Sintra Half Day Trip from Lisbon - Context Travel

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: Excursions and Day Trips, Four Days in Lisbon
Duration: 4.5 hours
Location: Lisbon

Photos & Highlights

Spend half the day in Sintra accompanied by a local historian
Includes train tickets from Lisbon to Sintra
Quinta da Regaleira and National Palace of Sintra

Tour Description

For centuries, the charming town of Sintra has served as a relaxing summer retreat for the crème de la crème 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, we will delve into the magic and mysteries of Sintra over the course of about four hours, visiting a carefully chosen selection of monuments in order to get a feel for what has proved so captivating for lovers, royals and storytellers alike.

Sites Visited

Rossio Station
Vila Palace
Sintra historic city center
Quinta da Regaleira
Gardens of Quinta da Regaleira

Includes

Four and a half hours with a PhD or MA-level guide
Train tickets from Lisbon to Sintra

Itinerary Details

Meeting our guide at Lisbon’s central Rossio Station, we’ll take the train out to Sintra together and get started with some background information about Sintra itself.

Upon arrival in Sintra, our first stop is the Vila Palace, or National Palace of Sintra, the best-preserved and most royally occupied medieval residence in the whole of Portugal. We’ll marvel at 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 and left their mark over the centuries. We 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, we gain a riveting insight into the residents' secrets and stories through the multitude of motifs and symbols that adorn its many rooms.

After the National Palace, we will make our way into the historic center of Sintra, the charming fairy-tale-like, car free heart of this picturesque region. You will be delighted with sweeping views over quaint pastel-colored villas and rocky hills which feature many of the historic landmarks that make Sintra so special.

Following this, we will venture up the hill to the truly mysterious and magical Quinta da Regaleira. We will explore the sprawling 5-floor palace, taking in the exuberant Gothic features and learning about the Quinta’s many owners across its checkered history and the traces they have left behind. Because our guide is a historian, they will connect the intricate details and decorations of Quinta da Regaleira with the larger context of European history.

We'll then head into the famous gardens to seek out a myriad of symbols that refer to the Masons, the Knights Templar, alchemy, and more. Weaving our way through the nooks and crannies of these verdant grounds we will be treated to stunning views of Sintra’s many other monuments and discover secrets at every turn in a truly sublime and special experience.

After exploring the gardens, our guide takes their leave, but not before imparting their insider knowledge about how to spend the rest of your day. You’ll leave our half-day trip to Sintra with a better understanding of the eccentric and often breathtaking beauty of Sintra as insights into the storied lives of its famous inhabitants. With our packed itinerary of key sites, along with the freedom to keep exploring on your own, we’re sure you’ll 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.”

Interested in a tour in Lisbon? Try our Lisbon Old Town Walking Tour or our Baixa Walking Tour of Lisbon including Bairro Alto & Chiado.

FAQ

For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

What is a private tour?

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

What is a small group tour?

Our small group tours cover many of the same itineraries as our private tours, but they place you with other travelers in groups of 6 or fewer. They operate on a pre-scheduled calendar and are designed to provide an opportunity to engage with and learn from other travelers.

Are we able to change the time the tour starts?

We can start the tour later if it is booked privately. An earlier start time is not recommended as many venues do not open until 9:30am

Can this be done by car?

While this tour is designed to travel by public transport, if you are booking privately we can certainly arrange for car service. Although much of the tour needs to be conducted on foot due to undulating terrain and the car-free center of Sintra. Please contact us for more info. We now have a Full Day Sintra option with Car service.

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. Please contact us with any questions; we will be happy to advise if this tour will be appropriate for you.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Estela

Estela Mendes is an art historian. Born and raised in Lisbon, she has been teaching about the beauty of the world for many years. After working in national palaces in Portugal, Estela moved to London where she spent 5 years working at museums like Buckingham Palace, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. Her background in art history gives a special view of the history of the city, using art to illustrate historical facts. She likes to walk through quiet streets and show small secrets to those who have never been to Lisbon.

Marco

Marco António Noivo was born in Lisbon. He has been an official tour guide since 1996, passionate about history and art for as long as he can remember. He has a college degree in tourism and a Masters in history of art. He specializes in cultural touring and historical/military tourism, particularly the Napoleonic period. He is also a university lecturer in the areas of patrimony and dedicates himself to the training of future tour guides. His adventurous spirit and passion for knowledge create experiences that rediscover the soul of Portugal and Portuguese culture.

Caterina

Catarina is a proud daughter of Lisbon. Having originally studied Conservation and Restoration, her passion for her home town led her to pursue a second degree in Tourism. In addition to working as a licensed tour guide, she is currently finishing her Master's degree in Art History. She loves her city, her work and the delight in the faces of visitors when discovering the wonders of Lisbon.

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142 Reviews – (4.85)

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

Excellent blend of history and art and Estela was charming (and answered all our questions about today’s real estate and culture.

Jill

May. 13, 2022

Estela was a wonderful guide! She was very organized and super knowledgeable of the history of Portugal. We had two great tours with her.

Gary

May. 7, 2022

Estela was fabulous—so knowledgeable, so helpful. We would love to have her as our tour guide wherever we go!

Michael

May. 4, 2022