Trying to choose between Sintra tours from Lisbon? Sintra is a magical destination that makes for a fantastic day trip from Lisbon. Although it can be done independently, taking a Sintra day tour is the best way to explore and experience its fabulous landmarks and nature on a brief visit. Below, our local writer has determined eight of the best Sintra tours to be enjoyed on your visit to Lisbon.

This article may contain compensated links. Please read the disclaimer for more info.

Sintra Tour From Lisbon: Sintra Highlights Full-Day Tour

The Sintra Highlights full-day tour is undoubtedly one of the best guided tours to take when you visit Sintra. This eight-hour immersive tour does what it says on the tin: shows you the best of the Sintra sights. With round trip transportation and free refreshments provided, you are well looked after on this tour.

After a pleasant stroll around the town center of Sintra to give you a feel for the place, you will begin exploring Sintra’s main attractions. This starts with Quinta da Regaleira and its wonders, before heading to Monserrate Palace and admiring the well-crafted interior of this former Moorish Castle.

After free time for lunch to explore more of Sintra town center on foot, you will explore Pena Park and, of course, Pena National Palace should you wish.

Here are the main pros and cons of the Sintra Highlights Full-Day Tour.

Pros

• A fantastic, in-depth tour of all of the monuments is included should you wish to enter them.
• Comfortable, return transportation is provided in an air-conditioned minivan.
• Plenty of free time at each monument and for lunch in Sintra’s historic center.
• Free cancellation with full reimbursement (when canceling up to 24 hours in advance).
• All the necessary health measures and insurances included.

Cons

• The admission fee for the monuments isn’t included.
• Lunch or meals are not included.

Go through the tour’s full details and current prices.

From Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira and Pena Palace Guided Tour

This 7 hours immersive Sintra tour particularly focuses on the magnificent Quinta da Regaleira and the Pena National Palace. With the option of a private hotel pickup or group pickup in the city center of Lisbon, this tour is definitely one of the best ways to experience a day trip to Sintra. You will be transported to Sintra in a comfortable, air-conditioned mini-van, with return travel back to Lisbon also included.

As well as a detailed and insightful tour of the Palácio Nacional da Pena, Pena Park, and the Quinta Da Regaleira, you will have plenty of free time to explore the charming, cobbled streets of Sintra’s historic center. The Quinta Da Regaleira tour is particularly fascinating, as you will be shown around the magical Initiation Well as well as the splendid gardens.

Here are the main Pros and Cons of this excellent whole day tour:

Pros

• An excellent and friendly tour guide to take you around these historical palaces, gardens, and grounds.
• Pick up and transportation in an air-conditioned minivan included – with the flexibility of choice for the pickup.
• You can cancel up to 24 hrs in advance with full reimbursement
• All the necessary health and safety measures are applied.
• Avoid the long queues with your tour ticket.

Cons

• The Pena Palace entry fee is not included in the tour price.
• No lunch or meals included.

Go through the tour’s full details and current prices.

Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais Daytrip

This is another top eight-hour day trip to Sintra that includes a brilliant and immersive tour of Sintra. What makes this tour extra special is its focus on Sintra’s beautiful nature and scenery.

Not only will you be able to wander around Sintra’s picturesque town center and then visit the colorful Palace, this tour includes a visit to the iconic Cabo de Roca cliffs and even coastal Cascais and its pristine Cascais Beach.

This really gives you the best of both worlds: the chance to immerse yourself in historic Sintra quaint streets as well as enjoy great views of the Sintra mountains and Atlantic Coast.

This tour is also ideal for those who want flexibility. You can choose from the private tour or group tour, and both include transportation to and from Sintra.

Here are the main Pros and Cons of this day tour.

Pros

• The great flexibility of time and an included entrance ticket to Palacio da Pena if desired (with a tour guide).
• Free cancellation with full reimbursement (when canceling up to 24 hours in advance).
• The choice between a private or public tour (transportation included in both).
• One of the most varied Sintra tours you could choose from (monuments + nature).
• All the relevant health and safety measures are applied.

Cons

• You only get to visit the palace- no other monuments.
• Lunch/meals not included in the tour price.

Go through the tour’s full details and current prices.

Lisbon: Pena Palace and Regaleira with Tickets

What makes this full-day private tour so appealing is its detailed focus on arguably Sintra’s two top attractions: Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. And what makes it stand out from some of the other tours: the entrance fees are included for both!

After being transported directly from Lisbon, you will embark upon an insightful private tour of Palácio Nacional da Pena, with a bilingual, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic guide. After exploring this palace and the beautiful gardens, you will get plenty of free time to have lunch in Sintra and appreciate the magic of the town center.

Finally, you can enjoy an enchanting visit to the wonders of Quinta da Regaleira- including its interior, underground tunnels, and unique gardens. After this, you will get even more free time to explore Sintra before being taken back to Lisbon. Although the tour only includes these two monuments, it is still more than satisfying for any history buff!

Here are the main pros and cons of the Pena Palace and Regaleira Tour:

Pros

• A private tour, so you will have more attention and learn even more.
• Admission fees to both monuments are included in the price and you can skip the queues.
• Return transportation and hotel pickup from Lisbon included.
• Breaks and independent free time included.
• The necessary health and safety measures are applied.
• Free water is provided.

Cons

• Lunch or meals aren’t included in the tour price.
• No group tour option.

Go through the tour’s full details and current prices.

