Lisbon to Sintra: A Great Day Trip by Train
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
HOW TO TAKE A DAY TRIP FROM LISBON TO SINTRA BY TRAIN
The most popular day trip for visitors to Portugal is from Lisbon to Sintra. The historic palaces and castles in Sintra are conveniently close to Lisbon, and easily accessible by train or by tour guide.
You’ll encounter large crowds of other tourists in Sintra, so there are several things to keep in mind to enjoy your day trip, which will take you back in time!
Key Tips for a Day Trip From Lisbon to Sintra
A day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is pretty physically demanding, but it’s worth it!
It’ll be a LOT of walking, whether you take a tour or take the train from Lisbon to Sintra, so bring good shoes and follow these tips to avoid the huge crowds as best as possible.
Leave Early on Your Day Trip to Sintra
The trains run twice an hour from Lisbon to Sintra. By 8:30am you’ll find a long line at the ticket kiosks at Rossio Station in Lisbon.
Go early to get your train tickets, and arrive in Sintra before the crowds!
Don’t Drive Yourself to Sintra
Parking is the big problem with driving from Lisbon to Sintra.
It’s only 20 miles in the car, and driving yourself brings flexibility … BUT… Sintra’s town center can experience heavy traffic, especially during peak tourist seasons and weekends. Finding parking in the town center can be challenging and frustrating. I’d definitely avoid it!
Packing for a Day Trip to Sintra
Bring a backpack for your day trip to Sintra with a refillable water jug because you’ll be walking a lot. It’s mild most of the year, and hot during the summer, so you’ll need plenty of fluids!
Plus, make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes with you on this trip.
Buy Tickets Ahead of Your Day trip to Sintra
Especially during the spring and summer months, tickets for Pena Palace (which have a timed entry) will sell out. Buy them before your trip!
Tours: Day Trips from Lisbon to Sintra
If you don’t like the crowds on public transportation, or don’t feel like figuring out how to use the train system, there are a number of great tour options for day trips from Lisbon to Sintra.
Here are several group tours and private tours of Sintra from Lisbon. Each has excellent reviews:
➡️ CLICK HERE: Lisbon to Sintra’s Palaces
- This is a small group tour (with a max of 8 people) to Sintra from Lisbon. The day trip will include time at Pena National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
➡️ CLICK HERE: “Skip the Line” at Pena Palace
- This is a 5-hour afternoon tour from Lisbon to Sintra, with a guide who has “skip the line” access to beautiful Pena Palace
➡️ CLICK HERE: Private Tour of Sintra
- A guide will pick you (and your group) up at your hotel in Lisbon. This is a great option because you can customize the destinations in Sintra you want to see.
➡️ CLICK HERE: Private Tour of Moorish Castle & Pena Palace
- A private guide will take you to the Moorish Castle in Sintra, along with Pena Palace.
Trains: Lisbon to Sintra
I cannot say enough about how efficient the train ride is from Lisbon to Sintra. It makes a day trip easy for any traveler to figure out!
Rossio Train Station in Lisbon
A day trip to Sintra begins at Lisbon’s Rossio Train Station. It’s a beautiful old station (with a Starbucks and a couple of other breakfast options to stop at) near the popular Rossio Square area of the city.
It’s not a huge train station, so the ticket area is easy to find. You’ll find a row of ticket kiosks, and depending on when you arrive, you’ll have to wait in a pretty lengthy line.
We missed the train we were trying to catch because the ticket line was so long! The trains run every half-hour (or so) so we just waited for the next one.
If the ticket area is really crowded, have one person in your group wait in line for the touch-screen kiosks, and another person wait in line to buy tickets from the staff behind the window.
The Cost of the Train from Lisbon to Sintra
The cost of the card plus train fare from Lisbon to Sintra is 2.30 Euros. It’s a pretty good deal!
Rossio Station only has five tracks, so it’s very easy to find the right train you’ll take to Sintra.
How Long Does it Take to Get from Lisbon to Sintra by Train?
The train ride to Sintra from Lisbon’s Rossio Station is 40 minutes.
The train will make 14 stops along the way, and drop you off at Sintra Station, right in the center of the historic town.
Arriving at Sintra Train Station
You’ll get off the train in Sintra, onto a busy open-air platform. It’ll seem confusing at first in the huge crowd of tourists, but you’ll have several options from here.
The 434 Bus in Sintra
There’s a tourist bus (several, actually) that runs a loop around Sintra’s main sites all day. You’ll see one or two of them parked at Sintra Station. It’ll be marked #434.
Bus 434 connects the train station to Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, and the town center in Sintra.
The cost for a full day, and as many hop-on/hop-off rides as you want, is around 11.50 Euros. It’s a pretty good deal, but expect the bus to be crowded!
Uber
Ubers and taxis are other options at Sintra Station.
An Uber from Sintra Station to Pena Palace will cost around 7 Euros.
Many people choose to take open-air tuk-tuks for their rides up the hill.
Getting Around Sintra: A Day Trip Itinerary
I was surprised by just how many sites there are to see in Sintra!
Your itinerary will be largely dependent on your timed entry to Pena Palace, which is by far the most popular and most crowded attraction in Sintra.
When you buy your tickets (ahead of your day trip) I’d aim for the earliest possible entry in the morning. Sintra’s Pena Palace opens at 9:00am, and the last entry of the day is at 5:30pm.
This is the itinerary I’d follow for a day in Sintra, beginning with a 9:00am arrival:
- Uber from Sintra Station to Pena Palace (15-minute ride)
- Pena Park & Gardens
- Walk from Pena Park to the Moorish Castle (15-minute walk)
- Uber from the Moorish Castle to Quinta da Regaleira (10-minute ride)
- Walk from Quinta da Regaleira to City Center (10-minute walk)
Palaces & Castles of Sintra
Sintra is full of old palaces, castles, and estates, many of which are open to the public to explore.
1. Pena Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena)
Pena Palace is the most iconic building in Sintra. Its colorful facade can be seen on the hilltop from miles around.
It’s 10 Euros to enter Pena Palace, and again, I can’t stress enough how important it is to buy your tickets ahead of your day trip from Lisbon.
It’s officially known as: Palácio Nacional da Pena. The palace was built on the ruins of an old monastery, commissioned by King Ferdinand II of Portugal. Sintra became a summer retreat for the Portuguese royal family.
Construction of Pena Palace started in 1842. The vibrant colors of the palace, featuring shades of yellow, red, and blue, add to its distinctive, eclectic charm.
Inside the palace, visitors can explore various rooms and chambers that have been preserved and restored to their original splendor.
Pena Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Romantic architecture in Europe.
What to Expect at Pena Park
Outside, the palace is surrounded by extensive gardens, known as the Pena Park, which covers an area of over 200 hectares. The park is beautifully landscaped and features a diverse collection of exotic trees and plants from around the world. Visitors can explore the park’s winding paths, discover hidden gardens, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
2. The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)
The Moorish Castle is walkable from the gardens around Pena Palace.
A ticket to get into the castle is 8 Euros.
The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros in Portuguese), is a medieval fortress located on a hilltop in Sintra. Its origins date back to the 8th century, when the Moors occupied the region. The original fortress, with its stone walls built for surveillance and defense.
Today, visitors can explore the entire castle, and walk along its fortified walls, which run 450 meters around the hilltop. You can see all of Sintra, the Pena Palace, and the ocean from the castle.
The grounds are full of fascinating bits of information and secrets, including an escape door, known as “the door of betrayal.” The gate, which doesn’t even go up to my hip, allowed discreet access to the outside, or an escape during an attack.
3. Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira is an estate near the historic center of Sintra. It’s known for its elaborate architecture and expansive, lush gardens.
The cost of entry to Quinta da Regaleira is 11 Euros.
The estate was built in the early 20th century by a wealthy Brazilian businessman and an Italian architect.
The main mansion on the estate is known as Palácio da Regaleira. Its design incorporates a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles.
The best part of a visit to Quinta da Regaleira will be your walk through the gardens. Winding paths will lead you to grottoes, fountains, lakes, caves, and statues.
The most well-known feature of the gardens is the Initiation Well, also known as the “Inverted Tower.”
This unique structure consists of a spiral staircase that leads underground to a well. It was designed to symbolize a journey through the nine circles of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven from Dante’s Divine Comedy.
You’re likely to have to wait in a long line to make the descent into the well. It was 30 minutes for us, but worth it!
After descending into the well, the path will take you behind waterfalls, and out through a cave!
Quinta da Regaleira was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.
4. Sintra National Palace
The Sintra National Palace, also known as the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, is right in the town of Sintra.
It was originally built as a fortress in the 9th century, and became a royal palace for Portuguese kings and queens.
Boutique Hotels in Sintra, Portugal
There’s quite a bit to do in Sintra, so a day trip from Lisbon might not be enough time for your group. History lovers, especially, will need more than a day!
Sintra is home to several boutique hotels in the historic city center.
This interactive map can move around and show you the boutique hotels in Sintra, along with other rental options. Plug in your dates to get the rooms and rates available for your trip!
Hiking Sintra
The Sintra region, beyond the town, is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, mountains, forests, and coastal areas. They offer various hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
I *would not* recommend hiking Sintra from the train station up to Pena Palace. I love to hike, and initially it seemed like a great idea… but I’m relieved we skipped it! It’s only about a three-kilometer walk, but it’s very steep and at times involves walking on the busy road. Skip the hike up, and enjoy the trails around the palace instead!
Hiking Sintra: Pena Park Trails
There are several popular trails within Pena Park (or Pena Gardens), sounding Pena Palace.
Here are a few hiking trails within Pena Park:
- Pena Park Circuit: This circular trail takes you around the park, providing an opportunity to discover its different sections, including the palace, gardens, and wooded areas. The trail offers picturesque views of the palace from various angles.
- Cruz Alta Trail: This trail leads to the highest point in the park, known as Cruz Alta. From this vantage point, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the palace, Sintra, and the distant coastline.
- Valley of the Lakes Trail: This trail explores the tranquil Valley of the Lakes, a scenic area within Pena Park. Along the way, you’ll pass by several small lakes and cascading waterfalls, creating a peaceful and refreshing atmosphere. It’s almost entirely shaded, but steep in parts.
- Queen’s Fern Valley Trail: This trail meanders through a dense forest, offering a cool and shaded hike. As you walk along, you’ll encounter a variety of ferns and moss-covered rocks, adding to the park’s mystical ambiance.
Hiking Sintra’s Moorish Castle Trail
While there are no specific hiking trails within the Moorish Castle in Sintra, there is an uphill path that leads to the castle, providing a hiking-like experience. The Moorish Castle is perched on a hilltop, and to reach it, visitors can follow a path that winds up through the forested slopes of the hill.
Hiking Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
The coastline of Guincho, which is located within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park in Portugal, offers spectacular scenery with rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The typical starting point for a Guincho Coast hike is Guincho Beach, a popular destination known for its excellent surfing and windsurfing conditions. You can begin your hike from the beach or from one of the nearby parking areas.
The coastal path follows the cliffs along the shoreline, offering stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape.
This link has more information on hiking Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
Hiking Sintra’s Cabo da Roca
The coastline near Sintra offers opportunities for coastal hikes, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and discover hidden beaches and cliffs. The Cabo da Roca area, the westernmost point of continental Europe, is also worth exploring and offers hiking paths along the cliffs.
Beaches in Sintra
The Sintra region is home to several beautiful coastal spots to visit. Among them:
- Praia Grande: Located about 20 minutes away from Sintra by car.
- Praia das Maçãs: Located 20 minutes from Sintra, near the village of Colares.
- Adraga Beach: A 25-minute drive from Sintra, and considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal.
- Guincho Beach: Located within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
Azenhas do Mar
Azenhas do Mar is a picturesque coastal village located in the municipality of Sintra. You can take an Uber from Sintra to the viewpoint on the cliffs overlooking this picturesque town.
The standout feature of Azenhas do Mar is its natural saltwater swimming pool, which is carved into the rocks and filled by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. This natural pool, combined with the backdrop of the village’s whitewashed houses and the deep blue sea, creates a stunning setting. It’s one of the most beautifully scenic spots in Portugal!
Beaches of Cascais
Cascais is a full day-trip in itself. It’s a large beach town near Lisbon, which is home to several beaches.
Praia da Ribeira, Praia da Rainha, and Praia da Conceição are some of the most popular beaches in Cascais.
The coastal promenade, known as the “Paredão,” stretches along the waterfront and provides a scenic path for walking or cycling.
Cascais is also famous for its vibrant town center, with its narrow cobblestone streets, filled with colorful buildings, charming shops, and a variety of restaurants and cafes.
History of Sintra, Portugal
Sintra’s history spans thousands of years. Here’s an incomplete, extremely brief overview of the last 2,000 years:
Roman Rule
- Sintra was colonized by the Romans, likely in the 2nd Century BC. They recognized its strategic location along the coast and its fertile soil.
Moorish Rule:
- Sintra came under Moorish rule in the 8th century when the Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula. They established a fortified settlement on the hill, where the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) now stands.
