Home/Destinations/Portugal
Portugal · Central Portugal

Sintra

Portuguese fairytale — Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira + Moorish castle

Sintra is Portugal's fairytale mountain town — UNESCO-listed with the multi-coloured Pena Palace, mysterious Quinta da Regaleira Initiation Well, hilltop Moorish Castle + palm-filled Monserrate Palace. 40-min train from Lisbon = essential Portugal day trip.

UNESCO listed
Since 1995
From Lisbon
40 min by train, €2.40
Best season
April-June + September-October
Microclimate
Cooler + often misty

Sintra highlights

Pena Palace

19th-century multi-coloured Romantic castle — yellow + red walls on the mountaintop. Book online (€14) to skip queues.

Quinta da Regaleira

The most photogenic estate — Initiation Well spiral staircase, gothic chapel, grottos + gardens. €10 entry.

Castle of the Moors

9th-century Moorish castle walls on the ridge — panoramic views. €8 entry.

Monserrate Palace

19th-century palm-filled Moorish-Gothic palace — less crowded than Pena. €8 entry.

Sintra Old Town

Cobblestone streets, Palácio Nacional (National Palace), pastéis de Sintra (Portuguese pastries).

Cabo da Roca (Europe's westernmost point)

20 min drive west — clifftop at the edge of Europe. Lighthouse + windswept views.

Cascais day-extension

Beachside resort town 30 min south — sardine dinner + Boca do Inferno cliffs.

Getting there

No airport. Train from Lisbon Rossio (40 min, €2.40) or Oriente (50 min). Frequent departures. Also possible: Lisbon airport → Oriente → Sintra (1h 15m).

Getting around

Bus 434 loops Sintra town → Pena Palace → Moorish Castle → town (€7 day pass). Tuk-tuks + taxis for other estates. Walking sites requires steep hills.

Best time to visit

April-June + September-October. Cool + often misty microclimate. Winter can be cold + rainy.

Budget per day

$40-80 day trip · $150-300 boutique hotel overnight

Airport transfer from Humberto Delgado (Lisbon) — 40 min train (LIS)

Getting out of Sintra (LIS)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

Our pick

Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.

Where to stay in Sintra

Find hotels in Sintra, Portugal

1.4M+ properties · Trip.com

Search hotels

Fly to Humberto Delgado (Lisbon) — 40 min train (LIS)

Popular direct routes from: Lisbon (train)

Find cheap flights

Compare flights · Powered by Trip.com

Search flights
Or compare on Expedia — often better US + EU faresBundle flight + hotel on Trip.com

Where to stay in Sintra

Sintra hotels on Expedia

Bundle your flight + hotel for typical 5-15% saving. Free cancellation on most rates for Sintra stays.

Search Sintra on Expedia

US default

Expedia bundles the flight + hotel discount in-cart (5-30% off the combined book). Price-match guarantee means you can rebook if the rate drops before check-in.

See Sintra rates

Frequently asked about Sintra

How do I get from Lisbon to Sintra?
Train from Rossio Station (40 min, €2.40). Runs every 20-30 min. Buy Viva Viagem card + charge €6 for return.
How many days do I need in Sintra?
Day trip is possible but rushed — you'll only see 2 sites. 2 days lets you visit Pena + Regaleira + Moorish Castle + Monserrate.
Which is the best Sintra palace to visit?
Pena for iconic photos + Quinta da Regaleira for the Initiation Well are essentials. Monserrate is quieter + also spectacular.
When is the best time to visit Sintra?
April-June + September-October. Weekdays much less crowded than weekends. Arrive Pena Palace at 09:30 opening.