Lisbon to Sintra, Pena Palace, Cascais & Cabo da Roca Day Trip

Summary

Sintra’s palaces, wild coastlines and old-world towns in one day

You’ll wander Sintra’s fairy-tale lanes and explore Pena Palace with a local guide before feeling the wild Atlantic winds at Cabo da Roca and strolling through Cascais’ relaxed streets. Expect real moments: laughter over pastries in Sintra, sea spray on your face at Europe’s edge — little things that stick with you long after you’re back in Lisbon.

What’s the experience like?

So we almost missed our ride from Lisbon because I got distracted by a pastel de nata stand — not my proudest moment. Our guide Tiago just grinned and waved us over, no big deal. The van was cool (thank god, it was already warming up) and everyone settled in quietly at first, but by the time we wound up those green hills toward Sintra, people started chatting. There’s this moment when you first see Pena Palace through the trees — all those colors look like someone let a kid loose with paint. It’s kind of surreal. Tiago told us stories about the royals who built it, but honestly I was more focused on the weird mix of pine and salty air up there. My shoes squeaked on the palace tiles — embarrassing — but nobody seemed to notice.

I didn’t expect to like Sintra town as much as I did. It’s touristy but also not? There were old men playing cards outside a café and a woman selling these tiny almond pastries (I bought two). We wandered narrow streets while Tiago pointed out a blue-tiled fountain that locals still use for water. After that, we drove along winding roads toward Cabo da Roca — supposedly the westernmost point of Europe. The wind there is no joke; my hair basically became a bird’s nest. But standing on those cliffs with the Atlantic crashing below… well, you just kind of go quiet for a minute.

Cascais was our last stop before heading back to Lisbon. It felt softer somehow — golden light on whitewashed houses, kids kicking a ball near the beach. Some folks grabbed gelato; I just sat on a bench watching old fishermen untangle nets. The whole day trip from Lisbon to Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca and Cascais felt full but never rushed. On the drive back I kept thinking about that salty wind at Cabo da Roca and how small you feel looking out over all that water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Sintra and Lisbon Coastline

• Meet at Lanetours Meeting Point
• Visit Pena Palace and Park
• Drive through Pena road to Penedo village
• Enjoy views of Moorish Castle and Pena Palace
• Stop at Cabo da Roca viewpoint
• Explore Cascais fishing town
• Visit Estoril resort town
• Return to Lisbon

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Lisbon to Sintra take?

The full-day tour lasts around 8-9 hours including stops at Pena Palace, Sintra town, Cabo da Roca and Cascais.

Is hotel pickup included for this Sintra day trip?

The tour includes meeting at Lanetours Meeting Point in Lisbon; hotel pickup is not specified.

Are entry tickets to Pena Palace included?

Yes, entry to Pena Palace is included as part of your guided tour.

What languages does the guide speak?

The expert guide is multilingual; specific languages are available upon request or booking.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No set lunch is included; there’s free time in Sintra or Cascais where you can buy local food or snacks.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available and it suits all physical fitness levels.

Does the tour visit Cabo da Roca?

Yes, there is a stop at Cabo da Roca for views of Europe’s westernmost cliffs.

Can I use public transportation nearby after the tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available near both start and end points.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable transport from Lisbon with air conditioning, entry tickets for guided exploration inside Pena Palace, time to wander both Sintra historic center and Cascais seaside town with your expert guide sharing stories throughout — plus stops at dramatic Cabo da Roca cliffs before returning to Lisbon together in the evening.