Sintra & Cascais tour from Lisbon: Pena Palace & coast in 6 hours

See Sintra's palace and the Atlantic coast without leaving the ship behind

A 6-hour small-group shore excursion from Lisbon cruise terminal takes you to Sintra's Pena Palace, through its park and gardens, into the UNESCO village, past Guincho Beach, and to the seaside town of Cascais, with a local guide and air-conditioned transport. Pickup and drop-off happen directly in front of the cruise terminal, so you move straight from the ship to the road.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Pena National Palace1h
2. Sintra1h
3. São Jorge Castle1h 30m

Explore Sintra and Cascais coastline

• Pickup at Lisbon cruise terminal
• Drive to Sintra hills
• Visit Pena Palace exterior and gardens
• Explore Sintra historic village
• Drive along coast past Guincho Beach
• Visit Cascais and free time for lunch
• Drive back to Lisbon cruise terminal

The experience

The tour starts with a one-hour drive from the cruise terminal toward Sintra's hills. Once there, you spend time exploring Pena Palace's exterior, gardens and terraces. The guide keeps you clear of the interior's pre-booked time slots and queues, so you move freely through the courtyards and walk the overlooks for views across the landscape. The palace sits on one of Portugal's Seven Wonders, and the park itself is what makes the stop worth the drive.

After the palace, you wander Sintra's cobblestone streets and craft shops: a UNESCO World Heritage site where the town's own atmosphere is the draw. The route then follows the coast, passing Guincho Beach with its golden dunes and powerful waves, before arriving in Cascais. This former fishing village turned royal retreat has elegant streets and a sun-drenched bay. You get free time here to explore on your own or grab lunch at a restaurant of your choice. The drive back to the cruise terminal takes the scenic route along the water.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian and travels with the group the whole way. The van is air-conditioned, and the itinerary is built around the ship's schedule. You leave and return directly in front of the terminal, so there's no extra transport to arrange or time lost in transfers.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to Pena Park.
• professional local guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian.
• pickup and drop-off in front of the cruise terminal.
• air-conditioned transport throughout the day.

Before you book

Lasts 6h, runs every day at 09:30, from € 98 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to12h before

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Tour Sweet Tours - Animacao Turistica Lda.

Is this one for you?Six hours is tight for Sintra and the coast, but the fixed route hits the essential sights and gets you back to the ship on time. If you want to linger in any one place or take a longer walk, a private tour gives you that flexibility. This one prioritizes seeing the palace, the village and the bay in a single port day.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

21 verified traveler reviews

5 ★20

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How much time do I actually spend at Pena Palace?

Pena Palace's exterior, gardens and terraces are the focus of the visit, letting you explore the courtyards and walk the overlooks without the wait for interior access. The guide structures the stop to maximize what you see in the time available.

What is Guincho Beach like, and do we stop there?

Guincho Beach is a wild, powerful shoreline with golden dunes and strong waves: a favorite for surfers. You pass it during the coastal drive and can see it from the road. The stop itself is in Cascais, the next town along the coast.

Will I have time for lunch in Cascais?

Yes, you have free time in Cascais to explore the town and eat at a restaurant of your choice. Lunch is at your own expense, so you pick where and what you want.

Does the tour go inside Sintra's historic village, or just drive past?

You walk through Sintra's cobblestone streets, browse the local craft shops and spend time in the village itself. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the guide takes you into the town to soak in its atmosphere.

What happens if the ship leaves before I get back?

The tour is timed to the ship's schedule and returns you directly in front of the cruise terminal. Pickup and drop-off both happen at the terminal entrance, so the timing is built around your port day.