Sintra is one of Portugal's finest tourist destinations, boasting opulent palaces, medieval fortresses, and mystical gardens, all set amidst the cooling hills of the Serra de Sintra. Most tourists visit Sintra as a single day trip from Lisbon, the sheer number of fascinating sights means there is simply too much to cram into a single day of sightseeing.
We’re going to start a bit slower paced. The men will have jet lag from their trip across the Atlantic. The women will have already been traveling for more than a week, (Jill and Lynne for more than 2!). This itinerary will give us the most from our 2 days in Sintra, and gear us up for so much more when we head to Lisbon.
Day 1 in Sintra: All tickets already paid for. (May 18)
Read: Guide to Pena Palace
8:45am After breakfast, we visit Palácio da Pena. This fairytale castle rises high above Sintra from the remains of a 16th century monastery. With its bold yellow and red walls, and whimsical architecture, the palace and its vast forested grounds are Sintra's main attraction - though its worldwide fame means it is always crowded. The Palácio da Pena sits atop a jagged rocky outcrop - the second highest peak of the Serra da Sintra hills. In addition to its beautiful interiors, there are dozens of Instagrammable viewpoints from the exterior.
Then we head to the adjacent gardens of the palace and get lost in a world of fairytale-like wonder. We pass through the first ticket check, and we're technically in the garden. There is no specific entrance to start our garden tour. We just follow our interest and go where we please, taking our time to follow the winding stone paths that take us past trees from all over the world, past detailed waterfalls, and to points of interest that we never imagined to see in a garden.
We can have our lunch there in a nice sunny spot by the stables. When it’s time to leave, it is best to exit near the Valley of The Lakes (just follow the signs) and then pick up the trail to the Moorish Castle. It'll take us around 30 minutes to hike the trail up to the entrance once we get on the right track.
2:00pm Castelo de los Mouros ($12)
Located on the same hill as Palácio da Pena, this Moorish castle is a medieval fortress with strategic views across Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean. It's an attraction that's perfect for energetic visitors, with watch towers to climb and ancient battlements to walk along. The parapet walk around the Moorish Castle in Sintra, Portugal is a great place to take photos. The walk offers views of the Palace of Pena, the town, and the Atlantic Ocean.
4:00pm Continue on to Quinta da Regaleira
Step into the fairytale world of the enchanting Quinta da Regaleira Palace. Marvel at Leda’s Grotto, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, and the Lion Sculpture. Discover the greenhouse, the fish in the aquarium, and the Fountain of Abundance. Avoid the stress of waiting in line and enter as soon as you get to the castle. Learn about this World Heritage Site with an audio guide for your smartphone.
We might want to book a combination of a self-guided audio tour for your smartphone and a skip-the-ticket line entry for the Quinta de Regaleira in Sintra. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site at our leisure. Gain valuable insights into one of Sintra’s main and most well-known attractions. Receive our ticket by email, ($20 from Get Your Guide) download the audio tour on your phone, and travel back in time to the glory of the Quinta da Regaleira. Put on your headphones and discover the aquarium, Fountain of Abundance, and greenhouse as well as the castle’s treasures. Benefit from in-depth research combined with original storytelling that will make your visit engaging and informative. Learn historical information and hear lesser-known stories about the 16th-century estate.
