When visiting Portugal, you will want to add a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra to your itinerary. One day in Sintra will allow visitors to see many of the main sites. If you have more time, spend a weekend in Sintra to get a better feel for the city and enjoy a weekend away.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Sintra here.
Disclaimer: Special thanks to the Sintra Tourism Board for hosting me at several attractions on my trip to Sintra! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
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History of Sintra
Sintra has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Located in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains, it once was a retreat for the Portuguese royalty who were drawn to the beauty of the area.
The Moors constructed a castle there in the 800s that later fell to the Christians during the Reconquista. Later, the the 1800s, Sintra became the center of Romantic architecture that blended the Gothic, Renaissance, and the Morrish styles.
Present-day it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular day trip from Lisbon. It is the perfect destination for history lovers and those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
When to Spend One Day in Sintra
Sintra is enjoyable to visit anytime of the year and makes for the perfect day trip from Lisbon. The summer season will bring more crowds but warmer beach weather. Meanwhile, fall and spring make for an enjoyable visit because it will be less crowded but perfect weather. Wintertime in Sintra brings a mild climate.
How to Get to Sintra
The closest airport to Sintra is Lisbon Airport. Visitors can get flights into this airport from all across Europe, parts of the US, Middle East, and South America. You can take this transfer from Lisbon airport.
From Lisbon, visitors can catch a train to Sintra from the Rossio or Oriente train station in Lisbon. The train takes about 50 minutes. If you have a Lisbon card, your fair is covered with this pass. If not, the fare will cost about €3 each way. Make sure to buy the ticket before you board the train.
Transportation in Sintra
When spending on day in Sintra, the main part of Sintra is easy to get around by walking. To get to some of the main sites in this itinerary, you will want to take the bus, rent a car, or go on a tour.
Sintra has a tourist bus 434 that runs to the palace and fortress. This bus costs €4.55 each ride or €13.50 for a day pass. The day pass for this bus also covers the 435 that goes to the Palacio de Monserrate, the 403 to Cabo da Roca, and 1624 by Carris to Cascais. You can purchase these bus tickets by the train station.
Alternatively, you can take local buses to many of the sites. I recommend using Google Maps to plot out your route if you opt to take local buses. There is also a tram that runs to the beaches on certain days of the week. There is also this sightseeing train or the Hop on Hop Off Bus visitors can take.
Where to Stay in Sintra
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Lisbon and Sintra hotels here!
Sintra has several boutique and beach front hotels to stay at. The following are some of the best options.
- Ariba Sintra Hotel: A popular beach resort.
- Chalet Saudade: A guest house located near the city center.
- NH Sintra Centro: A popular European chain.
- Penha Longa Resort: A Ritz Carlton Resort perfect if you want to use points or have Marriott loyalty.
What to do During One Day in Sintra
One day in Sintra is the perfect amount of time to see many of the main sites, but if you have more time, make Sintra a weekend trip from Lisbon. You can take this Sintra guided tour to get an introduction to the city.
Day 1
Breakfast at Larmanjat
Cost: €
Hours: 8am-9pm
If you are looking for a light breakfast to start off your one day in Sintra with breakfast at Larmanjat. This is located between the train station and the old town. They have a lot of pastries and coffee which are the perfect way to start off the day.
Quinta da Regaleira
Cost: €12
Hours: 10am-6:30pm
The Quinta da Regaleira is one of the best stops to make during one day in Sintra. This estate is known for its style and architecture. It was built in the 1900s by a wealthy Portuguese businessman.
The complex includes a palace, chapel, and expansive gardens that feature grottoes, fountains, and structures. It is most well known for the Initiation Well, which is a spiritual staircase that descends into the earth.
Plan to spend an hour or two exploring the complex. The line for the initiation well is usually pretty long. Also, make sure to pre-buy your tickets online to save some time.
Monserrate
Cost: €12
Hours: 9am-7pm
The next stop during your one day in Sintra is Monserrate. This villa is a blend of Gothic, Moorish, and Indian architecture. The estate gained prominence in the 1700s when a mansion was built on the property.
The property was later transformed when the British writer William Beckford lived there. In the 1800s, Sir Francis Cook acquired the property and commissioned the current palace and gardens. Today, the gardens contain many exotic plans from around the world and it offers a glimpse into the aristocracy of the 1800s.
