Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon – Main Sights, Tickets & Tips
Visiting Sintra from Lisbon: What to See and Why It’s Worth It
Sintra is one of the most magical places you can visit near Lisbon and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its colourful palaces, hilltop castles, and green forests, it feels like stepping into a fairytale.
In this guide, we’ll help you plan the perfect Sintra day trip from Lisbon, including how to get there, what to see (including Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira and more), where to book your tickets, and tips to make your visit smooth and memorable.
How to Get from Lisbon to Sintra
Getting to Sintra from Lisbon is easy and affordable, making it a popular day trip for both locals and travellers.
Train from Lisbon to Sintra
The easiest way to reach Sintra is by train. Tickets cost around €2.30 one way, and trains run every 15–30 minutes. The journey takes roughly 40 minutes on the CP Sintra Line, with departures from Rossio, Oriente, or Entrecampos stations in Lisbon.
Once in Sintra, you’ll arrive at Sintra train station, which is about a 15-minute walk from the historic town centre.
Driving from Lisbon to Sintra
You can drive to Sintra, but it’s not ideal for a day trip. Parking is limited and the roads around town are quite narrow. Unless you’re staying overnight or already have a rental car, we recommend taking the train instead.
Guided Tours to Sintra from Lisbon
If you prefer not deal with public transport, guided tours are a great option. They usually include roundtrip transport from Lisbon, plus entry to top sights like Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
Browse guided Sintra day tours from Lisbon on GetYourGuide
What to Do in Sintra
Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena)
Pena Palace sits on a hill in Sintra and stands out with its bright colours and mix of architectural styles. It’s one of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks and a great example of 19th century Romanticism.
Built as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family, it looks straight out of a fairytale, which is why it’s such a hit with visitors. Tickets often sell out, especially during high season, so we highly recommend you book your Pena Palace tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment.
Inside, you’ll find beautiful rooms decorated with period furniture and royal details. Outside, you can enjoy stunning views over the Sintra hills, making it one of the most photogenic spots in the region.
From Sintra train station, you can take the Scotturb 434 tourist bus, which stops at the main entrance to the Pena Palace park. We walked there ourselves, just note it involves a bit of an uphill climb. From the main entrance, it’s about a 10 minute uphill walk to the palace itself, although there is another small shuttle available inside the park that takes you right up to the building.
In terms of facilities, the palace has toilets, a café, and a gift shop on-site.
Pena Palace – General Information, Tickets & Tours from Lisbon |
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| Location |
Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, Portugal. (Get detailed directions to Pena Palace) |
| Opening Times |
Park: 09:00AM – 07:00PM (Last admission: 06:00PM) Palace: 09:30AM – 06:30PM (Last admission: 06:00PM) |
How to Visit Pena Palace in SintraPena Palace is one of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks, famous for its bright colours and fairytale-like architecture. Tickets often sell out, especially in high season, so we recommend booking online in advance.
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Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira is one of the most surprising places to visit in Sintra, with hidden tunnels, secret caves, and beautiful gardens that make exploring feel like a real adventure. The estate was built in the early 20th century by a wealthy Portuguese businessman with a deep interest in alchemy, Masonry, and mythology.
With its spiral staircase winding down nine levels, the famous Initiation Well, underground passageways, and Gothic-style palace, Quinta da Regaleira is one of Sintra’s most unforgettable sites. While it’s less grand than Pena Palace, we personally found it just as magical and atmospheric.
From Pena Palace, you can either walk downhill to the town centre and reach Quinta da Regaleira on foot in about 20 minutes, or take the 434 bus back to the train station and walk 10 minutes from there. The estate also has toilets, a small café, and a gift shop.
Quinta da Regaleira – General Information, Tickets & Tours from Lisbon |
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| Location |
Quinta da Regaleira, 2710-567 Sintra, Portugal. (Get detailed directions to Quinta da Regaleira) |
| Opening Times |
As of 2025, Quinta da Regaleira is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entry: 5:30 PM). Closed on December 24th, 25th, and January 1st. |
How to Visit Quinta da Regaleira in SintraQuinta da Regaleira is one of the most fascinating places in Sintra, with secret tunnels and the famous Initiation Well. It’s a little less crowded than Pena Palace and really fun to explore.
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Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)
The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) is a medieval fortress built in the 8th–9th century by the Moors to defend the region.
There’s not much left inside the fortress but the views over the town and the Atlantic coast from the top make it well worth the visit.
You can reach the Moorish Castle via the Scotturb 434 tourist bus, which stops at both the castle and Pena Palace. If you’re already at Pena Palace, it’s about a 10 minute walk through a forest path.
In terms of facilities, the Moorish Castle has toilets near the entrance and a small snack kiosk for a drink or a bite.
Unless you’re joining a guided tour, we found it a bit tricky to fit both the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace into the same day as it takes some energy to explore them properly.
Moorish Castle – General Info, Tickets & Tips |
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Location |
Castelo dos Mouros, 2710 Sintra, Portugal. |
Opening Times |
As of 2025, the Moorish Castle opens daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (Last entry: 5:30 PM) |
How to Visit the Moorish Castle in SintraThe Moorish Castle is a great spot for views and an easy way to explore Sintra’s older side.
Book your Moorish Castle ticket online Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket
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Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra)
Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) is the white building with the two big chimneys, right in the heart of Sintra’s historic centre. It’s the best-preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal and the only one that’s been continuously inhabited from the 15th to the 19th century.
The palace interiors are beautifully decorated in a different style, with detailed tiles, painted ceilings and period furniture. Some of the highlights include the Swan Room, the Magpie Room, and the impressive kitchen with its giant chimneys.
Facilities include toilets, a gift shop, and a small café. You can reach the Sintra National Palace on foot from the train station in about 15 minutes, or from Quinta da Regaleira in under 10 minutes.
Sintra National Palace – General Info, Tickets & Tips |
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Location |
Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Largo Rainha Dona Amélia, 2710-616 Sintra, Portugal. |
Opening Times |
As of 2025, the palace opens daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (Last entry: 6:00 PM) |
How to Visit Sintra National PalaceRight in the middle of town, Sintra National Palace is easy to visit and gives you a look at how Portuguese royalty used to live.
Book your Sintra National Palace ticket online Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket
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What’s Included in the Lisbon + Sintra Pass
This Lisbon + Sintra combo pass is a great way to explore Lisbon and Sintra without the hassle of buying separate tickets or worrying about transport. It includes some of the most popular attractions in both areas and saves you money too.
- Lisbon public transport (24, 48, or 72 hours)
Gives you access to unlimited public transportation, including metro, buses, and trams (even Tram 28). It also covers a return train ride from Lisbon to Sintra. - Free Train Ride to Sintra
No need to book separately, just hop on the Sintra Line with your pass. - Entry to Pena Palace & Park
Explore one of Sintra’s most iconic sights, with access to the colourful palace interiors and its gardens. - Discount on Castle of the Moors
While not fully included, the pass gives you a handy discount if you plan to visit this historic fortress above Sintra. - Lisbon Card benefits
Free or discounted access to 51 attractions across Lisbon, plus discounts at selected venues and shopping centres. - Audio guides for Lisbon and Sintra
Self-guided tours packed with local tips, stories, and historical insights.
Get the Lisboa + Sintra Pass on Tiqets
Sintra Day Trip Map
Use the following Sintra day trip map to help you plan your visit. We’ve pinned the main sights, walking routes from the train station, and a few good food spots so you can make the most of your day in Sintra!
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