Day Trips to Sintra from Lisbon

If you’re in Lisbon, a trip to Sintra is almost a must. This fairytale town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is less than an hour away and boasts colourful palaces, enchanting gardens and incredible views. Here are the best ways to visit: from organised tours and cycle routes to private excursions with tickets included for 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 tour with a local guide, allowing 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 factors to consider, such as which is the most comfortable option, whether you want to make the most of your time to see more sights, or if you wish to get the most out of your visit by having information about what you’re seeing. For those who want all these benefits, the excursion to Sintra and Cascais is the best option.

Lasting approximately 8 hours and accompanied by a local guide, you’ll immerse yourself in the history, curiosities and points of interest of both towns: Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Cascais, a former fishing village. You’ll also discover other beautiful spots in the region, such as the cliffs of Boca do Inferno, Cabo da Roca and Guincho Beach, and, of course, you’ll explore the landscape of the Sintra and Estoril Natural Park.

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

The most comprehensive option

Sintra, Pena Palace and Quinta Regaleira Day Trip from Lisbon

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

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

From €96 at Hellotickets

If you’re looking for a comprehensive day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, this is an ideal option: comfortable, well-organised and with tickets included to two of the city’s most fascinating sites. Unlike other tours, this trip 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’ll 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’ll visit the Pena Palace, a building straight out of a fairy tale, and explore the enigmatic gardens of the Quinta da Regaleira, with its tunnels, grottoes and architecture steeped in mystery.

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

Recommended if... you want to visit Sintra’s most iconic monuments without worrying about tickets or transport.

The most original

Sintra and Cascais Day Trip from Lisbon with Bike Tour

Explore Sintra and Cascais by e-bike from Lisbon

A guided activity for small groups, perfect for exploring the region in a different way and with ease.

From €79 at Hellotickets

If you fancy seeing Sintra from a different perspective, this e-bike tour of Sintra and Cascais is a truly original option. Over the course of around 7 hours, you’ll explore natural landscapes, vineyards, cliffs and charming villages on a route that combines gentle exercise and culture.

First, you’ll take a train to Sintra, where you’ll start the electric bike route, making the trip accessible even if you’re not used to cycling much. You’ll pass by some of Sintra’s main palaces and gardens, such as the Palace of Monserrate or the Quinta da Regaleira, and venture into the natural landscapes surrounding the area.

Afterwards, the route continues towards Cascais, a former fishing village with an elegant atmosphere, where you can stroll through its historic centre and take in the stunning views of the ocean from the cliffs. The entire tour takes place in a small group with an expert guide who will accompany you and share historical details and interesting facts about the surroundings.

Recommended if... you’re looking for a unique excursion, in touch with nature and with an active element without sacrificing comfort.

The premium option

Sintra Private Day Trip from Lisbon with Pena Palace Tickets

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

An exclusive guided tour with private transport, including admission tickets, and complete freedom to explore Sintra at your own pace.

From €285 at Hellotickets

If you prefer a more relaxed experience without groups, this private excursion to Sintra with tickets to the Pena Palace is the perfect choice. With the comfort of a private vehicle picking you up in Lisbon, and accompanied by a dedicated guide, you’ll discover the most special corners of this World Heritage Site.

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

You can also take the opportunity to visit places such as the National Palace of Sintra or the Castelo dos Mouros, and tailor the pace of the day to your liking.

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

Without a doubt, if you want to visit Sintra from Lisbon, the best option is a guided tour, as you won’t have to worry about logistics or the journey; and if you opt for a tour with a guide, you’ll have all the details at your fingertips about the various monuments and places of interest you visit.

What’s more, 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 guide, you’ll get historical context, anecdotes and explanations that will help you understand why Sintra is such a special town.

Another major advantage is that you can enjoy the journey without having to drive yourself, which is important in a mountainous area with heavy traffic and limited access for private cars. In short, it’s the most comfortable, comprehensive and efficient way to explore Sintra in a single day.

