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Day trips · 7-10 hours

Sintra: palaces and hills

Romantic palaces, estates and forest on a UNESCO-listed range of hills. Pick two or three sites and allow time for the climbs.

Duration
7-10 hours, including travel
Distance from Lisbon
about 28 km
Transport
Train
Interest
Heritage, Nature, Family-friendly
Accessibility
Difficult access
Budget
Medium budget. Includes one or two paid entries.
Best time of year
Spring, Autumn, Winter
Booking
Booking recommended

Making the most of it

Trying to see everything in one day is the most common mistake. A balanced plan is the old town and Sintra National Palace in the morning, then Pena Park and Palace or the Moorish Castle in the afternoon. The hills are steep, with many steps and uneven ground, which makes the visit hard for people with reduced mobility. Tickets for the monuments run by Parques de Sintra have timed entry and are best bought in advance on the official website. Weekends and summer are very busy: arrive early.

For a shorter outing, try Essential Sintra. For a fuller day, you could choose Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais. For the following day in the city, the Lisbon in 1 day itinerary is a good start. Pair it with a stroll through Baixa & Chiado. See other trips that go to Sintra.

Independent itineraries to do on your own. We do not sell tours, recommend tour operators or use affiliate links. Check timetables, tickets and access with official sources before you set off.

Getting there

Sintra line train from Rossio. Avoid driving into the old town: parking is very limited. Check timetables and journey times with the operator before you go.

Getting around

Official sources

Last checked: 2 November 2026

Map

Getting there without a car

Best day trips without a car

CP - Linha de Sintra

Departure in Lisbon
Lisboa Rossio
Arrival
Sintra
Recommended line
CP - Linha de Sintra (CP - Comboios de Portugal)
Transfers
Direct, no transfers
Usual journey (one way)
about 40 min (median of the scheduled timetable)
From the stop to the sight
about 500 m in a straight line (the walk is longer)

At Sintra station, according to Parques de Sintra, Scotturb bus 434 goes up to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle, Scotturb lines 434 and 435 serve the National Palace of Sintra and Carris Metropolitana line 1253 goes to Monserrate. Timetables for these buses are not included here.

Source: parquesdesintra.pt · checked on 3 November 2026

Half day or full day?

Better as a full day: 1 h 20 of travel there and back and about 5 h 40 at the destination.

Combine with another destination

On the same line, from the same station:

Official timetable - CP - Comboios de Portugal

Timetables: official open data from CP - Comboios de Portugal (published 12 November 2026 at 01:04), imported 12 November 2026 at 03:45, valid until 11 December 2027. No live delay data.

At the destination, now

Can I go now?

History nearby

Places on this trip

Places to see on this trip

More trips to Sintra

There are several ways to visit this destination: compare length, stops and transport.

Heritage · Nature

A full day in Sintra

A demanding day with Pena, the Moorish Castle, town and Regaleira: start early, book interiors and be prepared to shorten the plan if delayed.

  • 10-12 hours
  • about 30 km
  • Train, Bus
  • Difficult access
  • Booking required

Nature · Heritage · Beach

Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais

Make an independent train-and-bus loop through Sintra’s centre, Atlantic scenery at Cabo da Roca and Cascais before returning to Lisbon.

  • 9-12 hours
  • about 30 km
  • Train, Bus
  • Partial accessibility
  • No booking needed

Heritage

Essential Sintra

A realistic half day for the historic centre and Sintra National Palace, without climbing to Pena or trying to fit in several monuments.

  • 5-6 hours
  • about 30 km
  • Train
  • Partial accessibility
  • Booking recommended

Adjust to your time

If you have less time

Heritage

Essential Sintra

A realistic half day for the historic centre and Sintra National Palace, without climbing to Pena or trying to fit in several monuments.

  • 5-6 hours
  • about 30 km
  • Train
  • Partial accessibility
  • Booking recommended

If you have one more day

Heritage · Beach · Nature

Mafra and Ericeira

An independent day linking Mafra’s palace and library with Cerco Garden and the Ericeira coast, without relying on the closed basilica.

  • 8-11 hours
  • about 40 km
  • Bus, Car
  • Partial accessibility
  • Booking recommended

Other ways to spend this day

Longer option

Nature · Heritage · Beach

Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais

Make an independent train-and-bus loop through Sintra’s centre, Atlantic scenery at Cabo da Roca and Cascais before returning to Lisbon.

  • 9-12 hours
  • about 30 km
  • Train, Bus
  • Partial accessibility
  • No booking needed

Without a car

This trip works without a car: Sintra line train from Rossio.

The next day, in Lisbon

Pair it with this Lisbon neighbourhood

Baixa & Chiado

Sintra line trains leave from Rossio, in the Baixa.

The gridded rebuilt centre and the elegant café quarter.

Back in Lisbon: ideas for the end of the day

Markets · Baixa & Chiado

Mercado da Ribeira

A traditional fresh market and food hall by Cais do Sodré.

Viewpoints · Bairro Alto

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

A two-level garden looking across to the castle and Baixa.

Viewpoints · Bairro Alto

Miradouro de Santa Catarina

On Rua de Santa Catarina, a viewpoint over the Tagus with a statue of Adamastor marking the garden.

Check each place's opening hours on its page before you go.

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