Day trips from Lisbon to Sintra

Sintra is a UNESCO-listed hill town packed with storybook palaces, misty forests, and Atlantic coast views—just 40 minutes from downtown Lisbon. 

It’s the day trip that blends royal architecture (Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira), medieval ramparts (Moorish Castle), and wild seacliffs (Cabo da Roca) in a single loop. 

In just a short amount of time, you can experience a magical blend of nature, history, and culture—all within reach of Lisbon.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best day tours from Lisbon to Sintra, the top attractions, what to expect, and practical tips for your day trip.

Top Tickets

# Lisbon to Sintra guided tour
# Lisbon to Sintra private tour
# Lisbon to Sintra small-group tour
# Lisbon to Sintra with pickup

As day trips from Lisbon to Sintra often sell out quickly, it’s recommended to book them as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. 

Best tours & combos from Lisbon to Sintra

Hand-pick based on whether you want Regaleira, Cabo da Roca/Cascais, private pickup, half-day, wine, or active options.

Lisbon to Sintra guided tour: Sintra, Pena, Regaleira, Cabo da Roca & Cascais 

Ticket options

• Full Pena Palace & Regaleira tour: Guided – Both Pena Palace (interior and exterior) & Quinta da Regaleira.
• Pena Palace ticket only: Entry to Pena Palace (interior, gardens, terraces); Regaleira not included.
• Exterior Pena Palace & Regaleira tour: Guided – Pena Palace (gardens, terraces) & Quinta da Regaleira (interior not included).
• Transportation only: To Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais, with optional purchase of Pena and Regaleira tickets on-site.

Itinerary

Pick up → Bus (40 mins) → Sintra (Guided-30 mins) → Regaleira (Guided-1.5 hrs) → Sintra (Lunch-1.5 hrs) → Bus (30 mins) → Pena Palace (Guided-1.5 hrs) → Bus (45 mins) → Cabo da Roca (Guided-30 mins) → Bus (30 mins) → Guincho Beach (scenic drive-10 mins) → Cascais (scenic drive-30 mins) → Estoril (scenic drive-10 mins) → drop-off.

Highlights

• This day trip lasts around 9.5 hours
• Your tour guide is available in French, German, Spanish, English, Italian, and Portuguese
• Explore the fairytale gardens at Quinta da Regaleira
• Learn about Pena Palace’s rich history and stunning gardens
• Visit Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe, for breathtaking coastal views
• Experience the charm of Cascais, with its golden beaches and relaxed atmosphere
• Ocean panoramic route from Cabo da Roca to Estoril via Cascais
• Headsets are provided for clear communication with the guide
• The meeting point varies depending on the option you choose

Prices

Adult (18+ years): From €79
Youth (7 to 17 years): From €79
Child ( 2 to 6 years): From €39
Infant (under 2 years): Free

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Lisbon to Sintra private tour: Sintra, Pena, Regaleira, Cape Rock & Cascais

Ticket options

• Transportation only: Does not include entry tickets to Pena Palace/Park or Quinta da Regaleira. Tickets can be purchased on-site with assistance.
• Pena Palace tickets: Interiors, gardens, viewpoint, and terraces. Regaleira is not included.
• Pena Palace & Regaleira tickets: Regaleira and Pena Palace exteriors (gardens, terraces, viewpoints). Pena Palace Interiors not included.
• Full Pena Palace & Regaleira tickets: Entry tickets for both Pena Palace (interiors and exteriors) & Regaleira. 
• Private guided tour: Hotel pick-up & drop-off; optional purchase of Pena and Regaleira tickets on-site. 

Itinerary

Van (30 mins) → Sintra (guided, free time 50 mins) → Regaleira (guided 75 mins) → Pena Palace (self-guided 2 hrs) → Guincho Beach (photo stop 15 mins) → Cascais (lunch, free time, sightseeing 1.5 hrs) → Estoril (pass by, 30 mins) → Return to Lisbon

Highlights

• This private tour lasts around 8 – 9 hours
• Your live tour guide is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, and German
• Choose the private day trip option and enjoy a tailored itinerary with flexibility in timings
• Visit Pena Palace and its fairytale gardens
• Explore the mystical Quinta da Regaleira and its iconic Initiation Well
• Marvel at Cabo da Roca with panoramic views of the Atlantic coast
• Take a scenic drive along Guincho Beach and the beautiful Cascais coastline
• Explore the elegant town of Estoril, famous for its glamorous atmosphere
• Meeting point: In front of the Rossio Train Station (Estação do Rossio), right next to the Starbucks cafe.

