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Sights and Attractions > Secret Sintra > Sintra Day Trip > 2 Days in Sintra > Lisbon to Sintra > Lisbon day trips

Sintra Portugal Guide - Fully Updated for 2018!

Sintra is a picturesque Portuguese town that is set amidst the pine-covered hills of the Serra de
Sintra. This hilly and slightly cooler climate enticed the nobility and elite of Portugal, who
constructed exquisite palaces, extravagant mansions and decorative gardens.

The variety of fascinating historic buildings and beautiful scenery has established Sintra as a
fantastic tourist destination, and has since become the most popular day trip from Lisbon. This
guide will provide an introduction to this wonderful town, by answering some of the common
tourist questions and o ering links to further in-depth information.
The ancient Castelo dos Mouros

The whimsical Pena Palace

 
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Suggested itineraries and day trips to Sintra

Sintra in 1 day
The classic day trip to Sintra visits the:
• Palácio Nacional de Sintra
• The historic centre of Sintra
• Castelo dos Mouros
• Palácio da Pena (highlight of the day
• Palácio da Pena gardens (optional)
• Hike to Cruz Alta (optional)
For a guide to a day trip to Sintra please click here.

A second day in Sintra


A second day in Sintra could include:
• Quinta Regaleira
• Quinta Regaleira grounds (highlight)
• Palácio de Seteais
• Palácio de Monserrate
• Vila Sassetti and gardens (optional)
• Hike up the Caminho de Vila Sassetti (optional)
For a guide to a second day in Sintra please click here.
Third day in Sintra (car needed)
A third day could explore the Serra de Sintra region and could visit:
• Convento dos Capuchos
• Peninha Sanctuary and viewpoint (highlight)
• Cabo da Roca
• Praia da Ursa or Praia da Adraga
• Chalet da Condessa D'Edla (Pena Park)
• Hike to Cruz Alta (Pena Park)
For a guide to Sintra’s secret sights please see this article..

Where to escape the crowds


During the summer Sintra is hectic and crowded, and to avoid the tourist masses consider
visiting:
• Palácio de Monserrate
• Convento dos Capuchos
• Peninha Sanctuary
• Vila Sassetti Mansion
• Chalet da Condessa D'Edla
• The southern side of the Palácio da Pena gardens

Why Visit Sintra?

The town of Sintra is Europe’s nest example of the whimsical and colourful Romanticism style
of architecture. This elaborate 19th century design style was inspired by the love of art and the
mysticism of ancient cultures, to create decorative and amboyant buildings, of which the
Palácio da Pena is the greatest example.
The colourful Palácio da Pena, a highlight of any trip to Sintra

For such a relatively small town, Sintra contains an abundance of historic monuments and
enthralling tourist attractions. Within the town, there are more than ten national monuments,
and these varied buildings range from extravagant palaces and decadent mansions through to
ancient ruinous castles.

Sintra is situated within the beautiful natural scenery of the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais.
This national park incorporates the lush forests hills of Sintra and leads down to the rugged
and dramatic coastline, 12km to the west. The hills of Sintra are the setting for many activities
of the region, include scenic hiking trails, challenging cycle routes and some of the best rock
climbing in Portugal.
The Castelo dos Mouros stands high above Sintra

The Palácio Nacional, with it’s two distractive chimneys

The town centre of Sintra is incredibly charming, with pretty cobbled streets that are lined with
traditional house, shops and cafes, all centred around the Gothic styled National Palace. Sintra
has so much to o er visitors, and it is no wonder that it is the most popular day trip from
Lisbon.

This popularity is also Sintra’s major issue: if visiting during the summer, it’s best to carefully
plan your visit in order to avoid the hordes of coach tours, the long ticket queues and the
endless waiting for the tourist bus. Also never drive to Sintra, the narrow roads are not
designed for the tourist tra c and there is no carparking. For a guide to the main sights and
activities in Sintra please click here.

Sintra as a Day Trip

The majority of tourists to Sintra visit as a day trip, either from Lisbon or the resort towns of
Cascais and Estoril. Sintra is an easy and hassle-free excursion, which is suitable for all ages.
Generally, we recommend Sintra as the rst-day trip if you are based in Lisbon, or as the
second day trip (after Lisbon) if your holiday is to Cascais/Estoril. Sintra is simple to travel to, as
there is a regular and inexpensive train from Lisbon or bus from Cascais/Estoril. Details of
traveling to Sintra are discussed later in this article.

Most day trippers to Sintra follow the same route; the Palácio Nacional, the historic centre, the
Castelo dos Mouros and nally the Palacio da Pena. This order is often followed as it is the
route of the 434 tourist bus, which connects the train station to the historic centre and then
climbs the steep hills to the Pena Palace and the Moorish castle before returning to the train
station. This route includes the main sights of Sintra in a single day and forms an enjoyable day
trip. For a guide to visiting Sintra as a day trip from Lisbon, please click here.

