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Free walking tour near Sintra

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15 Best Sintra Tours

Located in the Greater Lisbon area along the Portuguese River, Sintra is a city of about 400,000 residents that’s particularly well-known for its abundant castles and palaces.

For those staying in Lisbon looking for a convenient day trip option, Sintra is usually no more than an hour away, depending on traffic, which is often bumper to bumper during rush hour and other peak travel times.

Sintra is one of the country’s architectural wonders and is also known for its friendly people, vibrant food and art scenes, and stunning natural beauty.

Below are 15 of the best tours of Sintra that previous visitors have ranked highly.

1. Sintra Walking Tour with Palace, Castle, and Old Town Visit

After meeting their guide at a central location and getting an overview of the day’s events, guests of this Sintra walking tour will set out to visit many of the city’s most iconic attractions.

Especially for those who’ve never been, the city is an alluring mix of historical and contemporary sites. Depending on the interests of guests, tour stops can be personalized to ensure maximum value.

Of course, the tour’s centerpieces are palaces, castles, and the Old Town area, but there are also natural and cultural attractions.

Tours last four hours, start mid-morning and have a relatively casual pace.

2. 3 ½-Hour Rock Climbing Experience

For those who’ve never tried it, rock climbing is among the most exhilarating full-body workouts you’re ever likely to have.

Eager climbers will meet their guide either in the morning or the afternoon, after which they’ll get an intro to rock climbing, all the gear they’ll need, and a safety briefing before heading into nature to put their newfound mountaineering skills to the test.

Within sight of the Moorish Castle, Palacio da Pena, and the majestic Sintra Mountains, participants will experience a unique blend of exercise, nature, and history that their tour bus bound counterparts can only dream of.

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3. Sintra Heritage Hike

Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is just a short drive from the city center. It is crisscrossed with a network of hiking trails that are appropriate for a wide range of ages and levels of physical activity.

On this full-day tour, nature-loving hikers will leave the city’s hustle and bustle in the rearview mirror and delve into an idyllic setting characterized by towering cliffs, rocky coastlines, otherworldly sand dunes, and quiet forests dotted with lakes and streams.

You’ll get up close and personal with the 8th century Moorish Castle and Pena Palace, which looks like it leaped from the pages of a fairytale.

4. Portuguese Beaches and Colares Private Jeep Tour

Sintra’s coastal location gives lovers of sun, sand, and surf easy access to many of the country’s most amazing beaches.

This seven-hour private beach and Jeep tour includes morning pick-up at your accommodation and a brief meet and greet with your guide before the adventure gets underway.

After boarding their trusty 4×4 Jeep, guests will set out to explore not only several beaches and stretches of undisturbed coastline but the region’s mountainous interior as well.

Make sure to charge your camera because the views will be nothing short of breathtaking; you’ll get up close to Monserrate Palace, Pena Palace, and the Moorish Castle.

5. A Taste of Pena Palace Food Tour

Whether you’re staying in Sintra, Lisbon, Ericeira, or Cascais, this tour has you covered. It includes either hotel pick-up or a convenient meeting point at an easy to reach central location.

Once in Sintra, guests will head to Pena Palace.

It’s the perfect place to start, as it’s considered one of the most impressive and historically significant attractions in the entire country.

Guests will learn about its history and take in its impressive architecture before heading off to experience other sites and sample some of the country’s most flavorful cuisine.

Plan on enjoying everything from Portuguese coffee and fresh pastries to port wine and queijadas.

6. Pena Palace, Cascais, and Natural Park Day Tour

Tours that offer multiple options are popular with travelers who prefer to focus their energies on the attractions that interest them the most.

On this six-hour morning tour, guests can opt to explore a number of the city’s most prominent symbols, like the Moorish Castle, the National Palace, or the Convent of the Capuchos before heading into the hinterlands.

The Sintra Natural Park offers a variety of scenic gems that include impressive boulder fields, sweeping ocean views from the continent’s westernmost location, and the rugged landscape of Cabo da Roca.

Tours begin and end in Sintra and include a relaxing lunch in a traditional restaurant.

7. The Inquisition’s Hand Private Walking Tour at Night

The Inquisition was a particularly dark time in the history of Spain, and according to historians, thousands of residents lost their lives in purges designed to uphold the country’s Catholic traditions.

Thankfully, those days are long gone, but there are a number of attractions in Sintra that are tied to events from the 15th century.

