Ultimate Lisbon To Sintra Day Trip Itinerary (2025)
Are you planning a day trip to the fairytale town of Sintra? If so, this article’s for you.
Sintra is a charming town with medieval castles, palaces, picturesque gardens, and more, only 40 minutes outside of Lisbon. It’s the most beautiful area I visited in Portugal, and definitely something you won’t want to miss.
This article will cover exactly how to get to Sintra from Lisbon using public transportation, how to get to the attractions, what to do, and more.
Here is everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable day trip to Sintra.
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How To Get To Sintra From Lisbon
Sintra is only a 40 minute drive, or train ride from Lisbon. The train is the most affordable way to get to Sintra, but there are a variety of tour options if you don’t want to worry about transportation.
Train From Lisbon To Sintra
The train (Comboios de Portugal) leaves from Rossio station every 30 minutes, starting at around 5:30am to 1am.
Tickets cost €2.30 for a one-way ticket, so it costs €5.10 (~$5.40 USD) roundtrip, if it’s your first time purchasing a Navegante card (€0.50/each). This train ride is also covered with a Lisboa card.
To get to Rossio station, enter “Lisboa Rossio” in maps. This train station is located on the opposite side of Rossio square as the metro station, and there’s a Starbucks on the first floor.
Once you arrive, you can purchase tickets at a self-servicing kiosk, and there’s no need to buy tickets ahead of time. Note: There’s a train to Sintra from the Lisboa Oriente and Entrecampos stations as well, but Rossio is the most convenient, being in the center of downtown.
It’s around a 40 minute ride with multiple stops, and you’ll get off on the train’s last stop “Sintra station”, rather than “Portela de Sintra”.
From Sintra’s train station, you can hop on the 434 bus to visit all of the attractions.
It’s also only a 10 minute walk to reach the historic center, where there’s cafes, shops, and restaurants. Here’s what the walk from the train station to the historic center looks like.
Lisbon To Sintra Tours
If you’re only spending a few days in Lisbon, I strongly suggest joining a group tour to Sintra. These group tours will pick you up in Lisbon, and you’ll visit the attractions directly with an experienced local.
Plus, you’ll get to visit Cascais and Cape Roca along the coast, which aren’t accessible with the 434 bus. I took the trains to Sintra and Cascais on different days, and regret not joining a tour, as I would have had an extra day to explore Lisbon.
Here are the top-rated tours from Lisbon.
- Most Popular Sintra Cascais Tour (w/ Pena Palace tickets included): Full day group tour to Sintra, Cascais, and Cape Roca
- Private Sintra Tour: Full day private tour to Sintra, Cape Roca that passes by Cascais
- Cheapest Sintra Cascais Tour (without Pena Palace Tickets): Full day group tour to Sintra, Cascais, and Cape Roca
The train ride to Sintra is only €5.10/roundtrip, and the 434 bus daily ticket is €13.50, so it’s still the cheapest option (€18.60/~$20 USD). But keep in mind that you’ll have to rely on the 434 bus to get to the attractions, which can be jam-packed with tourists year round.
Bolt/Uber
To take a Bolt or Uber from Lisbon, it ranges from around €20-30 for a one-way ride. This is not the best option, given that the train is only €5.10 roundtrip, and it takes the same amount of time to get there.
Taxi
A taxi from Lisbon to Sintra ranges from around €30-40 for a one way ride, which is around the same price as a full day tour. If you’re traveling with luggage, taking the train to Sintra, and using Uber/Bolt to get to your accommodation is the best option.
Sintra Day Trip Overview
- Distance from Lisbon: 40-45 minutes
- Train (Combois de Portugal): Lisboa Rossio to Sintra, €5.10 roundtrip
- Train schedule: Every 30 min, from around 5:30am to midnight
- Cheapest tour option: Sintra, Cascais, and Cabo de Roca tour from Lisbon
- How to get to the attractions: 434 bus, €13.50/daily ticket
- Buy Pena Palace tickets online
Sintra Day Trip Itinerary
Pena Palace
The Pena Palace is a must-see colorful Romanticist palace, perched on Sintra’s hills. The palace has beautiful medieval architecture, and is surrounded by forest so it looks straight out of a fairytale!
The easiest way to get to the palace is to hop on the 434 bus, as it’s a steep, strenuous uphill hike (that took me over an hour!) from the historic center. The 434 bus runs every 15 minutes, and you can easily hop on it from Sintra’s train station or historic center.
Once you arrive at Pena Palace, you’ll be at the entrance, where there’s ticketing booths, and a line for the palace. You can buy tickets here, but it’s best to buy them online beforehand to avoid long lines.
From the entrance, it’s a scenic 20 minute walk to the palace, and they offer a bus shuttle for a few dollars if you don’t feel like walking.
The palace has fascinating architecture, and multiple rooms that you can tour inside of. If you’re visiting on a sunny day, you’ll have an amazing panoramic view from the top of the palace. For more in-depth information, check out our guide to visiting Pena Palace.
Moorish Castle
The next must visit in Sintra is the Moorish Castle, a medieval castle sitting on the hills, overlooking the city. This castle was built in the 8th and 9th century, and has stone walls, and stairs you can walk around to get different views of the city.
It’s only a 20 minute walk downhill from the Pena Palace, and it takes around a half hour to visit. Tickets are €12/adult, and there’s ticketing booths on site that take cash and credit.