Christian Reconquista and Portuguese Kingdom:
- In the 12th century, Christian forces led by King Afonso Henriques reconquered Sintra from the Moors during the Christian Reconquista, marking the integration of Sintra into the Kingdom of Portugal.
- Sintra became a favored destination for Portuguese royalty and nobility, who built castles, palaces, and extravagant estates in the area.
Royal Residences and Cultural Importance:
- During the medieval period, several significant structures were constructed in Sintra, including the National Palace of Sintra (Palácio Nacional de Sintra).
- In the 19th century, Sintra experienced a revival in its cultural and artistic importance as the Romanticism movement gained popularity. Renowned poets and writers, such as Lord Byron and Hans Christian Andersen, visited and wrote about the region’s beauty.
- King Ferdinand II played a crucial role in the transformation of Sintra by commissioning the construction of the Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena).
UNESCO World Heritage Site:
- Sintra was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 due to its significant cultural landscape and historical importance. The inscription recognizes the exceptional blend of natural and man-made elements in the region.
Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip FAQs
Let’s tackle a few of the frequently asked questions people have about day trips to Sintra. A few of these were answered above, but I’ll boil them down to simple answers below:
Is a Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon Enough Time?
If you’re looking to take a tour of some of the palaces and castles, a day trip to Sintra should be just fine. The earlier you start your visit from Lisbon to Sintra, the better!
If you’re looking to explore more of the hiking trails and beaches, you’ll need more than a day trip from Lisbon.
The Best Time to Take a Day Trip from Lisbon to Sintra
Shoulder season is the best season! The summertime crowds are just too big for my liking.
I’d say April, May, September, and October will offer the best weather and smaller crowds at the palaces and sites in Sintra.
How do you get from the Lisbon airport to Sintra?
You can take a taxi from the airport in Lisbon to Sintra. They’re easy to find directly outside the terminal. However, I found the fares to fluctuate wildly.
Uber is another option. The ride from the Lisbon airport to Sintra should only cost around 25 Euros.
Which Lisbon train station goes to Sintra?
Rossio Station in Lisbon is the station to go to for the train to Sintra. On weekdays, the trains depart from Lisbon for Sintra twice an hour from Rossio.
How long does it take to get from Lisbon to Sintra?
The train ride from Lisbon’s Rossio Station to Sintra will take 40 minutes. The train makes 14 stops along the way.
The drive from Lisbon to Sintra will take around 40 minutes as well, depending on traffic. It’s about 35 kilometers.
Can you Uber from Lisbon to Sintra?
Yes! Uber is a great option for your entire trip to Portugal, not just your day trip from Lisbon to Sintra.
Prices are quite low, compared to Uber prices in the USA. It’s likely to be a 20-25 Euro ride from Lisbon to Sintra, or a 40 Euro ride in an XL vehicle if you have several people.
How do you get from Lisbon to Sintra by car?
I would avoid driving due to parking limitations once you get to Sintra.
If you’re set on driving from Lisbon to Sintra, check the traffic on Google Maps and choose the most efficient route.
It’s likely to be the A37 highway (IC19) from Lisbon to the Sintra exit.
How far is it from Sintra to Porto?
By bus, it’s a four-hour ride from Sintra to Porto. FlixBus runs the route, so check their website for the schedule.
By car, it’s a three-hour drive between Sintra and Porto. It’s around 330 kilometers.
How do you get from Porto to Sintra by train for a day trip?
There’s no direct train between Porto and Sintra, so a day trip from Porto would be difficult.
By train, you’ll have to go from Porto down to Lisbon, and then from Lisbon over to Sintra. It’s not complicated, just time-consuming. If I was basing myself in Porto on a trip to Portugal, I’d stay overnight in Sintra.
Wrap: Is a Day Trip from Lisbon to Sintra Worth It?
My short answer is: Yes.
The history and beauty of Sintra’s mountains, gardens, palaces, and castles are definitely worth a day trip from Lisbon.
One of the major selling points is: it’s very close to Lisbon. Another is: the train from Lisbon to Sintra is extremely efficient!
There are drawbacks of a day trip to Sintra, mainly the crowds you’ll encounter. It’s crucial to get there early, and buy tickets ahead of time to avoid waiting in lines at the train station and Pena Palace.
While Pena Palace gets most of the attention, the surrounding gardens, the Moorish Castle, and the historic city center are definitely highlights of a day trip to Sintra, which shouldn’t be skipped!
