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If you are looking to escape the Lisbon bustle, Sintra is a great option! It is located approximately 31 kilometers (19.2 miles) away from Lisbon. Sintra is filled with luxurious manors, castles and other historical buildings. It is a UNESCO-listed town, filled with Roman architecture and vibrant colors throughout. It’s also a breath of fresh air, surrounded by greenery and lush landscapes.
Sightseeing: The two most popular sightseeing opportunities are the Quinta da Regleira and Pena Palace. Quinta da Regleira was my favorite property that I toured in Sintra. For any nature lovers or botanic garden enthusiasts, this is a must. There are other historical buildings such as the Moorish Castle, Montserrate Park and Palace and the Sintra National Palace. I didn’t have the chance to visit these other destinations.
Getting There: In my opinion, the easiest and best way to get to Sintra, is by Train. Trains depart very frequently from Rossio station, every 25-30 minutes. You can buy tickets in advance from the following website: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/buy-tickets, however it is not necessary as it is a commuter train. The train takes around 50 minutes to get to Sintra, and is a smooth experience overall.
Itinerary:
8:41 AM – Depart Lisboa Rossio
Catch the morning train from Lisbon’s Rossio Station.
9:21 AM – Arrive at Sintra Train Station
Welcome to Sintra! Let the exploration begin. Begin walking towards the Quinta da Regleira.
9:45 AM – Arrive at Quinta da Regaleira
After a relatively short walk, you’ll reach the gates of Quinta da Regaleira. This whimsical estate is straight out of a fairy tale and magical would be an understatement.
10:00 AM – Quinta da Regaleira Opens
Be among the first to enter and enjoy the grounds before the crowds arrive.
10:01 AM – SPRINT TO THE INITIATION WELL!
Okay, maybe not an actual sprint—but you’ll want to head straight to the Initiation Well. This is the most popular spot within the estate. I somehow managed to be the first person at the well, and it was an incredible experience.
10:09 AM – First Person in the Well
Early bird gets the worm (or, in this case, the shot). Wander down 9 flights of steps to underground tunnels, leading you out to beautiful landscapes. For those who may be claustrophobic, don’t worry, the tunnels have fairly high ceilings, I’d say at least 8 – 9 feet.
10:15 – 12:00 PM – Explore the Estate
Lose yourself in the mystical grounds. Follow tunnels, discover secret lakes, and enjoy the fantastical scenery.
12:01 – 12:45 PM – Lunch Time
Head back into town to recharge with a beverage or quick lunch!
12:45 PM – Begin Trek to Pena Palace
The journey up to Pena Palace is a bit of a hike, but the views and the anticipation make it worthwhile. If hiking isn’t for you or you have mobility issues, there are convenient transportation options such as Tuk-Tuks, buses or taxis.
1:30 PM – Arrive at Pena Park
Enter the park that surrounds Pena Palace. You can wander the park at your own pace, but be mindful of your timed palace entry. Be advised that it does take some time to walk up to the palace entrance, so give yourself enough time to walk up there.
2:00 PM – 3:30 – Enter the Pena Palace
There is one way in and one way out, as you will explore the Palace is predetermined manor. In all honesty, this was my least favorite part of my time in Sintra. Nothing against the palace, but it took quite some time to walk through, as there are a lot of tour groups and slow-moving tourists.
3:30 PM – 5:00 – Wander back to town
You can catch a taxi back or walk at your own pace. I chose to hike back but was quite exhausted after all the walking.
5:16 PM – Train back to Lisboa
TLDR: Book the first available timeslot (10 AM) for Quinta Da Regleira well in advance. Book an afternoon timeslot for Pena Palace.
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