Unesco-listed, Sintra boasts extraordinary palaces, a Moorish castle, a semitropical garden and scenic views. Add to that beautiful surrounding beaches and an impressive Atlantic coast.
The village is conveniently located, just 30km / 19mi from the Portuguese capital.
For a day trip from Lisbon or a longer stay, use these travel directions to get from Lisbon to Sintra.
By Train
Direct rail services run from Rossio Station in Lisbon’s Baixa to Sintra Station. Use the Viva Viagem card to pay for the journey.
Train frequency is of at least four trains per hour during the day, and the trip takes about 40 minutes. There are no reserved seats on any commuter train between Lisbon and Sintra, and tickets cannot be bought online.
Sintra Station is a comfortable 10-minute walk (about 1km) from the town centre. However, Pena National Palace and the Moorish Castle are located on a steep hill, 5km from the town. You might want to take bus 434, which operates on a hop-on hop-off system. Tickets can be bought on board.
If you’d like to know more about transport options in Sintra, we’ve put together this useful guide for Getting Around Sintra and Cascais by Bus, Tram and Bike.
By Car
Sintra is a short drive from Lisbon. The town can be reached from Lisbon in just half an hour on the IC19 motorway.
If you’re hiring a car in Lisbon, note that the IC19 is a heavy traffic motorway during peak hours as many people use it to get to and from work. Also note that around Pena National Palace you’ll be driving through some narrow, steep roads.
There are parking meters in Sintra town centre, but only a few parking spaces available. However, a large car park can be found in a residential area near N249 road (1.5km from the town centre).
GPS Coordinates
38º 47′ 50.50” N 9º 23′ 25.87” W
Day Trips & Tours from Lisbon
A range of tour operators offer day trips to Sintra. Your hotel and Lisbon’s tourist offices can advise you on the best available deals.
This itinerary might be especially useful for independent travellers:
