A Guide to Sintra: How to Enjoy the Most Magical Day Trip from Lisbon

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If you want fairytale palaces, crumbling castle ruins and magical and mysterious gardens, Sintra, Portugal is the place to go. This is the ultimate guide to Sintra: what to see and do and how to get around.

Just 40 minutes away by train, Sintra is an easy and accessible day trip from Lisbon. But you could easily spend several days here and not see everything Sintra has to offer! If you can only spare one day the best thing to do is to pick a maximum of 3 attractions before you visit, otherwise you might end up overwhelmed!

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The History of Sintra

Whilst I might have lamented the cooler air in my thin cardigan, it is the hilltop air that drew the Portuguese royals up to make Sintra their summer playground. They leave behind a vast array of different styles from across the ages, from Moorish and Gothic to Romantic and Renaissance.

The name Sintra came from the Romans who named it after the goddess of the moon ‘Cynthia’ and worshipped her there.

The Best Places to See in Sintra

If you have only one day in Sintra you need to prioritise. Select the top three attractions that most catch your eye and plan your day around them. The worst thing you could do is try to see everything! It’s simply not possible. Even I was surprised how much time had passed by the time I got to each attraction. You can plan, plan, plan but it is still so easy to over-do it! My top three picks in Sintra were:

Pena Palace

It’s the big shouty colour–popping ‘look at me look at me’ palace that refuses to be overlooked. It’s iconic beauty makes it impossible to leave off the list even though the crowds of people thinking the same thing could put you off!

Bold hues of yellow and red sparkle even when the mist rolls in – and it does get misty up in the hills so try not to be disappointed if your dreams of the perfect Sintra photo op elude you!

Once you’ve gawped for long enough take a soothing stroll through the lovely gardens and escape those crowds!

Top Tips for Pena Palace

The best way to enjoy Pena is to go as early as possible– it’s only going to get busier and busier as the day goes on! Ideally if you’re mega rich you should take a taxi from Lisbon at half seven to be at the front of the line when it opens. At first I thought that it would be crazy to spend so much (I am not mega rich) but I cannot help thinking this would be an incredibly easy and hassle free way to go and get to see the Palace when it’s quiet! The crowds seriously hamper the enjoyment factor.

Another tip is to only purchase a ticket for the terraces and gardens.

What I didn’t realise was that the ticket for the gardens DOES allow you onto the castle walls and terraces so you do get up close and see all the beautiful colours of the outer palace! If you pay for the full price ticket you get to go inside as well which if you are a big fan of grand interiors go for it! I absolutely would – except for the fact that you queue to go in (a very very long queue) and then you stay in the queue to walk, or I should say shuffle, around the inside of the palace! I got a serious case of what I like to call impatient leg syndrome! The insides are lovely but as an experience I found it wasn’t worth it. I need to wander freely!

Also, the restaurant inside does some yummy cake if you’re feeling peckish! It’s the kind of day where unless you have a pack up you are inevitably going to end up eating at the attraction cafes and restaurants.

Price: Full Ticket – Palace and Gardens €14,00
Price: Gardens and Palace Terraces: €7,50 – I recommend!

Another tip is to buy combined tickets for the different attractions from the ticket office inside the station to receive a small discount. Quinta da Regaleira is the only one which you have to purchase separately.

Castelo dos Mouros

This is the ideal next stop as it’s right next door to Pena. Just a short walk down the road will find you at the entrance. This rugged and exposed castle makes a great contrast to the fanciful palace! Feel the wind in your hair and the rush of reaching the summit!

Top Tips for Castelo dos Mouros

Wear comfy shoes! Some of the paths are quite rough and there is a good bit of walking required. Don’t be put off though it’s a very doable walk, if you’re fairly fit you won’t have any trouble.

It’s also worth noting that some of the paths are quite exposed and there’s no health and safety railing, just in case you’re scared of heights! I’m not too bad but I did feel the occasional jolt to the heart! Perhaps one to miss on a particularly windy day.

Price: €8,00

Quinta da Regaleira

I have a soft spot for this elegant and whimsical choice. Because time had got away from me(!) I decided to only wander the gardens which I had read so much about. I knew I couldn’t resist a mysterious network of tunnels and wells beneath the gardens!