If you prefer to go on your own, you also have the option of purchasing the Lisboa Card, which includes a free trip to Sintra. That said, in this case I recommend that you book tickets for the monuments you’ll be visiting as soon as possible, namely:

• Tickets for the Pena Palace in Sintra, from €20
• Tickets for Pena Park, from €10
• Tickets for the Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra, from €14

If you prefer to travel to Sintra on your own, the best option is undoubtedly the train. Comboios, Portugal’s rail network, runs a service between Lisbon and Sintra from before 6 am until around 1 am. What’s more, the price couldn’t be more competitive, as a return journey costs just around €5. There are two lines connecting the two towns, with departures from different stations in Lisbon:

• Rossio Station: the line departing from this station is the most convenient for almost all visitors to Lisbon, as it is relatively close to neighbourhoods such as Baixa or Chiado. You can also walk there from one of the areas with the most to see: Alfama.
• Oriente Station: travellers staying in areas further away from the city centre can catch a train to Sintra from this station. However, the journey is longer and, at certain times, a change is required.

How to get from Sintra station to the historic centre

The train journey between Lisbon and Sintra doesn’t end when you arrive at the station, as you still have to travel about 3 kilometres to the old town. The easiest way is to take bus 434, which connects the station with the old town.

Joaquín’s Traveller Tip:

In summer and at weekends, there are often quite long queues at Lisbon’s train stations for services to Sintra. To avoid any issues, try to arrive at least 20 minutes in advance.

Despite the proximity between Lisbon and Sintra, the bus service between the two towns is rather poor, which means it isn’t the best option. Firstly, there are only services between April and September. If you do decide to go this route, you’ll need to head to Marquês do Pombal Square and look for bus route number 35, known as the Sintra Express.

Where it does come out on top is in terms of speed, as the journey takes just half an hour. The stop in Sintra is next to the train station, which means you’ll have to take bus 434, which connects the station to the historic centre, or walk 3 kilometres uphill.

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

Given the geographical proximity, it is hardly surprising that many choose to travel to Lisbon by car and use it for day trips. Another option, which is becoming increasingly popular and economical, is to hire a car. Travelling to Sintra this way is very straightforward, but, despite this, it cannot be said to be the best option:

• Advantage: the route is straightforward and you can reach Sintra in just 30 minutes via the A37 or IC15, without having to pay any tolls.
• Disadvantage: The problem arises when you’re entering Sintra. Unless you arrive very early, you’ll start to see cars parked everywhere, which gives you an idea of how difficult it is to find a parking space, although during the week in the low season you might have a chance. Sintra has several car parks, though with so few spaces that they fill up very quickly every day.

To avoid these hassles, some people prefer to hire a taxi to get to Sintra. Obviously, this solves the parking problem, but the return journey will easily cost over €75.

Whether you’re exploring on your own or on a guided tour, a visit to Sintra will focus on its historic centre and a few nearby spots renowned for their scenery. Here’s a brief summary of the must-see attractions.

• Pena Palace: this is Sintra’s best-known and most visited monument. The palace is considered one of the most beautiful in the whole of Portugal, a reputation enhanced by its fantastic hilltop location. Book a tour to Sintra or tickets for 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 well worth a leisurely visit. Both its interior and exterior feature many points of interest and are sure to delight all visitors. Before you go, I recommend checking the opening hours, as they vary by season. Admission is around 10 euros.
• Quinta da Regaleira: if you have in mind the image of a fairytale castle, with its turrets and sculptures, you’ll be close to imagining this Quinta da Regaleira. Entry prices range from €8 to €16, depending on whether you want a guide or not. Opening hours vary by season. You can also opt for the full experience and book a day trip to Sintra, Cascais, the Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Regaleira from Lisbon, or book a day trip to Sintra, the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira from Lisbon.
• Castelo dos Mouros: also known as Sintra Castle, this building is situated on top of a hill. To get there, you’ll need to find some stone steps, but the climb isn’t difficult. From the top, you’ll be able to enjoy fantastic views of the Atlantic, weather permitting. I recommend booking your tickets for Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra in advance.