Sintra – Don’t Visit On A Day Trip
Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, but in my opinion you can not do it justice on a day trip – it will be an exhausting and frustrating experience. Stay overnight in Sintra to give this town the attention that it deserves.
Sintra is packed full with UNESCO World Heritage sites – fairy-tale castles, unique things to see, nature, history and old world charm. Plus, staying overnight in Sintra would probably not cost any more than paying for an overnight stay in Lisbon.
Being able to enjoy the charms of Sintra’s old town when all the day trippers have gone home will be a treat. It is specially magical at night when all the little cobbled streets are lit up and full of enchanting mystery.
Another great advantage of an overnight stay is the ability to start exploring earlier and beat the crowds, take pictures that are not ruined by photo bombers, taking your time to see things without having to rush from one attraction to another.
We stayed two nights in Sintra and we found that it was not nearly enough time to see everything on offer, but the weather took a turn for the worse and with heavy rain forecast for the days ahead we decided to move on. But here are some of what we have enjoyed most about Sintra.
Pena Palace
The post card of Sintra, this is the town’s most iconic building. I suggest making it a priority to visit this place. Sitting on a very steep hilltop (don’t even attempt to walk up here, it will be VERY steep) it looks fairy-tale like, and our first impressions were that it felt like it belonged in a Disney movie. Bright yellow and red towers and turrets which stand out from a distance.
Colourful Pena Palace
Pena Palace looks like from the pages of a fairy-tale book
It started life as a Monastery, and later additions made it into the more opulent castle we see today. A perfect representation of the Romantic era movement that spread throughout the 19th century.
To explore this entire palace and gardens will take several hours, and depending on how busy it is during your visit it could take even longer than you have expected. Be prepared. It was ridiculously busy when we visited… we queued for about 40 minutes just to get into the Palace, and once inside it felt like a conveyor belt all the way through. Visiting on a Monday was a big mistake… according to our Uber driver many of the Lisbon Museums are closed on Mondays and so many people will come on a day trip to Sintra. It was mayhem here on a Easter Monday. But I expect during the summer season this place will also be a mad crowed.
The Castle of the Moors/Castelo Dos Mouros
Situated just 10 minutes walking distance from Pena, although there is a bit of up and down hill walking, it was easy to get there after our Pena Palace visit. (Make sure to wear comfortable shoes for your visit.)
Built by the Arabs (Moors) in the 8th and 9th Century it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and affords panoramic views of Sintra with its many historic sites and has some of the best views over to Pena Palace. Well worth a visit, expect to spend at least one to two hours here walking around the walls and gardens. And if you’re anything like Brian, picturing elfs and dwarves and orcs rushing around the dramatic ramparts, it could so easily be a set from a Lord of the Rings film!
Moors’ Castle walls
Views over Sintra from the Moors’ Castle
Pena Palace on the left, view from Moors’ Castle
View of Pena Palace from Moors Castle
The views from the top are gorgeous and well worth the climb, but do be careful walking up and down the narrow castle walls, particularly since there are no safety rails.
By the time we finished exploring both Pena Palace and the Moors Castle we were both feeling a little frazzled, so we hailed down a tuk-tuk to take as home .
Brazilian tuk-tuk driver
The driver turned out to be a Brazilian who has lived all over the world including USA and Australia, he spoke perfect English as well as other languages. We had a lot of fun zooming down the hill with him towards our motorhome Aire.
After a good night sleep we felt refreshed and eager to explore again. We ordered an Uber to come and pick us up and take us to the Quinta da Regaleira. We found that it was actually cheaper than taking the 434 bus and pay for two tickets.
Quinta da Regaleira
This most enigmatic building and its magical gardens have to be seen to be believed. It was our favourite site in Sintra. This bewildering and quirky palace was created by Italian architect Luigi Manini, commissioned by the wealthy Carvalho Monteiro Quinta da Regaleira was also known as “The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire”.
