When you are planning a trip to Lisbon in Portugal take a few extra days to have time to explore the nearby areas, I promise you won’t regret it! One of my favourite day trips from Lisbon was to visit Sintra which is located about 30km west of Lisbon. Nestled in the hills you’ll find a fairytale-like town called Sintra and it’s known for its majestic palaces, lush gardens and mystical atmosphere.
Try to plan ahead when you’re visiting Sintra, mostly because the area is quite big and it takes time to get around. Try to pin down which palaces and parks you want to visit so you don’t have to rush it. We managed to see all the attraction in this post within a day but it was a bit rushed, we didn’t understand the size of the area and that everything is quite spread out. If you have the time I would highly recommend to spend a night in Sintra.
How to get to Sintra from Lisbon:
The easiest way is to take the train from Rossio Train Station, the journey takes about 40 minutes and the price is approximately 2.25€-2.50€ for a one way ticket per person.
There are busses that runs quite frequently between the popular attractions in Sintra, this is very helpful to get around.
Monserrate Palace
This is a architectural gem, the palace combines Gothic, Moorish and Indian influences. The rooms in the palace have beautiful decorated ceilings, tilework and glass windows. Monserrate Palace is surrounded with a beautiful garden with exotic plants from around the world. I felt like this palace was a bit forgotten since there wasn’t many tourists around but that only made the experience better!
Opening times palace: 9.30am-6.30pm
Opening time park: 9am-7pm
Ticket price, palace and park: 8€
The National palace of Pena:
This is probably the most famous palace in Sintra and is situated atop a hill. With its vibrant colours and playful creativity this palace stands out from the others and offers fascinating and impressive architecture. It feels like this palace is taken from a fairytale! The park surrounding the palace offers lush gardens and hidden lakes, definitely worth a stroll.
Opening times palace: 9.30am-6.30pm
Opening time park: 9am-7pm
Ticket price, palace and park: 14€
Quinta da Regaleira
This estate enchants visitors with its unique blend of architecture and lush gardens. The centrepiece is the mesmerizing Initiation Well with a deep spiral staircase that leads to underground chambers. Explore the grottos in the park and the network of tunnels and secret passages.
Opening times, April-September: 10am-7.30pm
Opening time, rest of the year: 10am-6.30pm
Ticket price, palace and park: 11€
Castelo dos Mouros or Castle of the Moors
This is a historic fortress built in the 8th and 9th centuries and is situated high on the hills of Sintra. From the castle you have panoramic views over the surrounding countryside and you get a glimpse of Sintra’s medieval past.
Castelo dos Mouros is located only 200meters from Pena Palace so if Pena Palace is to busy start exploring Castelo dos Mouros first and then go back to avoid the big crowds.
Opening hours: 9am-6.30pm
Ticket price: 8€
National Palace of Sintra
This historic landmark is located in the heart of the town and showcases the rich cultural heritage of Sintra. This medieval palace offers a fascinating glimpse of the Portuguese history and the lifestyle of Portuguese royalties. Step inside and explore the beautiful rooms with decorated ceilings and decorated ceramic tiles. Visit the palace to learn more about Sintras rich history.
Opening hours: 9.30am-6.30pm
Ticket price: 10€
