Sintra, Pena, Moorish Castle, Regaleira & Cascais
Cascais e Estoril, Lisbon
Explore Sintra’s magical sites—from Pena Palace and Moorish Castle to quaint Old Town, Regaleira’s mysteries, Cabo da Roca’s cliffs, and Cascais’ stunning Boca do Inferno!
This full-day guided tour explores Sintra’s historic sites, ideal for history enthusiasts and nature lovers visiting from Lisbon.
Highlights
- Step into Sintra’s romantic history at Pena Palace.
- Enjoy panoramic views from the 8th-century Moorish Castle.
- Visit Sintra’s medieval Old Town and taste traditional pastries.
- Explore the historic buildings and Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira.
- Take in panoramic views at Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point.
- See Boca do Inferno in Cascais, a dramatic coastal natural formation.
Description
Embark on a full-day journey through Sintra’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, revealing its distinctive landscapes and architecture. Pena Palace, a 19th-century landmark built on Monte da Pena, showcases a blend of neo-Gothic, neo-Manueline, neo-Islamic, and neo-Renaissance styles, surrounded by exotic gardens. It was created as a royal summer retreat by Dom Fernando of Saxe Coburg-Gotha.
The Moorish Castle, built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries, is a hilltop fortress that played a key role in the Reconquista. Taken by Christian forces in 1147, it is now a National Monument within the Sintra Cultural Landscape.
Quinta da Regaleira, near Sintra’s center, is an early 20th-century palace combining Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance styles. Its lush gardens feature the Chapel of the Holy Trinity and the mysterious Initiation Well.
Monserrate Palace, built in the 19th century by Sir Francis Cook, offers eclectic architecture with Gothic, Indian, and Moorish influences, set within exotic gardens.
Cabo da Roca is Europe’s westernmost point, offering cliffs and ocean vistas favored by nature lovers.
Boca do Inferno in Cascais is a natural sea cave turned open pit with a striking arch where waves crash, producing distinctive sounds. Visitors can view it from above or descend a path for closer views of the rocky coast.
The day ends with coastal views of Estoril on the return trip to Lisbon.
Includes
- Knowledgeable driver serving as tour guide
- Hotel, residence, airport, and cruise port pickup and drop-off
- Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
- Passenger insurance coverage
- Internet hotspot available in the vehicle
- Bottled mineral water
Excludes
- Entry tickets (recommended to purchase Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira tickets online in advance)
- Tour guides inside palaces, monuments, and museums
- Food and beverages
Important Information
- This tour involves moderate walking and operates in all weather conditions.
- Pena Palace tickets should be bought in advance. Two ticket types are available:
- Park & National Palace of Pena (with timed entry): Includes palace interiors and park access. Select a time slot at least 2 hours after the tour start time.
- Pena Park (no time slot): Includes park access and palace exterior only, not palace interiors.
- From Pena Palace entrance, expect a 15-minute uphill walk. An internal shuttle can be added when purchasing tickets to avoid the walk.
- Quinta da Regaleira tickets are recommended 2 hours after Pena Palace entry. Official site: regaleira.byblueticket.pt
- Gratuities for drivers and guides are appreciated.
Easy Cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.
Book tickets for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira in advance to secure entry. Wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring weather-appropriate clothing.