The Arabic inspired Palacio de Monserrate


Sintra as part of an organised tour

There are a lot of bene ts of visiting Sintra as a part of a small group tour, and the overall
standard of organised tours has dramatically improved. Sintra is a destination where the main
tourist sights are spread across a wide region of steep hills, and a private tour can eliminate the
need for endlessly waiting for buses or trains.

Portuguese tour guides tend to be enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and the tours cater for
more worldly and clued-up visitors. Tour booking websites and review sites have ensured that
the better tour companies have ourished, and there is now a general high standard (but
always check reviews before parting money for a tour). For tourists with limited time, the
Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais tours provide a great introduction to the region. Our favourite
organised tours of Sintra include:
Bestseller Likely to sell out Likely to sell out

Pena Palace & Park Skip- Sintra: Castle of the Sintra: Food and Port
the-Line Entrance Ticket Moors Fast Track Ticket Wine Tour
Duration: 1 day Duration: 1 day
Duration: 6 hours

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Sights of the Day Trip to Sintra

The standard day trip route visits the three best national monuments of Sintra; the National
Palace, the Moors Castle and the Pena Palace.
The Gothic styled National Palace

The Gothic styled Palacio Nacional is at the heart of Sintra and was the preferred residency of
the Portuguese nobility between the 15th and 19th centuries. The Palace’s most distinctive
exterior feature are the two huge chimneys that extend from the kitchens while inside the
varied staterooms re ect the extensive history of the palace.

The ancient walls of the Moors castle

The Castelo dos Mouros is an idyllic ruined castle that is interwoven with the dense forests that
have overgrown the ancient walls. The castle is perched high above Sintra and was originally
constructed by the Moors (8-11th century) as an observational stronghold, with panoramic
views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Lisbon Estuary. Today from the solid battlements there
are stunning views over the Sintra region.

The colourful Pena Palace is the standout attraction of Sintra and is a beautiful example of the
Romanticism style of architecture. The exterior of the palace is painted and tiled with vivid
colours, while statues of mythological creatures adorn the walls. The interior of the palace is as
equally fascinating, having been restored to how it was left in 1910 when the nobility of
Portugal ed the country due to the revolution.

Surrounding the palace are the forested grounds of the Parque da Pena, with its shaded
walkways, hidden lakes and stunning viewpoints. A day could be easily spent exploring the
entire Pena Palace, but sadly it is often the last sight of the day trip.

The beautiful Pena Palace of Sintra

How About a Second Day in Sintra?

There are su cient sights in Sintra for a second full day of sightseeing, and it is suggested to
visit the Quinta da Regaleira, Seteais Palace and Monserrate Palace. The enchanting and
mystical gardens of Quinta da Regaleira are the standout feature of the second day. These
three places are spread across Sintra but are connected by the 435 tourist bus route, which
departs from outside the train station. Monserrate Palace is always much quieter than all of the
other national monuments of Sintra and is the place to head to for tranquil gardens and
peacefulness during the hecticness of the summer season. For a guide to a second day in
Sintra please click here.

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Tourist attractions to visit during a second day in Sintra

The decorative Quinta Regaleira of Sintra


The Quinta da Regaleira is a decorative stately home but the main attraction are the elaborate
grounds. The gardens are lled with mystic symbolism and hidden features which include
secret tunnels, Gothic towers and stone forti ed walls. The stately house is close enough to the
centre of Sintra that it can be walked to without the need of catching the bus.

The front grounds of the Palácio de Seteais

The Seteais Palace is a beautiful neoclassical palace that follows the Romanticism architectural
style found throughout Sintra. The palace has been converted into a luxury hotel, but the
grounds and terrace are open for visitors to explore.
The distinctive Palácio de Monserrate, with its Arabic in uences

Monserrate Palace re ects that of an opulent Indian palace and was constructed as a summer
retreat by one of the richest English men of the 19th century. This impressive building follows
the geometric patterns and symmetry found in Arabic and Mongol architecture while inside
there is incredibly ne marble lattice work.

A third day? The secret and wild sights of Sintra

For a third or fourth day, it is suggested to explore the little visited Parque Natural de Sintra.
Highlights of this beautiful national park include the austere Convento dos Capuchos convent,
the Cruz Alta viewpoint and the wonderful views from the Peninha Sanctuary. For a more
leisurely day ride the ancient tram from Sintra to the pretty resort town of Praia das Maçãs.
The Peninha Sanctuary provides wonderful views

To the western edge of the Sintra National Park is a wild and rugged coastline formed of huge
cli s and vast beaches, which are pounded by the massive waves that roll in from the Atlantic
Ocean. This stunning coastline contains the outstanding sur ng beach of Guincho, the
picturesque Praia da Adraga beach and the Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of mainland
Europe.