This private night walking tour begins in Sintra’s historic center and includes the services of a local guide-historian, who’ll take guests to relatively obscure corners of the city and regale them with fascinating tales of life back then.

Highlights include the Pena, Royal, and Seteais palaces.

8. All Monuments and Cabo da Roca Self-Drive Tour

Regardless of whether you’ve got just a few hours or a whole day to spare, this self-drive tour from Sintra would be a great way to see the Portuguese countryside at your own speed.

Before the tour begins, guests can plan their route and the things that they want to see, so when they get their electric car, they can set out without wasting valuable time.

From historic villages and impressive monuments to castles, palaces, and large tracts of undeveloped coastline along Cabo da Roca, there are options for participants of nearly all stripes.

Tours meet at a central location and include an overview of local driving laws and a tutorial on how to operate their e-car.

9. Sintra Half-Day Trekking Tour

There’s definitely no shortage of activity options in and around Sintra for those who value physical exertion as much as they do sightseeing and cultural immersion.

This half-day trekking tour begins at the National Palace, where guests will rendezvous with their guide and get an overview of the day’s events.

After a casual walk around the park, trekkers will pass several key attractions, like the Palacio da Pena, Sintra Castle, and the National Palace.

Along the way, you’ll benefit from your guide’s interesting insights and have ample time to take photos, ask questions, and relax at a café with a traditional pastry and cup of coffee.

10. Private Half Day-Tour of Key Highlights

The stretch of coastline between Sintra and Cascais is one of the most scenic areas on the coast and features an impressive array of historic attractions and amazing views of rivers, the ocean, and the cliffs just inland.

Guincho Beach is popular with wind, kite, and body surfers. It is just a hop, skip, and a jump from Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, where the bulk of the tour will take place.

Along with their guide, guests will visit palaces, castles, and a number of vista points, as well as sample traditional Portuguese food in a quaint village.

Tours can begin and end in either Sintra or Lisbon and include round-trip transportation.

11. Sintra Full-Day Road Bike Tour

The hills and winding roads leading out of Sintra along the coast are perfect for bikers intent on seeing things from a street-level perspective.

After meeting their guide at the train station in central Sintra, energetic bikers will head toward Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, where they’ll get up close and personal with Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, and some of the most stunning scenery in the region.

Tours include a nice mix of hilly and flat terrain, picturesque villages, undeveloped natural areas, and a visit to Cape Roca—the westernmost tip of the European continent.

Click the link below for important booking details.

12. Guided Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk

Sintra’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site means that lovers of history and culture can spend days exploring and never run out of new attractions to see.

Though walking, biking, and bus tours are plentiful, many guests agree that seeing the city by tuk-tuk is definitely the way to go.

Tours meet at a convenient central location and include stops at many of Sintra’s most impressive historic sites that include castles and palaces featuring Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance architectural influences.

Two-hour tuk-tuk tours include the services of a local guide and are available in multiple start times and four languages.

13. Legends and Medieval Stories Private Walking Tour

Not every tour of Sintra includes the services of a guide who’s also a historian; that’s exactly what makes this legends and medieval stories private walking excursion such great value.

Starting in the city’s historic center, participants will set out to explore Sintra’s history and culture while hearing interesting and obscure tales of intrigue, war, corruption, and long-standing family feuds from their chaperone.

Sintra Castle is one of the tour’s most impressive and historically significant highlights. Those who choose to trek to the top will have impressive panoramic views of the city and countryside far below.

14. 2-Hour Private Surf Lesson at Praia Grande

For those who’ve never climbed onto a board and hit the waves, learning to surf may seem a bit intimidating.

Though it’s not something that can be mastered in just a few hours, this private surf lesson experience offers participants of most ages and levels of physical ability the chance to get up to speed relatively quickly.

Everyone will get a board and wetsuit and be paired with an experienced and patient instructor, who’ll give them an overview of basic safety and surfing techniques before taking to the water.

Tours meet at a convenient location, take place at Praia Grande, and are laid back and stress-free.

15. Sintra Life and Death at the Capuchos Convent Guided Tour

For those who prefer to sleep in and spend the morning relaxing before taking in Sintra’s sites, this early afternoon guided tour of the Capuchos Convent would be a great fit.

Located in the Sintra Mountains, the convent is steeped in history, legend, and lore, and many guests are surprised to learn that it was far from an idyllic setting where dedicated monks prayed, mediated, and worked for the good of the common man.

The convent’s history stretches back centuries, and the tour features both in and outdoor portions.

Tours last about five hours in total, three of which will be spent on-site before guests are returned to the original starting point in town.

