With this guide, you’ll navigate through the town’s must-see attractions, ensuring every moment of your Sintra day trip is well-spent. Sintra’s cool climate and breathtaking landscapes made it a popular summer retreat for Portuguese royalty and nobility, which is the reason for its many castles and palaces. In the 19th century Sintra became the first center of European Romantic architecture. One of the most iconic landmarks of Sintra, Pena Palace, was restored by Ferdinand II in the 19th century, when he turned a ruined monastery into a castle for Queen Maria II. Even so, since Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, it can be crowded with tourists, especially during peak season. If you don’t like crowded places, Sintra is not for you. Just to set your expectations straight. Spring (April to June): Mild temperatures with blooming flowers and lush greenery. While tourist numbers start to increase in spring, it’s generally less crowded than the peak summer months. Autumn (September to November): Cooler than summer but still pleasant. Post-summer months see a decrease in tourist numbers, especially towards late October and November. Summer (July to August): Warmer, but due to its higher altitude Sintra is generally cooler and more refreshing than Lisbon. Summer is peak tourist season, so attractions will most likely be crowded. Winter (December to February): Cooler with occasional rainfall. However, temperatures rarely drop to freezing. Much fewer tourists. The easiest way to get to Sintra is by train from central Lisbon. Trains run frequently from Lisbon’s Rossio train station to Sintra. You can view the train time table here. Simply enter “Lisboa – Rossio” to “Sintra”. ➳ Get your Lisbon card here Note that the train ticket will take you to the Sintra train station, not to the castles as they are located further up the hill from the train station. More on that later. You’ll want to catch an early train to Sintra, as both the trains and the town’s attractions tend to get crowded in the middle of the day. Aim to start your day by 9 am at the latest. Take the train all the way to Sintra station, and not Portela de Sintra. Tourist bus: The most affordable way to get around is by taking the buses that run regularly to and from Sintra’s most popular attractions. Exit the station and turn right to find the bus stop.
Line 434 runs: Train Station – National Palace – Moorish Castle – Natural History Museum – Pena PalaceLine 435 runs: Train Station – National Palace – Quinta Da Regaleira – Seteais Palace – Monserrate Palace
There are different types of bus tickets for these buses, but your best option will be the 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket for €11.50. This way you can hop on and off whenever and wherever you want, for as many times you want in a day. Bus tickets can be purchased from the ticket office opposite the train station or on boarding the bus at the train station. The buses run every 15 to 20 minutes starting at 9:15 am to 7:50 pm. ➳ Read more: See full Sintra castle guide ➳ Buy your tickets to the Sintra castles and palaces here ➳ Buy your timed ticket to Pena Palace here
Pena Palace (Palácio de Pena)Monserrate Palace (Palácio de Monserrate)National Palace of Sintra (Palácio Nacional de Sintra)Quinta da Regaleira (Quinta da Regaleira)The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)
Lesser-known attractions in Sintra:
Chalet and Garden of the Countess of EdlaConvent of the CapuchosThe Gardens and National Palace of QueluzVilla SassettiPortuguese School of Equestrian ArtCabo da Roca LighthouseSanctuary of Peninha
If you’re in Sintra for 1 day, you won’t have time to visit all the attractions. This Sintra day trip itinerary covers the top attractions – I’d recommend visiting 3 or 4 of them in a day. You’ve probably seen photos of this astonishing red and yellow fairytale castle. It’s located at the highest point in Sintra from where you have a view of the entire region. Pena Palace was once built in 1854 by the king Ferdinand II, and used as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family. The castle itself is a beautiful mix of architectural styles, with parts in yellow, red and traditional blue azulejo tiles. Tickets: Pena Palace uses timed tickets, which means you select the date and time you wish to visit the monument. You can purchase tickets at the ticket booths just outside the gate to Pena Palace, but there’s a risk that all time slots will be booked. Therefore, I highly recommend buying tickets to Pena Palace in advance here. When purchasing tickets in advance you also get a 5% discount. How to get to Pena Palace: 434 busOpening hours: 09:00 am – 07:00 pm (the castle 09:30 am – 06:30 pm)Price for ticket: 14€ ➳ Buy your ticket to Pena Palace here What’s special about Monserrate Palace is its exotic garden, featuring a rich variety of plants from all around the world. How to get to Monserrate Palace: 435 busOpening hours: 09:00 am – 07:00 pm (the castle 09:30 am – 06:00 pm)Price for ticket: 8€ ➳ Buy your ticket to Monserrate Palace here Quinta da Regaleira is famous for its labyrinthine gardens riddled with tunnels, caves, and symbolic monuments. Perhaps the most captivating of these is the Initiation Well, a spiral staircase that descends into the earth, echoing the journey of initiation rites in certain ancient traditions. Purchase your ticket in advance via Get Your Guide (including audio guide) or at the entrance. How to get to Quinta da Regaleira: 435 bus, but it’s within walking distance (15 min) from Sintra townOpening hours: 10:00 am – 06:30 pm (last entrance at 05:30 pm)Price for ticket: 11€ Take the stairs up and walk along the walls while enjoying the impressive view. How to get to the Moorish Castle: 434 busOpening hours: 09:30 am – 06:00 pm (last entrance at 05:30 pm)Price for ticket: 8€ Dating back to the early days of Moorish rule, the palace has seen a succession of Portuguese monarchs, each contributing to its architectural tapestry. Over the centuries, it has morphed into a beautiful blend of Moorish, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance styles. As the oldest royal palace in Portugal, it carries a legacy that spans more than a thousand years. How to get to the Sintra National Palace: A short walk from the train stationOpening hours: 09:30 am – 06:30 pm (last entrance at 06:00 pm)Price for ticket: 10€ Sintra day tours
Lisbon: Guided Day Tour of Sintra, Pena, Regaleira & CascaisFrom Lisbon: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, & Pena Palace Trip
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