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Sintra Shore excursions

Our most recommended Sintra Shore excursions

Sintra and Cascais Full-Day Private Tour from Lisbon

1. Sintra and Cascais Full-Day Private Tour from Lisbon

Depart Lisbon and drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra. Upon arrival, explore the enchanting village to discover why it was favored by royalty as a place of retreat in former times. Marvel at the 19th-century romantic architecture and see the pastel-colored castles and palaces in the village and forested hills. Venture off the typical tourist routes, and get stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean from the westernmost point of continental Europe at Cabo da Roca. Head to the traditional fishing village of Cascais, known for its sandy beaches, busy marina and medieval Nossa Senhora da Luz Fort. Follow in the footsteps of royalty as you visit sites of historic importance in the pedestrianized old town and experience the lively ambiance of the waterfront. Stop to taste some authentic Portuguese food along the way before the return drive to Lisbon.

From Lisbon: Full-Day Sintra & West Coast Private Tour

2. From Lisbon: Full-Day Sintra & West Coast Private Tour

Lord Byron said that Sintra “is a glorious Eden.” Since the conquest of the first king of Portugal, Sintra became a charming place frequented by royalty and the aristocracy. Sintra is known as well for its unique natural park and mystic atmosphere. Join this tour and discover the royal and aristocratic palaces of Pena or Regaleira and get to know their fantastic, mystical and forbidden love stories. Then travel to the most western point of Europe and admire the great ocean the Portuguese call “the Portuguese Sea.” Afterwards, visit two other charming and exclusive places, Cascais and Estoril. They were the first beaches frequented by the last kings of Portugal. With the Second World War, they were chosed by royal families such as the Italian and Spanish royal family, as a place of exile.

Private Full-Day Tour of Sintra, Cascais, and Lisbon

3. Private Full-Day Tour of Sintra, Cascais, and Lisbon

Visit historical center of Sintra, once the hunting residence of the Portuguese kings and now an important cultural heritage site. This tour takes you along to Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where you will have the opportunity to take some photos before continuing on to Cascais and Estoril, Lisbon's trendy seaside resorts. On this panoramic tour, you will explore some of the picturesque districts of Lisbon, such as Baixa, the city's downtown, Rossio Square, and drive from there to Comércio Square. Visit the Hieronymites Monastery - see the church and take the opportunity to get a closer look at the cloister. You will then visit Belém Tower, Lisbon's famous landmark located on the Tagus River. There, you can see a copy of the airplane that the Portuguese pilots Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral rode in for the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic in 1922. The final highlight on this tour is the Monument to the Discoveries, a 60-meter monument built in 1960. There, you can admire over 30 statues that were erected in honor of Portuguese navigators. Admire the world map and the marble compass rose - a gift from the Republic of South Africa.

From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Pena Palace Tour

4. From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Pena Palace Tour

Set off with us from Lisbon to the famous town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire its romantic architecture, historic mansions and villas, and its many royal palaces and castles. Enjoy the flexibility of being able to choose different options based on your interests: include an entrance fee and a tour of the picturesque Pena Palace in the excursion, or enjoy additional free time to visit the Quinta da Regaleira. We will leave from the Dos Restauradores square at h. 09:30 . Our meeting point will be in front of Padaria Portuguesa. We will arrive in Sintra early, after about 25 minutes, depending on traffic, so you can avoid long queues if you decide to join a fully guided tour of the palace to admire its luxurious interiors and lush gardens. Marvel at the building's fairytale-like appearance, stunning facade and extravagant interior, we recommend including your Pena Palace ticket for entry. We will then reach the center of Sintra after the visit and we will have 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time to explore the town independently. Get recommendations from your guide about the city's must-see spots and the best restaurant choices to enjoy delicious traditional Portuguese food. For those who want can visit the Quinta da Regaleira independently. At h. 14:30 We will continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of the European continent, and observe the splendid panorama of the ocean and the waves crashing against the high rocky cliffs. If the weather permits, we can stop at Guincho beach, whose strong winds and high tides have made it a popular destination for surfers. We will visit Cascais, an elegant seaside resort on the Portuguese Riviera. Take a stroll through the atmospheric town center and don't miss the luxurious marina, the charming fishing port and a restored fort which houses many local artisans. After free time to explore Cascais, you can then relax in the air-conditioned vehicle and admire the spectacular views of the Portuguese coast on the return journey to Lisbon.

