Top 15 Sintra Tours for Unforgettable Experiences

Located in the Greater Lisbon area along the Portuguese River, Sintra is a city with a population of approximately 400,000 residents, renowned for its numerous castles and palaces.

For those residing in Lisbon who seek a convenient day trip, Sintra is typically no more than an hour away, contingent upon traffic conditions, which often tend to be congested during peak hours.

Sintra represents one of Portugal’s architectural marvels and is equally recognized for its welcoming inhabitants, lively culinary and artistic scenes, and breathtaking natural surroundings.

Below, we present 15 highly recommended tours of Sintra that have garnered top ratings from previous visitors.

1. Sintra Walking Tour with Palace, Castle, and Old Town Visit

Upon meeting their guide at a central location and receiving an overview of the day’s itinerary, participants of this Sintra walking tour will embark on a visit to many of the city’s most emblematic landmarks.

For first-time visitors, Sintra offers a captivating blend of historical and modern attractions. Depending on guests’ preferences, tour stops can be customized to ensure a fulfilling experience.

The tour’s highlights include palaces, castles, and the Old Town, alongside various natural and cultural sites.

Each tour lasts four hours, begins in the late morning, and maintains a leisurely pace.

2. 3½-Hour Rock Climbing Experience

For those who have never experienced rock climbing, it is one of the most exhilarating full-body workouts one can undertake.

Aspiring climbers will convene with their guide either in the morning or afternoon, after which they will receive an introduction to rock climbing, all necessary equipment, and a safety briefing before venturing into nature to apply their newly acquired skills.

Set against the backdrop of the Moorish Castle, Palacio da Pena, and the magnificent Sintra Mountains, participants will enjoy a unique combination of exercise, nature, and history, which tour bus passengers can only aspire to.

3. Sintra Heritage Hike

Located just a short drive from the city center, Sintra-Cascais Natural Park features an extensive network of hiking trails suitable for various ages and fitness levels.

This full-day tour invites nature enthusiasts to escape the city’s bustle and immerse themselves in a serene environment characterized by towering cliffs, rugged coastlines, otherworldly sand dunes, and peaceful forests dotted with lakes and streams.

Guests will explore the 8th-century Moorish Castle and the enchanting Pena Palace, resembling a scene from a fairytale.

4. Portuguese Beaches and Colares Private Jeep Tour

Sintra’s coastal positioning offers sun, sand, and surf enthusiasts easy access to some of the country’s most stunning beaches.

This seven-hour private beach and Jeep tour includes morning pick-up at your accommodation and a brief introduction with your guide before the journey commences.

After boarding the reliable 4×4 Jeep, guests will venture to explore various beaches and unique coastal stretches as well as the region’s mountainous terrain.

Ensure your camera is fully charged, as the vistas will be nothing short of awe-inspiring; guests will get a close look at Monserrate Palace, Pena Palace, and the Moorish Castle.

5. A Taste of Pena Palace Food Tour

Whether you are in Sintra, Lisbon, Ericeira, or Cascais, this tour offers comprehensive coverage. It includes either hotel pickup or a convenient meeting point at an easily accessible central location.

Upon arriving in Sintra, guests will proceed to Pena Palace.

This location serves as an ideal starting point, as it is regarded as one of the most remarkable and historically significant attractions in Portugal.

Participants will discover its rich history and appreciate its spectacular architecture before moving on to explore other sites and sample some of the country’s most delectable cuisine.

Expect to enjoy a variety of flavors, from Portuguese coffee and fresh pastries to port wine and queijadas.

6. Pena Palace, Cascais, and Natural Park Day Tour

Multi-option tours are favored by travelers who wish to concentrate on attractions that resonate most with them.

This six-hour morning tour allows participants to explore several of the city’s prominent landmarks, including the Moorish Castle, the National Palace, or the Convent of the Capuchos before venturing into the countryside.

The Sintra Natural Park showcases a variety of scenic treasures, from vast boulder fields to expansive ocean views at the continent’s westernmost point, and the rugged terrain of Cabo da Roca.

Tours begin and conclude in Sintra and feature a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant.

7. The Inquisition’s Hand Private Walking Tour at Night

The Inquisition marks a somber chapter in Spain’s history, during which thousands perished in purges aimed at preserving Catholic traditions.

Fortunately, those days are well behind us, yet numerous sights in Sintra are linked to events from the 15th century.

This private nighttime walking tour commences in Sintra’s historic center and features a local guide-historian who will navigate guests through lesser-known corners of the city, sharing captivating narratives of life during that era.

