Day Trips to Sintra from Lisbon

If you're in Lisbon, a trip to Sintra is almost mandatory. This fairytale town, declared a World Heritage Site, is less than an hour away and offers colourful palaces, mysterious gardens and incredible views. Here are the best ways to visit: from organised tours and bike routes to private excursions with tickets included to the Pena Palace and much more.

The most economical option

Sintra and Cascais Small Group Day Trip from Lisbon

Discover two of Portugal's iconic cities

An 8-hour excursion with a local guide that will allow you to explore all the beauty of both cities.

From €66 at Hellotickets

When deciding on the best way to get to Sintra from Lisbon, there are several aspects to consider, such as which is the most comfortable way, whether you want to take advantage of seeing more things, or whether you want to get the most out of your trip by having information about what you are seeing. For those who want all these advantages, the excursion to Sintra and Cascais is the best option.

Lasting approximately 8 hours and accompanied by a local guide, you will immerse yourself in the history, curiosities and interesting facts of both cities: Sintra, a World Heritage Site, and Cascais, an old fishing village. You will also discover other beautiful spots in the region, such as the Boca do Inferno cliffs, Cabo da Roca and Guincho beach, and, of course, you will also explore the landscape of the Sintra and Estoril Natural Park.

Recommended if... you want a complete overview of the region in a single day, combining nature, coastline and two must-see towns near Lisbon.

The most comprehensive option

Sintra, Pena Palace and Quinta Regaleira Day Trip from Lisbon

Explore Sintra with access to the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira

A day trip from Lisbon in a small group, with a guide and skip-the-line tickets to the most iconic monuments.

From €96 at Hellotickets

If you are looking for a complete excursion to Sintra from Lisbon, this is an ideal option: comfortable, well organised and with tickets included to two of the most fascinating places in the city. Unlike other tours, this excursion to Sintra with tickets to the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira allows you to skip the queues at these monuments, saving you time and ensuring a smoother experience.

During the day, you will travel in a small group, in an air-conditioned vehicle, and always accompanied by an expert guide who will explain everything you need to understand the history and symbolism of these places. You will visit the Pena Palace, a fairytale-worthy building, and explore the enigmatic gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, with its tunnels, caves and architecture steeped in mystery.

You will also have time to stroll through the historic centre of Sintra, a World Heritage Site, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this town steeped in romance and legends.

Recommended if... you want to visit the most emblematic monuments of Sintra without worrying about tickets or transport.

The most original

Sintra and Cascais Day Trip from Lisbon with Bike Tour

Discover Sintra and Cascais by electric bike from Lisbon

An active excursion in a small group with a guide, perfect for discovering the region in a different and effortless way.

From €79 at Hellotickets

If you want to get to know Sintra from a different perspective, this electric bike tour to Sintra and Cascais is a very original option. Over the course of about 7 hours, you will travel through natural landscapes, vineyards, cliffs and charming villages on a route that combines gentle exercise and culture.

First, you will take a train to Sintra, where you will begin the electric bike route, which makes the tour accessible even if you are not used to cycling much. You will pass some of Sintra's main palaces and gardens, such as the Monserrate Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira, and venture into the natural landscapes surrounding the area.

The route then continues to Cascais, an elegant old fishing village, where you can stroll through the historic centre and admire the stunning views of the ocean from the cliffs. The entire tour is done in a small group with an expert guide who will accompany you and tell you historical details and interesting facts about the area.

Recommended if... you are looking for a different kind of excursion, in contact with nature and with an active touch without sacrificing comfort.

The premium option

Sintra Private Day Trip from Lisbon with Pena Palace Tickets

Sintra at your own pace: private tour with tickets to the Pena Palace

An exclusive guided tour with private transport, tickets included and total flexibility to explore Sintra as you wish.

From €276 at Hellotickets

If you prefer a more relaxed experience without groups, this private excursion to Sintra with tickets to the Pena Palace is a perfect option. With the comfort of a private vehicle that picks you up in Lisbon, and accompanied by an exclusive guide, you will discover the most special corners of this World Heritage city.

The tour includes a visit to the Pena Palace, with tickets included, so you can explore this fairytale castle without queuing. From there, you will enjoy some of the best views in the region. The guide will accompany you during the visit, but you will also have free time to stroll through the historic centre or have a leisurely drink.

In addition, you can take the opportunity to visit places such as the National Palace of Sintra or the Castelo dos Mouros, and adjust the pace of the day to your liking.

Recommended if... you want a more personalised and complete experience, without rushing or groups, with everything organised for you.

Without a doubt, if you want to go to Sintra from Lisbon, the best option is an excursion, as you won't have to worry about logistics or the journey, and if you choose an option with a tour guide, you'll have all the details at your fingertips about the different monuments and places of interest you visit.

