Don’t drive — parking spots are scarce. Take a train from the beautiful Rossio Station in the centre of Lisbon instead
Sintra is a town and municipality found in the Lisbon Region of Portugal. With its cooler climate among the pine covered hills of the Serra de Sintra, it once attracted Lisbon’s elite, who built the extraordinary palaces and gardens that remain there today. Before them, it was where Celts worshipped their moon god, and where the Moors built a formidable castle, so Sintra’s fairy-tale setting has clearly always bewitched us. Its heady mixture of history and fantasy has made it a World Heritage Site.
Spoilt for Choice
There are really more palaces in Sintra than can be seen in a day. Among the highlights is the Monserrate Palace, which combines Moorish and Gothic styles, with an Italian twist, and has remarkable gardens that are a dreamscape of waterfalls and tropical flora. Another is the Quinta de Regaleira, built at the close of the 19th century, which sprouts turrets and towers like glorious mushrooms. Its garden is full of mythological symbols, with statues of gods set among mysterious wells and grottoes.
The Star of the Show
Among an embarrassment of riches, the standout attraction is surely the Pena Palace. Built in the 19th century by a king who wanted his royal retreat to resemble something from an opera, it is painted in vivid colours, with the sort of pomp and mythical design that brings to mind Mad King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria.
Experience a magical world of ancient castle forts surrounded by evergreen forests, spectacular fairytale castles, and breathtakingly beautiful views toward the sea on this private day trip from Lisbon to Sintra, Cabo da Roca and the golden sands of Cascais on the Atlantic coast.
Described as the Garden of Eden by Lord Byron, Sintra is a unique and beautiful town in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, home to the Pena Palace and just 20 miles from Lisbon. Cape Roca or Cabo da Roca is the cape that forms the westernmost point of continental Europe, with not to be missed dramatic coastal views, and Cascais is a charming coastal town known for its pretty sandy beaches and busy port.
On your private day trip, you will:
Your all-inclusive private day trip led by an experienced local guide starts early with pick-up from your hotel in Lisbon to ensure that you avoid the queues and crowds at Pena Palace, the colourful fairytale castle perched high on the hill above the charming town of Sintra.
Built in the 19th century, this was the summer country home of the Portuguese royal family and is set amidst a dramatic landscape of a hilly evergreen forest, with spectacular views over the surrounding landscape. It was built by King Ferdinand II, who had a very flamboyant and larger-than-life taste. Admire the colourful exterior of Pena Palace, then walk along its terraces and visit the chapel while enjoying sweeping views across the Sintra mountains toward the Atlantic coast.
After your morning tour, enjoy free time for lunch in Sintra, a pretty cobbled town with wonderful restaurants and views. Lord Byron called it the Garden of Eden on a visit. After lunch, enjoy a scenic drive through Sintra Natural Park to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Continental Europe, with amazing cliffside views of the ocean. Then drive to Cascais for a guided tour of this historic and charming coastal town, home to the medieval Nossa Senhora da Luz Fort and the 15th-century Citadel Palace, a former royal retreat.
Lastly, enjoy a relaxing drive back to Lisbon.
Just 20 miles from the centre of Lisbon, you will discover Sintra, one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, known for its spectacular setting and grand Mansions of the Portuguese Elite.
On your private day trip to Sintra, you will:
Step beyond Lisbon and into the magical landscapes of Sintra on this full-day private tour combining historic trains, lush gardens, romantic palaces, and hidden tunnels. Travel like a local, explore with an expert guide, and uncover the stories behind one of Portugal’s most enchanting destinations.
Your journey begins in central Lisbon, where you’ll meet your private guide in front of the iconic Rossio Train Station. After a warm welcome and overview of the day ahead, you’ll board a scenic train to Sintra. As you travel through the countryside, your guide will introduce you to Sintra Natural Park, its unique microclimate, and why this UNESCO-listed region became a favourite retreat for Portuguese royalty and European aristocracy.
Upon arrival in Sintra, a tuk-tuk will whisk you up the forested hills toward the colourful Pena Palace. Before entering, your guide will share the fascinating story of King Ferdinand II, whose romantic vision transformed this hilltop into one of Europe’s most extraordinary palaces. Admire the colourful exterior of Pena Palace, and continue to explore the terraces, chapel, and surrounding walls, where sweeping views stretch across the Sintra mountains and toward the Atlantic coast.
Your exploration continues into the Palace Gardens, a vast and tranquil landscape filled with exotic plants and hidden corners. Wander past the Temple of the Columns, Camellia Garden, Friar’s Tank, Manueline Chapel, Bird Fountain, and the serene Valley of the Lakes, discovering how the palace grounds were designed as a romantic escape into nature. From here, a tuk-tuk transfer brings you down to Sintra’s historic centre, where your guide will introduce the charming village and the Sintra National Palace. The morning concludes in the heart of town, where you’ll enjoy free time to relax and have lunch at your leisure, with your guide happy to suggest local favourites.
In the afternoon, reconvene outside the Sintra National Palace and begin a gentle walking tour through the picturesque streets of Sintra. Soon you’ll arrive at Quinta da Regaleira, one of the most mysterious and captivating estates in Portugal. During your visit, explore the Gate of the Guardians, Initiation Well, caves, waterfalls, underground tunnels, Regaleira Tower, labyrinth paths, and the enchanting chapel and palace. Your guide will reveal the symbolism behind the estate, from secret societies and alchemy to hidden meanings embedded throughout the grounds.
After your visit, walk back toward the train station to board the train back to Lisbon, where your experience concludes at Rossio Train Station in the late afternoon.
This immersive full-day journey blends royal history, breathtaking landscapes, and hidden secrets, offering a truly unforgettable escape into the fairytale world of Sintra.
The Pena National Palace is a Romanticist castle in Sintra, Portugal. It stands on the top of a hill above the town of São Pedro de Penaferrim and is the most popular tourist attraction in the town, as well as one of the most visited monuments in the country. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
On your private half-day tour of the Pena Palace, you will:
Your private tour of Sintra will start at Rossio Train station in central Lisbon. Today Portugal's most famous attraction, the Pena Palace was built in the 19th century as a summer home for Portuguese royalty. It was built by King Ferdinand II who had a very flamboyant and larger-than-life taste.
It is an adaptation of 16th-century monastery ruins and an imitation of a medieval fortress. The Palace boasts spectacular views over the natural park and Lisbon (on a clear day) as well as beautifully landscaped gardens. Enjoy a 30-minute walk through the gardens to see our favourite section: the valley of the lakes.
Your tour will end with a tuk-tuk ride either back to Sintra train station, where you will catch the train back to Lisbon with your guide, or you can stay in Sintra town where you can have lunch and continue exploring at your own pace.
If you chose to stay in Sintra, your guide will give you your return train tickets which will be valid all day.
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