Notable highlights include the Pena, Royal, and Seteais palaces.

8. All Monuments and Cabo da Roca Self-Drive Tour

Whether you have only a few hours or an entire day, this self-drive tour from Sintra provides an excellent opportunity to explore the Portuguese countryside at your own pace.

Before commencing the tour, guests can plan their itinerary and determine the landmarks they wish to visit, allowing them to maximize time efficiency upon receiving their electric vehicle.

From historic villages and remarkable monuments to castles, palaces, and sweeping coastal views along Cabo da Roca, there are attractions to suit a variety of interests.

Tours convene at a central location and include an overview of local driving regulations and instructions on operating the e-car.

9. Sintra Half-Day Trekking Tour

Sintra offers an abundance of physical activities for those who appreciate both exertion and cultural exploration.

This half-day trekking tour begins at the National Palace, where guests convene with their guide to acquire an overview of the day’s activities.

Following a leisurely stroll through the park, trekkers will encounter key attractions, including the Palacio da Pena, Sintra Castle, and the National Palace.

Throughout this journey, participants will benefit from their guide’s intriguing observations and have ample opportunities to capture photographs, inquire further, and relax at a café with traditional pastries and coffee.

10. Private Half Day-Tour of Key Highlights

The coastline between Sintra and Cascais is notably picturesque, featuring a remarkable selection of historical sites and spectacular views of rivers, the ocean, and surrounding cliffs.

Guincho Beach is favored by wind, kite, and body surfers and is conveniently located just a short distance from Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, where the majority of the tour will take place.

Alongside their guide, guests will explore palaces and castles, enjoy scenic vistas, and taste traditional Portuguese dishes in a charming village.

Starting and concluding points can be located in either Sintra or Lisbon, with round-trip transportation included.

11. Sintra Full-Day Road Bike Tour

The undulating hills and serpentine roads leading from Sintra to the coast are ideal for cyclists eager to experience the region from a ground-level perspective.

After meeting their guide at the train station in central Sintra, spirited cyclists will head towards Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, where they will encounter Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, and some of the most breathtaking sceneries in the area.

Tours integrate a balance of hilly and flat terrain, scenic villages, unspoiled natural landscapes, and a visit to Cape Roca—the westernmost point of Europe.

12. Guided Sightseeing Tour by Tuk-Tuk

Sintra’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site ensures that history and culture enthusiasts can explore endlessly without running out of new attractions to discover.

While walking, biking, and bus tours are numerous, many guests concur that traversing the city by tuk-tuk presents a unique experience.

Tours begin at a strategically central location and encompass stops at Sintra’s most remarkable historic sites featuring a blend of Egyptian, Moorish, and Renaissance architectural styles.

Two-hour tuk-tuk excursions include the guidance of a local expert and are offered at various start times in four different languages.

13. Legends and Medieval Stories Private Walking Tour

Not every Sintra tour offers the expertise of a guide who is also a historian; this legends and medieval stories private walking tour provides exceptional value.

Commencing in the city’s historic center, participants will delve into Sintra’s rich history and culture while learning intriguing and lesser-known tales of intrigue, conflict, corruption, and long-standing familial disputes told by their guide.

Sintra Castle stands as one of the tour’s most notable and historically significant attractions, with those who trek to the summit rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.

14. 2-Hour Private Surf Lesson at Praia Grande

For those who have never stood on a surfboard, learning to ride the waves may appear somewhat daunting.

Although mastering this sport requires more than a few hours, this private surf lesson caters to individuals of various ages and skill levels, enabling faster proficiency.

Participants will receive a board and wetsuit and will be paired with a skilled and patient instructor, who will provide essential safety guidelines and fundamental surfing techniques before heading into the water.

Tours commence at a convenient location, take place at Praia Grande, and are designed to be relaxed and enjoyable.

15. Sintra Life and Death at the Capuchos Convent Guided Tour

For those who prefer to enjoy a leisurely morning before exploring Sintra’s attractions, this early afternoon guided tour of the Capuchos Convent may be ideal.

Situated within the Sintra Mountains, the convent is rich in history, legend, and lore, and many visitors are astonished to discover that it was anything but a peaceful haven dedicated to devout monks who prayed, meditated, and worked for the common good.

The convent’s historical narrative spans centuries, with the tour encompassing both indoor and outdoor experiences.

Tours typically last about five hours in total, including three hours spent on-site before returning to the initial meeting point in the town.