In addition, many include skip-the-line access to monuments such as the Pena Palace or the Quinta da Regaleira, which is very useful, especially in high season. And if you opt for a tour with a tour guide, you will get historical context, anecdotes and explanations that will help you understand why Sintra is such a special city.

Another great advantage is that you can enjoy the journey without having to drive yourself, which is important in a mountainous area with traffic and limited access by private car. In short, it is the most comfortable, comprehensive and efficient way to get to know Sintra in a single day.

If you prefer to go on your own, you also have the option of purchasing the Lisbon Card, which includes free travel to Sintra. However, in this case, I recommend that you book your tickets to the monuments you want to see as soon as possible, i.e.:

• Tickets for the Pena Palace in Sintra, from €20
• Tickets for Pena Park, from €10
• Tickets for the Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra, from €12

If you prefer to travel to Sintra on your own, the best option is undoubtedly the train. Comboios, Portugal's railway network, offers a service between Lisbon and Sintra from before 6 a.m. until approximately 1 a.m. The price couldn't be more competitive, as a return ticket costs only around €5. There are two lines connecting the two towns, with departures from different stations in Lisbon:

• Rossio Station: the line that departs from this station is the most convenient for almost all visitors to Lisbon, as it is relatively close to neighbourhoods such as Baixa and Chiado. It is also within walking distance of one of the areas with the most to see: Alfama.
• Oriente Station: travellers staying in areas further away from the centre can take a train to Sintra from this station. However, the journey is longer and at certain times of the day you will have to change trains.

How to get from Sintra station to the historic centre

The train journey between Lisbon and Sintra does not end when you arrive at the station, as you have to travel about 3 kilometres to the old town. The most convenient option is to take bus 434, which connects the station with the old part of the city.

Joaquín's Traveller Tip:

In summer and on weekends, there are often long queues at Lisbon's train stations with departures to Sintra. To avoid problems, try to arrive at least 20 minutes in advance.

Despite the proximity between Lisbon and Sintra, the bus service between the two towns is quite poor, which means it is not the best option. Firstly, there is only a connection between April and September. If you still choose this option, you will have to go to Marqués del Pombal square and look for bus line number 35, which is called the Sintra Express.

The advantage of this option is its speed, as it only takes half an hour to complete the journey. The stop in Sintra is next to the train station, which means you will have to take bus 434 to the historic centre or walk 3 kilometres uphill.

In terms of price, the Sintra Express costs around €10 for a single journey, while a return ticket costs around €15. You can find the latest timetables on the Vimeca website, as well as any possible changes to the service.

Given the geographical proximity, it is not surprising that many people decide to travel to Lisbon by car and use it for excursions. Another increasingly popular and economical option is to hire a car. Travelling to Sintra this way is very easy, but it cannot be said to be the best option:

• Advantage: the road is easy to navigate and you can get there in just 30 minutes via the A37 or IC15 motorways, without having to pay any tolls.
• Disadvantage: The problem arises when you enter Sintra. Unless you arrive very early, you will start to see cars parked everywhere, which gives you an idea of how difficult it is to find parking, although you will have a better chance during the week in the low season. Sintra has several car parks, but with so few spaces that they fill up very quickly every day.

To avoid these inconveniences, some people prefer to hire a taxi to get to Sintra. Obviously, this eliminates the parking problem, but the round trip will easily exceed €75.

Whether you go on your own or on an organised tour, your visit to Sintra will focus on its historic centre and some nearby places that stand out for their scenery. Here is a brief summary of the places you shouldn't miss.

• Pena Palace: this is the best known and most visited monument in Sintra. This palace is considered one of the most beautiful in Portugal, thanks in part to its fantastic location on a hill. Book an excursion to Sintra or tickets to Pena Palace in Sintra if you prefer to go on your own.
• Sintra National Palace: although less famous than the previous one, the Sintra National Palace is also worth a leisurely visit. Both its interior and exterior have many interesting features and are sure to delight all visitors. Before you go, I recommend checking the opening hours, as they change depending on the season. The price is around €10.
• Quinta da Regaleira: if you have in mind the image of a fairytale castle, with its towers and sculptures, you will be close to imagining this Quinta da Regaleira. Admission prices range from €8 to €16, depending on whether you want a guide or not. Opening hours vary depending on the season. You can also opt for the full experience and book an excursion to Sintra, Cascais, the Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Regaleira from Lisbon, or book an excursion to Sintra, the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira from Lisbon.
• Castle of the Moors: also known as Sintra Castle, this building is located on top of a mountain. To get there, you have to find some stone steps, but the climb is not difficult. From the top, you can enjoy fantastic views of the Atlantic, weather permitting. I recommend booking tickets for the Castelo dos Mouros de Sintra in advance.