One of Portugal’s most popular destinations, Sintra is filled with some of the country’s best things to see and do. Read on for a full Sintra travel guide, including transportation tips, best places to stay and eat, top things to do, and more!
Portugal is such an amazing country that even it’s small towns pack a big punch. One of these towns is the beautiful Sintra! Listed as a World Heritage Cultural Landscape, Sintra is home to a variety of romantically designed palaces and villas. To make it all even better, many of the palaces are also perched up high on a hill offering a panoramic view of the grassy landscape around them.
Sintra is located only 30kms from Lisbon, making it a popular destination for travellers in Portugal. It is commonly visited as a day trip from Lisbon. However, after exploring Sintra on my 2 week trip to Portugal, I discovered how under-hyped Sintra is as a multi-day stop. In fact, most visitors completely pass by one of the most beautiful spots in all of Portugal when they choose to visit Sintra only as a day trip.
All of this to say, Sintra is an absolutely stunning destination in Portugal that everyone should visit. Wondering how to get to Sintra from Lisbon? Where the best places to stay and eat? What to do in Sintra when you are there? Look no further, here is a full Sintra travel guide that includes everything you need to know!
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A Comprehensive Sintra Travel Guide (Everything You NEED to Know)
How Many Days Do You Need in Sintra?
2 days is the perfect amount of time to see the best of Sintra and amazing sights nearby as well. By travelling to Sintra only on a day trip, you will still be able to see some of the highlights within Sintra, but will miss out on exploring the coast and it’s jaw-dropping views.
Best Time to Visit Sintra
Like Lisbon, Sintra will be busiest during Portugal’s peak season in July and August. At this time of year, the best things to see and do in that area will likely be quite overcrowded. Availability in accommodations and restaurants will also become more limited and you will likely have to book these things further in advance.
With that being the case, it is much better to avoid these months of the year if you are wanting to avoid the crowds. Portugal has a very manageable climate year round, so you don’t need to worry about weather conditions when deciding when to visit. I visited Sintra in November and even at that time of year it was busy, although accommodation and finding places to eat were not an issue.
How to Get to Sintra From Lisbon
Due to it’s close proximity, Lisbon is the most popular city to depart from when visiting Sintra. There are several transportation options and it is quick and easy to get from Lisbon to Sintra.
By Train:
The cheapest and easiest way to visit Sintra from Lisbon is by taking the train. Trains depart from the centrally located Lisboa Rossio station and also from the Oriente station if you happen to be on that side of the city. The trains run frequently (about every 30 minutes) and the ride only takes 40 – 50 minutes depending on which station you leave from.
There is no need to purchase your train tickets in advance, the trains run frequently enough that you can buy it right from the train station before departing. The cost of a return ticket is 4.50 euros. You can also use your Lisbon metro card, known as the Lisboa Viva card if you already have money loaded on it from using public transportation in Lisbon.
By Car:
If you are planning to rent a car on your trip to Portugal, then driving to Sintra is also a great option. The drive is a quick and easy 30 minutes. Just make sure your accommodation has room for parking.
By Guided Tour:
A third option for transportation to Sintra is by guided tour. This option is available if you are just looking to spend just a day trip visiting Sintra. The pricier of options, the tour will bring you to some of the best sights within Sintra and will completely handle all transportation to and within the town.
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How to Get Around Within Sintra
Despite the towns smaller size, Sintra’s main attractions are still fairly spread out. This makes it a bit harder to explore the attractions by foot and you will need to figure out transportation options. Luckily, Sintra has a great tourist bus that takes you to all the main highlights year round.
The main tourist bus is number 434 and offers a great 24 hour hop on hop off ticket. It takes you around to many of the palaces, castles and villas that are included on Sintra’s best things to see and do. You can purchase your ticket directly on the bus, but you will need cash.
The 24 hour pass costs 11 euros and works for other tourist bus lines in Sintra too (i.e. the 403 and 435). You can use it the next day to visit Cabo da Roca on the west coast. To read more about transportation details for getting to the west coast for the Sintra Coastal trail and Cabo da Roca viewpoint, read this guide.
Best Places to Stay in Sintra
Despite being visited mostly as a day trip from Lisbon, there is a fairly large variety of great places to stay in Sintra for all budgets. When choosing your accommodation, it is best to choose a location that is within walking distance to the downtown area, unless you have a car and don’t mind driving.
Some Great Budget Options:
During my stay in Sintra, I opted for the budget option and stayed in a hostel. Below are two great hostel options. Both are located super central, have great ratings, are very cute and cozy, and display the typical hostel charm.
Some Great Mid-Range Options:
Both beautiful options if you are looking for great central hotels that won’t break the bank.
Casa Holstein Quinta de Sao Sebastiao Sintra
Some Great Luxury Options:
If you like to add a little luxury to your vacations, below are two of the highest rated luxury hotels in the Sintra area.
The Best Things to See and Do in Sintra
For such a small town, Sintra has SO MANY amazing things to see and do. From exploring palace gardens to hiking along dramatic coastlines, you can easily fill 2 full days with amazing adventures. Here are the top 10 best things to see and do in and around Sintra:
1. Hike the Sintra Coastal Trail
Cost: FREE!
