Amazing Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip for 2024

Looking to do a Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip? Sintra is a beloved city that is becoming popular because of the famous Pena Palace. Pena Palace is a castle on the top of the hills of Sintra. It is a national monument that was built during the romanticism movement or era. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous places to visit in Portugal.

If you are looking to take a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon, I’m giving all the tips I took to get there. This is probably one of the most amazing day trips from Lisbon. Sintra is about 25km away from Lisbon and the easiest and most affordable way to get there is by train.  A Lisbon to Sintra day trip is perfect to visit for the day for those traveling to Lisbon. Lisbon is only a short 30-40 train ride from Lisbon.

I think visiting Sintra would take about 2 full days to accomplish all the monuments, museums, and palaces during the busy times of the year, typically June-August. Also, the busiest day for travel in Sintra is typically Mondays, so if you can avoid it try. We ended up visiting during the high season of August and a Monday, yikes! Lol

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Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip

A lot of tourists come to Lisbon, Portugal to take a Lisbon to Sintra day trip. It’s overall more convenient to stay in Lisbon the bigger city and make a day trip to see all there is in Sintra. Sintra is a beautiful place worth visiting and has made the map with its stunning colorful castle. It’s become a popular tourist destination for people all over the world. Peak times are during the summer months from June through August but especially August when many European tourists are on vacation.

How Do you get from Lisbon to Sintra

The best option or best way to get from Lisbon to Sintra is to take public transport, by train – don’t forget to book your return ticket. Most people take the train from Rossio Square. However, we found out from other travelers that Rossio square was the busiest train station to travel to Sintra. If you choose to travel from Rossio Square, I recommend you buy your tickets in advance the day before. We rode the train from a different station because of where we were located in the city. We were told to expect a long waiting time and to arrive early, but our station didn’t have a long line.

Travel time takes about 28 minutes or half hour by train to get from Lisbon to Sintra. A single fare from Lisbon to Sintra costs about €1.60 for one way. A round-trip ticket from Lisbon to Sintra is about €3.20. From the Sintra train station, it’s just a short walk into the historic center.

READ: One Day in Lisbon

How to get around Sintra during your day trip from Lisbon

Want to save time and money? You can easily book a Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip tour.

Bus

There are many options for getting around Sintra which includes the bus which is often the cheaper route with €5.50 for the circuit. There is the 434 bus which takes you from near the Train Station > National Palace of Sintra > Moors Castle > Pena Palace or the 435 Bus which takes you from near the Train Station > You can only do the circuit once so you must stop at the first stop and work your way to the last stop.

After you leave Pena Palace they will punch your ticket and it will no longer be valid. We made the mistake of thinking we could hop on and off and start at Pena Palace and be able to work around the circuit again. We were confused because no one got off the buses to visit the other locations.

I must forewarn that the wait for the bus can be from an hour or even longer even early in the morning when you first arrive. This can put a delay on your travel plans when taking a Lisbon to Sintra day trip. The bus delayed us because we had to wait for long periods for an available bus free of passengers.

The bus would often take longer to get to the other locations. There is a lot of traffic in Sintra getting to the Palace in the morning. You often will have to wait in traffic on the bus. Since the buses were so crowded, where we weren’t able to discover all of the places we wanted to on our list.

Tuk Tuk

A good option which we ended up doing later in the day is to take a tuk-tuk which costs €5 to anywhere in Sintra. The good thing about this is you can pick and choose where to go for your tourist attractions instead of just following where the bus will take you.

Rent a Scooter

Renting a scooter is an amazing option you can choose to do that will allow you the freedom to get around easily on Sintra. Not only will this provide you the freedom to do what you want, it will also help with your time frame and allow you to get to each destination quicker.

Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip: Best Things to do in Sintra

There are a lot of things to see and do in Sintra. It’s a beautiful place to visit. So you want to go sightseeing in Sintra, Portugal but you don’t know where to start. You can find anything from castles, palaces, ruins, beaches, and more!

Visiting Sintra is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of Lisbon. Sintra is famous for its castles and is a great place for walks, overlooks, and photos. Sintra is a very photogenic city.

A Quick Suggestion of a day trip to Sintra

Sintra is a beautiful town located just outside of Lisbon, Portugal, and is a popular destination for tourists. Here are some things to do in Sintra:

• Visit the Pena Palace – This brightly colored castle on a hill is one of the most popular attractions in Sintra.
• Explore the Moorish Castle – This historic castle was built in the 8th and 9th centuries and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
• Wander through the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira – These beautiful gardens are full of hidden paths, grottos, and fountains.
• Tour the National Palace of Sintra – This palace was once the residence of the Portuguese royal family and is now a museum.
• Hike up to the Castle of the Moors – This castle is situated on a hilltop and provides beautiful views of the surrounding area.
• Visit the Monserrate Palace – This palace is a beautiful example of Romantic architecture and is surrounded by stunning gardens.
• Explore the historic center of Sintra – The town itself is full of narrow streets, charming cafes, and beautiful buildings.
• Visit the Convent of the Capuchos – This monastery is known for its austere architecture and beautiful surroundings.
• Check out the Chalet of the Countess of Edla – This 19th-century building is located in the hills above Sintra and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
• Try some traditional Portuguese pastries – Sintra is known for its delicious pastries, including the famous queijadas and travesseiros.

