Sintra & Pena Palace Private Day Tour with Tickets & Pickup

Summary

Sintra palaces, Moorish ramparts and wild Atlantic coast in a day

You’ll wander Sintra’s fairytale palaces without waiting in line, climb windswept Moorish walls above deep green forests, taste warm pastries in cobbled streets, and stand at Europe’s edge where land meets wild Atlantic sea — all with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story.

What’s the experience like?

The morning didn’t exactly go as planned — I somehow left my phone charger at the hotel, so I was already a bit flustered when our guide João pulled up outside. He just grinned and waved me into the car like this happens every day (maybe it does). The drive from Lisbon to Sintra was quiet at first — mist hanging over the trees, João pointing out old tiled villas along the road. I remember rolling down the window for air and catching this sharp green smell from the woods. It felt different than home, somehow heavier.

Pena Palace is even stranger in person than in photos — all those colors stacked together on top of the hill. We skipped the ticket line (thank God) and wandered through rooms that looked like something out of a fairy tale but also kind of haunted. João told us stories about King Fernando II — apparently he was obsessed with collecting trees from all over the world for his park. You can tell; it’s like walking through five countries at once. At one point I touched the stone wall outside and it was still damp from last night’s rain.

The Castle of the Moors was windy — really windy — and I had to hold onto my hat while climbing those uneven steps. There’s this moment where you look out past the battlements and see both ocean and forest in one sweep. We laughed because João tried to teach us how to pronounce “Castelo dos Mouros” properly (I still can’t). Later, wandering Sintra village, we tried these little pastries called travesseiros. Flaky, sweet, gone in two bites. I probably should’ve bought more.

Cabo da Roca is dramatic in a way that sneaks up on you — just cliffs dropping straight into sea spray, nothing between you and America but water. The wind there smells salty and cold; people were taking photos but mostly just standing quietly looking west. On the drive back along Guincho beach towards Cascais, sunlight flashed off wet sand and João put on some old fado music. I didn’t expect to feel so calm by then; maybe it was just being tired or maybe something else. Anyway, that view stays with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Sintra and Coastal Highlights

• Visit Castle of the Moors
• Tour Pena National Palace and Park
• Explore historic village of Sintra
• Visit Cabo da Roca westernmost point
• Stop at Guincho beach
• Visit Bay of Cascais village

Top questions

How long does this Sintra & Pena Palace private tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours including all stops.

Are entrance tickets included for Pena Palace & Castle of the Moors?

Yes, entry fees for both Pena Palace Park and Castelo dos Mouros are included.

Is hotel pickup provided from Lisbon?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup is included in Lisbon or nearby areas.

Will we have free time to explore Sintra village?

Yes, there is free time in Sintra village to explore or try traditional sweets.

Does this tour visit Cabo da Roca?

Yes, you’ll stop at Cabo da Roca — Europe’s westernmost point.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No set lunch is included but you’ll have free time to eat in Sintra village.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English (and likely Portuguese); check when booking for other languages.

Are infant seats or strollers allowed?

Yes, infant seats are available and strollers/prams are allowed on this tour.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup in an air-conditioned car with WiFi onboard, bottled water throughout the journey, skip-the-line entry tickets for Pena Palace Park and Castle of the Moors, plus plenty of time to stroll Sintra’s historic center before heading out to Cabo da Roca and along Guincho beach towards Cascais before returning to your hotel by evening.