover Sintra in half a day to a full day, along with several other attractions and landmarks around it, including Cabo da Roca, Cascais, and even Nazaré and Fátima.
Pre-planned itinerary
Choosing a day trip gives you the benefit of a pre-planned itinerary that covers various key attractions, depending on which one you choose. For example, the Day trip to Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira covers three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sintra in a single trip.
Attractions you’ll see on your day trip to Sintra
Quinta da Regaleira
27km from Lisbon
Designed by the famous architect Louigi Manini, the Quinta da Regaleira is a vast estate that is also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. With mysterious elements, the Initiation Well, and more, it’s one of Sintra’s best landmarks.
Moorish Castle
32km from Lisbon
Also known as the Castle of the Moors, this fortification is heavily influenced by the ages of the Vikings, the Romantic era, and various Islamic elements. It offers panoramic views of the Sintra Mountains too.
Belém Tower
13km from Lisbon
Built to protect Lisbon from forthcoming raids along the Tagus River, the Belém Tower is one of Portugal’s most well-known landmarks with a rich history. It is also one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
Tips to enhance your Sintra day trips
- Arrive on time: Each tour is carefully curated to allow for ample time at each landmark or attraction. Arriving at the meeting point on time is crucial to ensuring the tour is seamless and doesn’t have to be cut short due to a delay.
- Visit during the low-season: Visiting Sintra during the low season is the best way to enjoy a laid-back trip, fewer crowds, and great weather. Bike, rickshaw, and private taxi drivers are also less likely to hassle you.
- Explore Sintra via a bus: The 434 bus is the most convenient way to go from Sintra Station to Sintra Village, the Moorish Castle, and the Pena Palace, especially since driving around Sintra can be challenging.
- Grab lunch at Bacalhau na Vila: Loved by most tourists who visit Sintra, this restaurant offers several dishes centered around cod, one of the healthiest white fish and a staple among those living around the North Atlantic.
- Wear comfortable shoes: All the day trips involve a lot of walking and exploration, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- Avoid carrying prohibited items: Landmarks like the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira don’t allow the use of a flash, tripods, and selfie sticks. If your tour includes these attractions, avoid carrying such prohibited items.
- Carry enough cash: You’ll get the chance to shop and dine during your tour, which sometimes may also include tastings of local delicacies. Make sure you carry enough cash to make the most of these experiences.
- Keep yourself hydrated: Sintra and its nearby cities can be fairly hot during the peak season, so you must carry plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated.
Frequently asked questions about day trips to Sintra
Most Sintra day trips include a visit, along with a guided tour, to major attractions such as the Pena Palace or Quinta da Regaleira. Some even cover cities like Cabo da Roca or Cascais. These day trips also include seamless round-trip transfers from Lisbon, allowing you to cover places like Sintra and others in half a day or beyond.
Yes, all the day trips offer round-trip transfers from Lisbon in an AC coach, making it convenient for you to visit multiple attractions in a single tour.
Day trips to Sintra can last anywhere between 8-10 hours, depending on the attractions or cities covered and the distance between them.
Some tours include entrance fees to the attractions they cover, whereas others, such as the Day Trip to Sintra, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Cabo da Roca & Cascais, give you the option to purchase a ticket with entrance to the attractions covered.
If you purchase tickets to a day trip without entry to the attractions covered, you can purchase the entrance tickets on the day. However, these are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
Some tours are accessible to wheelchair users, whereas others are not. This depends on the terrain at the different attractions covered and the amount of walking required.
Unfortunately, you cannot bring your pets along on these day trips due to restrictions at the attractions.
You should wear comfortable walking shoes as all the tours involve a lot of walking. Additionally, make sure to carry some extra cash for tips, shopping, and food & drinks you‘d like to purchase during the tour. If you’re coming with a baby, make sure to carry a child seat as they’re not provided on the bus.