Prices

Adult (18+ years): From €85
Youth (6 to 17 years): From €82
Infant (under 6 years): From €55

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Small-group day trip: Sintra and Cascais 

Itinerary

Hard Rock Cafe (Lisbon) → Travel to Sintra → Pena Park & National Palace (2 hrs, ticket included) → Free time in Sintra Historic Center (1 hr) → Roca Cape (30 min, free) → Guincho Beach (pass by) → Boca do Inferno (pass by) → Cascais Historic Center (1.5 hrs, free time, lunch) → Casino Estoril (pass by) → Return to Lisbon

Highlights

• The tour lasts approximately 8 hours
• Tour guide is available in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French
• This tour includes a maximum of 8 travelers 
• Guided tour of Pena National Palace & Park, a 19th-century Romanticist palace and lush gardens
• Explore the Roca Cape, the westernmost point of Europe, offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean 
• Guincho Beach offers a scenic stop known for its rugged coastline and surfers
• Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth) is famous for its dramatic cliffs and ocean views
• Explore the charming Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with free time to discover local shops and palaces
• Enjoy Cascais, a trendy coastal town with beautiful beaches, a marina, and vibrant streets for a leisurely walk.
• Taste aqueijada and travesseiro, two traditional Portuguese sweets in Sintra.

Prices

Adult (12+ years): €95
Child (4 to 11 years): €47
Infant (under 4 years): €47

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Lisbon to Sintra small-group tour: Pena, Cabo da Roca, Cascais, or Regaleira

Ticket options 

• Pena (exteriors) tickets excluded: pay €10 pp at the meeting point for Pena Park/exteriors/terrace; Regaleira not included.
• Pena (interiors) tickets included: interior + exteriors/park/terrace included; Regaleira not included.
• Pena (exteriors) tickets included: park/exteriors/terrace included; Regaleira not included.
• Pena exteriors + Regaleira tickets excluded: pay €25 pp at the meeting point for both Regaleira & Pena exteriors.
• Pena exteriors + Regaleira 2× tickets included: both admissions included.

All these tour options include Sintra’s historic center, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais.

Itinerary 

Starting location → Van (45 min) → Pena Palace Gardens → Sintra (guided tour, sightseeing ~1 hr) → Pena Palace (guided tour ~1.5 hrs) → Van (10 min) → Sintra (break/lunch/free time ~1 hr) → Quinta da Regaleira (guided ~1.5 hrs, optional/extra fee) → Van (30 min) → Cabo da Roca (guided ~20 min) → Van (30 min) → Cascais (free time ~1.5 hrs) → Van (45 min) → drop-off

Highlights

• This small-group tour lasts around 9 hours
• An English-speaking guide will share insights about the historic Sintra
• This tour includes a group of a maximum of 8 people
• Two route choices: Pena Palace → Sintra historic center → Cabo da Roca → Cascais or Pena Palace → Sintra historic center → Quinta da Regaleira → Cabo da Roca → Cascais
• Explore Pena Palace with interior or exterior access 
• Optional visit Quinta da Regaleira
• Cliff viewpoints at Cabo da Roca; weather-dependent stop at Guincho Beach
• Spend time in Cascais on the Portuguese Riviera
• Lunch break and old-town vibes in Sintra

Prices

Adult (18+ years): From €58
Youth (6 to 17 years): From €56

Note: Five years and younger are not allowed on this tour

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Lisbon to Sintra with pickup: Pena, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais  

Ticket options

• Pickup + Pena Gardens & Terraces: Includes exterior areas (gardens, lakes, terraces, viewpoints); no palace chambers.
• Pickup only: Buy your entry tickets during the tour or choose an option with tickets included.
• Pickup + Full Pena (Interiors + Exteriors): Includes palace interiors (chambers) & exteriors (gardens, terraces, lakes).
• Private tour: Guide only for your group; choose two monuments (Pena, Regaleira, Monserrate, National Palace, Moorish Castle). Tickets not included.

Itinerary

Lisbon pickup → Van (45 min) → Atlantic coast scenic drive (pass by, ~45 min) → Cascais (free time ~1 hr) → Guincho Beach (pass by) → Cabo da Roca (photo stop ~30 min) → Sintra Historic Center (lunch/free time ~1.5 hrs) → Pena Palace (visit/guided ~1.5 hrs) → Van (45 min) → Lisbon drop-off

Highlights

• Duration: 8–8.5 hours
• Live tour guide: English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French
• Hotel/apartment pickup & drop-off in Lisbon included (minivan, small group)
• Guided visit at Pena Palace (interior or exterior per option)
• Explore the Sintra historic center—lunch, shopping, and strolling
• Take a photo stop at Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point
• Go for a seaside walk and spend some free time in Cascais
• Enjoy a scenic Atlantic coastal drive past Guincho Beach
• Private and small-group options are available in this tour

Prices

Adult (18+ years): From €66
Child (6 to 17 years): From €64
Infant (below 6 years): €58

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Guided tour from Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace & Quinta da Regaleira

Ticket options

• Transportation only: Van to Sintra, Pena Palace, Regaleira; monument entry tickets not included. A guide can help you buy.
• Pena Palace & Regaleira (tickets included): Full access to Pena Palace interiors + gardens and Quinta da Regaleira.
• Private tour (tickets included): Private guide + transport; Pena Palace interiors + gardens and Quinta da Regaleira entries included.

Itinerary 

Lisbon (meeting point) → Van (40 min) → Quinta da Regaleira (guided ~1.5 hr) → Sintra historic center (lunch/free time ~1.5 hr) → Pena Palace (guided ~1.5 hr) → Van (40 min) → Lisbon drop-off

Highlights

• This Palace-focused tour takes around 8 hours
• Your tour guide is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French
• Guided visit to Quinta da Regaleira (gardens, tunnels, Initiation Well)
• Free time in Sintra historic center for lunch/pastries/shopping
• Guided visit to Pena Palace (interiors + terraces when ticketed)
• Scenic drives through the Sintra hills with an expert local guide
• Experience the 27-meter spiral Initiation Well at Regaleira
• Vibrant, hilltop Pena Palace with sweeping Atlantic views
• It’s your time to try travesseiros or queijadas in Sintra
• Meeting point is at Miradouro Parque Eduardo VII (Edward VII Park Viewpoint) — guide with a yellow & blue flag

Prices

Adult (13 to 64 years): €45
Child (4 to 12 years): €36
Senior (65+ years): €45
Infant (under 4 years): €23

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Half-day small group tour from Lisbon: Sintra & Pena Palace

Itinerary

AX Armani Exchange (meet) → Drive (pass by Liberdade Park & Sintra Mountains) → Park & National Palace of Pena (guided ~2h, ticket not included) → Sintra Historic Center (free time ~1h30m, pastry & liqueur stop) → Return to Lisbon

Highlights

• This half-day Lisbon tour takes approximately 5 hours
• An English-speaking guide will share insights about all these beautiful places
• This is a small group tour that includes a maximum of 8 travelers
• Guided visit to Sintra historic center, and Pena Palace (entry ticket is not included)
• Stop at one of Portugal’s oldest bakeries and have a chance of sampling pastry 
• Enjoy tasting cherry liqueur at a local wine cellar
• The meeting point is at AX Armani Exchange, Av. da Liberdade 9, 1250-139 Lisboa

Prices

Adult (6 to 64 years): €90
Child (2 to 5 years): €90

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Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace & wine tasting — Small group 

Itinerary 

Pickup (per option) → Pena Palace (guided ~75 min, exterior & gardens) → Sintra (visit ~1.5 hr) → Bus (30 min) → Cabo da Roca (free time ~30 min) → Colares (wine estate tour & tasting ~1.5 hr) → Bus (30 min) → Cascais (free time ~1 hr) → Bus (1 hr) → Drop-off

Highlights

• This Sintra wine tasting tour takes approximately 9 hours
• Choose between a small group with the Pena Palace or a private group without the Pena Palace 
• The tour guide speaks English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish languages
• This is a small group tour with a maximum of 8 participants
• You will be traveling in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan
• Enjoy a guided exterior & gardens visit at Pena Palace
• Experience Premium wine tasting at a local Colares estate (cellar tour + 3 regional wines)
• Explore the Sintra village, Cabo da Roca cliff viewpoints, and free time by the sea at Cascais

Prices

Adult (13+ years): €85
Child (4 to 12 years): €42
Infant (under 4 years): Free

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From Lisbon: Sintra to Cascais guided e-bike tour 

• This e-bike tour takes around 8 hours
• You can enjoy this tour with a group of 11 people
• Your guide speaks English, Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese languages
• Get a quick e-bike briefing, then take the train from Lisbon to Sintra
• Ride e-bikes (4 assist modes) through Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
• If time permits, you can also visit Sintra National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Monserrate
• Pass by Seteais palace and scenic villages (Colares, Penedo, Urgueira)
• Climb to Peninha Sanctuary for panoramic views
• On your return, cycle downhill via Pena Palace or coast to Guincho Beach → bike path to Cascais
• Climb to Peninha Sanctuary for panoramic views
• Not suitable for people with mobility impairments and anyone under 140 cm (4 ft 6 in)
• Start point: Local partners headquarters – Largo Severa 7A, 1100-588 Lisboa (meet your guide)

Price: €160 (for 2 people)

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Sintra opening hours & what to expect

• Pena Palace (interior): 09:30–18:30 (last ticket ~17:30); Park opens slightly earlier/later depending on season. Always check the official page and day-of notices for early closures or weather alerts.
  
