02 – Sintra Half Day
Sintra, Lisbon, Portugal
Short on time but still want to experience Sintra’s magic? This Sintra Half day tour from Lisbon offers a captivating glimpse into the town’s rich history and romantic architecture. Ideal for travelers with tight schedules, you'll enjoy a guided visit to Sintra’s most iconic site and a scenic exploration of the surrounding area.
Departing from Lisbon with convenient hotel pickup, this express tour brings you straight to the heart of Sintra’s beauty and charm:
Your expert guide will provide cultural and historical context, making this short Sintra Half day tour both enriching and efficient.
Perfect for cruise passengers, layover travelers, or those with limited time, this half-day experience offers a stress-free way to see one of Portugal’s most iconic destinations—without spending the entire day.
With comfortable transport, expert guidance, and a focused itinerary, this 5-hour tour is the perfect way to dip into Sintra’s magic.
Book now and enjoy a fairytale escape just outside Lisbon!

Pena Palace is one of the top tourist attractions in Sintra, Portugal. Located on a hilltop, it offers incredible views. Known for its bright colors and mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish styles, it’s a unique sight.
Built in the 19th century, the palace was once a royal summer residence. Now, it’s open to the public, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The interior features beautifully decorated rooms and royal artifacts.
The palace is surrounded by a large park, perfect for a peaceful walk. With its trees, gardens, and hidden paths, it’s a great place to explore. From the terraces, visitors enjoy panoramic views of Sintra and Lisbon.
Pena Palace is a must-see in Sintra, offering rich history and breathtaking beauty. It’s an ideal spot to take photos and learn about Portugal’s royal past.

Quinta da Regaleira, located in Sintra, Portugal, is one of the country's most captivating sites. Its unique architecture, lush gardens, and mystical atmosphere make it a must-see. The estate includes a palace, a chapel, and various intriguing structures, like grottos, towers, and the famous Initiation Well. This well, with its spiral staircase, descends deep into the earth, symbolizing a journey into the unknown or spiritual enlightenment. The entire place feels magical, almost like something out of a fairy tale.

The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) in Sintra, Portugal, is a historic landmark filled with mystery. It sits atop one of the highest peaks in Sintra and dates back to the 8th or 9th century, during the Moorish rule. Built for defense, its location offers stunning views of Sintra and the surrounding landscape.
The castle’s rugged appearance is striking. Its thick stone walls, battlements, and watchtowers rise from the forest, giving it a fairytale-like feel. Walking along the ramparts, visitors can experience the castle’s raw, historic atmosphere.
Over time, the castle’s military significance faded, but it remained a symbol of the past. In the 19th century, King Ferdinand II restored it, adding to its charm.
Have you visited the Moorish Castle? It has such a captivating vibe!

The Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) is one of the best-preserved royal palaces in Portugal. Located in the heart of Sintra, it stands out with its distinct blend of architectural styles, combining medieval, Gothic, Moorish, and Manueline influences. The palace is easily recognizable by its two large, conical chimneys, which are a signature feature of the building.
Dating back to the 15th century, it was a favorite residence of Portuguese royalty. Inside, visitors can explore richly decorated rooms, including the Sala dos Brasões (Hall of Coat of Arms), with its beautiful blue and white azulejos (traditional tiles), and the elegant Swan Room.
Surrounded by lush gardens, the palace offers a glimpse into the life of Portuguese nobility throughout the centuries. It's a must-see for anyone visiting Sintra!

Monserrate Palace (Palácio de Monserrate) in Sintra is an enchanting blend of Gothic, Moorish, and Indian architectural styles. Built in the 19th century, it was designed by the British architect James William-Henry, who was inspired by the natural beauty of the region. The palace is surrounded by lush, expansive gardens that feature exotic plants from all over the world, creating a unique, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
The interior of Monserrate is equally impressive, with intricate designs and vibrant colors that reflect a fusion of cultures. Highlights include the ornate ceilings, decorative arches, and stunning stained glass windows. The palace's design was intended to evoke a sense of tranquility and connection with nature, making it a perfect retreat for the romantic elites of the time.
If you enjoy beautiful gardens and eclectic architecture, Monserrate Palace is definitely worth visiting.

