Sintra is one of my favorite places in Portugal. I have been twice and can’t wait to go again the next time I am in Europe. Here are 7 seven Sintra tips to help you make the most of your one-day trip!
Where is Sintra, Portugal?
Sintra is a picturesque city located approximately 60 minutes west of Lisbon by train. The history dates back to the 1400s when a single monastery was placed on a hilltop in Sintra during medieval times.
When the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 destroyed most of the city, the area sat untouched and empty for many years.
It wasn’t until the mid-1800s when one of the King’s sons was so fascinated by the forested area, that his father decided to acquire all the surrounding land and bring it back to life.
The king turned it into a summer retreat for all the Kings and Queens in the 19th century, and now many of the grounds are open to tourists from around the world.
You will find castles, forested gardens, breathtaking views, beaches, and even cliffs that touch the westernmost point of Europe.
How to Get to Sintra
- Take the train to the Sintra station (you can catch this from Lisbon and other parts of Portugal)
- If you arrive in Sintra by train buy your ticket the night before at your local train station to avoid long lines. Trust me, you will thank me when you see the long lines the next morning.
- If you drive your own car to Sintra parking can be challenging, consider hiring a driver
Sintra has always been my favorite when visiting Portugal. I take the train from Lisbon and spend the entire day there. I feel the train is the best transport in Sintra as you do not need to look for parking when you arrive also.
Here are 7 Sintra Day Trip Tips:
#1 Rent a Small Vehicle or Bike
Sintra offers a public bus that you can take to reach each of the sites. However, the lines at each bus station will be long and crowded.
I found the best way to visit Sintra is to rent an electric car or bike to get around. The vehicles are smaller than traditional cars so parking is easy at each attraction.
You will see companies located outside of the train station that will rent different modes of transportation.
I have used Go2cintra twice to rent an electric car. For sizing, I am 5’4″ and my partner is 5″11″ and there was plenty of room. Book here in advance.
The Go2cintra staff inputs all the must-see locations into your Google Maps, provides you with a mi-fi (so your WIFI works on your smartphone), and even checks in on you every few hours to see how everything is going.
There are also jeeps, electric bikes, and other modes of transportation you can rent. They offer multiple routes you can choose from. This is one of the best Sintra Tips out there.
#2 Prepare in Advance for Pena Palace
The Pena Palace is a colorful castle located at the top of one of the hills in Sintra, and on a sunny day, you can even see the castle from Lisbon.
It is the most visited castle, so you know what that means – it’s crowded all year long. They have a Disney-like ticket system where you buy a times ticket to enter. You will wait in line to wait in line again so you must be patient.
Personally, I would book the last entry ticket for the day. I mention Pena Palace first, as most people associate it with the only attraction in Sintra, but there is so much more. Keep reading for further itinerary suggestions.
Tickets for Pena Palace start at €22. Below is what is included for the €22 and you can add on additional features.
- Entrance to Pena Palace
- Entrance to the park
- Entrance to the Chalet of the Countess of Edla
- Priority access and skip-the-line entry to Pena Palace (optional)
- Escorted access to the palace (optional)
- Shuttle service between the main entrance of the Park and the Palace (optional)
- Buy them in advance here.
On my first visit, I walked the grounds only, as they offered that type of ticket years ago. I skipped the castle on my second visit as you can still see the castle from other locations throughout Sintra (just not up close).
If you must see Pena Palace up close and first, buy your tickets in advance and GO EARLY.
#3 Eat Locally and Bring Snacks
There are not many options to eat at the attractions. The single cafe the museum may have will be crowded, so bring snacks and water.
Buy some local Portuguese sardines. You can find them in most stores, and even at the bike and car rental shops in Sintra. It’s a good salty snack to take with you as you traverse the grounds and travel to each attraction.
If you rent a vehicle, the rental company can show you on the map where local restaurants are. I ate at Romario de Baco while the electric car charged and it was the perfect mid-day stop.
#4 Go Early to Quinta da Regaleira
One of the most picturesque spots in Sintra is Quinta da Regaleira. It is the perfect spot to put down the map and see where the winding paths take you.
Within the grounds, you will find mazes of greenery that will lead you through caves, forests, and hidden wells.
If you drive, there is parking down the street from the main entrance (indicated on the map below) and the fee to enter the park is €12 per person and they offer family and child discounts.
Since most people insist on Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira will be much less crowded in the morning. Since the tickets are not timed, go here first thing in the morning, then book Pena Palace for later in the day.
I cannot stress this enough – buy your tickets in advance and check the website here for all updates. The ticket fees fluctuate and sometimes they ask for an additional fee for certain sections of the park.
#5 Leave the Stilettos at home
Prepare to do a LOT of walking in Sintra. Each attraction has a large building to walk around and is also surrounded by sprawling grounds.
Locations you need sneakers:
- The Morrish Castle is built of stone, so sturdy shoes are a must.
- Inside the Quinta da Regaleira grounds, is a stone staircase leading into a well.
- The Park at the Palace of Monserrate is wooded with small trails.
#6 Take Time to Visit the Beach
There are a few places to see the ocean along the coastline of Sintra. It would take days to see all the amazing beaches but the ones I loved the most were the ones easily accessible to park a car and take a dip in the water.
The best place I found to take pictures is Praia das Azenhas do Mar. With its homes overlooking the coastline, you can’t beat the view.
Or you can bring a blanket and lay in the sand with the locals at Praia das Macas. Both beach options have restaurants and parking.
You can access the beach by either renting your own vehicle in Sintra or hiring a driver.
#7 See the Westernmost Point of Europe
Cabo da Roca is the farthest point west in Europe. You will encounter a lot of tourists here, but there are multiple places for photo opportunities.
You may need to wait in line to take a picture in front of the plaque that states how far west you are, but it will be worth it to show people how far you made it!
They have free parking, a small café, and a restroom you can use for a small fee. Most tour buses stop at this point, or you can access it with your own vehicle.
Final Thoughts on Sintra Tips
Sintra can be done in one day, but you must be strategic in your planning. You can still incorporate six out of the 7 Sintra tips, even if you go in your own car, or with a driver. Hopefully, these tips help you on your next trip to Portugal.
Having been twice, I am happy to help if you have questions. Ask me in the comments below!
Additional Sintra Tips:
Yes, you can easily see most of Sintra in one day by renting a private driver or a vehicle as mentioned above in the Sintra tips.
Yes! If you rent a vehicle or a private driver, you can see most of the sites. If you choose to take the public bus you will have a harder time seeing it all.
It doesn’t have to be. If you are staying for multiple days at a hotel and going to every museum, then yes, it can be. But one day In Sintra can be affordable if you take the bus and only go to one or two locations.
Yes! If you are not on a budget, then there is plenty to do in Sintra.
Easily! There are two parking spaces at Parque da Pena. There is one at the bottom of the park but requires a 30-minute walk uphill through the gardens. The second parking space is at the top, near the main entrance. Spots fill up quickly however so get there early.
That depends on how much you want to see and if you want to relax. If you only want to see one museum a day and relax the rest of the day then you can easily spend a week or more in Sintra.
Weekdays tend to be less crowded and December – February during the slow season.
YES! If you love history and nature combined into one compact area, then yes, it is worth the trip. Even if you only have one day to visit, take the trip!
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