Travel Itinerary: Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon
Sintra is a breathtaking Portuguese mountainside town with many sights to see, including a charming town, extravagant castle, historical forts, and an enormous national park. Only 40 minutes away from Lisbon via train, here is a detailed breakdown on how to get to Sintra and what to see and eat once there.
Before you go
IT IS HOT - If you’re visiting during the summer, prepare yourself for the extreme heat! Bring sunblock, sunglasses and maybe a hat or umbrella (depending on how sensitive your skin is). I would even buy one of those handheld, portable fans to keep you cool. Be sure to also bring water to stay hydrated. There are shops around where you can purchase water and food but it’s better to come prepared.
DRESS COMFY - You will essentially be climbing up a mountain, so there will be LOTS of walking. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
SPEND THE DAY - Plan to spend at least one entire day in Sintra. There are so many things to see and you can easily spend a weekend there, but if you’re short on time, one day will be enough time to see the top sights.
ARRIVE EARLY - I recommend arriving at Sintra in the early morning, no later than 9am-10am to be sure you have enough time to see it all.
Getting to Sintra from Lisbon
The day I went to Sintra goes down as one of the best days of my life…although it started off rocky. I overslept (due to my alarm being set in EST) making me miss the meet up time with the tour group I had booked. I immediately called and see if they could wait 15 minutes for me to arrive (selfishly) and of course they couldn’t. Luckily, they offered a refund but encouraged me to still make the trip over myself via train. I looked it up and found it was very easy getting to Sintra from Lisbon.
Train station at Sintra. Credit: catchmeonflight.com
You can get to Sintra from Lisbon’s central train station, Rossio. The train ride is an easy and direct 40 minute ride to Sintra’s train station, which is the last stop so you really can’t miss it. The train ticket each way will cost under 5 Euros, check the timetable and current costs here. Trains run every 30 mins or so throughout the day.
Tip: I recommend buying a round trip ticket in advance and taking note of the last train back to Lisbon.
Getting around in Sintra
Sintra, Portugal. Credit: catchmeonflight.com
Once you arrive in Sintra and exit the train station you’ll see the crowd of people making their way to the center of the town where you can grab the buses or cars up the mountain. If you’re visiting during the summer, like I did, expect super long lines at the bus stops that get you to the top of the mountain - where the main sights are located.
The bus costs 5 euros each way and can get jam packed very quickly. They run every few minutes, however, since they are usually always packed they sometimes won’t stop and you could be stuck waiting for a bus for up to an hour.
Not one to waste time, I took the opportunity to jump on a tuk tuk (operated by locals trying to profit off the long lines of people) for the same price. It was very safe and so much fun! It definitely didn’t go as fast and smooth as the bus, but it was a unique experience and got me up the mountain faster than walking.
Example of a tuk tuk. Credit: http://tuk-tuk-lisboa.pt/en/
Things to do
National Palace of Pena
One of the most magnificent palaces I’ve seen yet. Pena Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sits atop a mountain offering panoramic views of Portugal. The palace houses antique furniture, classic paintings and let’s not forget about the insanely beautiful exterior columns, terraces and balconies surrounding the palace.
Parque da Pena
This enchanting park is definitely worth a visit. After exploring the palace, walk down to the park with your camera in tow and prepare to be marveled by the amazing scenery that makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. You’ll encounter lots of peaceful ponds with pretty fish and exotic gardens with various floral species. Be on the look out for the cutest little huts.
Moorish Castle
The Castle of the Moors was built in the 9th century and sits atop the Sintra mountains with just another way to see the country for miles and miles out. It’s definitely quite the hike once you’re there so dress comfortably but prepare to be in awe of the amazing views and history of the fort.
Tip: Buy your tickets online and get a 5% discount. If you’re visiting multiple sites, buy the discounted combined tickets.
Last but not least, try pastries at Casa Piriquita
Travesseiro pastry.
Be sure to stop by this 150+ year old bakery, located in the town, for a coffee and treat. I recommend trying the “travesseiro” a flaky and sweet almond pastry.
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