Palácio Nacional e Jardins de Queluz

Queluz is Portugal’s Royal Summer Palace and was the palace where King Pedro II lived after his abdication. A small fee gets you inside to see many rooms adorned with old paintings and furniture, as well as plenty of royal blue accents throughout the building. This is an interesting place to check out for your Lisbon to Sintra day trip.

National Palace of Sintra

The National Palace of Sintra or Palacio Nacional de Sintrais is located in the city center and filled with gorgeous corridors and beautiful details including many different types of hand-painted tile. This location is a place to see and is less crowded in the afternoon. We arrived around 2 pm with practically no one in sight and were able to wander the grounds. Sintra national palace was a nice slow pace compared to the busy and chaotic Pena Palace.

Moors Castle

The Moorish Castle, also known as the Castelo dos Mouros, is a historic castle located on a hilltop in Sintra, Portugal. The castle was built in the 8th and 9th centuries by the Moors during their occupation of the Iberian Peninsula.

The castle has a rectangular shape with walls that are reinforced by towers at regular intervals. The castle’s strategic location on a hill provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the town of Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean.

Over the centuries, the castle fell into disrepair, but it was restored in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II, who also restored the nearby Pena Palace. Today, the Moorish Castle is a popular tourist attraction in Sintra, and visitors can explore the castle’s walls, towers, and battlements while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

The castle can be accessed by foot, and there is a well-maintained trail that leads visitors through the castle’s towers and walls. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially during the summer months, as the climb to the castle can be steep and strenuous.

The Moorish Castle is a unique and fascinating attraction in Sintra that offers a glimpse into Portugal’s rich history and culture.

This is a beautiful little medieval castle and I feel kind of looked over for many people who take a Lisbon to Sintra day trip. This castle reminds me of the show Game of Thrones. There is a lot of beauty in this castle with amazing views. Save money on ticket prices and time by booking your ticket here.

pena national palace

The Pena Palace is a historic palace located in Sintra, Portugal, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the town. The palace was built in the 19th century on the ruins of an old monastery by King Ferdinand II, who was a lover of the arts and architecture.

The palace’s architecture is a mixture of Romantic, Gothic, and Moorish styles, and its brightly colored walls and turrets make it a standout landmark in the area. The palace is surrounded by lush gardens and parkland, which were also designed by King Ferdinand II and feature exotic plants and trees from all over the world.

Inside the palace, visitors can explore the royal apartments, ballrooms, and dining rooms, which have been preserved with their original furniture and decorations. Some of the most notable rooms in the palace include the Arab Room, which is decorated with intricate stucco and tilework, and the Throne Room, which features a large, gilded throne and a stunning ceiling fresco.

The Pena Palace is located on top of a hill and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the town of Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean. The palace can be accessed by foot or by bus, and there are several trails that lead visitors through the gardens and parkland.

Visiting the Pena Palace is a unique and unforgettable experience that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Portugal. It is recommended to plan ahead and purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines, especially during peak season.

Most people take the Lisbon to Sintra day trip to come to see this amazing palace. Pena National Palace is filled with tons of tourists so be prepared to stand in line for a long time prior to entering the palace. The weather can be fairly cool to hot depending on when you travel and cloud coverage.

Many people travel to this beautiful palace and are attracted to its bright and vibrant colors in the midst of the rolling hills of Sintra. I recommend you purchase your tickets in advance. The line for tickets is usually quite chaotic, long, and it is more expensive to purchase tickets the day of.

By purchasing your tickets HERE, you can bypass the lines and enter directly through the gate. You start off at Pena Park and walk uphill to Pena Palace or you can choose to pay €5 to take a small shuttle up to the palace and back once you are done.

Praia da Ursa

Praia da Ursa is located in the middle of the forested landscape surrounding Sintra and has some of the best sunset views around.

Even if you’re not staying overnight in Sintra, it’s well worth exploring this scenic area.

Monserrate Palace

Although we didn’t have time to see this, I think it is important to note how beautiful this location is. It is a highly recommended location for many travelers and I can’t let my readers go without knowing about this gem. This is a great location to add to your Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip.

Wine Bar

During your Sintra Day Trip enjoy yourself at a famous port wine bar, the Bar do Binho – The House of Port, near the National Palace of Sintra. You cannot go to Portugal and not have a port wine. This wine bar is famous to Johnny Depp and other celebrities. They have some of the oldest port wines dating back to 1815.

Order a wine flight or two to get a taste of Portugal. They have the Classic Flight for €15 that are younger wines and then the Premium Flight for €25.  We decided to do one of each flight and share them together to get a taste of everything.  Believe me, this was one of the most memorable parts of our trip. The staff made us feel welcome and showed so much passion for what they did, it was truly a magical experience.

