Sintra

Hiking

Meet at the local supplier's office in Sintra which is located a one-minute walk from Sintra train station. On arrival at the office, you can view the big wall topographic map of the region that shows all the options of the walking tour. In a small briefing, design your personalized walk through Sintra town. Then, start your walk through the picturesque tracks with some views. Chat about the history, legends, morphology, and vegetation. Visit a Moorish castle, archaeological site, Pena Palace and gardens, Chalet of the Countess, Villa Sasseti, and historic center of Sintra. You can choose different monuments and paths according to your physical condition.

Set off from the meeting point in a convertible Jeep and enjoy great views of the sights and palaces of Sintra as you drive through the town. Head off-road down an unmarked trail and you will reach the westernmost point of continental Europe – the incredible cliffs of Cabo da Roca. Here you’ll start to see the sun going down. From here you begin the hike down to the secret beach It’s a steep route with some twists and turns, but after a half-hour walk you’ll reach the soft, golden sand. Relax on the beach and enjoy some traditional Portuguese ‘petiscos’ (tapas) such as cheese, chouriço, bread, and more. Take a swim in the Atlantic Ocean, or sit back on the beach with a couple of glasses of wine and enjoy the stunning sunset over the ocean.

Begin the tour with a complimentary pick-up from your hotel on the Estoril Coast and climb into a 4x4 Jeep. Listen to a quick briefing of what to expect from your half-day tour, then set off on the adventure. Select the private option for an even more personalized experience.  First, drive to the Sintra Mountain to enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. Get to know the interior of Sintra Forest as you hike along unique trails. Then, stop at the westernmost point of continental Europe, Cabo da Roca. Make a final stop to see the emblematic Peninha Sanctuary.  Finally, enjoy some free time to explore the historical city center of Sintra at your own pace. End the journey with return transport back to your hotel.

The tour begins in the Historic Center of Sintra where you meet your expert guide for the day, a local historian. Listen to an insightful introduction about the region and a selection of romantic stories set here. With your guide, go off-the-beaten-track into a quieter part of the area. Climb the hills and wander through the woodlands as you discover romantic meeting-spots from the 18th and 19th centuries, documented through historic literature and personal memoirs. Along the way, stop at a number of view points to admire the stunning surrounding landscapes and marvel at the nearby monuments including Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Sintra National Palace. On the return part of the route, visit, from the outside, a number of houses and villas that reflect Sintra’s Romanticism era and hear the tales of the people who once lived here.

See a different side of Sintra with a hike into the mountainous forests that surround the town. Look out for historic landmarks alongside the natural beauty of the area. Drive through Sintra town, then turn off-road to reach the incredible 12th-century Santuario de Peninha. From the convent on the hill take in the expansive views that stretch all the way to Cascais, Lisbon, and Sintra. Begin the two-hour hike into the forest. Note the variety of plants, pines, and ferns that thrive in the area. Hike to a megalithic structure that has been labelled as ‘Portugal’s Stonehenge’. The structure sits 426 meters above sea level and its origins are a mystery (but your guide can offer some theories). Sample some Portuguese snacks whilst you rest and listen to interesting facts about your surroundings.