Lisbon to Sintra: Private, guided half-day tour
Private tour with a local expert
5h 30mRound tripPrivate group
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About your trip
Spend a day exploring this enchanting Portuguese town near Lisbon, with the convenience of a tour guide. Sintra is known for its lush hills and palaces, including the colorful and UNESCO-recognized Pena Palace. This richly historic city is home to a blend of Gothic, Moorish, and Manueline architecture as well as cozy cafes and artisan shops. During your drive, you'll pass by the Monsanto Forest Park, a protected forest right outside of Lisbon.
Exclusively yours: A premium experience for your group only
Insider insight: Local tips and stories you won’t find online
Perfect balance: Expert guidance with freedom to explore
Ideal for all travelers: Families, friends, or solo adventurers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet your guide right where you prefer in Lisbon whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your guide is both your expert behind the wheel and knowledgeable host throughout the day. They’ll manage the day’s itinerary, share stories and local knowledge, and make each moment along the route feel richer. At every stop, they’re by your side.Guided experience with space to explore
Wander around this enchanting town at your own pace, exploring the colorful Pena Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting Romanticist architecture and a prominent hilltop location. Visitors can also explore Quinta da Regaleira, Moorish Castle, and the Palace of Sintra to learn more about the town’s history and culture. This town has something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff or simply seeking a quiet day among ancient beauty. The surrounding Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is an idyllic setting for meandering walks to soak up the scenic views. Your guide, who is also a professional driver, will ensure a stress-free trip.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Private professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Attraction admission details specified in the itinerary section below
- Official guided tours inside attractions in Queluz Palace and Gardens, Sintra, and Monsanto Forest Park can be purchased separately - inform us in advance for itinerary planning
From €89
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€267
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Lisbon
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Queluz Palace and Gardens (photo spot)
We’ll stop at this perfect photo spot – take a moment to capture the view!
Stop: 15 min - admission not included


Your guide can take pictures of your group at Queluz National Palace, a stunning 18th-century royal residence featuring Rococo architecture and formal gardens.
2
Sintra
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 4 hours - admission not included






Monsanto Forest Park (pass by)
You’ll pass by this stunning spot – be sure to take a moment to enjoy the view along the way!


Witness the lush protected forest of the Monsanto park, home to impressive biodiversity.
Back to Lisbon
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7
Daytrip is loved all around the world. Here's why.
Know more about your day trip
Sintra earned UNESCO recognition for its pioneering 19th-century Romantic architecture and integration of gardens with the natural landscape. During your 4-hour tour, you'll discover how Portuguese royalty transformed this microclimate-blessed mountain retreat into a fantastical collection of palaces, villas, and gardens. The area represents one of the world's earliest examples of deliberately Romantic architecture, where buildings were designed to evoke emotion through whimsical, eclectic styles blending Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance elements within lush forest settings.
With 4 hours in Sintra, you can realistically visit two major sites. Most visitors prioritize the colorful Pena Palace with its fantastical architecture and mountain views, paired with either the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira (famous for its initiation well and underground tunnels) or the historic National Palace in the town center. Less-visited but equally impressive options include the Moorish Castle with its panoramic walkable walls or Monserrate Palace with stunning botanical gardens. Let your private driver-guide know your interests for the best tour experience.
Sintra involves considerable walking, often on steep, uneven terrain. Pena Palace requires an uphill walk from the entrance to the main building, plus extensive exploring inside and around the walls. Quinta da Regaleira involves garden paths with many steps and optional underground passages. The Moorish Castle features steep ramparts. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and a moderate fitness level is recommended. Those with mobility concerns should discuss options with their driver-guide, as some sites offer limited shuttle services.
Pena Palace was created by King Ferdinand II, who transformed the ruins of a monastery into this Romantic masterpiece between 1842-1854. The king, a cousin of Bavaria's castle-building Ludwig II, collaborated with architect Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege to create an intentionally theatrical design mixing Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Renaissance styles. The palace's vibrant colors and eclectic elements reflect the 19th-century Romantic movement's interest in exoticism, emotionality, and the picturesque, establishing it as the finest example of Portuguese Romanticism.
Sintra's culinary signature is its sweet pastries, particularly queijadas (small cheese tarts with cinnamon) and travesseiros (almond and egg cream pastries). The historic Piriquita bakery (established in 1862) is famous for these specialties. For a more substantial meal, try regional dishes like bacalhau a Sintra (codfish with potatoes and vegetables) or leitao (suckling pig) at restaurants in the historic center. The area also produces wines, with Colares vineyards dating to the 13th century, offering unique sandy soil varieties available at local wine shops.
To minimize crowds during your 4-hour guided tour, arrive early (before 9 AM) or late (after 3 PM) when tour groups are less prevalent. Consider visiting the most popular site (typically Pena Palace) at opening time or late afternoon. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends, and the November-March period offers a more relaxed experience. If visiting during peak summer season, your driver-guide will know how to prioritize your schedule that particular day based on local knowledge.
Sintra's microclimate means misty conditions are common, particularly in mornings, adding a mysterious atmosphere many visitors find enhances the Romantic setting. Light rain or fog can actually improve photography, creating magical scenes at Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. While extensive gardens are best in clear weather, palaces offer substantial indoor spaces to explore during heavier rain. The mystical forest setting and fantastical architecture remain impressive regardless of weather, though rainy days require appropriate footwear and rain protection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.
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