More about: Day trips to Sintra and Cascais from Lisbon
A trip to Sintra is a must. Only half an hour away from Lisbon is this municipality presided over by the Pena Palace, one of the most important centres of European Romantic architecture.
There are different ways to get to Sintra. Choosing one or the other will depend on what you want to see or how much time you have. Here are the best options:
Sintra, Cascais, Pena Palace and Cabo da Roca Day Trip from Lisbon
The most popular and complete tour, at the best price.
If you want to enjoy the charm of Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo da Roca while seeing the outside of the Pena Palace, this is the most economical option.
A visit to Sintra during your trip to Lisbon will allow you to get to know a little more of the neighbouring country and enjoy landscapes with a unique charm.
To begin with, in the area surrounding Sintra there are tourist sites that are well worth a visit. This is the case of the town of Cascais or the impressive Cabo da Roca, from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Atlantic Ocean. This day trip to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Regaleira is designed to enjoy the contrasts of the Portuguese landscape.
And of course, at the top of the Sintra mountain range is the spectacular Pena Palace built in the 19th century by a German architect for Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. On this tour to Sintra you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you all about its history.
Why I like this option: The best thing about the tour is that it's the most comprehensive for the price. Moreover, it includes pick up and drop off at your hotel, so it couldn't be more comfortable!Recommended if... you are looking for a cheap and quality option to spend a different day during your trip to Lisbon, getting to know the highlights of the region.
Sintra and Cascais Day Trip from Lisbon
Tour Sintra, Cascais and Cabo de Roca with an expert guide and entrance to Pena Palace
If you want to make the most of your excursion and not give up the chance to see the inside of the charming Pena Palace, this is the best option with entrance to this monument.
By now you must be convinced that Sintra is a must-see during your trip to Lisbon, so now you just have to choose the option that best suits you. The main attraction of this beautiful city is, without a doubt, the Pena Palace, so on this excursion to Sintra and Cascais from Lisbon you won't want to miss its beautiful rooms, taking advantage of the fact that you have an expert guide who will tell you all the historical details.
You'll start the day in Sintra, where in addition to visiting the historic centre, you'll be able to see the Town Hall (also known as Queluz Palace) and stop at Casa Piriquita, a legendary pastry shop where you can taste the typical sweets of the area, the Travesseiros and Queijadas.
You'll also visit Cabo da Roca and its spectacular views of the Atlantic, and then head to the famous Pena Palace, where you'll have an hour and a half to explore it in depth.
Why I like this option: For a slightly higher price than other tours, this one has an expert guide and the entrance to the Pena National Palace included, which will give you a much more complete experience.
Recommended if... you want to enjoy a more premium experience than other tours that do not include entrance fees to the monuments along the way.
Sintra Private Day Trip from Lisbon with Pena Palace Tickets
Discover Sintra with a private tour from Lisbon
Enjoy a personalised Sintra experience with an expert guide and private transport from your accommodation in Lisbon.
On this private tour you will be picked up by an air-conditioned vehicle and driven back to the Portuguese capital. You will be able to explore Sintra with all the comfort and flexibility that an exclusive tour offers.
You will visit iconic places such as the historic centre, the National Palace of Sintra or the Moorish Castle, enjoying the explanations of your local guide. In addition, the tour includes the entrance to the Pena Palace, where you can walk through its impressive rooms and terraces with panoramic views.
The tour also leaves you free time to discover Sintra at your own pace, strolling through its charming streets or tasting the local gastronomy.
Why I like this option: because it is a comfortable and exclusive way to discover Sintra, without worrying about transfers and with the entrance tickets to the Pena Palace included.
Recommended if... you are looking for a private and personalised experience, to discover Sintra at your own pace.
In summary, we compare the options
The most popular and complete tour, at the best price.
If you want to enjoy the charm of Sintra and see the outside of its famous Pena Palace, this is the most economical option. It also passes through Cascais, and Cabo da Roca.
Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca with a guide and entrance to the beautiful Pena Palace
If you want to make the most of your trip to Sintra and see its star monument from the inside, take advantage of this tour, which for a little more than the previous one takes you to see its rooms with the explanations of the guide.
Private excursion to Sintra with entrance tickets to Pena Palace
Discover Sintra in a comfortable and personalised way with this private tour from Lisbon. Includes transport, expert guide and entrance tickets to the Pena Palace.
What you will see on the Sintra and Cascais excursions
Any guided tour you book to Sintra and Cascais will cover the main points of the visit to Sintra and Cascais; some will focus more on the historic centre, some on the surroundings and some on the scenery. Many of them include entrance fees but be sure to check when booking. Here's what you won't miss on this must-see getaway from Lisbon:
Sintra highlights
- Pena Palace: The jewel of Sintra, with yellow and pink walls and a 19th-century romantic design. More details on how to visit the Pena Palace.
- Sintra National Palace: With white walls and orange roofs, it is notable for its medieval, Gothic and Renaissance elements.
- Quinta da Regaleira: An enchanted castle with turrets and sculptures. Admission varies between 8 and 16 euros depending on the type of visit.
- The Moorish Castle: On top of the mountain, it offers spectacular views of the Atlantic after climbing its stone stairs.
Cascais Highlights
- The historic centre of Cascais: Cobbled streets, boutiques, galleries and seaside restaurants in this former fishing village turned chic seaside retreat.
- Boca do Inferno: A spectacular cliff where the waves of the Atlantic crash hard, creating a dramatic landscape perfect for photos.
- Cabo da Roca: The westernmost point of mainland Europe, with commanding ocean views and an iconic lighthouse.
- Guincho Beach: Golden sand and strong surf make this beach a paradise for surfing, strolling and Atlantic breezes.
When to go to Sintra and Cascais
Like Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais receive tourists all year round. In high season (June to August) you'll find the town more lively, but there will also be longer queues to visit the Pena Palace and the entrance fees to the tourist sites will be higher.
As for the weather, it's good at any time of the year as there are no low temperatures to prevent you from visiting the town and in summer Sintra is always cooler than Lisbon. The ideal month to visit the town is September as the weather will be ideal and you won't find the summer crowds at the tourist attractions.
How to get to Sintra from Lisbon on your own
If you are not a fan of guided tours (although this is something I always recommend when it comes to sightseeing and visiting the highlights of a city) you can also get to Sintra on your own quickly and easily.
The train to Sintra departs from Lisbon's Rossio station, located in the city centre between the botanical gardens and the Santa Justa elevator. The journey takes about 40 minutes, trains run every half hour and cost about five euros (with the Lisbon Tourist Card you won't pay for the train).
You can also get to Sintra by rental car from Lisbon, but the train runs so smoothly that I wouldn't recommend it unless you're going to drive around the capital. Once you arrive in Sintra, you can either walk around the town or take the 434 bus which connects the historic centre with the Pena Palace.
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Sintra is not the only attractive place you can visit during your trip to Lisbon without having to travel long distances. The surroundings of the Portuguese capital are exciting and if you haven't booked your plane ticket yet, I suggest you add a couple of extra days to your holiday to see them all.
The Algarve, Fátima, Sesimbra, Nazaré, Óbidos, Arrábida, Evora... if you haven't heard of these places after visiting Lisbon, you will have heard of them several times. In this article about 11 Best Tours and Day Trips from Lisbon you will find all the necessary information about what you can see during your trip.