How to Save Time, Avoid the Crowds, and Still See Everything Worth Seeing!
A Fairytale Destination Worth the Effort
Sintra is a must-see on anyone’s first trip to Lisbon, but it is impossible to see and do it all on a single day. If you can, it is best to spend a night or even two in this mystical fairytale town. However, if you only have one day, and don’t want to spend a fortune or get caught up in the large crowds, you can still get the essence of Sintra on your own with the right amount of strategy.
While many tourists get caught up in the chaos of crowded trains, disorganized bus transfers, and overpriced snacks, you don’t have to! This ultimate DIY guide will show you how to explore Sintra like a savvy insider, saving time, money, and stress while soaking up all that this magic palace town has to offer.
Skip the Train, Take a Bolt
Let’s get this out of the way first: if you’re not a hardcore train enthusiast, don’t take the train to Sintra. Yes, it’s cheap, and yes, it runs frequently, but it also takes longer and gets absurdly crowded, especially in the morning when everyone else is headed to the same few palaces.
Instead, open your Bolt app and call a car straight from central Lisbon to Palácio da Pena. The ride will cost you around €25-€30, and it will get you there in 30 minutes to 1 hour, about an hour faster than a train-and-bus combo. With a group of 3 or 4 people, that’s just a few euros more per person for a much smoother and saner start to the day.
If you only ride to the center of Sintra, you’ll be funneled into one of the many tuk tuks lining the road and end up paying €10 per person to go up to Pena Palace anyway. We advise you to skip the middleman and go straight to the top. Avoid the bus at all costs. It’s €13.50 per person and will take longer due to needing to wind through narrow streets and constant stops unloading passengers.
Buy Your Tickets in Advance!
As of 2025, you must purchase tickets in advance for Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. Spontaneous visits are no longer allowed if the time slots are already filled. You’ll need to select a specific time window for entry when you book, and staff will actually enforce it. Trust me, my time ticket was checked at four different points when I visited Pena Palace.
Book at least three days ahead to get the best price. Popular slots, especially in the morning, fill up quickly. You can buy directly from the official Parques de Sintra website or through verified resellers. Booking more than three days in advance also gets you 15% off.
First Stop – Palácio da Pena
Begin your day with the star attraction: Palácio da Pena. This 19th-century romantic masterpiece looks straight out of a storybook. With its vivid yellows and reds, intricate tile work, and hilltop views, it’s definitely the most photogenic palace in Portugal.
Your Bolt will drop you near the ticket gate. From there, don’t bother taking the shuttle bus that runs from the ticket checkpoint to the palace itself. It’s not free, and unless you have mobility issues, the 15-minute uphill walk is absolutely doable and even enjoyable. You’ll pass through forested paths and peek-a-boo views of the colorful palace above.
Coming back down? Easy. It’s a 5-minute stroll. This will help you skip the wait for the transfer bus standing next to agitated and aggressive tourists making sure you don’t cut in front of them (speaking from experience here).
Next Up – Quinta da Regaleira (But First, Lunch?)
After your tour of Pena, grab a tuk tuk down the mountain at €10 per person (actually cheaper down the bus since we are only taking it one way) back to the city center and either grab a quick lunch or head 15 minutes back up the mountain to Quinta da Regaleira. If you’re ahead of schedule, walk. It’s a scenic 30-minute downhill trek. You can also stop at the Moors Castle if you have the time before your timed ticket entry to Quinta da Regaleira.
At Regaleira, you’ll encounter one of Sintra’s most iconic sights: the Initiation Well. As soon as you enter the property, follow the signs and go straight to the well. The earlier you go in your time slot, the shorter your wait will be. We only waited 15 minutes by doing this, and the crowds were growing fast behind us.
Once you’ve seen the well, take your time. The grounds are extensive and full of surprises – hidden grottoes, ornate towers, quiet corners, and romantic ruins. And no one will be rushing you out. The only time you have to worry about is when you enter.
Insider Tip – Water Fountains and Bags
Quinta da Regaleira has public drinking fountains with clean, cool water. Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it here. It beats paying premium prices at a souvenir stand for the same thing.
Also, bring a backpack or shoulder bag large enough to carry that bottle, plus snacks, a phone charger, and a small collapsible umbrella. Sintra’s weather is notorious for sudden misty downpours, even in summer. And yes, wear real shoes. This is not a flip-flop kind of trip unless you want to take the risk or buy shoes with good grip such as the Crocs pictured below.
What Else Can You See?
If you still have time and energy, there’s more to explore:
Monserrate Palace is farther afield but a real gem if you like gardens and exotic architecture. It’s less visited and incredibly peaceful.
Palácio Nacional de Sintra, right in the town center, is another worthwhile and easy stop, especially if you have the Lisboa Card for discounted entry.
Biester Palace is right next door to Quinta da Regaleira and much less visited due to only opening its doors to the public in 2022. If you like a more intimate experience, this is well worth your time.
Discounted Passes and Free Sundays
A few more tips to help you save:
Free Sundays – If you’re a resident of Portugal, you can visit many Sintra monuments for free on Sundays and public holidays but only if you show proof of residency at the ticket office on the day. Don’t forget your residence card!
Disability Discounts – People with disabilities receive up to 70% off at many locations, and one companion may enter for free.
Parques de Sintra Friend Card – If you’re planning to come back again and again (or are a resident planning to visit Sintra with friends and family multiple times throughout the year, consider an annual pass. For €90, you can access nearly all Sintra monuments as many times as you like.
The Trip Back – Train or Bolt?
When the day winds down and your feet start complaining, it’s time to head home. This is when the train makes a little more sense. By mid- to late-afternoon, the rush of morning visitors has already passed, and you’ll find the ride much calmer and more scenic.
Still not a fan of public transit? Open Bolt and grab a ride back to Lisbon. Traffic into the city can be heavier in the late afternoon between 4:30pm – 7pm, but at least you’ll be in a comfortable seat instead of jostling for standing room.
Final Thoughts
Sintra is one of those rare places that’s every bit as beautiful in person as it looks in photos. But your enjoyment hinges heavily on how you plan your day. With a few key moves, which include booking tickets early, starting with a Bolt to Pena Palace, and navigating the palaces in the right order, you can transform a potential tourist trap into an unforgettable adventure.
Take the shortcuts that count. Skip the ones that don’t. And don’t forget to look up every now and then because, in Sintra, the magic is everywhere.
Sintra Tours
Not wanting to do it all yourself? Book these tours instead!
Private Half Day Tour to Sintra and Pena Palace from Lisbon
Private Tour Sintra, Palaces and Mountain Tuk Tuk (2 to 6 people)
Private Local Sintra Tour: Palaces & Coast by Classic Car or Jeep