Guincho is a wild and rugged sur ng beach


There is very limited public transport within the Parque Natural de Sintra and it is best explored
either by renting a car or cycling (there are electric bikes for hire). Few tourists make the e ort
to visit this fascinating region, and for our guide to the secret and wild sights of Sintra, please
read this guide.

For those tourists wishing a longer holiday in Sintra could use the town as a base to explore the
region, as there are regular trains to Lisbon and buses to Cascais, Estoril and the Lisbon
coastline.

Our suggested order to visit the sights of Sintra

Our suggested order for visiting the sights and attractions of Sintra are as follows:

Why spend a night in Sintra?

Most tourists simply visit Sintra as a day trip, but we hope we have demonstrated to you via
this article that there is much more to Sintra and it is worthy of a stay of at least one or two
nights. The main advantage of being based within Sintra is that the town can be explored at a
leisurely pace, once all of the day trippers and coach tours have left. The key national
monuments of Sintra have extending opening hours and this allows visiting before or after the
daytime rush. Sintra has a fantastic range of hotels, with many are in keeping with the style and
charm of the region; for a guide to the best hotels of Sintra please click here.

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon


There is a regular and inexpensive train service that connects Lisbon to Sintra. The train
journey takes 40 minutes and departs from the Rossio train station in central Lisbon. The train
service starts early in the morning and continues late into the night and there are generally 3
departures per hour, with a return ticket costing only €4.40. Never drive to Sintra as there is
simply not enough car parking spaces. Public transport in the Lisbon region is excellent and a
rental car is often not needed for a holiday. For a full guide on travelling to Sintra from Lisbon
please click here.

The train from Lisbon to Sintra in Rossio railway station

The tourist buses

There is a convenient tourist bus service (the 434 route) which connects the train station to the
historic centre and then climbs into the hills to reach the Moors Castle and Pena Palace. This
bus service only travels in one direction loop but is highly recommended for day trip visitors as
it is a 1.5km walk from the train station to the historic centre and then a very steep walk up hill
to the Pena Palace.

The bus departs every 15 minutes and the rst bus of the day is 9:15 and an early start is
recommended to avoid the crowds. A loop ticket costs €5.00 and for a guide to the tourist bus
please click here.
The 435 and 434 tourist buses outside the train station

For those visitors only wishing to see the historic centre there is no need to catch the bus as
the walk from the train station follows a pleasant route and is lined with artisan and craft stalls.
With the growth of the tourist industry in Sintra there are multiple private tour operators
(private taxi, tuk-tuk etc) who will be touting for business outside the train station but the 434
bus o ers the best value.

For the second day in Sintra it is recommended to catch the 435 tourist bus which connects the
Quinta da Regaleira, Seteais Palace and Monserrate Palace to Sintra and the train station. This
service operates much smaller buses than the 434 route and the return ticket only costs €5.00.

Does Sintra Portugal get crowded with day trippers?

Unfortunately, Sintra can get very crowded in summer as coach loads of tourists are bused
around the main sights of the town. At the weekends, there can be long waits for the tourist
buses, queueing for admission tickets or even waiting in line for train tickets. Our advice is to
start a visit to Sintra early in the day or leave it to later in the afternoon.

Another tip to avoid the crowds is to visit the Pena Palace in the morning, as most visitors
arrive in the afternoon following the route of the 434-tourist bus. Also, never drive to Sintra as
the roads are narrow and there is no car parking.
 

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Sintra and Central Portugal Tourism Guides


Getting Started Sintra Guides
Sintra Introduction Things to See in Sintra
Sintra's Best Hotels The hidden gems of Sintra
Sintra as a Day Trip Free and inexpensive Sintra
Organised Tours of Sintra Sintra in 2 days
Sights of Sintra Lisbon to Sintra
National Palace Airport to Sintra
Moors Castle The Tourist Bus
Pena Palace When to Visit Sintra
Palacio Monserrate Sintra or Cascais?
Quinta da Regaleira Cascais Guides
Queluz Palace Cascais Introduction
Convento Capucho Sintra to Cascais
Parque da Pena Things to See and Do
Sintra Town Hall 1 Week In Cascais
Sintra Tram Estoril
Santuário da Peninha Estoril Introduction

Sesimbra 1 week in Estoril


Why Visit Sesimbra? Lisbon to Estoril
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Arrabida National Park Obidos Introduction

The Cabo Espichel Things to See in Obidos


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Evora Introduction
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Lisbon Guides Portugal Guides
Lisbon Introduction 1 week in Portugal
Lisbon's best sights A weekend in Portugal
Lisbon Day Trips Top 10 Portugal
3 Days Lisbon Portugal's best beaches
5 Days Lisbon Where to go in the Algarve?
1 Week Lisbon Other Destinations
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Baixa District Carvoeiro
Belem District Coimbra
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Lisbon Beaches Faro
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Estoril Coastline Lagos
Guincho Beach Madeira
Carcavelos beach Porto
Lisbon Transport
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