Located in the foothills of southern Portugal, Sintra is widely known for its mystic beauty especially during rainy and windy days. This city’s mysterious beauty has long been famous for the castle walls and palaces rising out of its many foggy hills, and its beautiful fountains and wells. After you are done with visiting the vibrant, historical and artistic Lisbon capital, come to this small city for a day-trip. This suggested itinerary will help you walk through the most famous attractions of Sintra within a few hours.
The National Palace of Sintra - Parques de Sintra
As soon as you get off the train from Lisbon to Sintra, get a map at the only tourist information desk inside the station. This map has clear instructions on routes to get around Sintra. There are also signs all around the city, so you can even get around without a map. Start walking from the station to the town centre. Lying in the middle of the historic centre, the former palace of Sintra - the National Palace dates back to the Moorish period. The front courtyard of the palace offers a wonderful panoramic view of the city.
Quinta da Regaleira Park- UNESCO World Heritage Site
The next top is an estate near the historic centre - the Quinta da Regaleira. If you are a nature-loving traveler, this cultural landscape is the place to be. This luxurious land is nothing like an ordinary park, as it contains plenty of lakes, wells, benches, fountains and romantic palaces and chapels. The park is ideal for couples to spend romantic, quiet times together. There are several cultural activities organized here including theatre, opera, chamber music, concerts, and even an open-air cinema. Another park to check out in the municipality of Sintra is Monserrate Park.
Castle of the Moors
Lying in the middle of the Sintra Municipality, the Castle of the Moors is a hilltop medieval castle. Though Sintra looks like a small county on the map, the Castle of the Moors (Castelo dos Mouros) is massive. You will need extremely comfy shoes to walk through the whole area to the top. There are several churches and museums on the way up. Do not miss visiting the world’s top rated Pena Castle that lies just few hundred metres from the exit of the castle.
Pena Palace and National Park
The Pena Palace is well known as one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, besides the famous Palace of Versailles in France or the Royal Palace of Madrid in Spain. Visiting the palace can be quite expensive (13.5 EUR or roughly 14.5 USD for adults), but it is worth the price, as the castle’s most unique and colourful parts are only visible from the inside. Next to the entrance, there’s a bus stop taking visitors straight to the main train station of Sintra. A single bus ride costs 3 EUR (roughly 3.5 USD). You can take a train from here back to Lisbon.
Sintra Tour Guide
Ana Cristina Paiva
I am an australian-born Portuguese living in Lisbon since I was 8 years old. I studied Tourism and became a Licensed Guide and I absolutely love my job! The Portuguese landscape, history, food, traditions have won me over and I hope to share all this with you! I live in an historical neighborhood and believe that the best way to get to know a city is by walking. During the tours I hope to answer your questions and curiosities, proving a memorable and fun learing experience.
Tours by Ana-cristina
Sintra Tour Guide
Marta Côrte Real
I was born in Lisbon and I'm forever in love with it! After my family, guiding is my greatest passion: I love what I do! I have a 5 year degree called Touristic Information, specifically to work as a Tourist Guide, as well as the Certificate of Competence acquired through a qualifying examination, in order to be able to exercise this regulated profession. I own and manage a tour company licensed by the Turismo de Portugal IP, Portugal's National Tourism Authority. Tour guiding has been my full time job since 2003 and it has always been incredibly rewarding. In 2021, I was recognized by the Wanderlust Awards as one of the world's "Best Specialist Guides", which I think is a result of doing what I love every day. Waking up knowing I'll meet enthusiastic people who are excited to discover my city makes me a very grateful and happy person. For almost two decades (how am I that old already?!) I travelled around the world as a tour guide and tour manager in Portugal, Europe, South and Central America. I stopped being so nomadic when my first child was born and in 2016, I became part of ToursByLocals' amazing team and since then I've been 100% dedicated to my lovely Lisbon and its surroundings. I am a mother of 3. I love planning family trips. I know how important it is to create special family memories. Travelling means getting to know new places and cultures, experiencing nature more closely, walking and playing more, discovering history through cities, monuments and palaces! Our childhood travel memories are often the sweetest and along with other remarkable moments, we build who we are and how we live in the world. So if you're in need of someone to guide you and your kids and have them thrilled about travelling, I'm your guide! I'm also very fond of small groups of friends, extended family trips and solo travellers. It's a much more personal approach and very interesting and grateful, too. It's so lovely to get to know you! My wish is to make you feel all the unique details of this fairytale country the way I proudly do, welcoming you as a friend, however always assuring professional, original and interesting tours. I offer walking tours or if you prefer to just sit and relax, I also provide tours with transportation included (private minivan, minibus, bus). You can choose from my many tours the one you're most interested in, or we can build together a tailored experience, everything at your pace. Once you send me a message, I'll try to answer right away, but if I'm delivering a tour or busy with my family, I'll let you know that I'll get back to you soon. I'll be happy to create a customized tour just for you and if you have a special request, if it's a family with different age ranges. . . let me know so we can build the best option for your group. Some of my tours can perfectly be combined. I can also help you plan the best timings to avoid the crowds and even buy your tickets, if needed. There are lots of magic places in Portugal: let me know about you, your interests and ideas and according to that I will work on your time here! The most recent experience has been incredible: the virtual tours. The idea came up with the 2020 pandemic scenery and I decided to keep them going in the future as they're such a pleasant way of travelling differently and sustainably. These tours are perfect to gather families and friends who live away from each other and for schools to complement their teaching, as well as to help those who cannot travel for many reasons, to be able to see the world. I believe we always need to make the best out of the worst. Portugal is a country to visit all year round: weather is wonderful and even during the winter you can enjoy the simple pleasures of life like sitting on an esplanade, absorbing each sunbeam! Plus, I love cooking and baking and I'm happy to share my recipes. Portuguese food is simply delicious and the wine is just perfect for a toast to celebrate life! Get ready to deeply fall in love with Portugal! Can't wait to meet you!
Tours by Marta
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Sintra Tour Guide
Beatrice Sacco
Hello! My name is Beatrice, I'm originally from Milan and I'm currently living in Lisbon. Travel, nature, music and art are among my passions. I'm curious and determined and I love meeting people from different countries. I moved to Portugal after finishing my studies in Art History. Now I'm putting into practice what I have learned by working as a tour guide. I love to share with people all the history, culture and local insights about the beautiful city of Lisbon and its surroundings! Come with me, if you want to go deep into the richness of this place!
Tours by Beatrice
Sintra Tour Guide
Rui Alves
I offer tours and guide services in Portugal, from North to South, with professionalism and love representing the best hidden gems of our country.
Tours by Rui
How to get from Lisbon to Sintra
There are frequent connections between Lisbon and Sintra daily. Load money on your transportation card in Lisbon and enjoy traveling to Sintra for 1.8 EUR (roughly 2 USD) for a single ride. The journey takes only about one hour and you will experience the most mysteriously beautiful small town of Portugal.
History
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