11 BEST Things To Do In Sintra Portugal (2025)
Are you planning a day trip to Sintra? If so, this article is for you.
Sintra is a fairytale-like town and designated UNESCO heritage site, with medieval castles, palaces, beaches, and a variety of interesting historic sites. It’s one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal, and to my surprise, has much more to offer than just the famous Pena Palace!
To help you plan an unforgettable trip, this article will cover all of the best things to see and do in town. From royal palaces to underground wells, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Here are 11 amazing things you won’t want to miss in Sintra Portugal.
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Best Things To Do In Sintra
1. Visit The Iconic Pena Palace
No trip to Sintra would be complete without seeing the famous Pena Palace. This is a colorful Romanticist palace perched on the highest hill in Sintra, with an interesting mix of architectural styles.
You can tour the inside of the palace, but the exterior is arguably even more interesting, and has beautiful views of the forest scenery. Just remember to buy your tickets online beforehand, to avoid the long lines at the entrance.
Additionally, it’s best to ride the 434 tourist bus to the entrance, as it’s a very strenuous hike from the historic center. The 434 bus costs €13.50 for an all day ticket, or €4.55 for a single ride.
2. Visit The Moorish Castle
After visiting the Pena Palace, head to the Moorish Castle. This is a medieval castle constructed during the 8th to 9th century, with stone walls, that sits isolated on top of a hill.
As you walk around the castle, you’ll have stunning panoramic views of the city, and it takes less than a half hour to visit.
You can get to the entrance via the 434 tourist bus, and it’s a short walk to reach the castle. Entrance to the castle is 12€/adult, and they have kiosks where you can buy tickets when you arrive.
3. Admire Architecture At Sintra’s National Palace
Just steps from Sintra’s historic center, the Sintra National Palace is one of the most overlooked attractions in town. This is a 15th century medieval royal palace turned museum with preserved rooms, a chapel, courtyards, terraces, and more.
You can tour the inside to admire the beautiful architecture, from the azulejos (blue Portuguese tiles) to the mix of Gothic and Renaissance style artwork. Entrance to the palace is 13€/adult.
4. Descend Down Quinta da Regaleira’s Initiation Well
The next must visit site not far from Sintra’s historic center is Quinta da Regaleira, an enchanting fairytale-like Romantic palace. The palace has a chapel, gardens, but is most known for the famous Initiation well.
This is a spectacular 88ft underground well with a spiral stone staircase you can climb down. It makes for excellent photo opportunities, and is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day.
Entrance to Quinta da Regaleira is 15 €/adult, and they have a ticket counter on site.
5. Shop & Dine in the historic center
Once you work up an appetite, head to Sintra’s historic center. Sintra’s historic center is lined with cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops, and the perfect place to stop for coffee or a meal.
6. Visit the Monserrate Park & Palace
The Monserrate Park and Palace is a beautiful 19th century Romanticist palace nestled at the foothills of Sintra.
It was formerly a summer vacation home for a wealthy British family, and designed with Romantic, Gothic, and Renaissance styles of architecture. You can tour the inside to admire the architecture, and stroll around the gorgeous botanical gardens.
Entrance is $12/adult, and the best way to get to it is by hopping on the 435 bus from Sintra’s train station.
7. Enjoy City Views From Miradouro De Santa Eufémia
For one of the best views of the city, head to Miradouro de Santa Eufemia. This is a hilltop observation deck symbolized by a cross with picnic areas, and a sweeping view of the city.
It’s located right next to a small church, and only a short 10-15 minute hike from the Pena Palace entrance. Just remember to download the offline maps, as there’s little to no cell service in this area.
8. Hike Around Parque de Pena
Beyond touring the Pena Palace, go for a peaceful stroll in Pena Park. This park is Portugal’s largest arboretum, and spans nearly 500 acres, with duck ponds, arched bridges, benches, and an incredible diversity of plant species.
Entrance to the palace covers access to the park so it’s definitely worth checking out if you have the time!
