Sintra in One Day Without a Guide: A Stress-Free DIY Itinerary
Sintra DIY Itinerary
Pena Palace Exterior and Gardens
Moorish Castle
Quinta da Regaleira
Pena Palace Exterior and Interior
Quinta da Regaleira
Pena Palace Exterior
Quinta da Regaleira
Palace of Monserrate
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How to Get to Sintra From Lisbon
The best way to get to Sintra from Lisbon really depends on your personal preference and budget. The train offers the most affordable way to get from Lisbon to Sintra, while an Uber or Bolt offers the most carefree option at the highest rate. Driving to Sintra is the comfortable and seems convenient but can come with the hassle of traffic and finding parking.
Here is an overview of all the ways to get to Sintra to help you decide which route is best for you:
🚂How to Get to Sintra By Train
Rossio Station
Trains run direct from Rossio Station to Sintra about every 20-40 minutes and the one-way fare is 2,30€. Tickets can be purchased at the kiosk or window. You can also use your Navegante (formerly Viva Viagem) Transport Card by simply tapping it (this also reduces the fare).
⭐Train tickets to Sintra cannot be booked online or in advance, as the train to Sintra is a daily commuter train.
Oriente-Sintra line
For those staying in the upper districts, the Oriente-Sintra line may be a more convenient option with stops along Roma-Areeiro (on the green line), Entrecampos (on the yellow line), and Sete Rios (named “Jardim Zoológico” on the blue line).
For information train times, and information, visit CP.pt or download the Comboios de Portugal (CP) app.
🚗How to Get to Sintra by Car
Sintra is just about 30 minutes by car from Lisbon, via A37, A16, or IC15 (this route includes tolls).
There is not much parking in the center, but at Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandes there is a large (unguarded) parking lot. It is fine to park your car here, but do not leave any valuables in the car. There is also some street parking available in and around the city center, though this can be limited and make sure you have coins for meters (paper cash and cards are not accepted).
🅿️If you plan to drive to Sintra, especially in peak season, it is highly recommended to arrive early to secure parking.
🚕How to Get to Sintra by Rideshare or Taxi
Uber/Bolt/Taxi is also an option and will generally run around 30€ (with higher rates on weekends and during high tourism season).
If you are opting to take a car service to Sintra from Lisbon, and have timed entry tickets, be sure to allow plenty of time, as it can be difficult to get a car and traffic can cause delays.
Sintra Top Attractions
Sintra is packed with historical sites and landmarks, as well as stunning green spaces, parks, hiking trails, and so much more. For the sake of staying within the constraints of creating the perfect one day trip to Sintra, without overdoing your visit, this Sintra itinerary will focus on Sintra’s most famed and popular sites: Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira and Palace of Monserrate.
Below you will find ticketing and booking information for each Sintra site, as well as hours, and addresses.
For more information on Sintra sights, hiking trails, and general information, click here
Park and National Palácio da Pena
The Pena Palace (Portuguese: Palácio da Pena) is a Romanticist castle in São Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera. The castle stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area. It is a national monument and constitutes one of the major expressions of 19th-century Romanticism in the world. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. It is also used for state occasions by the President of the Portuguese Republic and other government officials.
-Wikipedia-
🗺️Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, Portugal
🕰️Open daily Park 9a-7p, Palace 9:30a-7p
💶Pena Palace for tickets
🏰➕🌷Park & Palace (advance, timed tickets required)
€20 adults 18-65
€18 youth under 17 and seniors over 65
€65 family (2 adults and 2 youth)
🌷 Park/Garden only (timed tickets not required)
10€ adults 18 - 64 years
9€ youth under 17 and seniors over 65
35€ Family ticket (2 adults + 2 youths)
Many visitors to Palácio da Pena opt to visit just the gardens and to take in the palace from the outside. Some advantages to this, especially in peak season, are: avoiding crowds, saving time and saving money. Visiting just the garden still offers a beautiful experience and does not require a timed entry.
Probably the most famed attraction in all of Sintra, Palace of Pena is a colorful wonderment on top of a mountain with incredible architecture, history, and stunning views.
This site is so much more than just an “insta-worthy” photo spot (though you will see LOTS of folks trying to capture those perfect pics) and is a truly rich experience. I spent a good half day here with a friend who came to visit, and we had no regrets making this the only site we visited that day.
🚐Pena Palace, being located on a mountain, does require a bit of an ascent to get to, which can be a bit challenging. A shuttle is available to take visitors up to the palace, but I recommend walking down, for those that are able, as the gardens and nature along the path are beautiful, boasting trees and foliage from all over the world.
⭐Timed tickets are required for the interior and do not have leniency for delays, so be sure to arrive early.
Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle)
The Castle of the Moors (Portuguese: Castelo dos Mouros) is a hilltop medieval castle located in the central Portuguese civil parish of Santa Maria e São Miguel, in the municipality of Sintra, about 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Lisbon. Built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries, it was an important strategic point during the Reconquista, and was taken by Christian forces after the fall of Lisbon in 1147. It is classified as a National Monument, part of the Sintra Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-wikipedia-
🗺️2710-405 Sintra, Portugal
🕰️Open daily 10am -6:00pm
💶Moorish Castle for advance tickets
12€ adults 18-65
10€ youth under 17 and seniors over 65
33€ family (2 adults and 2 youth)
Tickets for entry to the Moorish Castle can be purchased on-site via a kiosk (the queue is hit and miss depending on season and time).
Advanced tickets at a slight discount, can be purchased here. Tickets can also be purchased at the tourism office and welcome center. Family packages, as well as multi-site packages are also available (at the kiosk and tourism office).
The views alone make Castelo dos Mouros worth a visit, but the history, architecture and unique experience make it worth putting on a “must see” list for anyone visiting Sintra.
Quinta da Regaleira
Located in the Old Quarter of Sintra and classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, Quinta da Regaleira was built at the end of the 19th century in the spirit of romanticism and its ideals.
🗺️R. Barbosa du Bocage 5, 2710-567 Sintra
🕰️Open Daily 10:00 am - 6:30 pm (last entry 5:30 pm)
💶Quinta da Regaleira for advance purchase tickets
12€ adults
7€ children 6-17 and seniors 65-79
free for children under 5 and seniors 80+
🕧As of 1 August 2024: In the process of purchasing tickets online or in person, visitors to Quinta da Regaleira will have to choose the desired day and time to start their visit. Slots refer to half-hour periods and will have a limited number of spaces.
One of the most famous and popular sights in Sintra, this was my favorite in Sintra. With winding paths and something visually stunning at every turn, this is a must see on any trip to Sintra. I spent several hours here, as I was not on any type of schedule, but it can be done in much less time, or more, depending on how you approach it. Maps of the grounds are available at the ticket office.
Park & Palace of Monserrate
A masterpiece of Romanticism.
A retreat for writers, Monserrate attracted numerous international visitors, especially among the British, who praised its beauty in their travel accounts and engravings. When Francis Cook, a rich, 19th century British industrialist and a great art collector, visited here, he was fascinated. From this passion there emerged a masterpiece of Romanticism: the Park and Palace of Monserrate.
🗺️2710-405 Sintra, Portugal
🕰️Open Daily 10:00am to 6:00pm
💶Palace of Monserrate for tickets and information
12€ adults 18-65
10€ youth under 17 and seniors over 65
33€ family (2 adults and 2 youth)
The Park and Palace of Monserrate has a rich history that spans back to 1540. I took a trip to Sintra just to visit Monserrate and opted to hike up to it from the Sintra train station.
This was absolutely one of my favorite sites in Sintra for many reasons: There are far fewer crowds, the gardens are truly magical, and the palace itself is stunning. I very much lucked out on my visit and there was an opera performance taking place in one of the rooms of the palace and the music radiate throughout as I wandered through it.
Sintra Visit - Option 1
This Sintra Itinerary covers Sintra’s three most popular sights, while allowing adequate time to enjoy each one and comfortably transit between them.
⌚Timed tickets are only required for Quinta da Regaleira in this itinerary.
💶Adult budget for attractions with this itinerary: €37
8:00a Train from Rossio Station to Sinta
An 8:00a train allows plenty of time to get from Sintra Train station to Pena Palace, if you go directly.
See above for how to take the train from Lisbon to Sintra.
9:00a Pena Palace Exterior and Gardens
To get to Palácio da Pena from the Sintra train station:
🥾If you are up for a hike, you can reach Pena Palace on foot. There is a beautiful hiking trail just outside the city center that will take you up to the palace. The ascent is moderate and takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour. *If you choose to hike, take a 7:00a train from Lisbon.
🚗Take an Uber or Bolt. This is generally the most affordable and quickest option (taking about 20 minutes) costing approximately €7-€10
🚌434 Circuito da Pena Bus. Tickets for the 434 bus to Pena Palace are €7.60 round trip. The 434 departs every 15 minutes. This is not the best option during peak season, as it can get very crowded. The services is not always reliable and the timetable is generally more "approximate” than precise.
🛺Tuk-tuks are plentiful from the Sintra train station and will take you up to the palace entrance. Prices will vary based on driver, season, and how good of a negotiator you are.
🚕Taxis are readily available from Sintra train station and are reliable, but a bit more costly than Uber/Bolt. Make sure the meter is on.