If you only take away one thing from this Sintra travel guide, it is that you absolutely need to hike the Sintra Coastal trail. This was the highlight of my trip to Portugal by far and was honestly one of the best places I have visited in all of my world travels. The hike takes you high up along the coast, with views over the ocean, jagged cliffs and picture-perfect beaches. I even had an entire beach to myself!
I recommend budgeting a full day for this, arriving early in the morning to the starting point in Cabo da Roca. Check with the bus driver when the last bus returns to Sintra because this will change depending on the season. For more details, read the post below!
Read Related Post: A Full Guide to Hiking the Sintra Coastal Trail in Portugal
2. Visit Cabo da Roca (The Western-Most Point in Continental Europe)
Cost: FREE!
Hit 2 birds with one stone, by starting your Sintra Coastal trail hike at the western-most point in continental Europe, Cabo da Roca. This is an amazing viewpoint that features jagged cliffs, amazing seascapes, and a gigantic classic style lighthouse. If hiking is not really your thing, this viewpoint still makes the journey out to the coast super worth it. There is also a restaurant which can help add more time to this beautiful stop.
3. See the Views Atop the Moorish Castle Walls
Cost: €8 for adults
Explore the walls of the Moorish castle and enjoy the views over Sintra and the landscape around it. The old stone gives the feeling that you are walking atop old castle ruins. You’ll get amazing photos standing atop the historical castle’s outer walls.
4. Visit Pena Palace and it’s Surrounding Gardens
Cost: Entrance fee to visit the palace grounds is €7.50 or €14 for access inside the Palace as well
The most popular sight in Sintra, Pena Palace is worth the hype. The palace is located at the top of a large hill offering panoramic views above the surrounding area. The castle itself is also super unique. It’s not worth paying extra to go inside the castle, just pay for the Pena gardens pass. This pass will allow you to explore the outside grounds of the castle, including the palace walls and the surrounding gardens.
5. Explore the Mystical Grounds of La Quinta da Regaleira
Cost: €10 for adults
This mansion’s grounds look like they are straight out of a fairytale. Gorgeously green landscapes and beautiful architecture, this is one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Sintra.
6. Explore Sintra’s Adorable Downtown
Cost: FREE!
When I first arrived in Sintra, I was blown away by it’s natural beauty and how adorable the little downtown is. Despite reading tons of information on the best things to see and do in Sintra, I had no idea to expect anything from the town itself. However, Sintra is way more than just it’s tourist attractions. Explore around some of the side streets to see amazing views of houses and buildings tiered on the hills nearby. Take a walk through the cobbled narrow streets and find cute little shops, bakeries and restaurants.
7. Visit the Monserrate Palace
Cost: €8
The Monserrate Palace features an Arabian style design with beautiful gardens surrounding the villa. You can use your hop on hop off bus ticket to take bus 435 from the Sintra train station to get there.
8. See the Views from the National Palace of Sintra
Cost: €10
The National Palace of Sintra is located right in the heart of Sintra’s downtown. It is speculated that the palace was built in the 10th or 11th century and is the only palace that has lasted the entire history of Portugal. The inside of the Palace is now a museum for tourists to explore. Whether you choose to explore inside or simply walk around the outside grounds, the National Palace of Sintra is worth a short visit.
9. Enjoy Delicious Treats from Casa Piriquita
A delicious local bakery that offers a great mid-day treat. Try out a Travesseiro de Sintra, a delicious flaky pastry filled with almond cream. This bakery was recommended to me and said to be the best from a Sintra local.
10. See the Initiation Well
Cost: Entry to La Quinta da Regaleira includes the Initiation Well
Located on the grounds of La Quinta da Regaleira, the initiation well features a beautiful stone spiral staircases that circles downwards into a tunnel system. With bright green moss and plants growing in between and over the stones, you’ll feel like you are walking in a fairy tale.
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Best Places to Eat in Sintra
For such a small town, Sintra has a decent amount of restaurants to choose from. With all the walking you’ll be doing exploring the sights, you will definitely work up an appetite. Here are some of the best rated restaurants in Sintra:
- Romaria de Baco | This restaurant is located on a little side street in Sintra, so not as many tourists know to look for it. Enjoy a great modern Portuguese meal or sample some of their delicious tapas. This comes as one of the highest rated restaurants in Sintra.
- Incomum | Located right next to the train station, Incomum is a more elegant dining option. They offer traditional Portuguese food and are very highly reviewed.
- Tascantiga | If you like tapas, this is the place for you. This restaurant makes it into the top 3 on many lists for the best restaurants in Sintra.
Essential Tips for Visiting Sintra
Sintra is a very touristy town and can become quite overcrowded in the peak summer months. With these tips below, you will be able to avoid some of these crowds and ensure a successful trip to Sintra.
- Arrive at tourist spots really early. Most people visiting Sintra are day-tripping from Lisbon. This means they are likely arriving a bit later in the morning. Therefore, you can avoid some of these crowds coming in from Lisbon by arriving at the tourists spots right for open.
