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Half-Day Sintra Tour

Explore the charming and mystical landscape of Sintra
From US$199 for 1 person
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Tour Details
Duration
4 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • National Palace of Sintra
  • Quinta da Regaleira
Photos & Highlights
  • Spend half the day in Sintra accompanied by a leading expert
  • Unique, personal tours for the intentional traveler. Choose from private tours for just you and your party, or join a small group tour with other travelers
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Tour Description
For centuries, the charming town of Sintra has served as a relaxing summer retreat for the elite of Portuguese society, and gained international acclaim in the Romantic period as a source of inspiration for such writers as Lord Byron, who referred to Sintra as “glorious Eden.” Nowadays, the cultural landscape of Sintra is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this half-day trip from Lisbon in the company of a historian, you will delve into the magic and mysteries of Sintra for half a day, visiting a carefully chosen selection of monuments to get a feel for what has proved so captivating for lovers, royals and storytellers alike.

Your first stop is the Vila Palace, or National Palace of Sintra, the best-preserved medieval residence in the whole of Portugal. You will admire the mix of architectural styles (Moorish, Manueline and Mudéjar to name a few) and learn about the different warriors and kings who have occupied this castle. You may visit the Swan or Magpie Rooms, each named for the depictions of their namesake birds painted on their ceilings. As much of the castle remains unchanged for 500 years, you will gain a riveting insight into the residents' stories through the motifs and symbols that adorn its many rooms.
 
After the National Palace, you will make your way into the historic center of Sintra, the charming heart of this picturesque region. You will be delighted with sweeping views over quaint pastel-colored villas and rocky hills, where photo opportunities are endless. 
 
Following this, you will venture up the hill to the truly mysterious and magical Quinta da Regaleira. You will explore the sprawling 5-floor palace, taking in the exuberant Gothic features and learning about the Quinta’s many owners. Your expert will help you connect the intricate details and decorations of Quinta da Regaleira with the larger context of European history.
 
With our packed itinerary of key sites, along with the freedom to keep exploring on your own, you will surely be left convinced that, in the words of the great Portuguese novelist Eça de Queirós: “Everything in Sintra is Divine, There is no corner that is not a poem.”
 
  • Vila Palace
  • Sintra historic city center
  • Quinta da Regaleira
  • Gardens of Quinta da Regaleira
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Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Are train tickets from and to Lisbon included?
No, the tour starts in Sintra directly, and train tickets for travelers coming from other cities are not included.

Is this tour appropriate for children?
This walk is not a part of our official family program. That said, we may be able to arrange a visit with a family-friendly guide. Please contact us.
 
Is this tour walking intensive, and/or wheelchair accessible? 
We do cover extensive, rugged territory on this tour meaning there are mobility issues. There is a walk up a hill to get to Quinta da Regaleira, if you foresee this being a challenge, please reach out to inquire about adding a durational car service for your tour as taxis are not possible for this.
  • Quinta da Regaleira is only partially accessible. Many of the interiors can't be accessed with a wheelchair, neither the gardens, but there is a route to visit from outside. 
  • Even Sintra National Palace is partially accessible with ramps if you are a wheelchair user.
  • In the older parts of the city (where most of the tour takes part) the streets are narrow and hilly, have an uneven surface, and are made of cobblestones everywhere, so people with mobility issues or wheelchair users would not enjoy the best part of the historic center.
Where You'll Start
228 Reviews (4.83)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Wonderful and insightful! We learned so much - thank you Rute!
We had an incredible experience on our tour of Sintra. Jose made Portugal’s history come alive. He gave us a unique perspective on the palaces we visited by placing them in a larger historical context. Jose’s knowledge and perspective was in keeping with what we have come to expect with Context. It is a pleasure to take these tours!
super great tour! Fun meeting at the train station and heading out with our guide, Estela, to Sintra. She had our tickets and everything arranged perfectly. Fabulous way to spend the day. Also nice to have the afternoon to wander around and take the train back at our leisure