Sintra: Private Tour with All Tickets & Lisbon Pickup

Summary

Palaces in the clouds moorish walls travesseiros & secret gardens sintra’s heart

You’ll walk through Sintra’s palaces with a local guide who actually knows every shortcut (and story), skip ticket lines at Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, taste warm travesseiros in town, and wander misty castle walls above the forest. This day trip from Lisbon isn’t rushed — it’s more like slipping into another world for a while.

What’s the experience like?

Pena Palace looked almost unreal when we first caught sight of it — those colors against the green hills, like something out of an old storybook but louder. Our guide João was already grinning as we pulled up (he said he never gets tired of that view), and somehow even the air felt different up here, a little cooler and scented with pine and wet stone. He led us past a line of shivering tourists — I felt a bit guilty skipping ahead with our all-tickets-included deal, but not enough to give up my spot. Inside, the tiles were cold under my hand, and João kept pointing out little details: Moorish arches, faded murals. I tried to imagine living here. Couldn’t really.

We wandered up to the Castle of the Moors next — it’s just a short drive but feels like another world. The wind was sharp on the ramparts and you could see all of Sintra spread out below, tiny red roofs poking through mist. There was this moment when nobody said anything for a while; just the sound of our shoes on gravel and some birds somewhere in the trees. I didn’t expect to feel so small in such a good way.

Lunch in Sintra town was simple: grilled sardines (João says they’re best here) and then travesseiros from Piriquita — these flaky almond pastries that left sugar dust on my fingers for hours after. The streets were busy but not rushed; old men playing cards outside cafés, kids darting between tables. I tried to order coffee in Portuguese and got corrected gently by the waitress, who smiled anyway.

Quinta da Regaleira came last — or maybe it just felt like a finale because everything there is so strange. Underground tunnels that echo when you laugh too loud (I did), mossy statues peeking from behind ferns, sunlight flickering through leaves onto black-and-white stone paths. João told us stories about secret societies but admitted he only half-believed them himself. By then my legs were tired but I kind of wanted to stay longer — there’s something about Sintra that lingers after you leave. Even now I catch myself thinking about those cool shadows under the trees.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private tour of Sintra's main sites

• Pick up from hotel in Lisbon or Sintra
• Visit Pena Palace and Park
• Explore Castle of the Moors
• Walk through Sintra city center
• Lunch and taste Travesseiros de Sintra
• Visit Quinta da Regaleira house and gardens
• Return to Lisbon, tour ends

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Sintra private tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels or accommodations in Lisbon, Sintra or Cascais.

Are all entrance tickets covered in this tour?

Yes, admission tickets for all listed monuments are included.

How long does the private day trip to Sintra take?

The tour covers a full day including travel time between Lisbon and Sintra.

Does this tour include lunch?

No set lunch is included, but there is free time to enjoy lunch in Sintra town.

Which attractions are visited during this private tour?

Pena Palace & Park, Castle of the Moors, central Sintra town with time for local sweets, Quinta da Regaleira.

Is this private tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams/strollers and infant seats are available.

Will we have a local guide during monument visits?

Yes, your professional guide provides private guided visits inside each monument.

Is WiFi available during transportation?

Yes, WiFi is provided onboard your private vehicle along with bottled water.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Lisbon (or nearby), all entry tickets for Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors and Quinta da Regaleira with guided visits inside each site, plus WiFi onboard your car and bottled water along the way before returning whenever you’re ready.