Sintra in One Day: What to Fit In and What to Skip
Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and Quinta da Regaleira are all worth the climb. Doing all of them in one day is not, so here is how I choose.
Sintra is a place where the list of things to see is longer than the day. Palaces, a castle, gardens and an old town all sit within a few kilometres of each other, and most guests ask me whether they can fit everything in.
You can see a lot, but not everything, and the day goes better when you decide what matters before you arrive.
Pick two or three places, not five
Pena Palace is the one most people come for, with its bright colours and views over the hills. The Moorish Castle sits on a ridge nearby, and its walls give you a long walk with views towards the sea. Quinta da Regaleira is a house with gardens, tunnels and a deep initiation well, and it suits guests who like to explore. Then there is the National Palace in the old town, which you will recognise by the two large chimneys in the middle of town.
Each one deserves between one and two hours if you want to look properly. That is why I usually suggest two or three monuments for a full day, and leave the rest for another visit.
Start early and let the vehicle do the climbing
The roads up to Pena are steep and narrow, and in busy months they fill with traffic. With a private vehicle and a driver-guide, you are dropped close to the entrance and collected where it suits you, so your energy goes into the visit and not into the hill. The first hours of the day are also quieter, and the light on the palace is softer.
Add the coast if the weather is clear
After the monuments, many of our guests drive to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and finish in Cascais by the sea. It makes for a gentler afternoon and breaks up the day.
Tickets and timing
In busy months it is worth having entrance tickets arranged before you arrive. On our tours that include tickets, we take care of this. Each tour page lists exactly what is included.
If you would like help choosing, write to me with your dates and what interests you, and I will suggest a plan. You can also see our Sintra private tours from Lisbon.
