Just 20 miles from the centre of Lisbon, you will discover Sintra, one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, known for its spectacular setting and grand Mansions of the Portuguese Elite.
On your private day trip to Sintra, you will:
- Travel leisurely with your tour guide by train from Lisbon's Rossio Train station to Sintra in just 40 minutes;
- Visit the colourful 19th-century Pena Palace, once the summer residence of the Portuguese King and situated atop a hill overlooking Sintra Natural Park, Sintra town and, on a clear day Lisbon;
- Explore the interior of the Pena Palace, richly decorated with 'azulejo' tiles representing what it was like to live like royalty between the 1800s and 1900s;
- Enjoy the amazing views from the Palace's vast terraces, as well as its colourful exterior that gives it the nickname of "fairytale castle";
- Enjoy a 30-minute walk through the lavish gardens to see the valley of the lakes, where one can enjoy the peaceful and suggestive atmosphere created by the five small lakes surrounded by exotic vegetation;
- Relax on a panoramic drive through Sintra Natural Park on an electric TukTuk, the fastest and most fun way to travel in Sintra!;
- Take a stroll through the charming old town of Sintra, home to many summer palaces of the Portuguese aristocracy and the perfect spot for a delicious Portuguese lunch;
- Learn about the history of the town on a guided walking tour, where you’ll see the spectacular Sintra National Palace from the outside;
- Discover Quinta da Regaleira Palace which boasts a magnificent Renaissance-style manor and lush gardens, where you can explore underground caves, a waterfall, a labyrinth and the famed Well of Initiation;
- End your tour by returning with your tour guide back to Lisbon by train.
Set high up in the Sintra Natural Park, this palace boasts vast terraces with spectacular views as well as beautifully landscaped gardens.
After, travelling back to Sintra town with an electric TukTuk, enjoy free time for lunch after which your guide will take you on a walking tour through Sintra town and the Quinta da Regaleira, another incredible palace with even more spectacular gardens.
The resplendent gardens are even classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO within the "Cultural Landscape of Sintra! Commissioned and owned by a well-known Freemason, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, the four-hectare property is famous for its enigmatic buildings and underground tunnels.
Monteiro filled the property with symbols linked to masonry, alchemy, Tarot mysticism and more. Your guide will expertly guide you through the extensive and puzzling system of tunnels, grottoes, and caves, as well as a waterfall and a labyrinth carved into the bedrock! You will of course not miss the Well of Initiation, a spiral staircase composed of 9 levels of 15 steps, often thought to symbolise the nine levels of Hell from Dante's Inferno.
Walk with your guide to Sintra train station for your return train to Lisbon.
Tour duration9 hours
Type of tourDay trip: including public transportation only to/from your destination.
Tickets included- - Return train ticket from Lisbon to Sintra
- Pena Palace & Quinta de Regaleira admission tickets
- A Tuk Tuk Ride through Sintra Natural Park
Other inclusions- English Speaking Guide
- Gratuities optional
- Food and drinks are not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included
Suitable forCulture Vulture, Family, Friends, History Buffs
Attractions along this route:
SintraThis municipality is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vast 19th century Romanic monuments.
Pena PalaceStanding boldly atop a hill above Sintra, this beautiful palace can be seen all the way from Lisbon on a clear day.
Sintra National PalaceA striking and eclectic mix of architectural styles, this is most likely the best preserved medieval palace in all of Portugal.
Quinta da RegaleiraThis romantic UNESCO World Heritage Site displays the wealth and extravagance of the Portuguese elite.
Rossio Train StationA monumental train station with horseshoe arched doorways built under the early 16th-century Neo-Manueline style is a must-see in the city.
Pena Palace GardensExplore the terraces and gardens of Pena Park to find the best views of Pena Palace.
Pena ChapelThe original chapel remains relatively unscathed and looks much the same as it had in the 16th Century. The small nave is topped with a Gothic vaulted ceiling and the walls retain their original tiles.
Terraces at Pena PalaceOne of the highlights of the Palace are the colourful terraces and decorative battlements, don't miss the stunning views from here.
Triton GateThis impressive sculpture was a tribute to the world-changing scientific advancement by 1838. The Triton is bridging that gap, with the sea below and the earth above.
Well of InitiationThis ceremonial well features a spiral staircase into a tunnel system that connects it to other monuments and caves around the park.
Portal of the GuardiansOne of the main features is the Portal of the Guardians which stands at one end of a courtyard. This long curved structure is flanked by two towers with a central pavilion, hiding the entrance to a tunnel that leads to the Initiation Well.