Brian and I at stunning Quinta da Regaleira
Manini’s designs brought forth Gothic, Renaissance, Roman and Manueline styles. The mystifying buildings allegedly held symbols related to Carvalho Monteiro’s interests such as alchemy, Masonry and the Knights Templar among other things. The construction of his vision started in 1904 and was mostly completed by 1910.
It was acquired by Sintra Town Council in 1997 and opened to the public in June 1998. It is a UNESCO Heritage site listed within the “Cultural Landscape of Sintra”.
The fabulous Quinta da Regaleira
The incredible park grounds feature grottoes, lakes, caves, inverted wells, fountains, labyrinths, enigmatic tunnels and footpaths that lead to some very unique buildings. We spent hours exploring these magical gardens half-expecting to suddenly see an unicorn coming out of a cave at some point.
There were many unique buildings scattered around the gardens.
The Initiation Wells or Inverted Towers are a wonder in themselves, the larger one contains a 27-meter spiral staircase with several small landings, there are symbolisms here connected to Tarot mysticism. It leads into a cave and an artificial lake with a waterfall. Just mind boggling. I’d seen pictures online and had an idea of what to expect… although nothing compares to seeing it in the flesh… but Brian had no idea what to expect and was completely blown away, he absolutely loved it!
Looking up from one of the amazing Initiation Wells/ Inverted Towers
Another of the Initiation Wells
We also visited the inside of the Palace, which was very interesting but it did not hold our interest as much as the outside. We loved this place and it was the highlight of our visit to Sintra, plus visiting on a Tuesday in April it was also peaceful and relaxing.
We ended our visit to Sintra with coffee and a pastry at the iconic Casa Piriquita. Founded in 1862 it is still owned by the same family, now in the 5th generation. The original owners Amaro dos Santos, a baker by trade and his wife Constância Gomes. The name Piriquita comes from the nickname that King Carlos I gave Constância Gomes, based on her short stature.
We loved their famous “Travesseiro” (means pillow) pastry stuffed with sweet eggs and a touch of almonds. The recipe apparently was developed by Constância Cunha, granddaughter of the founder and is a closely guarded family secret. It is a small place and very popular… we waited about 10 minutes for a table to became available but well worth it. There was also a queue for people taking their take away orders.
Tips for visiting Sintra
If visiting by train on a day trip from Lisbon, the train leaves from Rossio station and takes about 40 minutes. Choose just two or maximum three attractions to do in one day and be very diligent.
I would recommend to arrive early and start your tour at Pena Palace as soon at it opens and then afterwards walk to nearby Castle of the Moors. Have lunch at the historic centre and then walk to Quinta da Regaleira (our favourite site in Sintra) for the afternoon’s exploring. Make good use of transport such as the local hop on hop off 434 bus, tuk tuks, Uber or taxis to make it easier to explore.
If staying overnight in Sintra, which would be my recommended option, there are many lovely great places to stay around the historic centre for all budgets.
Avoid visiting Sintra on a Monday, apparently it is the busiest day due to many of the Lisbon museums being closed. So day visitors come to Sintra instead.
If travelling there by car, there are limited parking, arriving early should ensure a space.
If travelling there by motorhome, like we did, you can stay overnight at the Sintra Aire, football ground parking area. There are waste disposal services and fresh water, but no EHU (GPS N38.7889 W 9.3749) 2 nights for 12 Euros + 2 Euros for fresh water.
We travelled from Evora to Sintra on the Toll road, to avoid driving through Lisbon, costing 16 Euros and 4 Euros for crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge into Lisbon. Well worth the cost to avoid the hassle of driving through busy Lisbon. Even normally-thrifty Brian took one look at the non-Toll route, and seeing it go right through Lisbon had visions of driving our big van round the North Circular in London and immediately broke into a sweat and changed the Sat Nav to go via the Toll roads!
We loved Sintra and recommend it for a minimum of two days stay here to fully appreciate its many beautiful sites.
