Lisbon is a city that hums with an exhilarating frequency. During my stay in Portugal’s capital, I loved the aroma of spices sizzling in small restaurants, admiring the artisanal tilework, and challenging myself on the city’s notorious hills. However, the highlight of my journey was a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon. Sintra is a mountainous area near Lisbon, oozing with romance from its lush gardens, bulging castles, and whimsical villas, creating a fantastical place rich in beauty and history.
What made a beautiful day trip to Sintra even more enjoyable was booking a small-group guided tour. Given that the key sites of Sintra, such as Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleria, are more easily accessible by car, I decided to book a guided day trip to Sintra to alleviate the mental load associated with transportation, tickets, and schedules. Our guide picked up our 8-person group from the city center and completely planned the excursion for us, allowing me to relax and soak up a day of romance and learning.
Why Visit Sintra?
Sintra is a town nestled in a lush, mountainous landscape of Portugal’s Sintra mountains. Occupied for centuries by different reigns of royalty and wealthy aristocrats, the town and surrounding area is studded with incredible palaces and villas. The diversity in architectural styles embedded in Sintra feels more like an extension, rather than a contrast, of the natural elements flourishing here. Ancient trees shade winding paths, statues gleam like crystals in hidden corners, water flows lusciously in fountains, and archways are trimmed with organic patterns. Sintra’s beauty makes for attractive pictures and memories, while the history is fascinating and offers a deeper peek into Portugal’s past.
Private Tour Review
After our guide picked up my mom, my aunt, and me at the meeting point in Lisbon, we rode with five other guests for about 30 minutes in a comfortable passenger van to our first stop at Pena Palace. The 19th-century palace is renowned for its bold colors and contrasting architectural styles, lending it a Lego-like appearance perched atop a towering mountain. While, of course, the palace was impressive and its history engaging, I absolutely loved the surrounding park. We walked along winding paths that took us past shimmering ponds, over romantic bridges, and through bounties of exotic trees and plants. I was especially fond of the symmetrical display of the flowering Japanese Camellia and felt pride at the nod to my homeland when I spotted American Sequoia trees.
After Pena Palace, we made a quick stop in the quaint town of Sintra for a taste of two local pastries before walking over to the Quinta da Regaleria. The villa and gardens were commissioned by a wealthy businessman with an eclectic palate. The architecture is a stunning array of enchanted, ornate styles. Rich green paths lead to intricately carved balconies, idyllic pergolas, and bubbling fountains, perfectly encapsulating what it must feel like inside the pages of a fantasy novel.
However, I thought the most interesting fragment of the park was the Initiation Well. This deep and cavernous well was inspired by Dante’s Inferno and designed to be walked down. Descending the winding stone steps as darkness crept in and water dripped through cracks certainly gave the well a mysterious, transcendental allure.
After the tour, we spent just a few minutes in Sintra, where my family and I grabbed a quick bite and a shot of ginjinha before heading back to Lisbon. I thought our guide was fantastic. His passion for history was palpable, and he was warm and friendly when answering questions. I felt safe, comfortable, and interested throughout the entire trip.
Having a guide show us Sintra’s hidden treasures and prompt us to use our imagination added a romantic and insightful layer to an already excellent experience. The experience I went on lasts approximately 6 hours and is considered a half-day tour; however, full-day tours are also available for those seeking a more in-depth day trip.
Where To Book A Guided Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon
You can book your half-day tour to Sintra by using the link below or….
… consider a different option, such as a full-day tour!