15 Best Sintra Tours:

• Sintra Walking Tour with Palace, Castle, and Old Town Visit
• 3 ½-Hour Rock Climbing Experience
• Sintra Heritage Hike
• Portuguese Beaches and Colares Private Jeep Tour
• A Taste of Pena Palace Food Tour
• Pena Palace, Cascais, and Natural Park Day Tour
• The Inquisition's Hand Private Walking Tour at Night
• All Monuments and Cabo da Roca Self-Drive Tour
• Sintra Half-Day Trekking Tour
• Private Half Day-Tour of Key Highlights
• Sintra Full-Day Road Bike Tour
• Guided Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk
• Legends and Medieval Stories Private Walking Tour
• 2-Hour Private Surf Lesson at Praia Grande
• Sintra Life and Death at the Capuchos Convent Guided Tour

• Destinations

Free tours in Sintra

• Tours in Sintra

Sintra: Adventure awaits you!

Are you planning a trip to Sintra? Great choice! This city is a real jewel that fascinates with history, culture and spectacular views. Immerse yourself in its magical world with our free excursions led by experienced guides. Reveal the secrets and iconic places that make Sintra unique. Join us and let your journey begin!

Discover Sintra's secrets and charm

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Sintra, where every corner tells stories of greatness, romance and cultural heritage. Our free walking tours in Sintra are your ticket to exploring the city's rich past, which comes alive thanks to our expert guides.

Stroll through Sintra's narrow streets and majestic squares, immerse yourself in fabulous stories about castles and palaces that shaped the city's history and fascinated the world, and discover iconic sights that testify to Sintra's indestructible spirit and ingenuity.

Some of the attractions you will see during the Sintra city tour include:

- Pena Palace is one of the most romantic castles in the world, with bright colours and impressive architectural details.

- Moors Castle is an ancient ruin offering spectacular views of the city and its surroundings.

- Sintra National Palace is the residence of Portuguese kings, known for its unique architecture and rich history.

- Quinta da Regaleira is an estate with mysterious gardens, underground passages and unforgettable views.

- Montserrat Palace is an eclectic palace with lush gardens that combines different architectural styles.

Explore Sintra with ease: Tour schedules, meeting places and reservations

Embark on a journey through the charming streets with our Sintra walking tours, which last from 2 to 8 hours. When booking on our website, choose one of the available languages for your tour—English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, or French. Each tour has unique meeting places, so check out the tour description to find out where our guides look forward to seeing you.

Some tours are free, but you can express gratitude to our exciting guides by leaving a tip if you enjoyed the tour. This small gesture is significant in recognizing their dedication.

Getting to Sintra is easy, thanks to Lisbon International Airport, a gateway for travellers worldwide. Sintra railway station provides quick access to all the city's main attractions. Whether by plane or train, Sintra is ready to welcome you with open arms for an unforgettable adventure!

Embark on a journey through the charming streets of Sintra with our walking tours, which last from 2 to 8 hours. When booking on our website, choose one of the available languages for your tour—English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian, or French. Each tour has unique meeting places, so check out the tour description to find out where our guides look forward to seeing you.

Getting to Sintra is easy, thanks to Lisbon International Airport, a gateway for travelers worldwide. Sintra railway station provides quick access to all the city's main attractions. Whether by plane or train, Sintra is ready to welcome you with open arms for an unforgettable adventure!

Join our free walking tour of Sintra today! 

Ready to visit Sintra and discover its beauty and history? Our experienced guides will take you through this exciting city, teaching you interesting facts, guiding you to the best places to shop, and allowing you to taste delicious food. Our professionals will do everything possible to make your acquaintance with Sintra's culture bright and memorable.

Go on a journey with confidence that our team knows all the most exciting places in Sintra. We are ready to show you everything from famous attractions to hidden corners! Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views, feel the atmosphere of history and marvel at architectural masterpieces.

Book your free tour in Sintra today and create unforgettable memories that will stay with you forever!

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Sintra Walking Tour

Trekking in Sintra Natural Park

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Sintra Walking tour

Our Sintra Walking tour, guided, is breathtaking.

The trails of  Sintra Natural Park  offer superb hiking among dense forests. At a distance,  astonishing sea views.

Read  terms&conditions before booking our tour in Sintra.

Maximum Number of Participants:  16, with transfer included.

