Lisbon to Sintra, Nazaré & Fátima: Small Group Day Trip

Summary

Fátima sanctuary silence, Nazaré surf stories, Sintra palace colors

You’ll leave Lisbon behind for a day trip filled with quiet moments at Fátima’s sanctuary, salty air above Nazaré’s cliffs, and colorful walks through Sintra’s Pena Palace gardens. With pickup included and an easygoing local guide leading your small group, you’ll have time for reflection, photos, or just soaking up Portugal’s mix of devotion and wild coastlines.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit it — I almost missed the minivan because I got lost in Campo de Ourique Market (the smell of coffee and those pastel de nata did me in). Our guide João just grinned and waved me over like he’d seen this a hundred times. We squeezed into the van — only eight of us — and set off for Fátima. The drive was quiet at first, but then João started telling stories about the three kids who saw the Virgin Mary here. The Sanctuary felt bigger than I expected, all white stone and hush, with people lighting candles in that little Chapel of Apparitions. I’m not religious but… something about the way everyone moved so slowly made me want to stand still too.

Nazaré was next. The wind hit us as soon as we stepped out at Sítio da Nazaré — salty air and the crash of waves below. There were old fishermen playing cards under a blue awning, one of them winked when I tried to say “bom dia” (pretty sure my accent is hopeless). João explained how these cliffs see waves taller than houses in winter — hard to picture on such a calm day. We had time to wander; I bought a tiny ceramic boat from a woman with sea-worn hands. She told me her son surfs here when the big waves come.

By afternoon we reached Sintra and walked up through mossy trees towards Pena Palace. Only the gardens and terraces today (the inside was closed for some reason), but honestly, those colors against the grey sky were wild enough on their own — yellow walls, red towers poking out of mist. João pointed out tiles shaped like sea creatures; he said kings used to picnic here on foggy days too. My shoes got muddy but no one cared. On the way back to Lisbon everyone was quiet, tired in that good way you get after seeing too much beauty at once. Still thinking about that soft silence in Fátima.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Fátima, Nazaré, and Sintra

• Meet guide at Lisbon office
• Travel by minivan to Fátima
• Explore Sanctuary and Chapel of Apparitions
• Reflect in Fátima's serene atmosphere
• Travel to clifftop Sítio da Nazaré
• Admire coastal views and learn about surf
• Visit Pena Palace exterior and gardens
• Enjoy panoramic terrace views at Pena Palace
• Return from Sintra to Lisbon

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Lisbon to Sintra, Nazaré & Fátima?

The tour lasts around 9 hours including travel time between all stops.

Is hotel pickup included on this small group tour?

No hotel pickup; you meet at Campo de Ourique Market before departure.

Do we go inside Pena Palace on this tour?

No, entry is only to the exterior gardens and terraces of Pena Palace.

How many people are in each group?

The tour is limited to 8 participants per minivan for an intimate experience.

What if there are more than 8 people in my booking?

Larger groups use two minivans but travel together during the tour.

Is lunch included?

No lunch is included; there is free time at stops for snacks or meals at your own expense.

Are infant seats available?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available upon request.

What happens if Pena Palace is closed?

If closed due to wildfire risk or strike, you'll visit Queluz Palace or Regaleira Estate instead.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan from Lisbon (starting at Campo de Ourique Market), guided visits with plenty of free time at Fátima Sanctuary and Chapel of Apparitions, entry ticket plus guided walk through Pena Palace gardens (exterior access only), a stop at Sítio da Nazaré viewpoint for coastal views and local stories—all shared with a small group led by an easygoing local guide before returning together in the evening.