Top Tips for Quinta da Regaleira

Go first to the Initiation Well at the top of the gardens (they give you a map with all the best spots on). You might have to queue for a minute but it’s the best way into the tunnels as you can only walk down the well not up. So you wouldn’t get to see the crazy swirling architecture from above if you came in from the bottom!

Continue on through the tunnels to find waterfalls and stepping stones. Some of the tunnels are so low I managed to bang my head! (And I’m tiny!… but also clumsy!)

Price: €8,00

Sintra’s Historic Centre

If you’re happy to spend much of your day in Sintra the next thing to do is to have a wander round the shops and quaint streets of the old town centre. You could even grab a bite to eat. For me – cod tapas!

If You Have Longer…

If you have several days to spend in Sintra these are the other attractions you might want to check out:

• The National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) – this gothic style royal residence is in the heart of Sintra, so handy to pair with a stroll round the old town (€10,00)
• Palácio de Monserrate – this 19th century mansion is much quieter than the other attractions since its the furthest away (€8,00)
• Pena Park – secret treasures lurk along the maze of forested paths. Walk up the Cruz Alta for wonderful views of the palace.
• Sintra’s beaches: Praia da Ursa and Praia da Adraga are hailed as some of the best in Portugal
• Palácio Nacional e Jardins de Queluz – a beautiful 18th century palace
• The Convento dos Capuchos – visit this peaceful monastery for a complete contrast to all the opulence.

Getting to and Around Sintra

Lisbon is the closest airport.

Lisbon to Sintra

If you’re taking a day trip from Lisbon you can catch the train from Rossio Station just off Rossio Square, which run half-hourly. The train takes 40 minutes and costs €5,00 for a return.

As I mentioned before you could splash out on a taxi if you’re desperate to avoid the crowds but there’s a big difference in cost! Depends on your budget!

Getting Around Sintra

When you get there you can buy Hop-on-hop-off bus tickets just inside the station that circuit the attractions. It’s worth looking at your itinerary and checking how many bus trips you will actually make (although this can be hard to plan for!) to check that it’s worth it. For this itinerary I used the bus three times, but one of those times I could potentially have walked! The hop-on ticket also gives you access to lots of other bus routes for example to the coastal towns of Cascais and Cabo de Roca.

Price: €15,00 for all day travel

Single Ticket: €6,50

So it was only just worth it for me!

Do not try to walk to the attractions from the train station! The only place that’s walkable is the historic centre and from there you can walk to Quinta da Regaleira.

My Sintra Itinerary

1. Take the 434 bus from the station to Pena Palace
2. Walk to Castelo dos Mouros
3. Take the 434 bus to the historic centre and walk to Quinta da Regaleira
4. Walk back to the centre
5. Either walk or take the 434 bus to the station depending on how tired you are/how soon the bus comes!

There is a bus (435) that goes directly to Quinta da Regaleira but because it’s a different circuit you would have to take the 434 back to the station. Then get the 435 back round all the other attractions to get to Quinta. So it would mean doing an unnecessary loop! And the walk from the centre isn’t too far! Especially if you grab a pastel de nata to eat on the way!

Where to Stay in Sintra

I didn’t stay in Sintra but here’s a selection of handpicked accommodation to help get you started:

(Or have a look yourselves on booking.com.)

Budget Choice

Lugar Saloio Sintra

This is a traditional portuguese style house set in lovely gardens. Authentic and great value!

Lugar Saloio on Booking.com

Dog-Lovers Choice

Isla’s Home

I was sold on this instantly by the pics of a cute terrace and even cuter dogs lounging around! Mountain views plus charming interiors.

Isla’s Home on Booking.com

Easy-life Choice

Villa Lunae – Sintra Flats

Right next to the station this would make the perfect base to explore Sintra.

Villa Lunae on Booking.com

Mid-range Choice

Resting Points

Also right in the centre of Sintra this looks cosy and charming! Sold on the bright blue and white interiors.

Resting Points on Booking.com

Romantic/Solo Travellers Living Their Best Lives Choice

Acucena Vintage Bed & Breakfast

Now we’re talking private pools and fancy-pants interiors, but still at a reasonable price!

Acucena Vintage on Booking.com

Luxury Choice

Villa das Rosas

Set in beautiful landscape gardens this is a stunning choice if you’re willing to splash the cash.

Villa das Rosas on Booking.com

Share your thoughts on Sintra in the comments below: your favourite place to see or top tips for enjoying a visit there!

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