Turaventur uses the REDUNIQ @Payments System. These payments are made in a simple, practical and secure way. The payment link is sent to your email, which will be redirected to a secure UNICRE page. Here the customer places the card details and makes the payment. After the data is validated and authorized by the bank, the transaction is finish. At the end you are notified of payment via email.

You may do this tour at any date, subject to availability. Just fill in the booking form .

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Sintra Heritage & Coastal Trails

Sintra’s Hidden Secrets

Daily Distance

Daily elevation gain.

300 - 700 m

7 Days & 6 Nights

At a close distance from Lisbon lies the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. The perfect playground for this beautiful hiking tour! This route starts in the beautiful town of Cascais and takes you along its blue coast through wide bays of golden sand and some breathtaking cliffs. The most stunning of them all is Cape Roca! The westernmost point of Continental Europe. Experience hiking inland, where you'll cross the Sintra Forest and its hilltops capped by luxuriant vegetation. During this time, you will also explore charming hotels, delicious gastronomy, and an incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Tour information.

SELF-GUIDED 2024 PRICES Low Season 1.100 EUR Single Room + 580 EUR 04 Jan - 24 Mar 29 Oct - 15 Dec Medium Season 1.250 EUR Single Room + 700 EUR 01 Apr - 26 May High Season 1.300 EUR Single Room + 750 EUR 27 May - 26 Jun 27 Sep - 28 Oct Special Season 1.500 EUR Single Room + 850 EUR 25 Mar - 31 Mar 27 Jun - 26 Sep

Price Notes • prices per person for a minimum of 2 people in double/twin room • solo traveler supplement on request

6 - 20 km / day

Coastal trails, dirt roads, trails on the forest

Charming / Superior

7 Days | 6 Nights

Guided and Tailor-Made Tours available on request:

Included and Optional Services

Preparation.

Personalized assistance throughout the booking

Pre-departure Information Pack (checklist, general travel information)

Tour Information (description of daily stages & profiles)

Liability and personal accident insurance

Accommodations

Breakfast daily

Private bathroom in all accommodations

If any accommodation isn’t available, we will propose an alternative solution

Transfers during the tour as mentioned in the daily description

Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel

Orientation

Digital Information Book delivered before the tour

Smartphone App & GPS Tracks

Local Support Number (free to call us 24h/day)

GPS Device (Garmin Oregon): on request

Extra Days & Nights (add them along the way): on request

Different arrival & departure transfers: on request

Transfer from Lisbon to Cascais

Welcome to portugal.

Transfer from Lisbon

Hike from Cascais / Guincho to Azóia

This day will start with an optional short transfer to guincho..

Optional Transfer

Elevation Gain

+ 400 | 300 m

Quinta Vale da Roca

Hike Azóia Loop

Sintra's mountain will immediately take your breath away.

Hike from Azóia to Praia Grande

After a delicious breakfast, you will emerge into a scenery over the cliffs where the ocean stretches as far as your eyes can see..

Arribas Hotel

Hike from Praia Grande to Sintra / Monserrate

Today will be a gorgeous day.

+ 700 | 500 m

Optional City Bus

Sintra Boutique

Hike Sintra Loop

Explore the hills above the village of sintra..

Transfer from Sintra to Lisbon

That's it our splendid tour comes to an end..

Transfer to Lisbon

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A Self-Guided Sintra Day Trip: Hiking to Sintra’s Palaces

Sintra is a beautiful place to hike, but we found Sintra hiking trail information was hard to find for independent travelers. Tour websites were steering people to the tour bus circuit and we had to do a lot of online research to find any sort of trail maps or clear hiking directions.

After visiting Sintra with a We Hate Tourism tour, we really wanted to see more. So we decided to do a day trip to Sintra on our own , taking the train from Lisbon one weekday morning in early November and walking to the various palaces.

Updated: January 2024. Originally published: Dec 2017.

In this post, I’ll share what we did and what we learned along the way so other independent travelers can have an easier time visiting Sintra on their own. We’ll include self-guided hiking options as well as some alternatives.

Sintra Trail Maps

Hiking trail maps for Sintra are hard to find online. (Update: You can now download a few trail maps here , although they’re not as easy to follow as the ones posted on site.)

Once we were in Sintra, we did come across some trail maps posted at the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace, which would have been nice to have beforehand, although the trail we initially took is not included on either.

Here are both Sintra walking maps (note that in the second map, the town at the bottom is actually North of the castle):  

How to get to Sintra from Lisbon by train

Conveniently, there’s a direct regional train to Sintra that leaves from Rossio station in the heart of Lisbon. You can purchase tickets at the counter on the top floor for “urban” lines.

At the time of this writing, reusable cards are 50 euro cents and a round trip to Sintra is 4.60 euros.

If you already have a reusable Viva Viagem card (also used for the bus, trams, and metro), make sure you’ve used up any single journey tickets or other credit. You can only have one “type” of ticket on the card at a time.

We arrived to Rossio around 7:20 a.m., and there was only one person in line at the ticket counter (this is early November). The train was waiting for us and left at 7:41 on the dot, mostly empty.

There’s nothing spectacular to see on 40 minute journey except Lisbon’s aqueduct at the beginning, then it’s just suburbs and graffiti’d train stations.

We arrived in Sintra around 8:20 with the train almost empty again. In retrospect, it would have better to take the 8:11 a.m. train since few things are open in Sintra before 9 a.m.!

Click here for the Lisbon to Sintra train timetable PDF – the Rossio to Sintra line is in red.

Walking up to Sintra’s historic center

Exiting the train station, we followed signs to the town center. There’s a nice wide sidewalk and a pretty setting with statues along the way.

Be aware that Google Maps may show you a shorter walking route from the train station, but the main road is actually preferable and there’s less elevation change.

Since we arrived before 8:30, only one cafe was open, across from National Palace . The town was just starting to wake up and no tour buses were present yet.

We waited with a handful of others for the historic Piriquita bakery to open at 9, with the delicious scent of pastries wafting into the street.

I can’t remember the name of the long sugar-covered pastries with jam filling, but they’re our favorite. We ordered two of those plus one quiejada , an espresso, and a coffee with milk (5.80 total).

The bakery was founded well over a century ago and has even opened a second shop in town – one is closed on Tuesday and the other closes Wednesdays.

For anyone looking to hike straight up to the Moorish Castle, there’s a trail sign across from Piriquita on the corner of another shop. (This is actually the way we came back down.) The sign mentions that corresponding walking maps are available at the Sintra info center.

Not sure you want to hike Sintra on your own? You can also do a half-day trekking tour of Sintra with a guide.  You’ll meet the guide at the National Palace in Sintra, so just follow our directions up to this point. Morning and afternoon walking tours are available. >> Book the Sintra Half-Day Trekking Tour <<

Walking to Regaleira Palace

Freshly fortified by pastries, we started the short walk to Regaleira Palace . There was a sign on the road leading out of town from the southwest so we knew we were headed the right way.

We also came across the hop-on hop-off bus circuit map. If you don’t want to walk, that’s always an option.  Purchase full day Hop On Hop Off bus tickets here > 

When the road started heading uphill, we began to see the palace grounds. We continued walking all the way around the corner to the open gate.

At 9:35 a.m., the grounds had just opened. There was no line for Quinta da Regaleira tickets and just a slow trickle of people entering.

We enjoyed exploring the grounds without crowds, starting with the mysterious Initiation Well. We followed various underground tunnels, found curious rock structures and caves, and were generally in awe of the eccentric landscape architecture.

I’ll let the photos speak for themselves…

We entered the actual palace building at 10:45 a.m. The top floor wasn’t open so we walked through in about 5 minutes. Ready to move on, we took advantage of the bathrooms in another building before heading out for the rest of our hike.

Monserrate Palace

Note: If you have time and want to visit more palaces, I’d recommend starting with Monserrate first . 

We saw it on our first visit to Sintra. It’s really beautiful – especially the mansion itself. The gardens are also lovely but they pale in comparison to those of Regaleira, so do Monserrate first and you’ll be increasingly impressed!

Monserrate is further up the road from Regaleira and is almost always less crowded.

If you don’t have enough time for both, prioritize Regaleira over Monserrate when possible.  

Rampa da Pena Trail from Regaleira

We got confirmation from a security guard that there was indeed a trail entrance further up the road, though we got the impression he was rarely asked about it. So we followed signs to Monserrate and before too long, we saw the trail and sign on the left.

We entered the trail around 11 a.m., which was walled on both sides the entire way until it put us back out onto the winding road heading up to Pena Palace.  

We noticed that a tuk tuk driver was guiding some tourists through a gate across the road, so we followed them in to check it out.

It was the perfect place for our picnic lunch. We sat on some rock outcroppings and had views of both Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle perched on their respective hills.  

Although it wasn’t marked, we suspected that the hiking trail is actually supposed to continue through that same gate, as there was a pretty prominent dirt path leading in the direction of Pena Palace (though slightly downhill).

