Anyone wondering how best to visit Sintra in Portugal will quickly discover that this fairytale destination requires just a little more planning than the average trip. Just 45 minutes from Lisbon, you step into a completely different world, full of palaces, castles, and stories from days gone by. But without proper preparation, a visit to Sintra can feel overwhelming. Which palaces should you visit? How do you get there? And how do you avoid the long lines? In this travel guide, you’ll discover how to visit Sintra, Portugal, in one day, including practical tips.
What is Sintra?
Sintra is a historic town in the hills of the Serra de Sintra in Portugal, about a 45-minute drive from Lisbon. The combination of lush nature, Moorish influences, royal palaces, and 19th-century Romantic architecture is so unique that Sintra was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995—and rightly so. Because walking through Sintra literally feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Around one corner, a colorful palace appears; around another, a moss-covered castle hidden among the trees.
How to Visit Sintra in Portugal
There are several ways to visit Sintra in Portugal. You can drive there yourself during your road trip in Portugal. Another popular option is to take the train from Lisbon to visit Sintra for a day trip. Here are the different options for visiting Sintra:
1) By car
You can easily visit Sintra by car, but keep in mind that parking can be a challenge. There are only a limited number of parking spaces in town, and during peak season, they’re often already full early in the morning. So, the key is to arrive early! We parked at Estacionamento Large São Pedro Penaferrim , which is located at the foot of the palaces and is free. From here, you can walk up toward the palaces or take the local bus or a taxi. There are also a few restaurants around this parking lot, making it the perfect place to end your day here.
TRAVEL TIP: Avoid the center of Sintra and park at this parking lot or the one near the train station. The streets in the historic center are very narrow and can feel cramped to drive through, especially in a larger car or RV.
2) By public transportation
If you’re visiting Sintra from Lisbon, taking the train to Sintra is the easiest option. After a 40-minute train ride, you’ll arrive in the center of Sintra, with no parking worries. Trains to Sintra depart from Rossio Station in downtown Lisbon and run frequently. A one-way ticket costs just €2.15. From the station in Sintra, you can take the tourist bus that stops at the main attractions or explore the palaces on foot. We do recommend going as early as possible. Starting at 10 a.m., Sintra gets much busier with tour groups. If you’re visiting Sintra in the summer, be sure to take the high daytime temperatures into account.
3) On an organized tour
If you want to explore Sintra without any hassle, an organized day trip from Lisbon is definitely worth considering—especially if you only have one day and don’t want to waste time on logistics. With an organized tour, everything is taken care of for you: transportation, tickets, and a guide who’ll take you to the highlights and tell you about Sintra’s rich history along the way. It’s ideal if you’d rather not have to worry about bus routes and parking problems yourself. Many tours also combine a day trip to Sintra with a visit to Cascais and Cabo da Roca, such as this tour!
Tickets for Sintra in Portugal
Before we take you through the perfect day in Sintra, let’s first go over the most important practical information. Sintra’s palaces and castles are scattered across various hills and estates, and you’ll need a separate ticket for each attraction. So it’s definitely worth deciding in advance which palaces you want to visit and booking those tickets online. During peak season, tickets are often sold out days or even weeks in advance.
TRAVEL TIP: For most castles, you need to reserve a ticket with a time slot. Be sure to book this online in advance, especially during peak season. Also, keep in mind that the entrance to the grounds is not the same as the entrance to the palace itself. Sometimes you’ll have to walk another 15 to 20 minutes before you actually reach the building. So be sure to factor that extra time into your schedule when booking your time slot.
Below you’ll find all the useful links for each castle to help you plan your day as smoothly as possible:
| Castle | Price per person | How to Book |
|---|---|---|
| Park Pena | €10 | Book here |
| Park & Palace National Pena (Reservation with a time slot) | €20 | Book here |
| Moorish Castle | €12 | Book here |
| Quinta da Regaleira – includes an audio guide (Reservation with a time slot) | €27 | Book here |
| Monserrate Palace | €12 | Book here |
| Sintra Palace – audio guide included | €13 | Book here |
How to Get Around in Sintra
There are several options for getting around the castles of Sintra. Many of the palaces are located on hills, and some of the climbs are quite steep. You can do everything on foot, but a popular alternative is to take the local bus. Bus lines 434 and 435 depart from the station in Sintra, and each follows a route that takes you past the palaces. If you want to visit multiple palaces, you can buy a day pass. You can find more information about the routes and tickets here. Are you joining a guided tour, transportation is included.
- Bus Route 434: runs from the train station through the historic center to the Moorish Castle, Pena Palace, and back to the station.
- Bus Route 435: runs from the train station through the historic center to Quinta da Regaleira, Palacio de Seteias, Monserrate Palace, and back again.
