Ultimate Guide: Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon
Take a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra and discover the beautiful castles and palaces.
Are you looking for the best things to do in Sintra, Portugal? Visit the fairytale Sintra Castle (Pena Palace), take a walk around the Moorish Castle, explore Monserrate Palace, and take a photo at the spiral staircase of Quinta da Regaleira.
Sintra is one of the best destinations in Europe, so you can’t miss it on your Portugal Itinerary.
This ultimate guide to a day trip to Sintra includes how to get there, what to see, and how to spend one day in Sintra.
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Where is Sintra
Sintra is located in Portugal, just a 50-minute train ride from Lisbon.
Best Time for a Day Trip to Sintra
Portugal is the perfect all year round destination, with beautiful and sunny weather. During the day, temperatures can be between 13-25°C.
The best time to visit Sintra is in spring (from March to early June) or autumn (from September to mid-October) when temperatures are more comfortable for exploring.
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Sintra has microclimate weather and therefore is usually cooler than Lisbon.
During our visit, the weather was very windy in Sintra, so bring a light jacket or pullover.
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As Sintra is a popular day trip from Lisbon, we recommend arriving as early as possible!
Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon
Wondering how to get to Sintra from Lisbon? Take a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra and discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can get from Lisbon to Sintra by train or car.
The best way to reach Sintra is by train, catch the first train from Rossio station and travel directly to Sintra.
Buy a Viva Viagem card for 0.50 EUR, recharge it, and use it. The train ticket costs 2,30 EUR for one way.
The trains to Sintra depart approximately every 30 minutes, and the journey takes 50 minutes.
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Have breakfast at your hotel or buy some snacks at the Rossio train station.
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How to Get Around Sintra, Portugal
You can easily explore the sights of Sintra on foot! But we don’t recommend walking from the historic center to the palaces on a day trip to Sintra.
The distances can be exhausting due to the steep and winding roads, so buy a 24-hour bus ticket or ride in a tuk-tuk!
Another alternative is to rent a car in Lisbon, but parking in Sintra is difficult. Therefore, the best way to get around Sintra is by Hop-On Hop-Off bus.
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A 24-hour bus ticket costs 11,50 EUR per person and runs every 20 minutes.
There are two main buses, the 434 and the 435.
- The Pena Palace Circuit (434): Sintra Station, Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Sintra National Palace, Natural History Museum, and town.
- Monserrate Circuit (435): Sintra Station, Regaleira Palace, Monserrate Palace, Seteais Palace and Sintra Station.
You can easily buy bus tickets on the bus and pay by credit card or cash.
Sintra Day Trip Itinerary
Pena Palace
Good morning! After arriving in Sintra, start exploring the Pena Palace to make the most of your day trip to Sintra.
Pena Palace (Palacio da Pena) is one of the most iconic sights in Portugal, attracting visitors with its vibrant colors and mix of architectural styles.
You can reach the Pena Palace by bus 434.
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Plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring the Pena Palace and take photos of the beautiful details.
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The entrance fee to the Pena Palace and Park is 14 EUR for adults and 12,50 EUR for seniors and children (6-17 years old).
You can buy Sintra Palace tickets at the entrance, but we suggest buying them online!
Pena Palace is open every day from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
For only Pena Park, the entrance fee is 7,50 EUR for adults and 6,50 EUR for seniors and children (6-17 years old).
As this fairytale castle is the highlight of any Sintra day trip, we recommend arriving early and avoiding the crowds!
Moorish Castle – Highlight your day trip to Sintra
Some people only visit the Pena Palace, but if you have enough time in Portugal, you should take at least a full day to explore the best of Sintra.
After the Pena Palace, walk to the nearby Moorish Castle, another fascinating attraction.
The entrance fee to the Moorish Castle is 8 EUR for adults and 6,50 EUR for seniors and children (6-17 years old).
Moorish Castle is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
We loved wandering around the castle walls and enjoying the panoramic views of Pena Palace and nearby sights.
Afterward, go back to the Sintra station for a delicious lunch or coffee.
You can then visit the Sintra National Palace, which is located in the heart of Sintra.
The National Palace of Sintra entrance fee is 10 EUR for adults and 8,50 EUR for seniors and children (6-17 years old).
The Sintra National Palace is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Quinta da Regaleira
After lunch, continue your Sintra day trip and visit the Regaleira Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This popular attraction in Sintra is known for its inverted towers (Initiation Well), hidden passages, tunnels, and beautiful architecture.
Quinta da Regaleira is open daily from 10 AM to 6:30 PM.
Unfortunately, due to its popularity, it is very crowded but well worth a visit.
Quinta da Regaleira entrance fee is 11 EUR for adults and 6 EUR for seniors and children (6-17 years old).
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Monserrate Palace
On a day trip to Sintra, you probably won’t be able to see all the attractions. But if you can, you should definitely visit Monserrate Palace.
It is one of the least visited places in Sintra, and we loved exploring this charming place without crowds.
The entrance fee to the Park and Palace of Monserrate is 8 EUR for adults and 6,50 EUR for seniors and children (6-17 years old).
The Monserrate Palace is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Go back to Lisbon
We hope you enjoyed your day trip to Sintra and are ready to return to charming Lisbon.
You can go directly by train from Sintra to Lisbon or take a bus to Cascais and from there travel back to Lisbon.
If you have bought a 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket, it includes Cascais.
In our opinion, Cascais is worth a visit, so allow plenty of time and enjoy Cascais sights.
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Sintra Day Trip Map
Tips for a Day Trip to Sintra
- Although the Sintra Castle is the most beautiful attraction, there are a few other hidden gems in the town. Plan your Sintra day trip itinerary in advance.
- Don’t waste time waiting in line and buy your tickets online.
- Avoid the crowds and arrive as early as possible!
- The best way to explore Sintra Palace and attractions is by Hop-On Hop-Off bus.
- During our visit, the weather was very windy in Sintra, so bring a light jacket or pullover.
- Wear comfortable shoes and use sunscreen on hot days!
- Bring plenty of water and some snacks.
- Allow enough time to explore the sights and take photos.
We hope our day trip to Sintra guide will help you plan your next trip to Portugal. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
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