Day Trips to Sintra from Lisbon

If you're in Lisbon, a trip to Sintra is a must. 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 to the Pena Palace included and much more.

The most economical option

Sintra and Cascais 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 S$109 at Hellotickets

When deciding on the best way to get to Sintra from Lisbon, there are several things to consider, such as the most comfortable option, whether you want to see more or get the most out of your visit with 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 cliffs of Boca do Inferno, 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 cities 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 S$143 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 city's most fascinating places. 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 know to understand the history and symbolism of these places. You will visit the Pena Palace, a building worthy of a fairy tale, 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 way and without effort.

From S$116 at Hellotickets

If you fancy seeing Sintra from a different perspective, this electric bike tour to Sintra and Cascais is a very original option. Over the course of around 7 hours, you'll travel through 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 tour accessible even if you're 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 delve into the natural landscapes surrounding the area.

The route then continues to Cascais, an old fishing village with an elegant atmosphere, 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, entrance fees included and total flexibility to explore Sintra as you wish.

From S$406 at Hellotickets

If you prefer a more peaceful experience without groups, this private excursion to Sintra with tickets to the Pena Palace is the 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 city declared a World Heritage Site.

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.

You can also 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 suit you.

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 about the different monuments and places of interest you visit at your fingertips.

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 guide, you'll 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's the most comfortable, comprehensive and efficient way to see 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, namely:

• Tickets for the Pena Palace in Sintra, from S$36
• Tickets for Pena Park, from S$15
• Tickets for the Castle of the Moors in Sintra, from S$18

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 who are further away from the city centre can take a train to Sintra from this station. However, the journey is longer and at some times 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 way is to take bus 434, which connects the station with the old part of the city.

Joaquín's Traveller Tip:

In summer and at weekends, there are often long queues at Lisbon's train stations for trains 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, making it not the best option. Firstly, there is only a service between April and September. If you still decide to take this option, you will have to go to Marqués del Pombal square and look for bus number 35, known as the Sintra Express.

The advantage is that it is fast, as the journey only takes half an hour. 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.

As for the price, the Sintra Express costs around £10 for a single journey, while a return ticket costs around £15. You can find the updated timetables on the Vimeca website, along with any possible changes to the service.

Given its proximity, it is not surprising that many people decide to drive to Lisbon and use their car for day trips. Another increasingly popular and economical option is to hire a car. Getting to Sintra this way is very easy, but it is not necessarily 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 during the week in low season you will have a better chance. Sintra has several car parks, but with so few spaces, 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 problem of parking, but the round trip will easily exceed £75.

Whether you go on your own or with a tour, your visit to Sintra will focus on its historic centre and some nearby places that stand out for their landscapes. Here is a brief summary of the places you cannot 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 the 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 an image of a fairytale castle in mind, with its towers and sculptures, you'll be close to imagining Quinta da Regaleira. Entrance fees 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 a tour to Sintra, Cascais, the Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Regaleira from Lisbon or book a tour to Sintra, the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira from Lisbon.
• Castle of the Moors: also known as the Castle of Sintra, this building is located on top of a mountain. To get there, you have to look for 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 Castle of the Moors in Sintra in advance.