• Quinta da Regaleira: Generally 10:00–19:30 (Apr–Sep) and 10:00–18:30 (Oct–Mar); timed entry now in effect. Last admission is ~17:30.
  
• Cabo da Roca: The clifftop is open-air; the Tourism Office operates daily with seasonal hours.
  
• Expect steep hills, one-way bus loops, and microclimate fog/cooler temps even in summer—pack layers.

Best time to visit Sintra

Sintra is a popular destination year-round, but the best times to visit are in the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October). During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the crowds are more manageable.

• Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends, so if possible, plan your visit for a weekday to avoid long lines and packed attractions.
  
• Summer months (June to August) tend to be busy, especially with tourists, so it’s best to start early in the day to avoid the heat and crowds.

Aim for the first Pena slot; weekdays outside summer are calmer. Expect cooler, damper mornings in Sintra than in Lisbon; pack a layer and good shoes. 

Closures & alerts

Occasional wildfire/strike alerts can reroute palace access; tours will substitute sights when needed. 

What to see in Sintra

Sintra is a treasure trove of beautiful and historic sites. Here are the must-see attractions you shouldn’t miss:

Pena Palace & Park

Pena Palace is the most iconic sight in Sintra, perched high atop a hill with vibrant colors and eclectic architecture. 

The palace is a beautiful mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline styles, making it one of the most unique palaces in Europe. 

You can explore the palace’s ornate rooms and gardens. Make sure to visit the park, which offers stunning views and plenty of walking trails.

Quinta da Regaleira

A mystical estate with an enchanting palace, gardens, caves, and the famous Initiation Well, Quinta da Regaleira is a place full of hidden secrets. 

The estate is a labyrinth of tunnels, grottos, and fountains, making it a fun place to explore.

Moorish Castle

Dating back to the 8th century, this medieval castle offers incredible panoramic views of Sintra and the surrounding region. 

The castle’s stone walls, towers, and battlements create a picturesque setting, especially with the backdrop of the green hills.

Cabo da Roca

The westernmost point of mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca, offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. 

The lighthouse here is a popular photo spot, and you can enjoy a short walk along the cliffs.

Sintra Historic Center

Wander through Sintra’s charming historic center, with its cobblestone streets, local shops, and cafes. 

Don’t miss the National Palace of Sintra, a medieval royal residence with impressive chimneys that have become a symbol of the town.

Cascais 

Seaside promenades, beach time, and cafés; many tours include a short stop en route back to Lisbon.

Dress code & visitor etiquette

• Wear sturdy shoes and layers (Sintra is cooler/mistier than Lisbon).
  
• Backpacks may need to be carried in front inside palaces; avoid large/rigid luggage.
  
• No drones or tripods are allowed in Parques de Sintra sites. Please follow staff instructions and respect roped-off areas.

Essential tips for a smooth day trip

• Start early: Begin your day early to avoid crowds, especially during peak seasons.
• Wear comfortable shoes: The hilly terrain and cobblestone streets require good footwear.
• Book tickets in advance: Skip the lines by booking your tickets to Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira ahead of time.
• Bring layers: Sintra is cooler than Lisbon, especially in the hills, so pack a jacket, even in the summer.
• Prebook timed interior tickets for Pena (and Regaleira slots) to avoid sell-outs.
• Avoid driving up the hills—parking is scarce; tours or bus loops are easier.
• Check day-of notices for weather-related closures/road restrictions in the hills.

Accessibility and family tips

Sintra’s cobblestone streets, steep hills, and ancient sites can be challenging for visitors with mobility issues. 

However, many attractions, such as the Pena Palace, have wheelchair-accessible areas, and tuk-tuks and private tours can make it easier to get around.

For families with young children, Quinta da Regaleira is a great place to explore, featuring whimsical gardens and hidden tunnels. 

Be sure to bring a stroller if visiting with babies, as the town’s steep streets may be difficult to navigate with young children on foot.

Where to eat and drink in Sintra

Sintra offers a variety of dining options, from casual cafes to more formal restaurants. 

Be sure to try some of the local pastries, such as travesseiros (a puff pastry filled with almond cream) and queijadas (sweet cheese tarts).

Recommended Restaurants:

• Tascantiga – A cozy spot in the town center for Portuguese tapas.
• Cantinho Gourmet – Known for its contemporary Portuguese cuisine and beautiful setting.
• Piriquita – Famous for its delicious travesseiros.
• Expect cafés/terraces at Pena, as well as snack kiosks around the main sites. Tours allow free time in town to sample travesseiros and queijadas. 

FAQs about day trips from Lisbon to Sintra

Here are some questions people ask before taking a trip from Lisbon to Sintra.