Plan to spend several hours wandering around the property. You will not want to miss visiting the interior of the palace and seeing the unique architecture inside. Also inside the palace are exhibits about the history of Monserrate.
If you have more than one day in Sintra, opt to take a picnic lunch to Monserrate and spend time just enjoying the grounds.
Lunch at Monserrate’s Tea House
Hours: 10am-5:30pm
After spending a few hours wandering the gardens, you will want to grab some lunch to fuel up for the rest of the day. Having lunch at Monserrate’s Tea House is the best option. At the tea house, they have a ton of delicious sandwiches and lighter bites to eat. The staff is also very helpful and friendly.
At the tea house, I also recommend trying all of the delicious pastries, especially the ones unique to Sintra. These include travesseiro, a delicious cinnamon sugar pastry and Queijadas de Sintra made with cheese and cinnamon. If you have not tried them yet, make sure to grab a pastel de nata, the traditional Portuguese egg tart.
Cabo da Roca
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 hours
This afternoon, you will spend exploring the Sintra coastal region. After lunch, head to Cabo da Roca, a must-visit stop during one day in Sintra. Cabo da Roca is the Westernmost point of continental Europe. The lighthouse here began operating in 1772.
Visitors can opt to visit the visitor’s center, grab a picture at the monument, and take a walk along the cliffside. It can get very windy at Cabo da Roca so make sure to be prepared. Plan to spend about 15-20 minutes here. This tour takes you around Sintra and Cabo da Roca.
Visit the Beaches
Cost: Free
Sintra has many popular beaches that many locals will spend time at during the summer months. Stopping at one for a short walk is the perfect activity to add to your one day in Sintra.
Popular options include Praia da Adraga and Praia Grande do Rodízio. At Praia Grande do Rodízio, there is the infamous hotel Ariba Sintra Hotel where visitors can opt to buy a day access pass to use the pool.
Adega Regional de Colares
Cost: €6
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9am-1pm, 2pm-6pm
To finish off the afternoon activities for your one day in Sintra, head to a local winery. Colares Winery is Portugal’s oldest cooperative winery. They have been in operation since 1931 and work together with local growers to produce wine from the Colares region.
Visitors can opt to go on a short tour that goes over the production facilities and the barrel room. Then, you can conclude with a tasting of the red and white wine produced. It is a fantastic way to sample some of the local wines.
Explore Old Sintra
This evening before dinner, opt to wander around Old Sintra and check out the architecture and sites. If you have time, you can check out theNational Sintra, the Natural History Museum, and the Torre de Relogio. There are many places to grab a drink or a snack and overlook the square. Spending time in Old Sintra is the perfect activity during one day in Sintra.
Dinner at Romaria de Baco
Cost: €€
Hours: 12pm-11:30pm
To finish off your one day in Sintra, eat dinner at Romario de Baco. Make sure to make a reservation beforehand because they usually do not take walk-ins. They have a ton of delicious dishes and Portuguese wine options. I highly recommend the pork.
More Than One Day in Sintra
If you have more than one day in Sintra, you will want to check out these popular attractions. Both the Pena Palace and the Castelo de Mouros are possibly the most popular places to visit in Sintra and are worth a visit if you have the time. You can also check out the Biester Palace and Park or take this Sintra tour to take you to Cascais as well.
Pena Palace
Cost: €20
Hours: 9am-7pm
Another popular destination to visit during one day in Sintra if you have the time is the Pena Palace. This palace sits atop the Sintra Mountains overlooking the area. It was commissioned by King Ferdinand II and is known for its colorful facade and architectural styles. Visitors can go inside to see the lavish rooms and wander the gardens.
Castelo de Mouros
Cost: €12
Hours: 9:30am-6pm
When spending one day in Sintra, you will not want to miss the Castle of the Moors. This Medieval fortress lies in the hills on Sintra. It dates back to the 800s and provides panoramic views of Sintra. While the castle is mostly in ruins, visitors can still imagine the history of the place and take in the dramatic scenery.
Final Tips for One Day in Sintra
There are many amazing things to see during one day in Sintra. It is the perfect day trip from Lisbon and you cannot go wrong with whatever sites you decide to visit. If you have more time, you can easily spend the weekend enjoying the area.