Since we weren’t sure, we returned to the road and followed it up to the Pena entrance.

Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle

Not including our lunch break, it took us less than an hour to hike from Regaleira to the top of the hill .

We first came upon one of the entrance areas and a parking lot for Pena Palace , where we could see part of the gardens through the gate.

It’s still a big climb uphill from the ticket booth to reach the palace itself, and we hear the lines can get long, so a visit to Pena could potentially take up the rest of the afternoon. We decided to skip it.

If you want to avoid the very long lines at Pena Palace , it makes sense to book in advance. Book a Pena Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket >

From the Pena parking lot, there was a nice dirt path that became cobble stone after we passed a viewpoint of the Moorish Castle.

Soon, we were approaching a ticket booth for the Moorish Castle on the nearby road, but we turned left and continued along the stone paths toward the castle.

Tickets for the Moorish Castle are collected at the ‘inner circle wall’ so you can see a bit of the outer grounds without paying.

Book Castle of the Moors private tour here>

I recommend checking out the nice short video inside the chapel that depicts the area’s history. Between the chapel and the inner wall/ticket entrance, you can also look into two old burial grounds.

From the Moorish Castle, there’s a cobbled pathway and stairs leading down to the road back into town. I believe there are a couple ways down, so we just followed the signs to Centro Historico and enjoyed the nice views.

We came down this stairway – the path from Sintra to the Moorish Castle is well marked so it should be easy to follow if you’re doing the reverse of our trip. (Apologies to the tourists we caught in our pictures!)

We left the Moorish castle around 12:10 and were back at the train station by 12:45 p.m, just in time for the 1 o’clock train back to Lisbon. There was a marked difference when we passed through Sintra’s town center on the way back – it was no longer quiet, and we had to dodge people in the alleys.

All in all, our self-guided Sintra day trip was a success. We loved exploring Sintra’s serene hiking trails and spending more time around in its magical palaces.

Each visit has left us wanting to go back for more – as long as we can stay off the beaten path and avoid the growing crowds of tourists!

If you have any questions about making a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon or about hikes in Sintra, please let us know in the comments. If you’re an expert in this area, we’d love to hear your advice and suggestions for the best walks in Portugal!

What travel restrictions and rules are in place in Lisbon? Find post-pandemic travel updates for Lisbon here: What you need to know about Lisbon travel right now

✈️ Protect your Sintra trip with Travel Insurance – We’ve started using Nomad Insurance by Safety Wing for affordable evacuation, international medical, and trip coverage.

For further reading:

– Self-Guided Walking Tour Itineraries for 3 Days in Lisbon – What Not to Miss in Lisbon (On A Budget) – Is the Lisbon Card worth it? – Where to stay in Lisbon

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22 Comments

Thanks for your post. Yesterday we found a footpath up near the Igreja de Santa Maria. And there is a coffee shop open at 7 am. It’s on the road which is next to the Municipal building which turns right downhill that google maps tells you to go, and if you turn left you are on flat sidewalk next to road.

Thanks for writing in and adding this great tip!

What is the name and location of this cafe?

Thanks for visiting our blog, Craig. I believe you are referring to the Piriquita Bakery, which we have linked to their webpage in the post so you can find more information. It seems there are actually two locations, and you can find the map on their Contact page: https://piriquita.pt/pages/contactos

The trail maps are not hard to find, but maybe they were not available when you visited back in 2017. You can download a detailed pdf guide to the trails on the Parques de Sintra website. The guide includes the Santa Maria trail, the Lapa Trail and the Seteais trail. The page is: https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en *UPDATE: PAGE NO LONGER EXISTS* The link to the pdf is at the bottom of this page. We will be visiting Sintra soon and found your article to be very helpful

Thank you, Jack. I have updated our post with that link. The online maps don’t seem quite as easy to follow as the ones we came across on site, but at least it’s something!

Those are really great pictures of some pieces of history, it’s weird to think how many used to call those home.

Hi, thanks for the great info on hiking. On the trail down from Moorish Castle back to Sintra, do you pass by Vila Sassetti? Also, is there a trail to Monserrate? The road from Sintra doesn’t appear to have a sidewalk. Thanks

Hi Pete. Glad to hear you’ve found the info helpful. We were only able to record details about the hike we did ourselves, but we did capture those photos of the trail maps so hopefully they can be used to find other options. I think you’re right about the road to Monserrate not having a sidewalk, though I think you could walk it just fine if you’re cautious and alert to vehicles around the curves.

