Palaces, Peaks, and Hidden Gardens
Just a short train ride from Lisbon, Sintra feels like stepping into a fairytale. This UNESCO-listed town has long been a retreat for royalty, poets, and dreamers, and its dramatic hills are dotted with palaces, castles, and lush gardens. This walk takes you through some of Sintra’s most iconic sites: the colorful Pena Palace, perched high above the town; the forested trail to Cruz Alta, the highest point in the area; the ancient Moorish Castle, with sweeping views of the coast; the mysterious and symbolic gardens of Quinta da Regaleira; and finally, the charming city center, perfect for a relaxed meal or a sweet treat. It’s a full day of walking, exploring, and discovering the layered history and beauty of one of Portugal’s most magical destinations.
Getting to Sintra
There are several ways to explore Sintra, depending on your style and schedule. You can book a guided day trip through platforms like Viator or Get Your Guide, which often include transportation and entry to major sites. If you prefer to go on your own, I recommend the combo ticket for €14, which covers round-trip train travel from Lisbon and unlimited rides on the Scotturb 434 and 435 buses—perfect for reaching the main attractions. You can buy this ticket at the train station, ideally the day before your visit.
Once in Sintra, you’ll also find private tuk tuks available near the train station and major landmarks. They’re a fun and flexible way to get around, especially if you want a more personalized route or avoid waiting for buses. Whether you go guided, self-paced, or tuk tuk-style, Sintra is easy to explore and well worth the trip.
Take the train from Rossio Station
Leave from Rossio train station frequently (several times per hour in high season) and it takes only 40 minutes to get there (one way ticket costs €2,40). When taking the train from Lisbon to Sintra, you should get off at Sintra Station, which is the final stop on the line.
Once you arrive at Sintra Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk uphill to the town center. However, I suggest taking the 434 tourist bus right outside the station to reach sites like Pena National Palace, which is located uphill and not easily walkable from the station. This is a good place to start the day.
Sintra Bus Information
| Bus 434 Circuito da Pena (circular route) €7.00 | Bus 435 Villa Express – 4 Palaces €5.00 |
| 1. Sintra Train Station (Estação de Sintra) 2. São Pedro de Sintra 3. Sintra historic town centre 4. Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) 5. Pena Palace and Park 6. Sintra historic town centre 7. Sintra Train Station (Estação de Sintra) | 1. Sintra Train Station (Estação de Sintra) 2. São Pedro de Sintra 3. Sintra historic town centre 4. Regaleira Estate (Quinta da Regaleira) 5. Seteais Palace (Palácio de Seteais) 6. Monserrate Palace (Palácio de Monserrate) 7. Colaris 8. Ribeira de Sintra 9. Montes Santos 10. Sintra Train Station (Estação de Sintra |
How to navigate with your mobile device
JCVWalks are designed to be easy to follow on your mobile device. As you walk, you can tap the header or photo for each point of interest to open the location directly in Google Maps. This will help you navigate from your current location to the next point of interest. If you’d like to learn more about any stop along the way, just click the links in the description for additional details and context.
Pena Palace
Pena National Palace is the crown jewel of Sintra, perched high in the hills and bursting with color and imagination. Built by King Ferdinand II, often called the “King-Artist,” it’s a masterpiece of Romanticism that feels like it stepped out of a fairy tale. The surrounding park, with its winding paths and misty corners, adds to the sense of mystery and wonder—perfect for getting lost in thought or simply soaking in the beauty.
If you start at Pena Palace everything afterwards is pretty much downhill. And walking is the best way to take in the scenery. Pena Palace is the sacred jewel that crowns the Serra de Sintra. The history of this magical site reaches back to the 12th century, when King Manuel I ordered the construction of the Royal Monastery of Our Lady of Pena.
Cruz Alta (High Cross)
One of the more popular walks within the grounds is to the Cruz Alta, or High Cross. Walking to the cross from Pena Palace will take 20-30 minutes, and the well-marked trail is mostly uphill for the last half. The view from the cross looks back towards the colorful castle if not obstructed by trees.
Castle of the Moors
Alternatively, From Pena Palace, it’s just a very short walk to the Castelo dos Mouros, or Castle of the Moors. This 8th-century fortress is perched high on a hilltop and it offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The Arabic castle was built in the 9th century, but fell into disrepair after the Arabic people were chased out of Portugal during the Christian crusades. It was partially restored by King Ferdinand II in the 19th century.
Quinta de Regalaria
After visiting the Moorish Castle take a tuk tuk, bus or walk down to Quinta da Regaleira. This is a bit of a longer walk, it takes about 45 minutes, but it’s all downhill on a small road in the forest. The landscaped gardens are beautiful to stroll around in and the Initiation Well, a multi-level spiral of stone, where we can walk the narrow staircase right down to the bottom. The queuing up was worth it though, you can walk down the spiral staircase and then you end up in an underground cave system with waterfalls.
Other things to see in the gardens include several grottoes, towers, fountains, and even a Roman Catholic Chapel. Entrance fee is €12
Sintra City Centre
The last stop of the day is the historic town center of Sintra, which is a 13-minute walk from Quinta da Regaleira. Sintra City Center is a charming maze of cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and hidden corners that invite you to slow down and explore. Start at the main square, where the Town Hall and the National Palace of Sintra stand as elegant reminders of the town’s royal past. Wander through the Volta do Duche, a scenic path lined with local art and views of the hills, and don’t miss a photo at the Fonte Mourisca, a beautiful Moorish-style fountain. For a break, grab a coffee and a queijada or travesseiro (local pastries) at Casa Piriquita, a beloved spot in town.
Thanks for walking with me!
If you would like more information to plan your trip to Sintra, you can check out The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Sintra. This resource offers a comprehensive overview of Sintra, and practical travel tips including how to get to Sintra from Lisbon, how long to stay, and how to get around—whether on foot, by tourist bus, or car. The article highlights top attractions and provides advice on the best time to visit, where to stay, and how to save money. It also includes a sample day-trip itinerary, packing suggestions, and the map above.
Returning to Lisbon by Train
From the town center, returning to Lisbon is simple: walk to the Sintra train station (about 10 minutes from the historic center), then catch the direct train back to Rossio Station in Lisbon. Trains typically run every 20–30 minutes, and the journey takes around 40 minutes. It’s a relaxing ride that gives you time to reflect on the magic of Sintra before rejoining the rhythm of the city.
If you enjoyed the route, found a hidden gem, or have ideas for improving the experience, I’d love to hear from you! Your insights help me improve future walks and inspire fellow travelers. Please rate this walk using the stars below — and feel free to leave a comment. Obrigado! — and happy exploring!
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Photo Credits
- Pena Palace – Photo by heino eisner on Unsplash
- Lisbon Metro – Photo by Koshelyev, licensed under Public Domain, source
- Discover Sintra Bus Map – Bus Map by Sintra434, source
- Palácio da Pena – Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas – licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Cruz Alta – By Дмитрий Мозжухин – licensed under CC BY 3.0, source
- Castelo dos Mouros Sintra – Photo by Diego Delso – licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Quinta da Regaleira Sintra – Photo by Diego Delso – licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Sintra National Palace from Above – Photo by Peter K Burian – licensed under CC BY 4.0, source
