Day trip

Day trip to Sintra from Lisbon

Romantic palaces, enchanted gardens and fairytale architecture: how to plan your perfect day in Sintra - including train ride with the Lisboa Card.

Lisboa Card book online

Palácio Nacional da Pena in Sintra - colorful fairytale palace on a hill surrounded by forest — The Palácio Nacional da Pena - Landmark of Sintra and UNESCO-World Cultural Heritage

Why Sintra?

A trip straight out of a fairy tale

Sintra is only 40 minutes by train from Lisbon and is a must-see on any trip to Portugal. The small town in the wooded hills of the Serra de Sintra is home to several palaces that belong to the UNESCO-World Heritage Site.

From the colorful Palácio da Pena about the medieval Castelo dos Mouros to the mysterious fountains of the Quinta da Regaleira — Sintra offers more wow moments in a single day than most cities do in an entire week.

And the best thing: the train journey from Lisbon to Sintra is in the Lisboa Card already included. For the Pena-Palace, there is also a practical combination ticket, which we present below.

Arrival

How to get from Lisbon to Sintra

The easiest connection is the regional train of the CP (Comboios de Portugal). The journey takes around 40 minutes and trains run every 20 minutes.

🚉

From Rossio (Center)

The classic starting point. Station Rossio is centrally located on the square of the same name. Direct connection to Sintra, approx. 40 minutes.

🚉

From Oriente (Parque das Nações)

Alternative from the modern district in the east. Travels via Rossio further to Sintra.

💳

With the Lisboa Card inclusive

Simply take the Lisboa Card scan at the turnstile - no extra ticket required. You save 4,50 € for the outward and return journey.

⚠️

Scotturb-Buses not included

The local buses in Sintra (Line 434 to the Pena-Palace) are not in the Lisboa Card included. A one-way ticket costs approx. 4 €, the hop-on hop-off ticket approx. 7 €.

Highlights

The most important sights in Sintra

Sintra has an enormous density of palaces and gardens. For a day trip, we recommend concentrating on two or three highlights - it is simply not possible to see everything in one day.

🏰

Palácio Nacional da Pena

The absolute highlight of SintraA colorful fairytale palace on a hill with a breathtaking view. UNESCO-World Heritage Site and one of the most visited monuments in Portugal.

Lisboa Card10 % discount Admission: from 14 € Allow 1-2 hours

🕳️

Quinta da Regaleira

A mystical palace with underground tunnels, the famous initiation fountain and an enchanted garden full of symbols. One of the most atmospheric places in Portugal.

None Lisboa Card-discount Admission: from 10 € Allow 1-2 hours

👑

Palácio Nacional de Sintra

The royal palace right in the town center with its striking white chimneys. Particularly worth seeing: the Schwanensaal and the Wappensaal with their ornate ceilings.

Lisboa Card10 % discount Admission: from 10 € 45-60 minutes

🏔️

Castelo dos Mouros

The ruins of a Moorish fortress from the 8th century. The climb over the castle walls rewards you with an unobstructed panoramic view over Sintra to the Atlantic.

None Lisboa Card-discount Admission: from 8 € 30-60 minutes

🌺

Parque e Palácio de Monserrate

A less crowded insider tip: romantic palace in an exotic style with a botanical garden full of tropical plants. Ideal for those seeking peace and quiet.

Lisboa Card15 % discount Admission: from 8 € 1-2 hours

🌿

Convento dos Capuchos

A tiny Capuchin monastery built into the rock and overgrown by the forest. Tiny cork doors, moss-covered walls - a magical place away from the crowds.

Lisboa Card15 % discount Admission: from 7 € Only accessible by car

Visitors explore the colorful courtyard of the Palácio da Pena in Sintra — The colorful inner courtyard of the Palácio da Pena - always well attended

Lisboa Card in Sintra

What does the Lisboa Card in Sintra?

The Lisboa Card is first and foremost a city map for Lisbon - but it also contains some advantages for Sintra. However, the discounts are more modest than in Lisbon itself, where many attractions are completely free.

Performance	Advantage with Lisboa Card	Savings
Train Lisbon → Sintra (there + back)	Included free of charge	4,50 €
Palácio Nacional da Pena	10 % discount (adults only)	approx. 1,40 €
Palácio Nacional de Sintra	10 % discount (adults only)	approx. 1,00 €
Parque de Monserrate	15 % discount	approx. 1,20 €
Convento dos Capuchos	15 % discount	approx. 1,05 €
Palácio Beasts	10 % discount	approx. 1,20 €
Palácio Nacional de Queluz	10 % discount	approx. 1,00 €
Scotturb-buses (line 434 etc.)	Not included	—
Quinta da Regaleira	No discount (privately operated)	—

The Lisboa Card is worthwhile for Sintra not alone - the discounts on the palaces are rather low at 10-15 %. The biggest advantage is the free train ride. The card is particularly worthwhile if you also use it for your days in Lisbon and uses the Sintra-excursion within the validity period.

Our tip

Combi-Ticket: Lisboa Card + Pena-Palace

Those who already have the Lisboa Card and buy the Pena-palace can be visited with the combination ticket at Tiqets do both in one purchase - and save money at the same time.

Combination offer

Lisboa Card + Palácio da Pena

Lisboa Card (24h, 48h or 72h selectable)
Admission Palácio da Pena incl. park
Audio guide for Sintra
Audio guide for Lisbon
10 % discount code for 5 more Tiqets-Bookings in Lisbon

Combination price from 58,00 € per person

View combination ticket

Prices vary depending on date and selected Lisboa Card-Running time. Cancellation free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.

The advantage over individual purchases: you save yourself the trouble of booking the Pena-tickets, receive two audio guides as a bonus and benefit from a discount code for further activities in Lisbon.