Visit Sintra’s Most Beautiful Castles in One Day
Sintra has several palaces and castles, but if you try to visit them all haphazardly, you’ll waste a lot of time. By following a logical route of about 6 to 8 kilometers, you can see Sintra’s main highlights in a single day. We followed this route on foot and it went great; we started with the highest palace. As described above, you can also take bus lines 434 or 435.
1) Pena Palace and Park
We start our day at the Pena Palace and Park, one of Sintra’s most popular attractions and the former country retreat of the Portuguese royal family. From the parking lot or the train station, you can walk to the park’s main entrance. Keep in mind that from the park’s main entrance, it’s another 20-minute walk to the palace. So don’t schedule your time slot too tightly, or hop on the shuttle bus that takes you right to the palace gates. It’s best to allow two to three hours to explore the entire grounds. The park is enormous and beautifully landscaped, with hidden paths, viewpoints, and idyllic ponds.
When you leave the park, take the exit by the ponds instead of returning through the main entrance. From here, you have two options: walk to the Castle of the Moors for spectacular views of Sintra and the coastline, or take the trail downhill toward the historic center via Villa Sassetti. The latter route is quieter and more scenic.
Palace of Pena Hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Hours: Daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last admission: 6:00 p.m.) | Buy your tickets for Pena Palace and Park here
2) Moorish Castle
The Castelo dos Mouros or Moorish Castle dates back to the 10th century and was built by the Moors who conquered the Iberian Peninsula. It has a long history that you can still feel today as you walk along the ancient fortress walls. The castle sits high on a ridge above Sintra and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the forests, the coastline, and—on a clear day—even far into the surrounding countryside. From this castle, you also have a great view of the colorful Pena Palace.
Moorish Castle Hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last admission: 5:30 p.m.) | Buy your tickets for the Moorish Castle here
3) Villa Sassetti
One bonus you’ll come across along the way when you take the hiking trail is Villa Sassetti. This hidden gem is located on the north side of the hill and is one of Sintra’s lesser-known residences. With its striking rounded shapes and warm terracotta tones, the villa exudes a southern, Mediterranean charm. The estate is surrounded by greenery and makes for a peaceful, photogenic stop on the way to Sintra’s historic center. You can’t visit the villa itself, but it’s definitely worth walking past.
4) Quinta da Regaleira
You’ll find a completely different atmosphere at Quinta da Regaleira. This estate combines a romantic palace with a vast, mysterious garden full of hidden nooks and crannies. What makes this visit so special is above all the garden: winding paths, secret tunnels, small bridges, and caves give the whole place an adventurous feel. The absolute highlight is the famous Initiation Well: a deep, spiral-shaped tower that leads you underground via a spiral staircase. At the bottom, you emerge into a network of tunnels that takes you to another part of the garden.
Quinta da Regaleira Hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last admission: 5:30 p.m.) | Buy your tickets for Quinta da Regaleira here
5) Other castles
After visiting the palaces listed above, you’ll have already seen some of Sintra’s most beautiful highlights, and your day will be over before you know it! Do you have more time, or would you like to see more of Sintra? The palaces listed below are also very popular places to visit in Sintra:
- Monserrate Palace: a palace with Indian and Arabic influences and a beautiful botanical garden. Since it’s a bit farther away from the other palaces, it’s also less crowded here.
- National Palace of Sintra: Located in the heart of Sintra, you’ll find this remarkable palace with its two conical chimneys.
Where to Eat in Sintra
Looking for great restaurants in Sintra or a cozy spot to have lunch between visits to the castles? The historic center has plenty of charming spots where you can take a break. Cantinho da Vila is a cozy and inviting restaurant that serves local dishes. Here, you can savor authentic Portuguese flavors in a homey setting. For a delicious brunch or to enjoy afternoon tea, head to Café Saudade, right near the train station. This charming spot is known for its homemade cakes. In the mood for a traditional local pastry for dessert? Be sure to try the Saudade Trio, a selection of typical Portuguese sweets.
Where to Stay in Sintra
Would you like to visit all the palaces in Sintra at a leisurely pace? If so, it’s best to stay in the town for one or two nights. That way, you can also set out early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when all the day-trippers have left and it’s much quieter.
- Budget (€): Moon Hill Hostel — in the heart of downtown with cozy common areas
- Comfort (€€): Chalet Saudade – an authentic Portuguese villa in the traditional Sintra style
- Luxury (€€€:): Sintra Marmoris Palace —stay in a palace with a pool to cool off in
Explore More in Sintra
The castles are, of course, the absolute highlight of Sintra, but if you have some time left after your visit—or if you’re staying in the region for a few days—it’s definitely worth exploring the area around Sintra further. The area around Sintra is surprisingly diverse and perfect for additional day trips. For example, it’s not far from Sintra to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Or pay a visit to Cascais, a chic coastal town with a charming downtown area.
Do you have any questions about visiting Sintra in Portugal? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us contact or feel free to email info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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