Hi Michelle

Thanks very much for all the detail, that’s really helpful.

I am planning for our Sintra trip one day early in November, as you suggested we will take the 8:11am train from Rossio and just arrive before 9am.

What I propose is on the opposite direction with you did: take the bus to the Pena, stay for ~1.5 hours and then walk to the Castle, after that I want to take the Rampa da Pena Trail to the Regaleira. Below is some question may you can help:

– Is there a clear sign on the way out of the Castle point to the trail to Regaleira?

– Is the trail safe and difficult? and any high slope? as we have two female cousin coming with us, they are not quite strong.

– For the Pena-Castle-Regaleira-National Palace, if we are not in a hurry do you think we can leave by 4pm?

Thanks in advance and really appreciate for the info.

Hi Li. So glad you found our post to be helpful! I think that route sounds like a great plan. The trail is not difficult or very steep, and the way you are doing it will be mostly downhill. I do not think you’ll be able to depart by 4pm if you want to go *inside* all of the castles – I would recommend viewing the Moorish Castle and National Palace from the outside only so that you can take your time. As for getting from the Moorish Castle down to Regaleira, honestly the signage could be better. From the castle grounds, you’ll actually head back toward Pena palace and you should find a trail map in the parking lot below Pena (the second map on this post, titled Percurso Pedestre at the top). You can either find the trail from the same parking lot, or follow the road as it winds down toward Regaleira/Monserrate and connects up with trail further down. I hope that helps and please let us know how it goes!

Hello, thank you so much for the information! My husband and I will be in Portugal in October and I’ve been looking for info like you’ve provided….so I’ve looked into the Lisbon city pass options just to see if it’s worth it to see more in the buildings in Sintra…how much did it cost for you to go in Regaleira? And which location is the famous descending stairwell, and is it free to walk through there? Thank you so much in advance! I greatly appreciate the info!

Hi Schylo. I’m glad you found our post helpful – that’s our aim. Up to date costs can be found through the link we included for Regaleira in the post. At the moment, cost for adults is 6 euros. The stairwell/well is on the Regaleira grounds, so you’d need to pay that entrance fee to see it. Happy travels.

hi! We are traveling tot lisbon next week and we are still not sure about wich sintra castle we want to visit. What about the coloured one? We do love this alternative option, before its get crowded!

Hi Joyce. Thanks for stopping by the blog! The colorful castle you’re referring to is Pena Palace. We didn’t go inside that one ourselves. Obviously, it’s the most popular for a reason – great views, beautiful colors. But we don’t regret our decision to do Quinta da Regaleira instead. Not only are the grounds fascinating to explore and just as photo-worthy, it will likely be less crowded. To be honest, you can’t go wrong. Choose one and enjoy it for what it is!

We will be in Lisbon mid September live to do some hiking .thank you for all information Did you do porto too From madrid planning to do Porto/lisbon /sintra and will walk all the way down to the south of Lisbon Or should I get from madrid-lisbon and do Porto/sintra ???? Thank you

Hi Helen. Thanks for your message. We did not make it to Porto, although we’ve heard great things. If you’re planning to go from North to South, then starting in Porto certainly makes sense. I think it just depends on your preferences and transportation costs from Madrid. Enjoy the trip!

I’ll be in Sintra in just under 2 weeks. These pictures were amazing and the information was super helpful. I can’t wait to explore!

Hi Erin. Glad to hear the post was helpful. Have a wonderful trip!

Hi there – how long do you think it will take to do train station –> Regaleira –> Moorish castle / pena palace –> train station, all walking? I’d much prefer waking / hiking over waiting for buses, but slightly concerned about time.

Hi Yali. Since we left at 7:20 and got back around 2pm without doing a second palace, I would just add another 2-3 hours per palace to our timeline. If you were to do Regaleira, the Moorish Castle, AND Pena Palace, you may be getting back after dark, especially if the line for Pena is long. If that’s the case, I would prioritize Regaleira and Pena, just walk past Moorish Castle on your way back to town.

This looks amazing! Love your photos! Thanks for the info!

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Portugal small group tours: A fabulous 5 day Itinerary

This tour is an activity level 4. Click here for terms, conditions, and cancelation policies .

Subject to change. Updated November 17, 2023.

November 13, Thursday Day 1:

Welcome to Lisbon, and the start of your Portugal small group tours. I’ll pick you up at the airport and take you to our hotel. Your room will be ready when you get there if you wanna take a nap or freshen up. The rest of the day is all yours.