Please note: The combined ticket does not include priority admission (fast track). We recommend arriving as early as possible in the morning at the Pena-Palace - it can get very crowded from lunchtime onwards.

Detailed view of the clock tower on the Palácio da Pena with its red and yellow facades — The striking architecture of the Palácio da Pena - a mixture of Romanticism, Gothic and Manueline

Daily schedule

Example daily schedule for Sintra

This daily plan is designed for the most popular combination: Pena-Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. You can of course adapt the order to your preferences.

08:00 - Departure

Train from Rossio

It's worth starting early: the most popular sights are crowded until midday. With the Lisboa Card simply scan at the turnstile.

08:40 - Arrival

Arrival in Sintra

From the station, take the Scotturb-bus 434 to the Pena-Palace (approx. 15 min, 4 € one-way ticket). Alternatively: on foot in approx. 45 minutes via the hiking trail through the forest.

09:00-11:00

Palácio da Pena + Park

The palace opens at 9:30 am (park from 9:00 am). Allow at least 1.5 hours - more like 2 hours for the palace and park together. Tip: Explore the park first, then the palace when the first rush subsides.

11:30-12:30

Lunch in the town center

From the Pena-Palace by bus back to the city center. Sintra has many small restaurants in the pedestrian zone around the Palácio Nacional. Try the famous Travesseiros from the Piriquita.

13:00-15:00

Quinta da Regaleira

Only a 10-minute walk from the town center. The initiation fountain and the underground tunnels are an unforgettable experience. You should plan 1.5-2 hours for the entire garden and the palace.

15:30-16:00

Return to the station

It's about a 15-minute walk downhill from the town center to the train station. The last train leaves around 9 p.m., but if you want to spend the evening in Lisbon take an earlier train.

16:40

Back to Lisbon

Again free of charge with the Lisboa Card. The rest of the day is yours for Lisbon at your disposal - how about a dinner at the Time Out Market?

Good to know

Practical tips for your Sintra-Excursion

Start early

Take the train at 8:00 or earlier. From 10 a.m. onwards Pena-Palace, which can mean waiting times of up to an hour.

Sturdy shoes

Sintra is hilly and the paths to the palaces are sometimes steep and uneven. Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers are a must - no flip-flops.

Book tickets in advance

Buy tickets for the Pena-Palace in advance online. On site, the box offices are often sold out or the waiting time is enormous.

Note the weather

Sintra is located in the mountains and often has its own microclimate. It can be foggy and cooler than in Lisbon. A light jacket is recommended.

Prefer weekday

At weekends and on public holidays Sintra particularly crowded. If possible, make the trip on a Tuesday to Thursday.

Lisboa Card-Timing

The Lisboa Card counts from the first use. Plan the Sintra-excursion so that it still falls within the validity period - preferably as the last day of your 48h or 72h ticket.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ: Day trip Sintra

Is the train journey to Sintra included in the Lisboa Card?

Yes, the regional trains of the CP on the line Rossio — Sintra are in the Lisboa Card included. This applies to both outward and return journeys. You save 4,50 € per person.

Can I take the Lisboa Card bus to the Pena Palace?

No. The local buses in Sintra are provided by Scotturb and are not in the Lisboa Card included. A one-way ticket for the 434 bus costs approx. 4 €, the hop-on hop-off ticket approx. 7 €.

How high are the discounts on the Sintra palaces?

The discounts are rather modest: 10 % on the Pena-Palace, the Sintra-National Palace, the Palácio Beasts and Queluz. There is a little more at the Convento dos Capuchos and Monserrate (15 % each). The Quinta da Regaleira does not offer a discount.

Is the Lisboa Card only worthwhile for a Sintra excursion?

No, only for Sintra alone is worth the Lisboa Card not. The discounts there are too small. The card is worthwhile if you also use it in Lisbon where over 50 attractions are free or heavily discounted. The Sintra-excursion is a nice bonus.

What does the combined ticket Lisboa Card + Pena Palace include?

The combined ticket for Tiqets contains: the Lisboa Card in the desired duration (24h, 48h or 72h), the entry to the Palácio da Pena incl. park, an audio guide for Sintra, an audio guide for Lisbon and a 10-% discount code for five more Tiqets-Bookings in Lisbon.

Do I have to pick up the Lisboa Card beforehand?

Yes, the Lisboa Card must attend one of the official Ask Me Lisboa-switch against the Tiqets-vouchers can be exchanged. This can be done at the airport, at the Praça do Comércio or at the station Santa Apolónia. Allow 10-15 minutes for this. It is best to swap the card the evening before your Sintra-excursion.

Is one day enough for Sintra?

For the two main highlights (Pena-Palace and Quinta da Regaleira) one day is enough. Who also Monserrate, the Sintra-National Palace or the Castelo dos Mouros However, if you would like to see the city, you should plan two days or make a selection.

Can I walk to the Pena Palace?

Yes, but the ascent is steep and takes about 45-50 minutes from the village center. The hiking trail leads through dense forest and is beautiful in itself, but strenuous - especially in the heat. For the way back downhill, walking is a good option.

Are there lockers in Sintra?

At the station Sintra there are no lockers. Therefore, travel light. Large backpacks must be left at the entrance to the palaces.

Is Sintra doable with children?

Yes, but with restrictions. The Pena-Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira are fun for children - but the paths are steep and long. A buggy with all-terrain wheels or a stretcher is recommended for small children. The 434 bus makes the ascent to the Pena-palace considerably.

Note on prices and discounts

All prices and discounts on this page are as of May 2026. The discounts with the Lisboa Card are based on the official brochure. Entrance fees to the palaces may vary seasonally.

You are planning a day trip to Sintra? With the Lisboa Card the train journey is included - and in Lisbon you save on over 50 attractions.

Lisboa Card book online