A day trip from Lisbon to Sintra
No more than 30 kilometres away from Lisbon, you will find Sintra, a charming town that is definitely worth visiting if you’re looking for a day trip from Lisbon. Celebrated by artists, writers and poets, such as Lord Byron, Sintra was the preferred summer destination of the monarchy and nobles in times past, the legacy of which is the number of attractive monuments.
In addition to its romantic and fantastic architecture, Sintra is nestled amongst the lush greenery of the Sintra Mountain Range – Cascais and surrounded by beautiful coastlines. Its almost magical atmosphere and its features have made it a National Heritage Site, and it has become a popular tourist destination, which you cannot miss.
Although Sintra is worth more than a few hours visit, we would just like to share with you the places you should definitely visit if you are only going to this charming town for a day. Set the alarm early and put on your most comfortable shoes because there’s a lot to see in Sintra and it’s going to be a busy day.
The most iconic monuments in Sintra are the Pena National Palace , Quinta de Regaleria and Sintra National Palace sitting amongst little treasures dotted around the green landscape, which immerse you in a dream like mystical world.
Pena National Palace
Situated in Monte de Lua (Hill of the Moon), it was built in 1836 by order of Prince Fernando II of Portugal. With its pink and yellow façades combining diverse architectural styles, it looks like something from a fairytale. It is divided into four sections; the outer walls, the Convent, the Arches Yard and the palatial zone. You will need at least an hour and a half to enjoy a nice, relaxed visit of the palace.
Quinta da Regaleira estate
Shrouded in mystery, and irresistible to romantics and fans of the unknown. Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, who was in possession of a considerable fortune which he made in Brazil, ordered it to be built at the beginning of the XX century, with symbols related to alchemy and masonry. It is a beautiful ensemble, with lush gardens that hide sculptures, grottos, an initiation well, lakes and towers.
Sintra National Palace
Also known as the Town Palace, with its enormous twin chimneys, its unmistakeable silhouette is one of the symbols of the town. Built in the XVI century, it currently belongs to the State and it is used as a cultural centre where exhibitions are usually held.
Other interesting sights in Sintra
If you have any time left in Sintra, we suggest that you also visit Monserrate Palace, one of the best examples of Romantic art in Portugal with domes and exotic decorations. We also recommend you visit Castle of the Moors, built by the Arabs in the VIII century, Capuchos Convent and the toy Museum.
Cabo da Roca in Cascais
A few kilometres away you will also find Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Europe and for centuries considered the end of the world, with some beautiful cliffs bordering the Atlantic. If you are looking for accomodation in this area, take a look to our apartments in Cascais.
How to Get From Lisbon to Sintra
To get to Sintra from Lisbon by car, get on to the IC-19 road and follow the signs.
The journey to Sintra by train lasts about 40 minutes and the tickets are quite cheap. You can take the line heading to Sintra from various stations: Roma-Areeiro, Entrecampos, Sete Rios, Campolide or Rossío. At the train station there is a tourist information point and the bus operators that manage the area, Scotturb.
- Tourist bus 434 will take you to Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors.
- Bus 435 will take you to the Quinta de Regaleria estate, Montserrate Palace and the Seteais Palace. In addition, Quinta de Regaleria is just 10 minutes away from the town centre, by Seteais road if you fancy a walk.
- Bus 403 will take you to Cascais and the Cabo da Roca.