Meet in the lobby of the hotel to go over to our Welcome Dinner! We’ll be enjoying a traditional Fado performance with our dinner. Fado is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list and is something not to be missed when you’re visiting Portugal. 

November 14, Friday Day 2:

After breakfast (which is included all week), I’ll be giving a walking/tram tour that will include a tour of the Castle of St. George.

Audio guides will be included where they are available. We’ll also be able to check out the Santa Justa Lift.

In the evening, we’ll be heading out on a Food and Wine Walking Tour! The best way to experience a new place is through their food!

November 15, Saturday Day 3:

Today we head out of Lisbon on a day trip to Sintra, Pena Palace and Cabo da Roca!

“Find the colorful Pena Palace hidden behind the tallest trees of Sintra! This unique masterpiece seems to make all the fairytales come true. Allow yourself to wander around the palace’s yards and gardens and take the chance to explore its lavish chambers.

Next, head over to the center of Sintra and get time to wander on your own. Take recommendations of the city’s must-see locations as well as the best restaurant options for delicious traditional Portuguese dining from your guide. Find Sintra’s local flavors where time slows, and every corner reveals a slice of the town’s magnificent gastronomy. Immerse yourself in the town’s romanticism as you explore its cobblestone and picturesque squares.

Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Continental Europe and amaze yourself with the impressive views of the ocean crashing against the high rocky cliffs. Enjoy the harmony between the sound of the waves and the fresh breeze, where “earth ends, and the sea begins”. Allow yourself to be embraced by the Portuguese Riviera, while enjoying a short walking tour around the charming Cascais.”

November 16, Sunday Day 4:

After breakfast this morning, I’ll be taking you on quick tram trip to Belem! We’ll be able to see the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belem Tower and most importantly taste the famous Pasteis de Belem!

You’ll have the evening free any last-minute site seeing or shopping you have on your list as our final day will be full to the brim with a very exciting day trip!

November 17, Monday Day 5:

On our final day, we’ll be venturing further into Portugal on a day trip to Fatima, Batalha, Nazare and Obidos!

“Follow in the footsteps of Catholic pilgrims on a full-day sightseeing tour of Central Portugal from Lisbon. Transfer from the Portuguese capital, and drive through a vast variety of landscapes on your way to the towns of Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos.

Travel in an air-conditioned van to the extraordinary town of Fátima, where an apparition of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared before 3 children every month between May 1917 and October 1917. Visit one of the major shrines of the Catholic faith, a complex that contains the tombs of 2 of the young shepherd children, the crown of the Virgin in the Chapel of the Apparitions, and a section of the Berlin Wall. Buy lunch in a local restaurant far from the tourist crowds and taste authentic Portuguese food.

Continue to the fishing port of Nazaré for panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Popular with surfers, Nazaré was where Garrett McNamara surfed a 79-foot wave. Finally, tour the picturesque town of Óbidos, taken from the Muslims in 1148. Forming part of the dowry of numerous Portuguese queens, Óbidos maintains its medieval feel inside the old city walls, with cobblestone streets and flower-bedecked houses.

After our day trip, we’ll go to our Farewell Dinner, where we can exchange stories, pictures and enjoy each other’s company for one final night.

November 18, Tuesday Day 6:

Sadly, we will all go our separate ways today but I’ll get you back to the airport so you can start your trip home.

Safe travels as you head home! Until we meet again!

Included in your Portugal Small Group Tour:

• Airport transfers to/from the hotel
• Five nights hotel
• 5 hot breakfasts at the hotel
• 1 entree, a side, and one alcoholic beverage or dessert
• Food during the walking tour will probably count as a meal.
• St. George’s Castle
• Santa Justa Lift
• Jeronimos Monastery
• Any entry tickets needed on day trips
• One Metro Card
• Sintra, Pena Palace and Cabo da Roca
• Fatima, Batalha, Nazare and Obidos
• One food and wine walking tour
• Walking tour of Lisbon with Jessy
• One guide who is a text away if you need her (that’s me!)
• Brighter Things Amenity Kit mailed to you before the trip to make your flight more comfortable

For example: flying internationally if this is your first

• A swag bag waiting for you full of fun stuff.

NOT Included in your Portugal Small Group Tour:

• Public transportation or cabs used during free time
• Any meal not listed above
• Meals and snacks during day trips
• Entry tickets to places suggested for free time

This tour is an activity level 4. Click here for terms, conditions, and cancelation policies.

Subject to change. Updated on November 17, 2023.