9. Visit The Sanctuary Of Peninha
The Sanctuary of Peninha is a small medieval chapel perched on a rocky outcrop, overlooking the coast (20 min drive from Sintra). The old monastery and house aren’t open for visitors, but this is one of the most beautiful areas to hike around.
Here you’ll have a panoramic view of the forested mountains, rugged coastline, and Cape Roca. It’s not accessible by 434/435 bus, so the best way to visit is to hire an Uber/taxi, or join a group tour that includes it.
10. Visit The Westernmost Point of Europe (Cape Roca)
Head to Cape Roca to enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline at the westernmost point of Europe! There’s a lighthouse nestled at the edge of the cape, excellent hiking trails, and often local musicians playing live music for visitors.
To get to Cape Roca, it’s best to join a group tour from Lisbon, as it’s around a 30-45 minute bus ride from Sintra. You likely won’t have enough time to visit it if you’re relying on public transportation, but there are a variety of tours that include it as a stop.
11. Go On A Day Trip To Cascais
If you’re staying in Sintra, go on a day trip to the sunny seaside village of Cascais. Here you can relax on a sandy beach, enjoy gelato while strolling the marina, or savor seafood by the water.
It’s a 20 minute drive, or a 30 minute bus ride (1623) from Sintra. If you’re using public transportation, there’s a direct bus (1623) that runs between Sintra and Cascais. But, if you’re taking the train to Sintra from Lisbon, it’s nearly impossible to visit both using public transportation.
Instead, I highly recommend joining a group tour from Lisbon. You’ll get to visit the attractions directly with an experienced local, and won’t have to navigate the different modes of public transportation.
Other Things To See In Sintra
- Villa Sassetti: Romantic hilltop villa located between the historic center and Moorish castle (30 minute uphill hike from the historic center)
- Biester Palace: Enchanting 19th century palace with a teahouse and gardens (15 min uphill hike from historic center)
- Bonsai Museum: Small Bonsai tree museum with koi ponds & a cafe in the historic center
- Chalet of the Countess of Edla: Small fairytale-like romantic chalet hidden in the forest (15 minute hike from Pena Palace)
- Capuchos Convent: Abandoned 1560 monastery hidden in the forest in Sintra’s hills (not accessible by public transportation)
Sintra Attractions Map
How To Get To Sintra From Lisbon
Sintra is only a 40 minute drive or train ride from Lisbon. I took the train from Lisbon’s Rossio station to Sintra, but group tours are by far the most convenient way to visit Sintra’s attractions.
It’s a comfortable train ride, and once you arrive in Sintra, you can hop on the 434 bus to visit all of the attractions. However, the 434 tourist bus can be jam-packed with tourists, so it can take longer than expected to get around.
If you plan on taking the train, I recommend visiting as early as possible (~7-8am), so you have plenty of time to visit the different attractions.
If I could redo my trip, I would join a group tour from Lisbon. On a group tour, you’ll get to visit the attractions directly by car, and won’t have to worry about the crowds of tourists on the 434 bus.
Additionally, Sintra is mountainous, and many of the attractions are spaced apart, so it can be tricky to get around if you don’t plan ahead. This is the cheapest group tour option from Lisbon that visits the Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, and Cape Roca all within a day.
How To Get To Sintra By Train
The Comboios de Portugal train 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). Note: This train ride is covered with a Lisbon card.
To get to Rossio station, enter “Lisboa Rossio” in maps. The train station is in a separate location from the metro, which is on the opposite side of Rossio square. You’ll know you’re at the right place when you see a Starbucks on the first floor.
The train to Sintra also leaves from the Lisboa Oriente and Entrecampos stations, but Rossio is the closest to downtown.
It’s a comfortable 40 minute train ride with multiple stops, and you’ll get off at “Sintra station” (not Portela de Sintra). From the train station, you can wait for the 434 bus, or do a short 10 minute walk to the historic center.
If you plan on visiting multiple attractions, it’s best to purchase a daily ticket to hop on and off the 434 bus. The daily ticket costs around €13.50 (€4.55/single trip), and it visits all of the popular castles and palaces.
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