9 hour(s)
English
Included
Guided tour of the exterior and gardens of Pena Palace in Sintra
Free time to explore Sintra historic center and enjoy lunch
Visit to Cascais seaside village with time to stroll along the beach or town
Tasting of famous Pasteis de Belem custard tarts
€ 78
€ 71.76
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
Departing from Lisbon, the journey takes you to the enchanting village of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its romantic charm and lush landscapes. Begin with a guided tour of the exterior of the breathtaking Pena Palace, an architectural masterpiece set among verdant gardens. Explore the palace’s stunning outdoor areas, including its charming courtyards, the Interpretive Center that recounts the history of the royal family, and the majestic Caminho de Ronda, a balcony offering panoramic views of the Moorish Castle, the mystical Quinta da Regaleira, and the distant Atlantic Ocean. You will also have the chance to enjoy the serene atmosphere of the palace chapel and soak in the grandeur of this historic landmark.
After the Pena Palace visit, enjoy free time in the historic center of Sintra, where you can wander through its winding streets, explore traditional shops, or savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. The journey continues with a stop in the charming seaside village of Cascais, where you can stroll along the beach or the historic center. Before returning to Lisbon, embark on a walking tour of Belém to admire iconic landmarks such as the imposing Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the grand Jerónimos Monastery. The tour also includes a visit to the famous Pastéis de Belém pastry shop to indulge in its legendary custard tarts. The day concludes with a return to Lisbon’s city center, filled with memories of Portugal’s history, culture, and natural beauty.
Tour expert
Shared minivan transportation to and from Lisbon
Ticket and guided tour of the exterior of Pena Palace and Pena Park
Guided tour of Belem
Free time in Sintra and Cascais
Panoramic guided tour of Lisbon
Pastel de Belem tasting
Personal expenses
Lunch
Gratuities
Pick-up and drop-off service at the hotel
Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Tours are available in Portuguese, English, Spanish
Wear comfortable shoes for walking
Have a camera ready to capture every special moment
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Some people told me it's not that good, but I think it depends on the weather. It was a good day so I really enjoyed it. However there is no point using the shuttle bus if you are worrying about the "30 minutes walk". It didn't take us 30 minutes. I am collecting tile patterns in this trip and it full of beautiful tiles!
The Pena Palace is absolutely stunning! I chose to visit only the exterior since our guide mentioned that the interior is quite narrow — apparently, the corridors are about as tight as a bus aisle. It’s definitely a must-see when visiting Lisbon and Sintra. Tip: buy your ticket in advance — you get a small discount. If you’re planning to see the inside, be prepared for long queues. To get there, you can either hike up the mountain trail (around 40 minutes) or buy the hop-on-hop-off bus ticket (~€13.5) which is valid all day for Sintra’s attractions. There are also tuk-tuks, but I’ve heard there are lots of scams, so I’d personally avoid them. I took a Bolt/Uber instead — it cost me only about €6 to reach the top. From the palace entrance, there’s still a 15-minute uphill walk to the palace itself, but you can take their shuttle bus for €4.5 if you prefer. I walked up and enjoyed the beautiful scenery all the way. On the way down, I also chose to walk — the forest and park surrounding the palace are absolutely magical. When I return to Portugal, I’ll definitely spend 2–3 full days in Sintra just exploring all the castles hidden in the forest — they’re true hidden gems!
Nice place to visit if you are in the area (Sintra, Cascais, Lisbon). To be honest the castle inside is not something that you havent seen before and not that great so if you dont want to pay the extra you can just buy the park ticket and you will still be able to visit the castle from outside. I highly advice buying tickets in advance and be at least 30 minutes early if you buy the ticket for the castle with fixed time for entry.
Following the advice online we only purchased garden tickets and had a really lovely day out. We got the train from Lisbon, walked up the hill from the station (which was tough but fun) and entered the gardens. Walking around the palace was a bit crowded but not too overwhelming, and walking around the gardens we were often alone and it was quiet. So quiet in fact a fire salamander came out to say hello to us. You can also find lots of mushrooms if you look closely. But there aren’t too many exciting plants or flowers. There is a small cafe where we could get a vegan seitan sandwich. There are also vending machines at the entrance but be weary as these took payment but gave no item, still waiting to see if I will get refunded here. We also overheard they served coffee with no actual coffee, only milk. So perhaps plan ahead and take a packed lunch. It seems they sell hundreds of tickets per session to enter the castle and the queues are long, but the gardens are recommended for exploring at your own pace.
The structure is amazing. It is a combination of romanticism, moorish, and gothic architecture. Going inside the rooms Was ok, but not necessary. There is very little customer service in the park. Be aware, you cannot drive to the top. It is illegal. You should park at the bottom of the hill and take a ride up. This is an issue. Well worth the visit, the communication leading up to the visit wasn’t clear.