A scenic stretch of coastline with elegant seaside resorts, promenades, and beaches, historically frequented by royalty and spies during WWII.
Cascais is a charming coastal town located just west of Lisbon, known for its vibrant atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and rich history. Once a quiet fishing village, it became a popular getaway for the Portuguese royal family in the 19th century, which helped transform it into the stylish resort town it is today.
The town has a lovely mix of cobbled streets, elegant squares, and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. You can stroll along the waterfront promenade, visit the beautiful Cascais Marina, or relax on one of its sandy beaches, such as Praia da Rainha or Praia de Carcavelos. The Boca do Inferno, a dramatic cliff formation, is another popular spot for its crashing waves and spectacular scenery.
Cascais also has a rich cultural side, with museums, galleries, and historic sites like Cascais Citadel and the Palácio da Cidadela. The town has a lively café culture and great restaurants, making it perfect for a relaxing day trip or a longer stay.

Praia do Guincho is a stunning beach located just a short drive from Sintra, near Cascais. Known for its wild beauty, the beach is famous for its strong winds, making it a popular spot for surfers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers. The dramatic coastline, with its golden sand and rugged cliffs, gives it a raw, untouched feel. The surrounding natural park adds to the area's charm, with hiking trails offering amazing views of the ocean.
Guincho has a more untamed atmosphere compared to the calmer beaches of the region, making it ideal for those seeking adventure or simply looking to enjoy nature. The waves here can be quite powerful, so it’s a great spot for water sports, though swimming can be a bit challenging due to the strong currents.

