How to Do a Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip: One Day in Sintra Itinerary

Are you thinking of doing a Lisbon to Sintra day trip? Great, you’re in the right place. In this article, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about spending one day in Sintra, Lisbon.

Discover everything you need to know about how to get to Sintra from Lisbon, useful information about visiting, as well as all the best things to see in Sintra in a day. 

Just a short journey away from Portugal’s capital, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a scene straight from a Disney fantasy film set; rolling hills and mountains, covered in thick and luscious green forests, dotted with fairy-tale castles and stunning mansions fronted with well-manicured gardens.

I spend several days exploring the area around Sintra, and based this Sintra itinerary on the best things to see here in a day. Let’s go explore Sintra!

Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip Itinerary

This one day in Sintra itinerary will give you a decent overview of the pretty town. Although there’s more than enough stuff to see here in a day, I’ve hand-picked THE best things to see in Sintra.

Things to See in Sintra in a Day

• Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace) 
• Parque de Pena (Pena Park) 
• Sintra Old Town 
• Quinta da Regaleira

and if you have time…….

• Castelo dos Mouros (The Moors Castle)
• Palácio de Monserrate (Monserrate Palace)

Best One Day in Sintra Tours

If you’re wondering what to do in Sintra in one day, this tour will answer that and is my top pick from all the tours on offer. 

The Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Sintra is an excellent-rated, 5/5 star experience. This allows you to visit Sintra in a flexible experience as you explore Sintra’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit remarkable palaces with unique architecture, and indulge in local specialities like pastries and coffee. 

Visiting Sintra From Lisbon – Know Before You Go

This section provides useful tips and information to help you make the most of your Sintra one day itinerary.

How Far Is Sintra From Lisbon

Sintra is only 30km away from Lisbon, so it would be sacrilege to not visit Sintra as part of your Lisbon itinerary. There are several ways to get to Sintra from Lisbon, which makes it an easy day trip from the capital. 

Best Time to Visit Sintra

The best time to visit Sintra is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) seasons. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant landscapes. However, Sintra can be enjoyed year-round, with mild winters and pleasant summers, depending on personal preferences and crowd tolerance.

Where to Stay In Sintra – Tivoli Palácio de Seteais

Although you can see the highlights, it does feel a little rushed. I highly recommended staying at least a night. I stayed here for 3 nights in total, however, I wanted to walk some of the trails in this region. Ideally, I’d recommend a night here and extend your Sintra itinerary to see more of this gorgeous area.

Tivoli Palácio de Seteais

Best Way to Get From Lisbon to Sintra

One of the best reasons to visit Lisbon is that it’s an easy base to do some great day trips. 

So, how do you get to Sintra from Lisbon? It’s easy to do a Sintra day trip from Lisbon, and the great thing is that there are several transport options. 

Train to Sintra From Lisbon – The Best Way to Get To Sintra

This is undoubtedly the best way to get to Sintra from Lisbon. The Sintra from Lisbon train service is fast and reliable.

To get the Sintra train from Lisbon, you’ll need to get to Lisbon’s Rossio Station.

Train times vary depending on the time of year (there are more in the summer months) but there will be several an hour. The journey takes around 40 minutes. 

When to Take the Train to Sintra?

At peak season, the trains can get busy, so catch the earliest one as humanly possible – I suggest around 8 am and arriving when the Sintra attractions open.

• On weekdays the first train leaves at 5:40 am
• On weekends the first train leaves at 6:00 am

When to Take the Train Back From Sintra?

There are several options to take the train back from Sintra to Lisbon. Here are the best options. Regular trains are running up until midnight.

• On weekdays the last train leaving Sintra is at 12:20 am
• On weekends the last train leaving Sitra is at 12:20 am

Bus to Sintra From Lisbon

To reach Sintra from Lisbon by bus, you can depart from Campo Mártires da Pátria. However, the specific route may require a connection. The bus journey typically takes around 2 hours, but it’s recommended to check the bus schedules and routes for the most up-to-date information.

Why I Don’t Recommend Taking the Bus to Sintra

I don’t recommend taking the bus to Sintra due to how time-consuming it is. There is also a lack of direct routes. Despite the short distance, the journey can be long, requiring multiple connections. Instead, I recommend considering alternative transportation options such as the train, which offers a quicker and more straightforward route to Sintra.

Sintra Day Trip by Car

Taking a day trip to Sintra by car is possible and offers convenience. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes, covering a distance of 28.4 kilometres via the A37 route. Driving provides flexibility and allows for easier exploration of Sintra’s attractions and nearby areas.

Why I Don’t Recommend Driving to Sintra

I don’t recommend driving to Sintra due to the limited availability of parking spaces considering the high number of visitors the town receives. For a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra, I advise leaving the car at home to avoid wasting valuable time searching for parking spots that may be non-existent or hard to find.

