A Sintra Day Trip: How to Have the Best Day in Sintra

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There is something magical about the Portuguese town of Sintra. It has an old-world charm that is hard to find in many parts of Europe. Many people visit purely to see Pena Palace, but there is so much more to Sintra than just the multi-coloured gem. From visiting castles to exploring nature, this is the best itinerary for a perfect Sintra day trip.

The historic town of Sintra is usually explored as a day trip from Lisbon, Portugal’s hilly capital. Outside of the capital city, it’s one of Portugal’s most popular attractions, and the entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Sintra has a refreshingly different vibe than almost every other town or city I’ve visited in Europe. From the rainbow-coloured towers of Pena Palace to the shadowy ruins of Quinta da Regaleira, this Sintra day trip itinerary highlights the best of this enchanting town.

How to get from Lisbon to Sintra

The journey from Lisbon to Sintra is an easy one. You can take the train, which takes around 45 minutes and is a lovely, scenic route. A round-trip ticket costs €4.30 per person.

Alternatively, you could book bus tickets from Lisbon to Sintra – this journey is slightly quicker and will take around 30 minutes and costs around €6.90. The best bus departs from near the train station.

Lastly, you could also rent a car for a Sintra day trip, but the public transport system is so easy, it’s not necessarily worth it. However, if you do fancy the road trip, the drive is about 30-40 minutes.

Guided tours are also available.

When is the best time of year for a Sintra day trip?

There are a few great times of year to visit Sintra. Some of the best times for a day in Sintra are during the Spring, Autumn and even Christmas time.

In spring, Sintra is lush, green and full of flowers which makes for a perfect backdrop to all the beautiful architecture dotted about town.

The weather is also much more pleasant in spring than it can be during other times of the year, so you won’t have to worry too much about being hot or cold.

Another great time of year to visit Sintra is in the autumn. Sintra is still beautiful at this time of year and a lot of the routes and hiking trails are fringed with red and gold foliage. Like Spring, you won’t have to worry about it being too hot.

However, it can get a little bit chilly during the evenings and overnight so make sure you pack some warm clothes if travelling in September or October! There are fewer tourists around in autumn which makes for a quieter trip.

Christmas is also a wonderful time of year for a Sintra day trip. There will be lots of lights up all around town making it look even more magical than usual.

The downside though with visiting during December is that many shops are closed and certain attractions may not be open due to staff holidays. Although plenty of others will, and you’ll be able to visit the Christmas markets.

How much time do you need in Sintra?

You’ll want at least a day in Sintra to explore the city. You could easily spend up to two days here if you wanted, but if you’re travelling down from Lisbon, one is enough to see all the main attractions of the town. 

How to get around during a Sintra day trip?

Sintra is a hilly town however, it’s still fairly easy to walk between the attractions and places of interest. It will also save you money if you’re travelling Europe on a budget.

However, if you don’t fancy walking everywhere or the hills are a little too much, there are also good bus connections and tuk-tuk services run between many of the major attractions (but these can be a little pricey). 

You can also order an Uber in Sintra, or hire a car, however, I wouldn’t recommend it. Mass tourism isn’t exactly what the town’s winding lanes were designed for and driving in Sintra for even a short period can be frustrating.

There are a lot of one-way streets and frequent traffic jams. 

When you only have a day in Sintra, make the most of your time and don’t spend it all stuck in traffic. In my opinion, it’s much easier to explore the town on foot.

the 6 must-sees during a Sintra day trip

There are so many wonderful sights, but these are the absolute must-sees during a Sintra day trip.

1. Hike to Pena Palace

The hike up to Pena Palace took me by surprise. When I decided to take a day trip to Sintra, I quickly discovered that the Pena Palace was the main attraction. So, I looked into all the possible routes up there.

There were two that came up most frequently, a tour bus or a tuk-tuk and I wasn’t keen on either. It took a while before I came across a third option – the hike – because a few people had discouraged the idea.