Quinta da Regaleira

If you’re looking for a destination that comes to the halfway point between Lisbon and Sintra, look no further than Quinta da Regaleira. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also one of the most romantic places in Portugal; it’s filled with stunning waterfalls and lakes all enclosed by impressive manmade architecture such as underground tunnels, hedges, and more.

For a small fee, you can go on a guided tour of the complex where you’ll see two chapels, a gothic-style palace, underground passageways, and a massive stone dome. You can also climb to the top of some of the towers nearby for picturesque views of the estate.

Cabo da Roca

Another great place to visit is Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point in mainland Europe. You can learn more about the area’s history as a waypoint for Portuguese explorers at the Interpretation Center, then go explore the wild landscapes that surround this dramatic location.

On a clear day, you can see the islands of Madeira and the Azores from here.

You can also find a small chapel, as well as a stone monument to those who have been lost at sea from this point of land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Food for your Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip

We had lunch at the cafe in Pena Palace since we were starving and didn’t want to go back into the city for food. They have sandwiches, coffee, water, juices, and other small snacks. There is also a terrace right outside to sit and eat your food.

One of our drivers, Diogo from Sintra Lovers (BTW I highly suggest him as a guide, he was very kind, informational, and made you feel like you were at home) highly recommended going to Apeardeiro for dinner. Their food is excellent. It was empty when we went in which was around 5:00-6: 00 pm but it filled up quickly around 7:00 pm. Locals say that the city is for tourists before 8:00 pm. But after 8:00 pm the city belongs back to the locals who live there.

We ordered the Steak in Coffee Sauce, Shrimp Rice Dish, and Natas de Ceu for dessert. The food and dessert were amazing!

Souvenirs

If you are looking for souvenirs from your Lisbon to Sintra day trip, the most famous souvenirs are the beautifully hand-painted tiles, cork jewelry, pouches, etc., and hand-painted metal roosters. Oh and don’t forget the port wine at Bar do Binho, they usually have a bubble wrap cover to protect your investment when checking your wine in your luggage.

Well, there you have it a Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip. Let me know what you think about Sintra in the comments below!

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Let me know what you thought of this Lisbon to Sintra Day trip in the comments below!

Sintra Day Trip FAQs

Can you do a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon?

Yes, it is possible to do a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon. Sintra is located approximately 30 minutes by train from Lisbon and can be easily accessed via public transportation.

To make the most of your day trip, it is recommended to start early in the morning to avoid crowds and give yourself plenty of time to explore the town and its attractions. You can take the train from Lisbon’s Rossio station or Oriente station directly to Sintra, which takes around 40 minutes.

Once in Sintra, you can take a bus or taxi to the attractions or choose to explore the town on foot. Some of the must-see attractions in Sintra include the Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, and National Palace of Sintra.

It is also recommended to try some of the local cuisine and pastries, as well as explore the charming streets of the historic center of Sintra. After a full day of exploring, you can take the train back to Lisbon in the evening.

How long is a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra?

It takes approximately 40 minutes by train to reach Sintra from Lisbon, and once you arrive, you can spend the day visiting the various attractions, hiking, exploring the town, and enjoying local food and pastries.

Depending on how much time you spend exploring the town and its attractions takes around 6-8 hours to see a good majority of the attractions.

Is a day trip to Sintra worth it?

Yes, a day trip to Sintra is definitely worth it. Sintra is a beautiful town with a rich history and culture, and it is home to many historic attractions, including palaces, castles, and beautiful gardens. Its unique and enchanting atmosphere has attracted visitors for centuries, including poets, artists, and nobles.

Some of the must-see attractions in Sintra include the Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, and the Quinta da Regaleira, as well as the charming streets of the historic center of Sintra. The town is also known for its delicious pastries, including the famous queijadas and traversers.

A day trip to Sintra from Lisbon is easy to arrange and accessible by public transportation. You can take a train from Lisbon to Sintra, and once you arrive, you can explore the town on foot, by bus, or by taxi.

Overall, a day trip to Sintra is a unique and memorable experience that allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of Lisbon and immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of this beautiful town.

Can you do Sintra without a guide?

Yes! This is exactly when I did when I traveled there. You don’t need a guide but do need to book your tickets in advance.

What time should I go to Sintra?

The earliest is the best. The problem with Sintra is the public bus or even the Sintra hop on and hop off bus that comes near the train station can be packed with people trying to board the bus. It can be quite crowded and difficult to get around and get access while traveling to all of the sites. It wastes quite a bit of time so it’s better to go early or find a taxi or rent a private driver to help you travel around the area. Lastly, you can also rent a scooter for the day to take your around the area.

When is the best time to travel to Sintra?

The best time to visit Sintra is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, which are from March to May and from September to November. During these months, the weather is mild, and the crowds are smaller compared to the peak summer season, which makes it a more enjoyable experience for visitors.

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