A scenic stretch of coastline with elegant seaside resorts, promenades, and beaches, historically frequented by royalty and spies during WWII.
Cascais is a charming coastal town located just west of Lisbon, known for its vibrant atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and rich history. Once a quiet fishing village, it became a popular getaway for the Portuguese royal family in the 19th century, which helped transform it into the stylish resort town it is today.
The town has a lovely mix of cobbled streets, elegant squares, and scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. You can stroll along the waterfront promenade, visit the beautiful Cascais Marina, or relax on one of its sandy beaches, such as Praia da Rainha or Praia de Carcavelos. The Boca do Inferno, a dramatic cliff formation, is another popular spot for its crashing waves and spectacular scenery.
Cascais also has a rich cultural side, with museums, galleries, and historic sites like Cascais Citadel and the Palácio da Cidadela. The town has a lively café culture and great restaurants, making it perfect for a relaxing day trip or a longer stay.
EXCELENTE Com base em 189 avaliações Publicado em Jo FVerificada Amazing tour of Lisbon with excellent guide. Obrigada Francisco! This was a brilliant tour with Francisco, an independent guide. He knows Lisbon like the back of his hand and was able to show us the main highlights of the city, as well as provide amazing and engaging overview of its history. He was very professional from the outset and was able to accommodate last minute changes to the booking and adapt the tour to suit our needs. It’s a shame our time in Lisbon was limited, there was so much more to see and Francisco would be the perfect guide to do this. I would definitely recommend Francisco / Lisbon Day Trip to anyone visiting the city!Publicado em brodicaVerificada What a fabulous tour - highly recommend Highly recommend Francisco as your guide and driver when exploring surrounds of Lisbon!We were arriving in Lisbon from a cruise ship. Francisco met us at the cruise terminal (punctual) in his very comfortable, panoramic vehicle. We spent 5 hours exploring Sintra and taking in the sights of the surrounding area. We had very wet weather and Francisco tailored the day for us to suit the rainy day. Super polite and respectful. Francisco ensures you have a great experience. Thanks Francisco for an amazing day for us creating memoriesPublicado em Renee KVerificada Tur of Fatima Very friendly, personable, and knowledgeable about the country, the city, and Fatima. Helped us arrange another tour as well which was equally fun!! Would highly recommend.Publicado em Katie FVerificada Thorough, Welcoming, and Memorable! We picked Francisco’s tour based on his stellar TripAdvisor reviews and are happy to add to the positive praise! Francisco has so much knowledge to share, and even though we booked him for a tour of Obidos and Nazaré out of Lisbon, he gave us a ton of history about the places we already visited in Lisbon and sent us an itinerary of places to visit in Alfama on our last day. His car is fully equipped to carry your group in comfort, and he will tailor to your preferences. He made a great recommendation (and reservation) for lunch in Nazaré and took fantastic pictures on his phone that we will treasure forever. In addition, he referred us to one of his colleagues for a tour in Porto, as we were leaving Lisbon shortly after our tour. Overall, you will not regret booking your tour with Francisco to guide you around Lisbon or show you the sights outside of the city.Publicado em Doyle TVerificada Well worth it Great beach town tour. We were driven up to the front of the lighthouse where the giant waves are viewed. Nice little surfing museum there. Afterward, we were taken to a fresh fish restaurant that was really good. Then walked along the beach while eating gelato! Oh, and the fortress city of Obidos stop was also a great stop. Our driver Fracisco was awesome. It really makes for a stress free experience because you don't have to worry about driving or parking!Publicado em Doyle TVerificada Fantastic and stress free! Really great experience! Francisco, our driver, was knowledgeable and very courteous! We had a fantastic stress free day! Highly recommend.Publicado em Olga CVerificada Memorable tour with Francisco from Lisbon We had an amazing tour to Obidos and Nazare from Lisbon. Our guide/driver Francisco was excellent: punctual, knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating. He made sure that we had the best time, did not miss any attractions and have been back to the ship on time. Places that we visited have been beautiful. We managed to avoid crowds by coming to Obidos early. Francisco organized for us lthe ovely seafood lunch in Nazare in a nice family run restaurant. We has incredible experience with this private tour.Publicado em AHMVerificada Day Trip to Sintra! Excellent day trip to Sintra with Francisco! He provided a wonderful overall history of the areas we visited as well as other helpful insights and recommendations for our visit. This was a highlight of our trip and we highly recommend!Publicado em AHMVerificada Excellent half-day tour of Lisbon Excellent half-day tour of Lisbon with Francisco! He provided us with the perfect overall tour of Lisbon for our first day in the city. He is a great storyteller, is very knowledgeable and has a wonderful personality. We would not hesitate to book another tour with Francisco should we return to the area.Publicado em jenny gVerificada Sintra & Cascais We highly recommend Francisco for any tour.We did Sintra and Cascais and even tho the weather was not ideal, he was very knowledgeable, accommodating and fun. Communication with him was excellent.
Discover the beauty and culture of Lisbon through our expertly guided tours. From historic landmarks to hidden gems, we offer unforgettable experiences for every traveler.
Rua Augusta 123, Baixa
Lisbon, Portugal 1100-053
1 Comment
5
Wonderful experience!!!Our flight was scheduled to arrive in Lisbon at 6:30am & knew we could not check into our hotel until 3pm so we booked a private tour with Fransisco to spend the day in Sintra . He picked us up at our hotel at 8:30am and we brought our luggage with us in his car. He was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about Portugal. He drive us to Pena Palace, The Moore Castle and took us to lunch at a local restaurant in the village of Sintra. The town was so charming! He even walked with us through the narrow streets and suggested doing a shot of Ginja (cherry Liqueur) in a chocolate cup. It was a true experience and one we will never forget! He drove us back to Lisbon stopping at various beaches along the way. We packed in so much in one day & would highly recommend this tour!!!! Abrigada Francisco!!!
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