After taking the train from Lisbon station, I walked into the centre of Sintra itself. It was one of the most beautiful towns I’d visited in Europe however, with only a day in Sintra, I decided to head straight to the palace.

There were lots of men around the town centre pushing tuk-tuk rides up to the palace and I immediately realised that they were rather overpriced. So, I decided to find the hiking route instead.

It wasn’t too hard to find. There was a little path called the Villa Sassetti path off the main square, but, what I hadn’t realised at first, was that it was at the base of a pretty steep hill. 

The walk to the palace was virtually uphill all the way, although it was a varying degree of incline so it was easier in some parts than others. It took about an hour in total, including a few stops for photographs – the views along the way up were glorious.

The walk was also scattered with cute little sculptures, chairs crafted from branches woven together, ornate birdbaths, and even a flower arch.

If you’re planning on walking everywhere on your Sintra day trip, be prepared to do a lot of walking in total. I think we walked 11 miles that day!

But this does include from our hotel in Lisbon to the train station, and to the other destinations in Sintra too. Plus, if you enjoy nature, gardens and beautiful Portuguese walking trails, you won’t want to see Sintra in any other way.

2. Explore Pena Palace

Pena Palace is Sintra’s crowning glory. The multi-coloured palace is perched atop the mountain like a fairytale castle and is an absolute must-see on any Sintra day trip itinerary.

You’ll catch your first glimpse of the Palace throughout the hike (if you choose this option). However, when the path opens up into the Palace’s entrance, you will have a further hill to climb before you can enter the grounds.

You will also be able to book your tickets here. Alternatively, you can also book them online to save some time. The full entrance to the Palace and grounds costs €14.00.

Once you enter Pena Palace, there are several things to do. You can enjoy a leisurely walk around the gardens, explore the palace itself, or wander around taking photographs of the grand exterior.

The gardens are expansive and beautiful, covering around 200 acres surrounding the Palace. You will have a stunning view over the rolling hillsides of Sintra.

You’ll also have the chance to hunt for gorgeous statues and secluded ponds within their walls. A few highlights include the beautiful Ancient Duckhouse and the Cruz Alta.

As for exploring inside the palace itself, there are many rooms inside from the magnificent 19th century Noble Hall to the luxuriously decorated Arab room.

Each room has a little sign with information explaining the decoration and where the inspiration came from.

Each room is artfully decorated with ornate furniture, and the walls are covered with beautiful artwork. However, there’s no photography allowed inside Pena Palace.

Top Tip: If you’re looking to pack in as many experiences into your Sintra day trip as possible then head straight up here first thing as it can get pretty busy. It’s open from 9:30 until 18:30.

3. See the Sintra National Palace

Next, head back down the hill to the Sintra National Palace. Much plainer than the Pena Palace, Sintra’s National Palace is a simple building with a lovely courtyard.

The palace was built in the 17th century, and it was the summer residence of King Ferdinand II. The National Palace is open from 09:30 until 18:00. If you’re looking for something quieter to explore, head here next.

4. Wander the historic streets of Sintra

From the National Palace, it’s easy to reach the historic centre of Sintra for a bit of a wander. The cobbled streets are a delight to walk down. You can window shop or get a coffee from one of the many cafes. 

It’s also worth stopping at the Sintra Museum of Contemporary Art or paying a visit to the Sintra Public Library. But, if you only have a day in Sintra, these are not necessities.

5. Explore the Castle of the Moors

Next on this Sintra day trip itinerary is the Castle of the Moors.

This historic castle was built in the 8th century, and it was originally used as a defence against the Moors. Nowadays, it’s a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The ruins sit high above the city of Sintra and you can see are some fascinating panoramas from up high. In fact, it’s one of the best views in all of Sintra. There are some fantastic photo opportunities of the town below as well.

You can also see Pena Palace in the distance. The Palace looks stunning as the multi-coloured walls stand out against the glorious green surroundings.