Organised Tours of Sintra

One of the most efficient ways to visit Sintra is on a guided tour.  An organised day trip from Lisbon to Sintra will include transportation as well as fast-track entry tickets

Take a look at these great tour options.

Getting Around Sintra

Sintra is a relatively small and compact town.

There are several ways of getting around Sintra. One of the easiest ways is to walk. However, on the map, the top destinations look only a short distance from each other, bear in mind that Sintra is in a hilly area, so what looks like a 10-minute stroll can easily turn into a 45-minute uphill slog. 

If you have more than one day in Sintra, I highly recommend walking some of these trails. But for your Lisbon to Sintra day trip, I highly suggest you take advantage of the efficient buses.

Sintra Tourist Bus

Two buses connect the area. Lookout for numbers 434 and 435 which loop around the circuit of the best things to see in Sintra. You can pick up both of these tourist buses just outside of Sintra Station.

The 434 (The Circuito de Pena / Pena Line)

This is the most convenient way to get between the main attractions in Sintra. The looped route is 10km and makes regular stops.  It runs every 15 minutes, from 09:30 am until 6:20 pm. 

This is the circuit the 434 Sintra bus makes.

• Sintra Train Station 
• Historic City Centre Tourist Office
• Castle of the Moors
• Pena Palace
• Historic City Centre
• Sintra Train Station

The 435 (4 Palaces Line)

Another route is the 435 line. It runs every 25 minutes, from 09:40 am until 6:15 pm. 

This is the circuit the 435 bus makes:

• Sintra Train Station
• Historic City Centre, Tourist Office
• Regaleira Palace
• Seteais Palace
• Monserrate Palace
• Seteais Palace
• Regaleira Palace
• Historic City Centre, Tourist Office
• Sintra Train Station

You can purchase a ticket for a single journey, a full-day pass for one route, or a combination ticket that covers both routes. 

One Day Sintra Itinerary

So now you know how to get to Sintra, this section covers all the best things to see once you’re there. Because this is such a full-on day, I highly recommended booking any tickets in advance so you can skip the lines. 

Arrive at Sintra Train Station

Catch an early train from Rossio station. Departures start at around 5:40 am (weekdays) and 6:00 am (weekends). Although I probably wouldn’t get a train that early, it’s a good idea to be at the station sometime before 8 am to skip the crowds.

The journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Aim to arrive in Sintra by 8 am. This will give you the head start to explore the town and its attractions before the crowds arrive.

Use the Sintra Bus

After arriving, you’ll start your Sintra day trip itinerary at Pena Palace. From Sintra train station, catch the 434 bus and head straight there, skipping the pretty town centre of Sintra for now. 

Pena Palace is located on top of a hill, overlooking these grounds. There is a bus stop near the entrance to the park where (if you’re feeling lazy) you can get the bus up the hill. It’s a lovely walk, although steep in places, through the gardens and forests, so I suggest you do this if you have the time.

Get off at the stop marked Palácio Nacional da Pena. Alternatively, you could walk, but it takes about 45 minutes from the town, and it’s a steep climb.

Whichever way you get up to the palace, you’ll enter it through Moorish-inspired gateways (there are several) into courtyards with walls adorning glazed and colourful Azulejo tiles which reflect the sunlight. 

Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena Palace)

This colourful fairytale palace is the most popular destination in the whole of Sintra, so to make the most of your one day in Sintra, be sure to get here early. It gets busy!

With its vibrant hues, the palace stands as an exceptional representation of 19th-century Romanticism, skillfully blending Moorish and Manueline architectural elements. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and acknowledged as one of Portugal’s Seven Wonders, this palace showcases the rich cultural heritage and architectural prowess of the country.

If you’ve done any research on your Lisbon itinerary, then most likely, you will have seen the stunning images of Sintra, in particular, the bright yellow and red towers, covered in turrets and bulbous roofs. Honestly, it’s a magical-looking place. Pena Palace is a MUST for any Sintra itinerary.

Tickets for Pena Palace

There are two types of tickets for Pena Palace. One allows you to enter the grounds and the whole of the outside of the castle. The other one gives you access to the inner quarters and all their opulence to see where the Portuguese royal family once lived until 1910.

There are numerous routes that you can take once inside the grounds. Be sure to spend plenty of time exploring the terraces and walkways outside of the living quarters. 

When you get inside the walls of Pena Palace & Park, you’ll see swathes of lush green forested grounds and immaculately manicured flower beds. 

Visit the Interior of Pena Palace

I’m glad I went inside, it’s incredibly ornate, however, depending on how much time you have (and if there’s a queue) you might want to skip this, as there is so much to see outside of Pena Palace without spending the extra time and money going into the quarters.

