If you are heading to Lisbon and looking to explore the famed Pena Palace, then you are in the right place. This mystical land of Sintra is a historically significant town in Portugal, which is also labeled as a Unesco World Heritage Site and an easy short trip from Lisbon. A trip to Sintra takes you on a journey through robust history, centuries of opulent artistic creations, and regal buildings. Here, you can also find castles, mountains, forests, and even beaches. It’s really easy to get from Lisbon to Sintra, especially on a personal or a rental car.
Located West of Lisbon Part of the Grande Lisboa subregion, Sintra is one of the affluent places in Portugal, and it’s mostly known for its castles and palaces. What makes it even better is that the Sintra town goes all the way to the ocean, where you can explore coastal villages, beautiful seascapes, and mountain cliffs. The most iconic location in Sintra Portugal is arguably the Pena Palace, and it’s by far the most visited place here. Sintra is 28.7 km from Lisbon, so with only a half hour’s drive, you will be in a contrasting landscape to Lisbon. The road and rail network in Portugal is good, reliable, and affordable. So, you can either take the train or drive to Sintra as per your convenience.
Down below, you’ll find information about Sintra, the best places to see and eat on a one-day travel itinerary, and several other tips to help you plan your road trip. With only one day to spare in Sintra, you can see most of the area and have totally different experiences in the same day. You can be in a castle and palaces for one hour, then be on the beach enjoying the sun the next one.
Top Attractions to see in Sintra
The most important thing to keep in mind about visiting Sintra is that you will most likely only have time to visit 3-4 attractions, even if you have one full day. So, we wouldn’t blame you if you want to come back and spend more than just a day in Sintra to explore many other places. For now, follow this one day Sintra itinerary to make the most of your trip.
01 Pena Palace
- Hours: 9:30am-8pm daily (summer), 10am-6pm daily (winter)
- Cost: Palace and Park: (approx.) €12.5- €14.00 for Place & €6.5- €7.50 for Park
This is one of the most iconic buildings in Sintra, high on a hill with its yellow and red towers and turrets and dome. A UNESCO world heritage site, this palace is also considered as one of the Wonders of Portugal. It is one of the finest examples of a mixture of Moorish to Renaissance to Neoclassical architecture. It mesmerized us at the very first glance itself. The intricate and distinctive details on the pillars, walls, and interiors are second to none.
Around the building is a wall that is all about aesthetics. Pena Palace is a perfect representation of the Romantic movement that swept through Sintra in the 19th century and stands as the ultimate symbol of this style.
02 Park and Palace of Monserrate
- Hours: 9:30am-8pm daily (summer), 10am-6pm daily (winter)
- Cost: (approx.) €6.5- €8
Palacio de Monserrate is the best place to avoid crowds. The palace in itself is a mesmerizing sight to see with all the amazing tile designs, arches blending gothic, Arabic, and Indian architecture. There are also ornamental lakes, beautiful gardens, water fountains, and a large lawn to rest on in the area. After spending most of our day walking in Sintra, it will be a nice relief to simply sit on the lawn here.
03 National Palace of Sintra
- Hours: 9:30 am-8 pm daily
- Cost: (approx.) €8.5- €10
The National Palace of Sintra is a medieval royal palace that is located in the center of Sintra and has been carefully preserved. From the outside, the most remarkable feature of the National Palace of Sintra is the two enormous chimneys that give it an unusual shape. When you go inside, you’ll realize that they are there for practical reasons and sit above the enormous kitchen. This place has a long history with the royal families of Portugal, who lived in the palace from the early 15th to late 19th century, which makes this place even more interesting.
04 Quinta da Regaleira
- Hours: 9:30am-7pm daily (summer), 9:30am-5pm daily (winter)
- Cost: (approx.) €5- €10
Quinta da Regaleira has a palace, which is actually just a grand house built in the late 19th century. A 10-minute walk from town, you can find this World Heritage Site to be very mysterious and romantic at the same time. The grand house is of ornate gothic appearance surrounded by lush greenery. But the reason to visit this place is for the incredible park around it. As you walk around, you’ll find fountains, towers, sculptures, and bridges.
One of the most well-known places at Quinta da Regaleira is the Initiation Well, which is 88-feet deep but has never once been used for water. Instead, this well was used for secret ceremonies by the owner of the grounds, Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. History tells us that Antonio Monteiro was a wealthy businessman and Freemason who designed his property to be full of mystery, which could be true considering all of the hidden tunnels.
05 The Moorish Castle
- Hours: 9:30 am-8 pm daily
- Cost: (approx.) €6.5- €8
Just a 5-minute walk from Pena Palace, you will find the Castle of the Moors, which is a 9th-century ruinous castle set on a hilltop. It was originally a military fort due to its vantage point over the Tagus River. After a series of natural disasters, Castelo dos Mouros was set to be left in ruins until it was restored in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II. It’s safe to say that this attraction is extremely rich in history and a must-visit while planning a day trip to Sintra.
What makes a visit to the castle so special is being able to walk along the defensive walls. You will also get breathtaking views across the region from here, including a great angle of Pena Palace.
Where to Eat in Sintra
To break the hunger strike while walking and exploring beautiful castles in Sintra, check out the following places for a quick bite and lunch. Some of the vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants are listed below.
- Villa 6: yummy food with small cobblestone setting
- A Praca: serve 3-course veg meal and desserts, located near to Museum de Historia Natural de Sintra
- Sabores do Mercado: #1 on Tripadvisor, great food
- Café da Vila: A little cafe with an authentic taste
- Salla de Estar: Bar/Pub, dinners & after hours
Apart from all the above attractions, you can do a lot in one day in Sintra. No matter what, don’t miss out on this incredible fairytale town. This Sintra Day Trip Itinerary should help you plan your day away from Lisbon and get the most out of your trip. If you have more time you can also plan other trips from Sintra.