Sintra Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Sintra, even if you just visit for the day. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

• Small Group Tour to Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo Roca and Cascais

• Sintra to Cascais: 2 Palaces, 4 Sites, Small Group 10 Hour Tour

• Guided Tour to Sintra, Pena, Regaleira, Cabo da Roca and Cascais

• Sintra, Pena, Regaleira, Cabo da Roca & Cascais from Lisbon

You can visit Sintra on your own for free. However, many travelers prefer to book tours that include transportation from Lisbon and local guides—full-day tours average around US$80 per person. Note: some of these tours don’t include admission tickets for itinerary stops and Sintra highlights, such as Pena Palace (adult tickets cost approximately €20) and the Moorish Castle (adult tickets are approximately €12).

Yes, Sintra is worth visiting, especially if you're keen on castles and the legends that surround them. While this hilltop town is historic, it's also among the most scenic in Portugal, even without the citadels. On clear days, you'll have views of the Atlantic coast to the west, the Tagus River to the south, and Lisbon to the east. Plus, if you book a guided tour, you'll learn why royalty chose Sintra as their summer retreat: for starters, the temperature is more pleasant. Guides can also help you find memorable hikes, gardens, and monasteries worth visiting in the area.

Per one customer who booked the Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon, "What an incredible day trip! We were a total of 8 guests, and everything was exceedingly well-organized and timely; no part of the tour felt rushed. We got to spend a good amount of time in Sintra at the Moorish Castle, as well as the village, at Cabo da Roca (westernmost point in mainland Europe), and at the seaside town of Cascais. Our tour guide, Antonio Castro, was not only incredibly well-versed in Portuguese history, but he also had a fantastic sense of humour and made everyone on the tour feel welcome and comfortable."

Yes, but the trip does involve quite a lot of organization—you'll need to buy Sintra tickets for each attraction in separate time slots, as well as arrange train, bus, and taxis to get to and around the area.

The best days to visit Sintra are Tuesday or Wednesday. Visiting on either of these days helps you avoid the brunt of the crowds, as most people visit Lisbon as part of a long weekend, between Thursday and Monday. The winter months—from November through January—also see fewer people at each of Sintra’s attractions.

Yes, the UNESCO-listed center is small and compact, which makes it easy to navigate on foot—Sintra National Palace is also right in the center and Quinta da Regaleira is a 10-minute walk. However, Pena National Palace and Castle of the Moors—are around 30 minutes' walk from the center via steep routes.

Yes, but you might not get to spend much time at each attraction. If you're short on time, avoid having to wait for the trains by opting for a tour with private transport and book skip-the-line admission tickets, so you don't waste time waiting.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Sintra. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Lisbon:

• Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

• Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)

• Alfama

• Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio)

• Jerónimos Monastery

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Lisbon.