If you do decide to enter the living quarters, they’ve been lovingly restored to show how it would have looked in the early 1900s just before Portugal’s revolution of 1910, when the royal family fled. You’ll see the inner courtyard and a range of rooms and halls that you’ll get ushered through. 

Palácio da Pena was completed in 1854. However, the history of Pena Palace stems back a long time before that. 

In about 1500, there was actually a monastery here. If you’ve read my article on Lisbon, I mention loads of times about the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake that nearly destroyed the city. It was that same earthquake that pretty much destroyed the original monastery. 

It lay in disrepair for 100 years until King Ferdinand II used the remnants of the foundations and building to create a summer palace. This was to be used by the Portuguese royal family during the warm summer months.

As you wander around the grounds of the palace, you’ll find it’s a whole mish-mash of different styles with influences from Romantic to Gothic to Moorish architectural styles. Not only was Pena Palace influenced by so many styles in its construction, but it’s also said that Germany’s iconic fairytale castle Neuschwanstein Castle was influenced by Pena Palace. 

Opening Hours: Pena Palace – 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (last admission: 5:30 pm) | Palace Gardens – 9:00 am – 6:30 pm (last admission: 5:30 pm)

Parque de Pena (Pena Park)

After looking around Pena Palace, be sure to spend some time exploring the grounds surrounding it. If you are lucky enough to be there in the spring, you’ll find it filled with pretty flowers and blossoms which smell divine.

The Parque de Pena gardens are extensive, so with just one day in Sintra, you probably won’t have time to see it all. However, there are a few places that you should make time for.

Take the trail out towards the Cruz Alta. Also known as the High Cross, this is a trail that leads uphill to a cross on top of the rocks. The view looking back at Pena Palace is sublime, especially if you get here early in the day just as the mist is rising. 

The walk does take about 25 minutes, but if you only see one thing in the park on your Lisbon to Sintra day trip, make sure this is it!

If you’ve got a little bit longer then I adored the cute Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla. 

The Chalet looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairytale woodland. With vines growing over the outside, bark-clad balconies and elven-shaped doorways and surrounded by well-manicured flower beds and trees in blossom I half expected to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarves here.  

Castelo dos Mouros (The Moors Castle)

So if you’ve got a bit of time on your Lisbon to Sintra day trip, or you have longer than just a day in Sintra then there are a couple of things I’d totally recommend doing.

The first is the Castelo dos Mouros or the Moorish Castle. The undulating castle is perched right on top of a hill overlooking the valley. The 9th-century castle has been well restored so you can walk the whole meandering circuit of it for some awesome panoramic shots.

Aside from the walls, there’s not so much to see here, you could do the wall walk in about 30 minutes to an hour. 

It’s located nearly opposite the Pena Palace. So, I recommend adding a short jaunt to Castelo dos Mouros, before catching the 434 bus back down to Sintra Old Town. It’s a great addition to your Sintra itinerary if you have the time.

Opening hours: Summer – 9.30 am – 8 pm, last ticket sale and last admission 8 pm | Winter- 10 am – 6 pm, last ticket sale and last admission 5 pm

Sintra Old Town

After you’ve explored Pena Palace and the park, catch the 434 bus back down to Sintra Old Town.

There are so many options of places to eat here, ranging from cafes to restaurants. One of the most popular cafes here (and that I highly recommend) is Piriquita. They specialise in Portuguese pastries, I tried a couple from their menu; they were too delicious to resist!

The town is very small and (like everything in Sintra) super cute and it would be a shame not to see any of it during your Sintra day trip itinerary. After grabbing a bite to eat, be sure to wander through the quaint cobbled lanes before heading to your next destination Quinta de Regaleira.

Quinta da Regaleira

If you decide to walk here from Sintra Old Town, then it will take around 20 minutes. Thankfully there are no major hills apart from the last bit, also the walk meanders past some other stunning buildings and a cool fountain. Alternatively, you could catch the 435 bus from Sintra Old Town.

So, Quinta de Regaleira isn’t as colourful as Pena Palace by a long shot, however, it’s insanely more ornate and opulent! It was certainly a highlight of my Lisbon to Sintra day trip. 

Similarly to Pena Palace, this was a private estate (the word Quinta translates to private). Originally the land was owned by the Viscount of Regaleira. It was then bought by the millionaire, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro in the 1890s. Between 1904 and 1910 he transformed the estate into what you can see today.

Inside Quinta Da Regaleira

To say the house is exquisite is an understatement. The gothic-style building is covered in gargoyles, with ornate columned balconies and pretty windows.

Inside is just as magnificent with mosaics, wooden carvings and detailed murals on every surface. This is one of the best things to see in Sintra.

Gardens of Quinta Da Regaleira

The stunning house sits within lavish nine acres of terraced gardens. The gardens are filled with rockpools, grottoes, folly castles and towers, underground mazes and the iconic Initiation Well. Make your way to the Initiation Well first (it’s at the top of the gardens), it can get busy if you bump into one of the tour groups here.

