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Day trips · 9-12 hours

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.

Duration
9-12 hours, including travel
Distance from Lisbon
about 30 km
Transport
Train, Bus
Interest
Nature, Heritage, Beach, Family-friendly
Accessibility
Partial accessibility
Budget
Medium budget. Includes one or two paid entries.
Best time of year
Spring, Autumn
Booking
No booking needed

Overview

This day prioritises scenery rather than palace interiors. Explore Sintra’s centre, stop at the cape and finish by the sea in Cascais. The overall allowance includes bus waiting time.

For a shorter outing, try Sintra: palaces and hills. For the following day in the city, the Lisbon in 1 day itinerary is a good start. Pair it with a stroll through Belém. 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.

Who it suits

For people comfortable with transfers and timetable constraints; families with children used to public transport. Not ideal if you need guaranteed frequent connections.

Best time to go

Prefer spring or autumn for more comfortable walking; adapt to forecast rain and wind.

Stops in order

  1. Sintra historic centre

    Suggested time: 40-60 min

    Explore the town without adding another interior visit.

  2. Cabo da Roca, outdoors

    Suggested time: 30-45 min

    This stop covers the outdoor scenery, not a lighthouse visit.

  3. Cascais town

    Suggested time: 45-60 min

    Explore the streets and waterfront without interior visits.

Getting there

Without a car

Take CP to Sintra, for example from Rossio. Use Carris Metropolitana circular route 1253, Sintra station via Cabo da Roca; at the cape take a 1624 departure towards Cascais that actually serves Cabo da Roca. Route 1624 has variants via Azóia and Almoçageme: check route and direction on the official pages and the timetable notice effective 1 November 2026. Return on CP’s Cascais line to Cais do Sodré.

By car

The official approach to Sintra is the IC19; the centre has traffic restrictions. No detailed driving loop or parking at the cape or Cascais is proposed without municipal confirmation.

Indicative costs

No values verified with official sources.

Amounts read on official pages on the date shown. They can change: check before you go.

Before you go

Accessibility

Full accessibility of buses, stops and viewpoints is not confirmed. Ask operators to assess the connections; at the cape stay in permitted areas away from cliff edges.

What to book

The programme includes no interiors requiring booking. Check CP and Carris Metropolitana tickets and fares for each leg; do not assume a CP ticket includes buses.

If it rains

In strong wind, fog or heavy rain, drop the cape and visit only Sintra or Cascais, returning by train. Do not force the loop merely because you planned the connections.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming all 1624 variants serve the cape.
  • Adding Pena to this loop.
  • Leaving the cape connection to the last option of the day.

Sources

Official sources

Last checked: 3 November 2026

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)

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?

Fits in half a day: 1 h 20 of travel there and back and about 1 h 55 at the destination. This itinerary is planned as day trips.

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?

Beach day?

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

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.

  • 7-10 hours
  • about 28 km
  • Train
  • Difficult access
  • Booking recommended

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

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 · Nature

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.

  • 7-10 hours
  • about 28 km
  • Train
  • Difficult access
  • 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

See the extra-day suggestion above.

Without a car

This trip works without a car: Take CP to Sintra, for example from Rossio.

The next day, in Lisbon

Similar trips

Beach · Heritage

Cascais and Estoril along the coast

A riverside and seaside train ride to an elegant former fishing town, with a flat promenade linking beaches and forts.

  • 4-6 hours
  • about 30 km
  • Train, Car
  • Good accessibility
  • No booking needed

Pair it with this Lisbon neighbourhood

Belém

Cascais line trains stop at Belém, so you can get off on the way back.

Riverside monuments and major museums.

Back in Lisbon: ideas for the end of the day

Viewpoints · Belém

Jardim da Capela de São Jerónimo

In Belém, the garden extends from the chapel forecourt, identified by SIPA as a viewpoint.

Museums · Belém

MAC/CCB - Museu de Arte Contemporânea e Centro de Arquitetura

Contemporary art and architecture meet at Centro Cultural de Belém, beside Praça do Império.

Museums · Belém

Museu Nacional dos Coches

Ceremonial and leisure carriages trace the history of horse-drawn transport in a contemporary building in Belém.

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

Continue exploring