Sintra: Pena Palace, Moorish Castle & Regaleira Private Day Tour

Palaces castles & secret gardens in sintra with a private guide

You’ll feel swept into Sintra’s mystery as you explore Pena Palace’s wild colors, climb misty castle walls, taste sweet travesseiros for lunch, and wander secret tunnels at Quinta da Regaleira — all with a local guide who lets you set your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sintra's main attractions

• Visit Pena Palace and hike trails
• Visit Castle of the Moors
• Have lunch in Sintra center
• Brief visit to Sintra National Palace
• Visit Quinta da Regaleira house and gardens

The Experience

“Don’t rush, just listen,” our guide João said as we stood outside the wild colors of Pena Palace. He was right — there’s this hush up there, even with other visitors around. The air felt cooler than Lisbon, kind of mossy-sweet. We wandered through rooms painted in impossible colors and I kept stopping to touch the stone walls (probably not supposed to, but they’re cold and rough). João pointed out tiles I’d have missed — apparently each pattern means something different. I tried to remember them all; failed completely.

Walking along the ramparts of the Moorish Castle was a bit like being inside a cloud. The fog rolled in so thick you could barely see Sintra below. My partner laughed at my hair sticking up from the damp, but honestly it felt good after climbing all those steps. Lunch was back in town — tiny café, strong coffee, and these flaky pastries called travesseiros. João taught us how to say it (“trah-veh-SAY-roosh” — I think?) and grinned when we butchered it anyway.

The afternoon at Quinta da Regaleira got weird in the best way. There are tunnels under the gardens that twist around like something from a fairy tale or maybe an old spy movie. We lost track of time wandering past statues and fountains covered in green lichen. At one point I just stopped talking because it was so quiet except for birds and our footsteps echoing underground. That feeling stuck with me — like Sintra is hiding stories everywhere if you slow down enough.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with WiFi and bottled water, hotel pickup and drop-off, entry tickets to Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira (if chosen), plus guided visits inside each monument at your own pace — so you never feel rushed between stops or stories.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Van Go Tourism

Traveler reviews

4.99★★★★★★★★★★

125 verified traveler reviews

5 ★124

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long does this Sintra private tour last?

This is a full-day tour covering major sights in Sintra including Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira.

Are entry tickets included for all attractions?

Yes, admission tickets for Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira are included if selected during booking.

Is hotel pickup provided from Lisbon or only Sintra?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off; check when booking if Lisbon hotels are covered.

Will we have time for lunch during the day trip?

Yes, there’s a lunch break in Sintra town center where you can try local pastries like travesseiros.

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

The itinerary is suitable for all fitness levels; infant seats are available on request.

Do we get a private guide inside each monument?

Your guide accompanies you inside all main monuments for private guided visits throughout the day.

How do we get around between sites in Sintra?

You travel by private vehicle with bottled water and WiFi on board; no crowded buses involved.