Lisbon: Sintra Palaces, Cascais Bay, and Estoril Tour

5. Lisbon: Sintra Palaces, Cascais Bay, and Estoril Tour

Famous for its incredible array of palaces, Sintra steals the hearts of all those who travel there. On this full day private tour, take your pick of which palaces to visit with the help of your experienced local guide. From the beautiful Romantic Pena Palace, the Morrish Castle and the Masonic Regaleira, you’ll be absolutely spoilt for royal choice! Definitely not one to miss is the incredible ‘Portugese Versailles’. Or, will you choose the Queluz Palace, home to the Portuguese Royal Family back in 1755 before their earthquake escape to Brazil. One of the most beautiful palaces, Quelez is known for its Rococo style, gardens, and terraces. After the palaces, travel to the center of Sintra to visit and learn all about the area’s historical monuments and interesting tourist attractions. Next, head to Cabo da Roca, the most western point in Europe where the land ends and the vast sea opens up. Marvel at the stunning ocean views and then travel to the ‘Mouth of Hell’, where the waves hit the rocks with frightening force, and years of erosion have left vast cavities in the limestone. Now it's time to explore Cascais Bay, a wide beach nestled amongst picturesque streets full of fish restaurants caught fresh by the village fishermen. Sat between the bay and the Sintra mountain range, Cascais was the vacation hotspot for Portugese royalty in the 19th century. On the return to Lisbon, journey along the coast of Estoril, famous for its Casino, the inspiration of Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel ‘Casino Royale’.

Lisbon and Sintra Private Full-Day Shore Excursion

6. Lisbon and Sintra Private Full-Day Shore Excursion

Skip the big group shore excursions when your ship docks in Lisbon and enjoy a private tour of the city, along with the artistic town of Sintra, the Estoril coast, and the traditional fishing village of Cascais. Start with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra, a fairytale town of fantastic architecture. Wander the narrow streets to discover the summer retreats of the kings of Portugal and Moorish lords. Marvel at the romantic Moors Castle, and the Royal Palace built on the site of a Moorish Alcazar. Head to the top of the hill to the extravagant 19th-century palace of King Ferdinand. Known for its rare Romanticist architectural styles and colors, the Pena Palace commands stunning views of the “Sacred Mountains” of the Serra. Next, take a relaxing drive along the Estoril Coast, and visit the historical center of Cascais, where fishing traditions are still maintained. Continue to the beautiful beaches of Estoril, gazing at the Atlantic Ocean en route to Lisbon. Spend the afternoon exploring the main squares of Lisbon, such as the ornate Praça do Rossio and Praça do Comércio. Go to the Castle of Saint George for astonishing views of the city and old Moorish quarter of Alfama. End your adventure where many explorers started, in the historic district of Belém, and marvel at the 16th-century Tower of Belém and Jerónimos Monastery. See the Monument to the Discoveries, erected in 1960 to honor the 500th anniversary of the death of the great Portuguese explorer, Henry the Navigator.

Sintra & Cascais Wonders - Private full day tour from Lisboa

7. Sintra & Cascais Wonders - Private full day tour from Lisboa

Sintra, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais, why renting a car to go around lost, when you have a local guide driving you on the coast line to the best gems, meeting the real portuguese people! This tour is 100% private & customizable at your taste, so you are the boss. Take a rest and see the best ! We have modern vans reserved just for you and your friends/family. From the pick-up time to the stop-points, you decide where to go and what to skip, managing the time as you wish (unlike the group tours) We know the ways to skip the lines for you to enjoy the best out of your time! Aside from the spectacular monuments, we will be able to see and touch on dinosaur footprints with more than 170 million years. A lot of the places we are going, are U.N.E.S.C.O protected places, for being patrimonium of the world. From the monuments, to forest, to beach, to the local restaurants full of the best, of course you go in a tourist, and leave 100% local. What are you waiting for? Let's go!

Other Sightseeing Options in Sintra

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What people are saying about Sintra

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 21 reviews

What a fantastic tour! We had an exceptional guide, Sergio, who went above and beyond. He provided a deep dive in the history of each place we visited. We also had a lot of flexibility in what we visited. Since it was a lovely day and I have young kids, Sergio had excellent suggestions of places that everyone would enjoy. He also introduced us to sites off the beaten path that we would have never discovered on our own or through a regulated tour. We also had this tour one of the last days before the country’s tourism industry came to a screeching halt due to the Coronavirus. Although much of the remaining days of our trip were spent rather low key to avoid too much exposure prior to our return travel, I’d say our tour with Sergio made our travels very worthwhile. An absolutely wonderful place to visit with an exceptional guide who brought its rich history and culture to life! I hope that the travel industry in Portugal bounces back quickly after this crisis has passed. Worth the visit!

thanks to the guide of Deborah, a great day, interesting and complete, she took us around with professionalism, cordiality and sympathy, I recommend the tour and above all the Guide

Absolutely wonderful time with Luis Miguel! He showed me everything I wanted to see which included things off the beaten path.

Perfect experience. Truly extraordinary and very knowledgeable guide / driver. A wonderful day.

The kind explanation from the driver was good. They also bought local sweets at tourist spots.