Sintra Historic Center
After spending time exploring, head to Sintra’s historic center for lunch or coffee. Sintra’s historic center is lined with cafes and restaurants, with everything from tapas bars to fine-dining restaurants.
It’s also one of the best places to go shopping for souvenirs, so it’s worth stopping by on your way out of town.
Quinta Regailera
Quinta Regaleira is a fairytale-like historic estate built in the early 1900’s, and one of Sintra’s most fascinating attractions. It has a mix of Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance style architecture, and five floors you can tour inside of.
Additionally, it has an 88 ft inverted tower, with a beautiful spiral staircase you can descend down into! Tickets are €15/adult, and they have an onsite ticket counter where you can buy them when you arrive.
Sintra National Palace
The National Palace of Sintra is a medieval 15th century royal palace turned museum that’s located in Sintra’s historic center. Tickets are €13/adult, and it’s worth touring to see the rooms decorated in azulejo tiles, cone-shaped chimneys, and beautiful architecture.
Cabo de Roca
Cape Roca is a cape at the westernmost point of continental Europe, that’s a 30 minute drive from Sintra. It has a lighthouse, and hiking trails where you’ll have a stunning view of the steep cliffs and rugged coastline.
The 434 bus doesn’t directly visit it, so the best way to get there is to join a group tour, or take an Uber/Bolt. Alternatively, you can hop on the 1253 bus, which leaves Sintra every half hour, and takes around 45 minutes to reach Cape Roca.
Best Time To Visit Sintra
The best time to visit Sintra is early in the morning, ideally on a sunny day, so you can enjoy a clear view of the city from the mountains.
Sintra is a very touristy town, so you can expect it to be the most crowded during summer (July and August). If you’re visiting then, consider joining a group tour to avoid the lines for the 434 bus.
Tips For Visiting Sintra
- Wear comfortable shoes with good sole support
- Download the offline maps as there’s little to no cell service in the mountains
- Buy Pena Palace tickets online beforehand to avoid long lines
- Hop on the 434 bus to get to the hilltop attractions (€13.50/adult for a daily ticket)
- Join a group tour if you want to visit Cabo de Roca (not accessible by 434 bus)
- Shop for your Portuguese souvenirs in the historic center!
Summary
Sintra is one of the most interesting places to visit in Portugal. From the medieval castles to the palaces, and forest scenery, it truly feels like you’ve been transported into a fairyland.
If you only have a day in Sintra, I recommend visiting the Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira. These are the most popular attractions, but you’ll have plenty of time to see all three without feeling rushed.
And for more ideas on how to spend your vacation, check out our list of the best day trips from Lisbon!
Sintra FAQs
Should you visit Sintra and Cascais in a day?
If you’re using public transportation, it’s best to visit Sintra and Cascais on separate days. There are two buses that run between the cities that take either 30 minutes (line 1623), or an hour (line 1624) for a one way trip.
With travel time, and time waiting for the bus, there’s not nearly enough time to explore both cities.
I visited Sintra and Cascais on separate days, and hardly scratched the surface of the different attractions they had to offer. If you want to visit both cities in a day, I highly recommend going on a tour.
The tour guides are experienced in getting around Sintra, and they include a stop at Cabo de Roca on the way to Cascais.
Is Sintra walkable?
Yes, Sintra is very walkable. The city center is located by the train station, and it’s around a 10 minute walk to the historic center. The historic center is located at the base of the hill, and there’s only a slight incline on the walk to it.
However, to get to the hilltop attractions like Pena Palace, it’s a very strenuous hike up the mountain. It took me around an hour to hike to the Moorish castle from the historic center, and an additional 15 minutes to get to the Pena Palace entrance.
Instead of hiking, it’s best to hop on the 434 bus from the city center or historic center to get to the attractions.
How far is Sintra’s train station from the historic center?
Sintra’s train station is only a 10 minute walk from the historic center. As you exit the train station, you’ll turn right, and approach this square. Then, you’ll walk up a shaded sidewalk with statues that slopes up the hill to get to the historic center.
Is there uber/Bolt in Sintra?
Yes, Uber and Bolt are readily available in Sintra, and slightly cheaper than taking a taxi to get around. An uber from Sintra’s historic center to Pena Palace is only around €4-7 for a one way ride, whereas a single ride on the 434 bus is €4.55.
How do you get to Pena Palace without a tour?
The best way to get to Pena Palace without a tour is to take the train to Sintra. Once you arrive in Sintra, walk to the historic center, and hop on the 434 bus to get to the Pena Palace entrance.
Just make sure to buy your tickets ahead of time, and download offline maps so you can navigate around the city.
How do you buy tickets for Sintra’s attractions?
You can buy tickets in person with cash or credit, but for popular sites like Pena Palace, it’s best to buy tickets online beforehand. Below are the official websites to purchase tickets.
- Pena Palace Tickets
- Moorish Castle Tickets
- Quinta da Regaleira Tickets
- Sintra Palace Tickets
- Palace of Monserrate Tickets
How much are taxis to the Moorish Castle/Pena Palace?
A taxi from Sintra’s city center to Pena Palace can be around €10-12 for a one-way ride, or higher if visiting during peak season. In contrast, a single ride on the 434 bus is only €4.55, and you can purchase a daily ticket (€13.50/adult) to use it the entire day.
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