Sintra: Half Day Trekking Tour

If you are an active traveler who likes to cover a lot of ground while sightseeing, the Sintra Half Day Trekking Tour is for you!

Starting from Sintra National Palace, you will embark upon this energetic three-and-a-half-hour walking tour around Sintra. After visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site center, you get the chance to explore off the beaten paths in Sintra that are overlooked by most tourists visiting Sintra. This includes trekking through Sintra Natural Park and its hidden paths and even walking up as far as Palacio Nacional da Pena.

Although you don’t get to visit any monuments during this half-day tour, you will still learn a lot about Sintra thanks to the excellent tour guide. And besides, you will get to enjoy Sintra’s natural beauty. Considering transportation is not included, you could visit the palaces independently before or after the tour.

Here are the main pros and cons of this trekking tour.

Pros

• Great exercise whilst appreciating Sintra’s natural beauty.
• The opportunity to see Sintra from a different angle.
• A bilingual guided tour and insurance included.
• Free cancellation with full reimbursement (when canceling up to 24 hours in advance).

Cons

• No palace tours are included in this organized tour.
• Meals/ refreshments are not provided.
• Transportation from Sintra Train station to Palacio Nacional de Sintra is not included (it is a ten-minute walk),

Go through the tour’s full details and current prices.

Sintra Cascais: 6-Hour Electric Bike Tour from Lisbon

This exhilarating tour is a fantastic alternative and active way to explore Sintra and its surroundings! Instead of being stuck on one of those inactive bus tours, this Electric Bike Tour is a way of experiencing Sintra’s beautiful scenery in an exciting and innovative manner.

This 6-hour bike tour is divided into several parts and includes train transportation. You will take the train from Lisbon to Sintra, from where you will start the tour. There is an informative, bilingual guide that will give you detailed information as you ride around.

You have the option to visit Sintra National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira early on the tour. After this, you will continue on the ride, passing through villages such as Penedo Village before stopping at Azóia Village for lunch. Finally, you will eventually reach Cascais and admire its stunning scenery before the train ride back to Lisbon.

Here are the main pros and cons of this tour:

Pros

• An exhilarating and unique way to explore the Sintra Region.
• The chance to experience Sintra, its monuments, and the nearby coastal landscape.
• Electric Bike, Train tickets, and Tour Guide are all included in the price.
• Free cancellation with full reimbursement (when canceling up to 24 hours in advance).
• All the necessary health and safety measures are applied.

Cons

• Monument admission to any Sintra castle is not included in the tour price.
• Lunch/meals are not included.

Go through the tour’s full details and current prices.

Sintra: Walking Tour with Palace, Castle, and Old Town Visit

This is a brilliant private half-day tour that gives you a short but detailed immersion of Sintra’s history and classic monuments. With an enthusiastic and bilingual geographer guide to take you around Sintra, this tour is an enjoyable and rewarding experience!

From the meeting point just outside Sintra Train Station, you will start the walking tour. What is great about this private tour is that the guide will give you a choice of paths, according to your fitness levels and interests.

Whichever you choose, Sintra’s beauty will mesmerize you. This is one of the best tours for learning a lot about the history and myths of Sintra from the informative guide.

Not only do you get to walk around Sintra town and its uphill paths, but you can also visit several monuments and palaces during the tour. These include the magnificent Moorish Castle and archaeological site coupled with Palácio da Pena, and even the Villa Sasseti. Take your pick!

Here are the main pros and cons of this walking tour:

Pros

• An active and informative tour that combines outdoor activity with indoor sightseeing with plenty of flexibility.
• Snacks and water/ refreshments are provided.
• A convenient meeting point just steps away from Sintra Train Station.
• All the necessary health and safety measures are applied.
• Free cancellation with full reimbursement (when canceling up to 24 hours in advance).

Cons

• Transportation to and from Sintra is not included.
• Admission to any of the monuments is not included in the tour price.
• Lunch is not provided.

Go through the tour’s full details and current prices.

Sintra: Pena Palace Half-Day Guided Tour

The Pena Palace Half-Day Guided Tour is suitable for those who want to focus on this world-famous monument and see others from the outside. With an informative and enthusiastic tour guide, this is a short but in-depth tour that creates a unique Sintra experience.

Indeed, this is no normal walking tour; They will transport you around Sintra in a traditional Portuguese military 4×4 vehicle! Cruising around in this military mobile feels surreal, combined with the fact that you get an excellent perspective of Sintra and its mountainous landscape.

You will be first taken up the winding forest roads to the Sintra’s colorful fairy-tale castle where your guide will accompany you around the palace and gardens. Along the way, you drive past some of Sintra’s other top highlights, such as Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace. Enjoy the stunning scenery whilst snapping photos of these striking landmarks.

Here are the important pros and cons of this half-day tour:

Pros

• Unique driving experience while experiencing the best of Sintra.
• An excellent tour guide to accompany you through Pena Palace.
• Free Portuguese liquor/wine tasting and traditional pastries.
• Free cancellation with full reimbursement (when canceling up to 24 hours in advance).
• All the necessary health and safety measures are applied.

Cons

• Transportation in and out of Sintra is not included.
• Limited ability to visit monuments (only Pena Palace).
• The Palace admission fee is not included in the tour price.

Go through the tour’s full details and current prices.

We hope our detailed local advice will help make choosing your Sintra day trip easier. We think a day trip to Sintra is a highlight of visiting Lisbon and both Sintra and its surrounding national park are a worthy addition to your Lisbon itinerary.