- Things close early in Sintra, especially compared to Lisbon. Around 9pm, I headed out to find something to eat and found that all the restaurants except for one were already closed or in the process of closing. Keep this in mind, because it sucks to be stranded without something to eat.
- You need more than one day to see it all. I’ve mentioned this already, but it is worth being said again. Don’t just do Sintra as a day trip, unless you want to be hustling and miss out on the beautiful Sintra Coast views.
- Bring some snacks with you. There are very limited amount of places to buy food or snacks when you are visiting the sights. Most of the tourist spots don’t offer any kind of food or snacks at all. Pena Palace has a small restaurant for snacks, but they were way overpriced. There are some cute bakeries in town that you can get a sandwich and some treats to bring with you.
Example 2 Day Sintra Itinerary
With so many amazing things to do in and around Sintra, it can be hard to visualize how to fit it all in. Here is my recommendation for the perfect 2 day Sintra itinerary.
Day 1 (Sintra Palaces and Villas)
Take a train in from Lisbon early at the start of the day (as early as possible is ideal). Your first stop is going to be your accommodation to drop off your overnight bag.
Casa Piriquita
While you are in town, stop at Casa Piriquita to grab some delicious treats and snacks to bring with you for a busy day of sightseeing.
Pena Palace
Starting off your 2 days in Sintra with the most popular palace, head back to the train station to catch bus 434. Purchase a 24 hour hop on and off pass and head right to Pena Palace (the last stop at the top of the hill). Budget at least a couple hours to explore the palace grounds and the beautiful gardens surrounding it.
Moorish Castle
After exploring Pena Palace, hike down to the Moorish Castle. Enjoy the beautiful views from the castle walls for about an hour.
Tip: If you want to avoid the hike down, stop at the Moorish castle first and then hop back on the bus to take you up to Pena Palace as the second stop.
La Quinta da Regaleira and the Initiation Well
Next stop on your 2 day itinerary in Sintra, is La Quinta da Regaleira. Spend a couple hours exploring the beautiful grounds and stopping at the initiation well.
Wander Sintra’s Downtown and the National Palace of Sintra
Sintra’s National Palace is located right in the heart of Sintra’s downtown. It’ll only take you a few minutes to take in the national palace and then continue on to wander the cute cobbled streets of Sintra.
Day 2 (Sintra Coastal Views and Beaches)
Cabo da Roca
Start bright and early by heading to the train station and hopping on bus 403 to take you to Cabo da Roca on the west coast of Portugal. The bus takes about 45 minutes and drops you off right at Cabo da Roca’s viewpoint. Spend half an hour enjoying the views and taking it all in.
Sintra Coastal Trail and Praia da Ursa
The Sintra Coastal Trail can be hiked in many variations but I at least recommend you make it as far as Praia da Ursa. The hike directly to Praia da Ursa takes roughly half an hour and then 15 – 20 minutes down to the beach. You’ll know it is Praia da Ursa by the hershey kiss shaped rock features on the beach. Spend a solid few hours exploring the trail and enjoying the beautiful beaches. If you are interested in hiking more of the trail and seeing more beautiful beaches along the way, you could easily spend the entire day here. Check out my full guide to the Sintra Coastal trail for more information on how to hike this trail.
Monserrate Palace
If you only spent a few hours on the coast and have the time afterwards, explore the beautiful Monserrate Palace before heading back to Lisbon. Trains run back to Lisbon until almost midnight so this does make it easier to have a full day of exploring on day 2 as well.
Read Related Post: The Perfect 3 Day Lisbon Itinerary: A Full Guide
Sintra Travel Guide: Final Thoughts
With Sintra being so close to Lisbon and having so many amazing things to see and do, it is an absolute must on your itinerary in Portugal. You can easily fill 2 days in Sintra with all that this town has to offer. If you are wanting to spend time on the west coast of Portugal to see some of the best views in all of Portugal, then you definitely need to add a second day. By using the information and tips in this Sintra travel guide, you are sure to have an amazing time!
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Wow! That looks like such a fun trip and the downtown area looks super fun. I’ve never been to portugal before, so this is definitely on my list of places to go. Great post.
Great post. I love that there is a hop on hop off bus that takes you around town. Beautiful pics!
This looks like a really nice place to visit. Thank you for taking us on an adventure with you. This just added up to the list of places that I would like to travel at soon. Thank you xx
Sintra looks like such a great destination! Moorish Castle is so beautiful, I definitely want to visit now!
The Moorish Castle is beautiful indeed, you definitely need to check it out!
Adding Sintra to my bucket list 💕 Amazing read!!
Sintra is definitely a bucket list destination! Thanks 🙂
Sintra sounds so wonderful to visit. Thank you for sharing so much great details about your time in Portugal. I really enjoyed reading your post 🤗
Pastor Natalie
Letstakeamoment.com
Thank you for commenting! I’m glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Sintra is a fairy tale, amazing photos. I would love to visit the seaside…
The seaside is definitely a dream. I hope you make it out there!