24 Hours in Sintra: Your Comprehensive Guide

Last Updated on August 9, 2024

Planning to visit this Portuguese municipality known for its mountains, palaces, castles, and gardens? Read on to learn how to spend 24 hours in Sintra. 

Sintra is a municipality just outside of Lisbon, Portugal. It’s a quick 1 hour train trip (or 40 minute drive) from Lisbon to Sintra, which makes it a popular stop on any Portugal itinerary.

In Sintra, you can wander the gorgeous gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, a beautiful palace. You can enjoy panoramic views from the famous Pena Palace. And you can spend time getting to know the historic center.  

When I visited Sintra, I opted to spend 2 days in Sintra. While I think it’s worth spending at least 2 days there, I know that not everyone can fit that much time into their trip. So, I’ve put together this detailed guide to 24 hours in Sintra. 

This guide covers how to get from Lisbon to Sintra, your itinerary for a full day, where to stay the night, and how to return back to Lisbon. 

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Before You Go: 24 Hours in Sintra 

This itinerary will take up a full day so be sure to pack a lunch, water, and snacks, and get an early start.

Since you’re staying just one night in Sintra, pack lightly. I recommend just bringing what you’ll need for the day and for your sleep – toiletries and some fresh clothing. If you’re traveling onward from Sintra and need to bring all your luggage for 24 hours in Sintra, then you can use a luggage storage service. 

Your other option is to use taxis, rideshares, or tuktuks to get around while spending 24 hours in Sintra. This is a more expensive option, but if you’re okay with the cost, I do recommend it. Taxis will save you a lot of time, which is precious when you have 24 hours in Sintra. 

Before you go: Pack a lunch!

Your 24 hours in Sintra are going to be busy! I recommend planning your lunch. Pop into a cafe the morning of, and ask to have a sandwich wrapped to go. 

Your other option is to eat at a cafe at one of the sites you’ll be visiting in Sintra. Just know that the food in the cafes isn’t the greatest, and they can be busy. 

Your 24 Hours in Sintra Itinerary

1. Take the Early Train From Lisbon to Sintra

The key to a successful 24 hours in Sintra is to start your day early. Take the train from Rossio Station in Lisbon to Sintra station, with the goal of arriving in Sintra by 8:00 AM. The Rossio-Sintra Line runs about every 30 minutes – be sure to check the schedule for exact times, the day before.

There is also a train that departs from Oriente Station in the Parque das Nações district to the east, close to the airport. This train runs even more frequently. 

Most of the sites in Sintra open at 9:30 AM, so arriving by 8:00 AM means you’ll have time to drop your luggage (if you need to), and grab a coffee. 

Palace Caffe is right across the street from Sintra Train Station. They serve great coffee as well as light sandwiches.

Once you’ve dropped your luggage (the lockers inside Sintra Train Station are most convenient) and grabbed food, take the bus (or a taxi) to your first stop for this 24 hours in Sintra itinerary: Pena Palace. 

If you’re taking the bus, grab bus 434 at Sintra train station. It will go first to the historic center of Sintra, and then up to Pena Palace, where you’ll get off. The bus ride is about 25 minutes. 

2. Pena Palace and Park

Your first stop on this 24 hours in Sintra itinerary is one of the most famous sites in the region: Pena Palace. King Ferdinand II acquired ruins that were once where today’s Pena Palace is. There, he built a summer residence. 

When the royal family later had to flee during the revolution of 1910, the palace was purchased by the Portuguese state and named as a national monument. In 1995, Pena Palace was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

People love this palace because of its interesting design. It’s made up of a mix of architectural styles, and it’s painted bright yellow and red. Sitting at the very top of Sintra mountain, you have beautiful panoramic views of the region.

It’s wise to buy your ticket to Pena Palace in advance. If you visit in the high season (the summer), get to the palace before opening time. It’s possible to buy a ticket to tour the outside of the palace and the surrounding gardens, as well as to tour the inside of the palace. 

You can easily spend hours exploring the outside of the palace, and the surrounding grounds and gardens. But, with 24 hours in Sintra, I would aim to head to your next stop by 12:00 PM.

If you’re getting hungry, stop by Parques de Sintra Cafeterias at Pena Palace. This is one of the only places within the park that serves food. 

That said, I recommend packing sandwiches or other food for your 24 hours in Sintra. In the interest of time, and because the cafe’s in the park are pretty overpriced and busy. 

3. Castle of the Moors

Castle of the Moors is a 12 minute (downhill!) walk from Pena Palace. I recommend walking, because the bus will take around the same amount of time. 

