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 by the Pena Palace, one of the most important centers of European romantic architecture.
There are different alternatives to go to Sintra. Choosing one or another will depend on what you want to see or how much time you have. I tell you 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 know a little more of the neighboring country and enjoy landscapes with a unique charm.
To begin with, in the surroundings of Sintra there are tourist sites that are worth a visit. This is the case of the municipality of Cascais or the impressive Cabo da Roca from where you can contemplate 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 nineteenth century by a German architect for Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. On this tour to Sintra you will go hand in hand with an expert guide who will reveal its history.
Why I like this option: The best thing about the tour is that it is the most complete in relation to its price. Moreover, it includes pick up and drop off at your hotel. More comfortable impossible!Recommended if... you are looking for an economical and quality option to spend a different day during your trip to Lisbon, knowing the highlights of the region.
Sintra and Cascais Day Trip from Lisbon
Tour Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca with an expert guide and entrance to the Pena Palace
If you want to make the most of your excursion and not give up seeing 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 an essential visit 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 undoubtedly the Pena Palace, so in this excursion to Sintra and Cascais from Lisbon you will not want to miss its beautiful rooms, taking advantage of having an expert guide who will tell you all the historical details.
You will start the day in Sintra, where in addition to visiting the historic center, you can see the Town Hall (also known as Queluz Palace) and stop at Casa Piriquita, a legendary bakery where you can taste the typical sweets of the area, the Travesseiros and Queijadas.
You will also visit Cabo da Roca and its spectacular views of the Atlantic, and then approach the famous Palacio da Pena, where you will have an hour and a half to visit 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 National Palace da Pena 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 the 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 personalized experience to get to know Sintra with an expert guide and private transportation from your accommodation in Lisbon.
On this private tour you will have at your disposal an air-conditioned vehicle that will pick you up and take you 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 center, 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 personalized experience, to discover Sintra in a quiet way and 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 de Roca with a guide and entrance to the beautiful Pena Palace
If you want to take advantage of your excursion 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 know its rooms with the explanations of the guide.
Private excursion to Sintra with entrance tickets to Pena Palace
Discover Sintra in a comfortable and personalized way with this private tour from Lisbon. Includes transportation, expert guide and tickets to the Pena Palace.
What you will see in the excursions to Sintra and Cascais
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 center, some on the surroundings and some on the scenery. Many of them include entrance fees but take care when booking. I'll tell you what you won't miss on this must-see getaway from Lisbon:
Sintra highlights
- Palacio da Pena: The jewel of Sintra, with yellow and pink walls and a design of 19th century romanticism. More details on how to visit the Pena Palace.
- The National Palace of Sintra: With white walls and orange roofs, it stands out 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 modality.
- The Moorish Castle: At the top of the mountain, it offers spectacular views of the Atlantic after climbing its stone stairs.
Cascais Highlights
- The historic center of Cascais: Cobblestone streets, boutiques, galleries and seaside restaurants in this former fishing village turned chic seaside retreat.
- The Boca do Inferno: A spectacular cliff where the Atlantic waves crash hard, creating a dramatic landscape perfect for photos.
- Cabo da Roca: The westernmost point of continental 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 will find the town more lively, but there will also be more queues to visit the Pena Palace and the entrance fees to the tourist sites will be higher.
As for the weather, it is good at any time of the year as there are no low temperatures that prevent you from visiting the city and in summer in Sintra will always be less hot than in Lisbon. The ideal month to visit the city is September as the weather will be ideal and you will not find the summer crowds in the tourist spots.
How to get to Sintra from Lisbon on your own
If you are not a fan of guided tours (although it is something I always recommend when it comes to sightseeing and visiting the most emblematic points of a city) you can also get to Sintra on your own easily and quickly.
The train to Sintra departs from Lisbon Rossio station, located in the city center between the botanical garden and the Santa Justa elevator. The trip takes about 40 minutes, trains leave 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 works so well that I don't recommend it unless you are going to continue the tour around the capital. Once you arrive in Sintra, you can move around the town on foot or by bus 434 that connects the historic center 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 have not yet booked your plane ticket what I advise you is to add a couple of extra days to your vacation to visit them all.
The Algarve, Fatima, Sesimbra, Nazaré, Óbidos, Arrábida, Evora... if you haven't heard of these places after visiting Lisbon, you will surely have heard 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.