Sintra & Cascais: Private wine tour with tastings

Summary

A day of wine, sea air & small surprises near Lisbon

You’ll wander Sintra’s winding streets, taste local wines revived by passionate families, and stand at Cabo da Roca with Atlantic winds in your hair. With a local guide handling every detail — from hotel pickup to stories behind each glass — you’ll experience Portugal’s coast and countryside in ways you’ll remember long after the last sip.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I booked this Sintra private wine tour mostly because I was curious about Portuguese reds — but the day turned out to be a lot more than just sipping. Our guide João picked us up right at our hotel in Lisbon (he had that calm way about him, like he’s seen every kind of weather). The drive out felt quick; suddenly we were winding through Sintra’s old streets, all mossy stone and pastel houses. There was this faint smell of baking bread near the main square — I kept thinking about it even as we wandered past the National Palace and those fountains that seem to bubble up out of nowhere.

The first winery stop surprised me. It’s run by a family who brought their vineyards back after a hundred years — João explained how they worked with French experts to revive the soil. The tasting room was cool and smelled faintly of oak barrels; I tried to swirl my glass like I knew what I was doing (spoiler: didn’t work). The white was crisp, almost salty? Maybe it was just the Atlantic air sneaking in through the windows. We chatted with one of the owners for a bit — she laughed when I tried to pronounce “Ramisco.” Still can’t say it right.

Colares itself is wild — sand everywhere, vines growing low to dodge the wind. The cooperative winery there looks like something out of another century, all huge wooden vats and echoes. João told us how these wines age forever in those barrels; you could almost taste the history (or maybe that was just me being dramatic). Afterward we drove along the coast to Azenhas do Mar — that village clinging to cliffs above foamy waves — and then Praia da Maçãs where kids were running barefoot across cold sand. Cabo da Roca came next: standing at Europe’s edge with wind whipping so hard you have to laugh or you’ll lose your hat. We finished in Cascais, where old fishermen still mend nets by hand near fancy boutiques. It’s funny how places can feel both grand and ordinary at once.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sintra and Wine Tastings

• Visit Sintra town and National Palace
• Tour traditional Sintra village winery
• Visit Colares cooperative winery
• Explore Azenhas do Mar coastal village
• Relax at Praia da Maçãs beach
• See Cabo da Roca, westernmost point
• Drive past famous dune beach
• Visit charming town of Cascais

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Sintra private wine tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Lisbon are included.

Are wine tastings part of the day trip from Lisbon?

Yes, tastings at traditional wineries in Sintra and Colares are included.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, vehicles and all areas visited are wheelchair accessible.

How long does it take to reach Sintra from Lisbon?

The drive from Lisbon to Sintra typically takes around 30–40 minutes.

Are children allowed on this private wine experience?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by two paying adults; minimum drinking age is 18.

What other stops are included besides wineries?

The tour visits Azenhas do Mar, Praia da Maçãs beach, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is specified as included; only wine tastings are mentioned.

Do guides speak English on this tour?

Yes, your driver/guide speaks English and provides local insights throughout the day.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Lisbon, a private driver-guide who shares stories along the way, guided visits to historic wineries with tastings of both red and white wines (including Colares), plus stops at coastal villages like Azenhas do Mar and Cascais before returning in the evening.