One of our favorite places of all time! There are colorful castles, hikes with history, and a healthy dose of mystery here. It’s said Sintra has a different kind of energy, and we agree. Since it’s only 45 minutes from Lisbon, a Sintra, Portugal day trip is more than easy, it’s necessary!
What to Do
Castles are the name of the game! Each one is a totally different experience and worth a visit.
However, deciding on which to visit can be a little overwhelming. So we’ve provided descriptions and links for tickets to each attraction below :)
The Most-Visited
- Pena Palace: Ok, technically not a castle. The incredibly colorful Pena is just as inspiring indoors, where the old Portuguese royalty’s furniture and artwork still reside. Take a minimum of 1-2 hours to walk around the palace and park. Tickets
- National Palace: A well-preserved palace in the middle of Sintra (making it the most accessible), created in the most awesome Gothic style. Tickets
The Hiker’s Option
- Castle of the Moors: This 10th-century building is composed of a long wall, battle towers and a chapel. Expect to take a few hours here if you walk the whole way along the wall. It’s about 1/2 km (1/3 of a mile) from the center of Historic Sintra. You can take tourist bus, #434, to get here. Tickets
Nature and Palaces Combine!
- Quinta da Regalia: Our FAVORITE spot, where nature and architecture meld and history mixes with rumors and myth. Go down the underground tower near sunset, just before the park closes. Tickets (along with Pena Palace)
Where to Stay
We had trouble finding a reasonably-priced spot close to the historic center, which is another reason we didn’t stay in Sintra. But we’d like to camp at a little-known farmstay like Sintra Vintage Tent next time.
Sintra Vintage Tent provides free bike rentals and a pool. Unfortunately, we only discovered this spot AFTER our trip!
What to Pack
Pretty much the same things you need for a day out in Lisbon. Think sneakers, a daypack, water bottle, and hat and sunglasses. Also layered clothing!
And charge your phone or camera before you go. You’ll want to take all the photos!
What to Buy
Unless you find something special that really stands out, I’d stay away from souvenir shopping in Sintra. It’s too magical of a place to spend your time inside a store!
Transportation
Getting to Sintra
It’s a simple trip from Lisbon. Sintra is end of the train line- you’ll likely take the Rossio-Sintra route from Rossio station.
The exception is if you’re coming from the airport, in which case you’d take the Oriente-Sintra route from Oriente station.
Both routes take between 40-50 minutes and trains leave regularly until the evening. You can’t buy tickets ahead of time.
Getting Around Sintra
Sintra is beautiful and incredibly fun to walk around! But you’ll likely need a tuk-tuk at some point (we took one from the train station to Pena Palace). We zipped through winding roads going uphill in a fantastically fun ride!
You’d also likely use a combination of walking and tuk-tuk. Another option is the 434 tourist bus. This goes from the train station to the historic center, then Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors, before ending at the train station again.
When to Visit Sintra (Including Weather)
Sintra is great for visiting year-round, although it’s not as sunny as nearby Lisbon. It gets rainy in the winter but the average temperatures are relatively mild, around 55-60 F (13-15.5 C).
You’ll also get more rain if you visit during the cooler months of November through March. There won’t be many daylong storms, but bring a rain jacket if visiting in the winter.
Conclusion
Sintra is at the top of most travel guides to Portugal for good reason. You can visit multiple places and castles in just an afternoon, and each one is completely unique from the rest. So do what we did- hop on an early train and make the most of your day!
Make sure to read our article on Lisbon so you’re ready for the trip!