Lisbon to Sintra: Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca & Wine Tasting Tour

Summary

Sintra’s colors, wild cliffs and wine on a day trip from Lisbon

You’ll wander Sintra’s palace gardens with a local guide, taste regional wines in a historic cellar, stand on windswept cliffs at Cabo da Roca, and end your day by the sea in Cascais. This small-group tour includes pickup from Lisbon and plenty of chances to soak up Portugal’s flavors—and its quieter moments too.

What’s the experience like?

The day didn’t start as planned—our minivan got stuck behind a bread truck somewhere just outside Lisbon. But honestly, that first hiccup made us all laugh and break the ice. Our guide, Sofia, shrugged and said it was “just Portuguese timing”—she had this way of making everything feel relaxed. By the time we reached the gates of Pena Palace, the air smelled like wet moss and pine needles after last night’s rain. I’d seen photos before but nothing prepares you for those colors—reds and yellows popping through the mist. Sofia pointed out some tiles that were older than any building back home. I tried to pronounce “azulejo” right; she grinned but didn’t correct me.

Sintra village was busy but not in an annoying way—more like everyone wandering around in slow motion, probably as distracted by the pastry smells as I was (I caved and bought a travesseiro). We had enough free time to get lost down side streets lined with blue hydrangeas and tiny bakeries. Lunch wasn’t included but I ended up sharing a table with an older couple from Porto who insisted I try their bacalhau. Afterward, we drove out to Cabo da Roca—the wind there is something else, almost salty and sharp on your cheeks. It’s weird how quiet it feels standing above those cliffs even when there are other people around.

I didn’t expect to care much about the wine tasting part of this Sintra day trip from Lisbon, but it turned out to be my favorite bit. The cellar was cool and smelled like old wood and stone dust; our host Ana poured three local wines while telling stories about her grandfather’s vineyard. I’m not sure I understood every detail about vinification (she lost me at “malolactic fermentation”), but sipping those reds while looking out at rows of vines felt… grounding? Maybe that’s too dramatic. Anyway, Ana laughed when someone asked if she ever gets tired of explaining tannins.

Cascais was our last stop—a quick stroll by the marina where locals were eating ice cream straight from the tub (respect). My shoes were dusty by then but nobody cared; we just watched the light change over the water for a bit before heading back to Lisbon. I still think about that view from Cabo da Roca sometimes when things get loud at home—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sintra sightseeing and wine tasting

• Depart from Lisbon to Pena Palace
• Explore Pena Palace gardens and exterior
• Discover Sintra village streets and atmosphere
• Visit Cabo da Roca cliffs and Atlantic views
• Tour wine cellar and learn production
• Taste three regional wines with experts
• Stroll and relax in Cascais seaside town
• Return to Lisbon

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Sintra day trip?

No, pickup is from a central meeting point in Lisbon—check your booking confirmation for details.

How long does the tour last?

The tour duration is approximate and depends on traffic or schedules—it usually lasts most of the day.

Are entrance fees to Pena Palace included?

Skip-the-line entry for Pena Palace gardens and exterior is included in your tour price.

Is lunch provided during this tour?

No, lunch isn’t included—but you’ll have free time in Sintra village to eat where you like.

How many people are on this small-group tour?

The group size is limited to 8 people per minivan for a more personal experience.

What happens if there’s bad weather or wildfires?

If wildfires or strikes affect Pena Palace access, visits will be replaced with another local site like Queluz or Regaleira Estate.

Is this Sintra wine tour suitable for children?

Specialized infant seats are available; however, wine tasting is only for adults of legal drinking age.

Do we visit inside Pena Palace or just gardens?

This tour includes skip-the-line access to Pena Palace gardens and exterior only—not interior rooms.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable round-trip transport in an air-conditioned minivan from Lisbon, skip-the-line entry to Pena Palace gardens and exterior, guided wine tasting of three regional wines with explanations by a sommelier or enologist, plus free time to explore both Sintra village and Cascais at your own pace before returning in the evening.