It’s always best to buy your ticket in advance. This will save time when you have 24 hours in Sintra. I recommend this ticket, which includes entry to your next stop (Quinta da Regaleira) as well. 

If you haven’t bought your entry ticket in advance, stop at the ticket machine right at the entrance, to purchase your ticket.

The Castle of the Moors is believed to date back to the 8th or 9th century, when many areas of Portugal were occupied by the Moors. 

The castle was taken under Christian rule when Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, reconquered it 1147. Today, the Castle of the Moors is a National Monument, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

You’ll spend about 2 hours here. The main thing to do is to walk all along the old fortress walls. From them, you have gorgeous views of the surrounding region – and of Pena Palace!

These walls are old, and the stairs can sometimes be steep, so be cautious as you climb them.

When you’re finished imagining medieval life at the Castle of the Moors … it’s time to eat! If you haven’t already, take some time to enjoy your packed lunch, or plan to grab something to eat at your next stop: Quinta da Regaleira. 

Now, you can brave the bus to get from Castle of the Moors to Quinta da Regaleira – but if you’re going to spend money on a taxi during your 24 hours in Sintra, this trip is the time to do it. Rather than wait around for the bus, take a taxi or rideshare 20 minutes to your next stop. 

4. Quinta da Regaleira 

As with the other sites in Sintra, I recommend buying your entry ticket in advance to avoid lines. 

A “quinta” in Portugal refers to a country estate or manor. Quinta da Regaleira dates back to 1697, when it was known as Quinta da Torre. Bought in 1840 by Baroness da Regaleira, the daughter of a wealthy trader from Porto, the name was changed to Quinta da Regaleira.

In 1893 the quinta was acquired at a public auction, and in 1997, Quinta da Regaleira was purchased by the Sintra Town Council. It’s since been part of a conservation program, and is open to tourists. 

At Quinta da Regaleira, you’ll find a beautiful palace, gardens, and other buildings that show symbols related to alchemy, Masonry, the Knights Templar, and the Rosicrucians. Be sure to visit these sites on the estate: The Palace of Quinta da Regaleira, Promenade of the Gods, and the Chapel of Holy Trinity.

You should also see the Initiation Well, which is a ‘subterranean tower’ that goes 27 meters down into the ground. You can walk down the stairwell to the bottom of the well, admiring symbols etched into the walls as you go.  

Expect to spend 2-3 hours at Quinta da Regaleira. You’ll be starting to get tired, but stay strong! There’s one more stop on this 24 hours in Sintra itinerary, and it’s worth it! 

To get to your final stop, Sintra National Palace, you can take the bus, or walk. Both modes of transport will take 10 to 15 minutes. 

Tired? It’s okay to skip the next, final stop. Listen to your body, and if you’re feeling like it’s time to rest, head straight into Sintra town to enjoy a dinner, and tuck into bed. 

5. Sintra National Palace

Sintra National Palace is within the village of Sintra. This palace has over 1000 years of history. For nearly 8 centuries, it was inhabited by the Portuguese monarchy and its court, and it’s one of the oldest palaces in Portugal!

The 1910 revolution in Portugal brought a sudden end to the use of this palace as a royal residence. Queen Maria Pia was the last royal to live in the Palace, before the revolution forced her to go into exile.

It’s best to do a guided tour of the palace, which takes 1-2 hours. When touring, you’ll see notable rooms like the Palace Guard Room, Swan Room, and Magpie Room. And, you’ll learn a bit about the history of Portuguese royalty. 

If you’re too tired to fit this palace into your 24 hours in Sintra, that’s okay! Skip this and go straight to dinner.

6. Head into Sintra Town for the Night

The best part about spending 24 hours in Sintra, is that you have time to enjoy an evening in Sintra town. 

By now you’ll be ready for dinner. Luckily, Sintra National Palace is in the center of Sintra, so it’s a short walk to restaurants. I recommend going to Tulhas. 

It’s a 3 minute walk from the palace, and there you can enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes like octopus soup, and of course, port wines. Tulhas is small and tends to be busy, but has a lovely atmosphere.

For a more low-key dinner, head to Villa Craft Beer and Bread. Also a 3 minute walk away! It’s a cozy spot with indoor and outdoor seating, as a menu of rotating craft beers. They also serve hot bread with a variety of fillings, for a super reasonable price.

Once you’ve had dinner, and wandered Sintra old town, head to your hotel for the night. Remember to pick up your luggage if you left it in storage!

Where to Stay in Sintra

If you have 24 hours in Sintra, you’ll want to stay somewhere convenient. Here are some great options:

$$ Casa da Pendôa is budget friendly, and well located in the historic center. Rooms in this guesthouse are simple, but comfortable, with views of the Sintra Mountains. 

$$$ Sintra Bliss Hotel is a pricier option, in part because it’s conveniently located in the historic center. This hotel is just 100 meters from Sintra train station. All rooms include a TV, AC, and an ensuite bathroom.

$$$ Sintra 1012 Boutique Guest House is a charming B&B in a restored 15th-century building in the historic center of Sintra, a 13-minute walk from Sintra station. The rooms are homey and comfortable, and breakfast is included every morning.

Can You See Sintra in 1 Day?

Sintra is commonly visited as a day trip from Lisbon. On a day trip you have a couple hours to explore the palaces, castles, and Sintra town. When you factor in about two hours of transit between Lisbon and Sintra, visiting Sintra as a day trip makes for a long day, but it’s worth it if 1 day is all you have time for! 

Tours From Lisbon to Sintra

Prefer not to spend 24 hours in Sintra self-guided? Tours run daily from Lisbon, typically cost around €100. Tours are about 8 hours long, and bring you to Sintra’s most well-known sights. 

There are different tour options to choose from. Some focus only on the palaces at Sintra, and others combine the trip with more stops like Cascais and the Cabo da Roca coast.

Below, I’ve highlighted some well-rated tours that you can consider booking for your visit to Sintra. The first three are group tours, and the fourth is a private tour. 

1. Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

RATING: 4.8 / 5 Stars | TOUR LENGTH: 8 Hours

This popular Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip combines a visit to Sintra’s famous Pena Palace, with stops along the beautiful Portuguese coastlines of Cabo da Roca and Cascais.

This is a full-day, guided tour that includes pick-up and drop-off in Lisbon. You can choose to include a ticket entry to Pena Palace in Sintra, or, opt out and do your own thing. Following the visit to Pena Palace, this tour includes 1.5 hours to explore the town of Sintra. 

This Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip includes: 

• Guide
• Pena Palace entry ticket (if option selected)
• Pena Palace guided tour
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Hotel pickup and drop-off service (if private tour option selected)

2. From Lisbon: Sintra and Pena Palace Tour

RATING: 4.9 / 5 Stars | TOUR LENGTH: 6 Hours

This Sintra tour from Lisbon is a little shorter than the first one I mentioned, lasting 6 hours. While this one might end up being a little more rushed, it’s a good choice for if you’d like a shorter day. 

The Sintra and Pena Palace Tour includes a visit to the Pena Palace, free time for exploring the historical center of Sintra, and stops at Cabo da Roca, Guincho Beach, and Cascais bay. This is a small group tour by minivan. During your tour, the local tour operator’s driver and guide are there to answer questions and support the trip. 

This Sintra and Pena Palace Tour includes:

• Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or apartment in central Lisbon
• Transportation by air-conditioned minivan
• Guide
• Driver
• Personalized guided tour inside the monument
• Free time in the historical center of Sintra

3. Sintra and Cascais: Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour

RATING: 4.9 / 5 Stars | TOUR LENGTH: 6 Hours

If you prefer to have a private tour, this is the trip for you. On this private tour (which accommodates up to 2 people), you’ll visit Sintra’s monuments, castles, and parks, stop in the popular seaside town of Cascais, and visit the westernmost point in continental Europe.

The Sintra and Cascais: Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour is designed to be an entire day of sightseeing, but the duration can be adjusted according to your schedule. Since this tour is private, you also have the option to let the tour leader know your main areas of interest, so the trip can be customized for you.

This Sintra and Cascais: Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour includes:

• Pickup and drop-off at a meeting point in central Lisbon
• Transportation by air-conditioned car or van
• Private guide, just your group and your guide
• Guide will accompany you inside most of the monuments and locations for historic explanations

If you have limited time in Portugal (or Lisbon) and really want to see Sintra, then a day trip is absolutely worth it. In one day you can certainly see the highlights like Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, and Quinta da Regaleira. You can make the trip either on your own, or by tour. 

Final Thoughts: 24 Hours To See Sintra

Spending 24 hours in Sintra will mean a busy day – so if you can budget more time for Sintra, do so! With 2 days in Sintra (or more!) you can see lesser known sites, like Biester Palace.

The key to a successful 24 hours in Sintra is preparation. Be sure to start your day as early as possible. Pack a lunch, and lots of water. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring clothing for the weather. 

The research and preparation will ensure you have a smooth day of experiencing one of Portugal’s most interesting regions!

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