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It looks lovely. Afraid l sort of lost my taste for Sintra since our failed attempt… and l am kind of surprised that my interest is not higher than l thought it would be reading this. I agree that 2 days at least be allocated. I prefer the day 2 itinerary, that might be enough to consider trying it again. After tourist season of course! 😂😂😂
Kemkem, so sorry about your failed Sintra trip. I guess you are not the only one who feels frustrated with this town, since it can be so busy and exhausting. Particularly when there is so much up and down hill walking to do here in order to see the main sites. We stayed two nights and felt we could have stayed longer, but the weather was going to be wet and cold so we moved on. In any case there is so much more to explore in Portugal, we are now loving the Douro Valley 🙂
I’d have to agree with you, Gilda. It’s one of those places that’s a victim of its popularity. It’s quite a few years since we were there and I always meant to go back because we didn’t get to Regaleira. That is an advantage of traveling around, as you are doing. You don’t have to get the bus or train home if you want to stay longer. 🙂 🙂
Jo, well said…” Sintra is a victim of its own popularity”, but It is definitely a city worth visiting, it just requires a bit more careful planning to ensure a pleasant experience. It is a different place at night when all the day visitors have left. Travelling with the motorhome has afforded us a lot of flexibility, there have been places that we had planed to stay just one night and ended up staying for a week or places we thought we needed to stay longer but realised we could move on sooner. We also love that we always feel at home wherever we are 🙂
Wow! Looks amazing over there.
Thank you, Sintra is a very impressive place to visit
Thanks for detailing the history and architecture of such an interesting place. Day-tripping certainly has its place, but spending a night or two is so much better. I like how you describe the place after the tourists left for the day, and the early morning photo ops free of the crowds. Sintra seems so rich in activities and important sights. You were smart to take the extra time there to get a more full impression.
Joe, although a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon is incredibly popular, I think most people will leave feeling frustrated and wishing they had stayed there at least one night. Sintra is a real pleasure to explore over few days, it has a fascinating history and beautiful architecture. I really liked Sintra and wished we could have stayed even longer than our two night stay, but the weather was not going to cooperate so we decided to move on. Thank you for your thoughtful comment 🙂
Wow, beautiful, definitely looks like more than just a day trip.
It is a gorgeous city with so much to offer. We absolutely loved it and felt so glad to have been able to stay for at least two nights.
I have no idea about what Sintra would be like. So much more fun to read about your enthusiasm for the place. Since I might go to Lisbon later this year, it’s something I will have to consider. Thanks for the tips.
Otto, thank you. I am glad you have enjoyed this post. If you are visiting Lisbon, I would certainly recommend at least one night in Sintra, if you can fit within your schedule. Particularly Quinta da Regaleira, I think you would enjoy photographing it. I have just visited your blog and have been blown away by your photography. AMAZING
Gilda your advice is spot on for visiting Sintra. We were there quite a few years ago and took the train from Lisbon early in the morning, We only stayed for the day and ran ourselves ragged trying to see as much as we could. however I would say if one only has a day it is till worth going. Just go early and know you cant possibly see it all. Loved revisiting with you and your current tips on transportation.
Sue, I think for most people they can probably allocate just one day to Sintra and like you said it is still worth going, even if just for the day. Going early, like you did certainly will help to maximise your time and enjoyment there.
After our Camino Portuguese walk we took the train from Santiago, Spain to Sintra and spent 3 nights exploring. It was fascinating and I’d been wanting to visit for years, especially the initiation well, amazing.
Completely agree that a 1-day visit is not enough.
Patti, the initiation well at Quinta da Regaleira is reason enough to want to visit Sintra. Absolutely fascinating. There is so much to see in Sintra that one day is just not enough, I am glad you were able to stay for 3 nights. We stayed 2 nights and felt it was not enough, we missed out on visiting some of the sites…perhaps we will return there in the future. I will be looking forward to your blog post on Sintra.