So, there are several stories behind the Initiation Well that I heard about, some say it was for religious ceremonies, someone else said it was to do with a cult, and others said it was secret orders like the Masons or Knights Templar. Either way, it’s an amazing feature of the gardens.

The narrow columned spiral staircase circles to the bottom of the Initiation Well. At the bottom, there is a ‘hidden tunnel’ through a small maze-like system leading you back out into the gardens.

You could spend hours exploring the gardens and all the quirky hidden features. Honestly, the whole place is like a ‘playground’. I could just imagine in its heyday some epic parties went on here. 

Opening hours: April to September – 10 am to 7:30 PM, last admission 6:30 pm | Rest of the year – 10 am to 6:30 pm, last admission 5:30 pm 

Take the Train Back to Lisbon

Finish your day trip to Sintra by making your way back to the train station and catching a train to return to Lisbon. 

Trains from Sintra to Lisbon’s Rossio station operate approximately every thirty minutes until around midnight. 

The journey back to Lisbon takes around 40 minutes, allowing you to leave around 5:00 pm, giving you ample time to find a place for dinner and unwind in the pleasant evening atmosphere of Lisbon.

Other Things to Do in Sintra

If you have a flexible itinerary, then extend your Sintra one day visit, stay overnight and visit these two places in the town. 

Palácio Nacional de Sintra

You can also visit the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, also known as the National Palace of Sintra – a historic landmark in the heart of Sintra, Portugal. 

With its unique blend of Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline architectural styles, the palace stands as a symbol of Portuguese heritage. Inside, visitors can explore rooms like the Swan Room and the Magpie Room, adorned with intricate tile work and ornate ceilings. 

Highlights include the Sala dos Brasões (Coat of Arms Room) and Dom Manuel’s Palace. 

Opening hours: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm, last admission 6 pm

Palácio de Monserrate (Monserrate Palace)

The second place you could add to your one day in Sintra itinerary is the Palácio de Monserrate. The palace is located 4km outside of Sintra beyond Quinta de Regaleira, so if you purchased the 435 bus ticket, then use this to get there.

Monserrate Palace was built in the 19th Century as a summer home for Sir Francis Cook. Cook was a merchant, and at the time, was England’s richest man. He built the intricate mansion through inspiration from his trading of textiles. 

The design of the mansion features Islamic architecture but also shows elements of Moorish and Gothic styles in the building work. Check out the detailing on things like the geometric lattices on windows and the intricate stone carvings. The gardens also contain exotic plants which Cook personally collected.

Situated in beautiful gardens the Monserrate Palace is much more tranquil than most other attractions in Sintra, so if the crowds are too much on your Lisbon to Sintra day trip, then this is a great option. The reason why it’s not as busy is simply that it’s so far away from the other Sintra attractions.

Opening hours: Summer – 9:30 am – 7 pm, last admission 6 pm | Winter – 10 am – 6 pm, last admission 5 pm

Top Tips for Your Lisbon to Sintra Daytrip

• Sintra is a fairly compact area, but even though something looks close on the map, bear in mind it’s probably not a 10-minute walk due to the hilly terrain. Make use of the efficient and affordable tourist bus for getting about.

• Don’t drive your own car for your Lisbon to Sintra day trip, it’s near impossible to park. For just 1 day in Sintra, it’s much easier to go by train or book a full-day Sintra tour that includes transportation.

• Ideally, you’d want at least one day in Sintra. However, you can see all the highlights in just one day, if you have flexibility, then I recommend staying over for a night.  

• Set out early! It gets insanely busy, especially in peak season. 

• Make sure you’re wearing a comfortable pair of shoes. Sintra is hilly and you’ll be walking about all day, so you’ll get a decent leg workout too!

• Buy your tickets online in advance to avoid the crowds. This often allows you to fast-track some of the queues.

• If you don’t want to hassle with the public transport, book one of the tours that pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.

Sintra Day Trip From Lisbon – FAQs

So, I’ve covered loads of information about what to do in Sintra for a day, how to get there, and trips for visiting. This section has answers to any other questions you might have about planning your Lisbon Sintra trip. 

How’s Your Day Trip From Lisbon to Sintra Shaping Up?

By following this one-day in Sintra guide, you’ll be able to make the most out of your trip to this gorgeous part of Portugal. 

Of course, if you have longer than a day, then I do recommend staying over for at least a night to explore the area in more depth. However,  this1 day Sintra itinerary covers all the highlights of the region and visits iconic attractions like Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Sintra National Palace. 

Looking for more reasons to visit Portugal? read more inspirational articles here…

• 34 Stunning Landmarks in Portugal
• 16 Reasons to Visit Lisbon
• What To See In Lisbon In A Day
• The Best Lisbon in 2 Days Itinerary

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