Visit Sintra in 1 Day? Our Must-Sees

Travel tips for Sintra/Lisbon: 

• 🗺️Buy the Lisboa Card (find out more)
• 🏨 See the best-rated accommodation in Sintra
• ✈️ Book your flight to Lisbon (best prices)
• 🚗 Car hire in Lisbon: best prices (rated 4.6 on TrustPilot)
• Guide to activities in Sintra

Combine a day in Sintra with the must-sees 

If you want to visit Sintra in 1 day, here is the most complete offer to make the most of your visits (rated 4.8/5). It combines: 

• Entry ticket to the Pena Palace with its gardens (guided tour depending on the option chosen)
• Entry ticket to visit the Quinta da Regaleira with a guide (depending on the option chosen)
• A walking tour of Sintra + free time
• Walking tour of Cascais + free time 
• Transport between the visits is included (hotels excluded)

How to make the most of Sintra in 1 day ? Our Top 6 

Here is a suggestion of the best visits to make if you are planning to go to Sintra from Lisbon. 

1. Go to the Pena Palace, a must  

Coming to Sintra without seeing the Pena Palace is a bit like coming to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower! That is why this palace is the most visited in Portugal! The interiors and exteriors alike are breathtaking! The palace is located within the Parque Nacional da Pena, which covers about 200 hectares with lakes, wooden bridges and paths for strolling.

You will need about 2.5 hours to see everything (notably the stables, the Temple of Columns, but also the Countess Edla's Chalet, second wife of King Ferdinand). During your visit, don't miss the incredible views from the Queen's balcony and the Triton Terrace.

Practical info: The palace is open every day from 9:30am to 7pm (last entry at 6:15pm). The park is open until 8pm. 

If you are leaving from Lisbon, we recommend this day trip to Sintra with the Pena Palace from €70, transport included + free cancellation 👍 Rated 4.8/5 (1,532 reviews)

2. Discover the Castle of the Moors 

Set off to explore this former fortress built by the Moors in the 8th century. Allow about 1 hour for the visit, with a walk along the ramparts as a bonus, where you can admire stunning panoramic views. 

A bit of history: it was restored by King Ferdinand II before being recognised as a national monument in 1910.  Since 1995, the Castle of the Moors has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Don't want to waste time queuing as soon as you arrive? Buy your tickets online directly. Simple, easy, and free cancellation just in case 🙂

3. Another magnificent visit, Quinta da Regaleira

A sublime place in the middle of lush gardens, really worth doing if you visit Sintra in 1 day with children. Between architectural gems, caves, fountains and secret passages, you won't be disappointed… Quinta da Regaleira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During our road trip in Portugal, it remains one of our best memories of Sintra!

4. Explore the Monserrate Palace, an architectural gem 

A retreat for many writers, the Monserrate Palace and its park attract many curious visitors every year. It was the wealthy English industrialist and art collector Francis Cook who turned it into a masterpiece of Romanticism surrounded by magnificent exotic gardens. A paradise setting that sometimes transports us to Mexico or even Japan with its bamboo-lined paths. 

During this visit, you will find Gothic and Indian influences punctuated by Moorish touches. An iconic place that is part of the cultural routes certified by the Council of Europe, not to be missed if you come for a day in Sintra. 

5. Visit the Sintra National Palace in the centre 

If you are in the town centre,  you can't miss this beautiful white building with its two large conical towers surrounded by gardens. These are in fact the chimneys rising from the palace kitchens. The interior is truly magnificent, with the Swan Room (also called the ballroom), the Stag Room, the Mermaid Room and the Arab Room.  

A bit of history: it was restored in the 12th century by Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, before becoming the royal residence until 1910, the decisive year that marked the fall of the monarchy.

Practical info: Open from 9am to 7pm in high season (end of March–October) and until 6pm in winter from November.

6. Discover the Convent of the Capuchos

Nicknamed Convento dos Capuchos or Convent of Santa Cruz, this Franciscan monastery is part of our top 6 if you want to visit Sintra in 1 day. Nestled in lush greenery (the Serra de Sintra forest), you will need a car to visit it, as it is about 9 km from the town centre. Once there, the change of scene is total! Built in 1560, the Capuchos convent housed monks of the Order of St Francis before being abandoned. After being bought by the first Viscount of Monserrate, it now belongs to the State. Allow about 1 hour to visit it. 

Other palaces and monuments if you visit Sintra in 2 days or more: 

• Queluz National Palace and Gardens
• Biester Palace
• Sintra Interactive Centre of Myths and Legends

How to get to Sintra? 

To get to Sintra from Lisbon, you have two main options: hire a car or take the train.

Best option for visiting Sintra in 1 day: hire a car 

Hiring a car lets you explore Sintra at your own pace, make stops wherever and whenever you like, and above all see the must-sees.

For this, we recommend using Discover Cars, the best choice in terms of prices for car hire (no hidden fees) but also for ease of booking (free cancellation). Rated 4.7 on TrustPilot. 

Otherwise, go for this option to visit Sintra with an audio guide in a Renault Twizy electric car for 2 people. 

Taking the train from Lisbon  

If you are coming from Lisbon, note that the train is direct from Rossio station in Lisbon. Allow around 40 minutes. The train ticket is inexpensive, generally around €2.50 to €5 per journey. 

Once in Sintra, you can either: 

• take bus 434 opposite the station (stops: Historic Centre and Sintra Palace, Castle of the Moors and Pena National Palace). Fares are €4.10 one way or €7.60 return. Check the official sites nonetheless.

• Walk up from the station. Allow at least 1 hour 30 of uphill walking… which is not very pleasant in the heat (forget it if you have children!) 😉

FAQ Visit Sintra

What time should you arrive in Sintra? 

We recommend arriving in Sintra between 8:30am and 9am to avoid the crowds and make the most of your visiting time. Be aware too that it is very difficult to park in Sintra. 

How do you get up to Sintra Castle? 

You can get up to the Pena Palace or the Castle of the Moors using the local 434 bus from Sintra station, or walk about 45 minutes from the town centre (with a lot of climbing).

How many hours do you need in Sintra? 

Allow at least 6 to 8 hours to explore Sintra's main attractions, such as the Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors and the historic centre.

That's it, our article Visit Sintra in 1 day ends here. We hope all these sights and activities help you plan your trip to Portugal, in the stunning Lisbon region. All that's left is to wish you a great stay and plenty of good vibes 😎