The Castle of the Moors is open daily between 09:00-18:30 and the entrance is €8.

6. Visit the Quinta da Regaleira

The last thing to do on this Sintra day trip is to visit the magnificent Quinta da Regaleira. One of my favourite things to do in Sintra, the Quinta da Regaleira is a beautiful, sprawling estate with a magical atmosphere.

Built in the 1900s, the stunning architecture of the manor is a mixture of styles. There are elements from English gardens and Moorish architecture, along with an electric fusion of neo-gothic-style and ornately carved pinnacles.

Its variety is stunning, especially when compared to other houses in Sintra which were built around the same era.

First head to the manor’s gardens, which are arguably the most beautiful in Sintra. There are secret passages, ornate fountains, a trickling stream that can be crossed by stepping stones, a waterfall, and a whole range of other beautiful features.

You could spend hours exploring the elegant buildings, grottoes, caves, waterfalls, and infamous Initiation Well.

Next, visit the ornate Quinta Palace, with its elaborate stone carvings and gargoyles. There’s also the Gruta do Oriente, a beautiful series of caves running beneath the palace, a Renaissance room, the impressive Hall of the Hunt, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, and the Gazebo of the Portal.

However, a Sintra day trip itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the most famous attraction in Quinta da Regaleira – the Initiation Well. The Initiation Well looks almost like a tower turned upside down.

There is a stone staircase winding its way around the outside and arched windows riddling the sides. It is a wonderful photo opportunity and a beautiful piece of artwork. There’s also a second Unfinished Well that’s also worth a visit.

Quinta da Regaleira is open from 9 am – 6:30 pm and entrance costs €10.00 for adults and €5.00 for children.

If you have more than a Sintra day trip

If you have slightly longer than a day in Sintra, there are a few other great things you can do.

Though they don’t quite rival the Algarve, there are many beautiful beaches around Sintra. But these are the 3 that everyone should visit: Praia da Ursa, Cabo da Rocha and Praia da Adraga.

They form an arc down towards Lisbon Bay, so they’re perfect for those who want to make their Sintra day trip a little longer.

1. Cabo da Rocha

A road trip to Cabo da Rocha is one of the best things to do in Sintra. Cabo da Rocha is a striking headland that dominates the southern coast of Sintra.

It features some stunning views, especially at sunset when you can watch the sun sink below the Atlantic Ocean.

You can get to Cabo da Rocha from Sintra in one of two ways. You can either take the bus route 403 – a single ticket costs €4.30 and the journey will take about 40 minutes – or hire a car and drive, which will take about 25 minutes.

If you hire a car, you will also be able to stop at Praia da Ursa on the way.

2. Sintra’s Beaches

This Portuguese hidden gem might be one of the most spectacular beaches in the country. Praia da Ursa forms a cove with mountains on either side, cutting it off from the rest of Sintra.

This beach is not easy to find and you’ll need to edge your way down a rather steep cliff path to reach it, but it’s worth the effort.

Praia da Ursa is a favourite with surfers and also attracts hikers who make their way from Sintra to Cabo da Rocha via this beach. It’s one of the most scenic walks in Portugal.

If you fancy a dip while on your day trip don’t forget to pack some swimwear. Although there are no facilities here so be prepared to bring everything down with you.

One step up from Praia da Ursa, Praia Da Adraga is another of the wonderful places to visit in Sintra. This is also a popular spot and it’s easy to see why. The sea sweeps into a wide bay with cliffs on either side, backed by pine forests in the distance.

Overall…

Overall, Sintra is one of those places that just feels like magic. It has a certain charm to it that you can’t quite put your finger on.

There are so many things to see and do on a Sintra day trip – the Pena Palace, the Quinta de Regeleira, the Initiation Well, the Castle of Moors and more. No matter what type of traveller you are, you’ll be bound to love this gorgeous Portuguese town.

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