11:30a Moorish Castle
How to get to Moorish Castle from Palácio da Pena
🚶🏼♀️➡️It is about a 15-20 minute walk between the two sights. The route is well marked and easy to follow.
1:30p Sintra Centre for lunch
How to get to Sintra City Centre from Moorish Castle
🚶🏼♀️➡️The walk from The Moorish Castle to the City Centre takes about 30 minutes and takes a mild hiking trail. This is my favorite route as it is surrounded by nature and beautiful.
🚌434 Bus. If you took the bus up to Pena Palace, you can hop back on it to return to the City Centre.
🛺 There are often tuk-tuks waiting outside the entrance offering transport between sights and to the city center.
Once you get back to Sintra City Center, you can enjoy a sit-down lunch, or grab a quick bite and spend a bit of time exploring the area before heading up to Quinta da Regaleira.
3:00p Quinta da Regaleira
How to get to Quinta da Regaleira from Sintra City Centre
🚶🏼♀️➡️If you want a little heavy on lunch and want a quick work out, you can walk from Sintra City Centre to Quinta da Regaleira, but be prepared for a pretty serious incline in the final stretch up to the entrance. The walk takes about 20-30 minutes and passes from beautiful statues, tile work, green spaces and views. This is the best way to get to Quinta da Regaleira, in my opinion.
🚌Take the 434 bus (if you purchased the day ticket) or take the closest public bus
🛺Grab a tuktuk
🚗Take a Bolt/Uber (less than 10-minute ride without traffic)
Sintra Itinerary - Option 2
This DIY Sintra day trip is the ideal itinerary for those looking for a more leisurely day, wanting to really sink into each place and enjoy slowly. This itinerary commits more time to Pena Palace, as it includes visiting the interior of the palace.
Choosing two sights allows for more time at each, walking/hiking between sights, or exploring more of the Sintra City Centre, including Sintra National Palace is time allows.
💶Adult budget for attractions with this itinerary: €32 (€45 if included the Sintra National Palace).
8:00a Train from Rossio Station
9:00a Pena Palace Exterior and Interior (*advance timed tickets required)
See above for how to get to Pena Palace from the Sintra Train Station.
12:30p Sintra town for lunch and exploring
How to Get to Sintra City Centre from Pena Palace
🥾Take the hiking trail, then walk. This takes about 45-55 minutes and is downhill from Pena Palace and offers beautiful views and scenery. While hiking boots aren’t necessary, good footwear is highly recommended.
🚌Take the bus
🛺Take a tuk-tuk
🚗Take an Uber/Bolt. This ride generally costs between €7-10
3:00p Quinta da Regaleira
See above for how to get to Quinta da Regaleira from Sintra Town center.
Sintra Day Trip - Option 3
This Sintra day trip itinerary includes my three favorite sights in Sintra and is the ideal itinerary for the ambitious and energetic visit to Sintra.
This itinerary is the busiest of the three DIY Sintra day trips outlined here, but if you are up for a packed day (without overdoing it or missing out), this would be my recommendation.
🔄️This itinerary can also be reversed to start at the top and work your way back down to Sintra Town Center.
🌟If opting to do this itinerary, to maximize your visits to each place, I suggest skipping a sit-down lunch and either bringing snacks or having lunch at the cafe at Quinta da Regaleira.
💶Adult budget for attractions with this itinerary: €34
8:00a Train from Rossio Station
9:00a Pena Palace Exterior
See above for how to get to Pena Palace from the Sintra Train Station.
11:00a Quinta da Regaleira
How to get to Quinta da Regaleira from Pena Palace
🚌Take the 434 Circuito da Pena bus. *The Day Pass also includes the 435 bus, which you can take to Monserrate. The 24 hr pass is €13.50.
🛺Take a tuk-tuk
🚗Take an Uber/Bolt. The ride is approximately 10 minutes and costs around €5
1:30p Sintra town for lunch
3:00p Palace of Monserrate
How to get to Palace of Monserrate from Sintra Town Center
🚗The easiest and most efficient way to get to Palace of Monserrate from Sintra Town Center is by Uber or Bolt. The ride will take approximately 15-20 minutes and cost around €7
🛺Taking a tuk-tuk is an option, but it is a long and bumpy ride up/down the mountain and some of the drivers go quite fast.
🚌The 435 bus (Villa Express) tourist bus provides access to Monserrate Palace
🥾The walk/hike to Monserrate Palace is beautiful and offers stunning views along the way. The hike from Sintra Center to Monserrate Palace takes a little over an hour and is easy to moderate difficulty. I have done this hike a few times and highly recommend it to anyone looking to add some scenery and a good work out to their day trip to Sintra.
