Sintra: Regaleira Palace tour with wine tasting & pickup

Summary

Wander Sintra’s palaces, taste local wines, and find Europe’s edge

You’ll wander Sintra’s winding streets with a local guide, explore mysterious tunnels at Regaleira Palace (ticket included), sip regional wines in a quiet cellar, and stand at Europe’s western edge with salty wind on your face — moments you’ll remember long after you’ve left Portugal behind.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air in Sintra to smell so green — like moss after rain, even though it was barely 10am when we rolled in from Lisbon. Our guide, Joana, pointed out the pastel houses tucked into the hills and told us how Lord Byron called this place “glorious Eden.” I’d read that somewhere, but it hits different when you’re actually winding through those narrow streets and hearing church bells echo off the stone. We stopped for coffee in a tiny square where an old man nodded at us and muttered something about the weather (I think — my Portuguese is hopeless). The pastry was warm and flaky; I still think about that first bite.

Quinta da Regaleira was next. I’d seen photos of the palace but nothing prepares you for standing under those twisted towers with gargoyles staring down. Joana handed us our tickets and just said, “Take your time — there are secrets everywhere.” She wasn’t kidding. We got lost in tunnels under the gardens (I banged my head on a low arch; my partner laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone). There’s something odd about the way light filters through those trees — almost silver, not quite real. The main keyword here is definitely “Sintra tour,” but honestly it felt more like wandering through someone’s dream than anything else.

After all that climbing we needed a break, so Joana drove us out past vineyards for a private wine tasting. The winemaker poured us three glasses — white, red, then something sweet I can’t pronounce (Joana tried to teach me; I failed). The cellar smelled like earth and old wood. We learned a bit about regional grapes while nibbling cheese and bread. It wasn’t fancy or staged — just good conversation and laughter echoing off stone walls.

The Moorish Castle sits high above everything; you can see all of Sintra from up there if you squint past the wind. My hair was everywhere but I didn’t care. Later we stood at Cabo da Roca watching waves crash against cliffs at what Joana called “the end of Europe.” It’s dramatic but also kind of peaceful — gulls circling overhead, salt on your lips. On the drive back we passed surfers at Guincho Beach and stopped briefly in Cascais for gelato (Joana swears by pistachio). I’m still not sure if it was the sea air or just all those stories she told that made me feel lighter heading home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Sintra and Surroundings

• Visit historic town of Sintra
• Tour Quinta da Regaleira
• Wine tasting experience
• Climb Moorish Castle
• Visit Cabo da Roca
• Stop at Gincho’s dunes beach
• Explore Cascais town

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Sintra tour?

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

Do I need to buy tickets for Quinta da Regaleira?

No, entry tickets to Regaleira Palace are included in the tour price.

Is there a wine tasting on this day trip from Lisbon?

Yes, you’ll enjoy a private regional wine tasting as part of the experience.

How accessible is this Sintra tour for wheelchairs or strollers?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for strollers; vehicles are adapted accordingly.

What other places do we visit besides Sintra?

You’ll also visit Cabo da Roca, Guincho Beach dunes, Moorish Castle, and Cascais.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No full lunch is mentioned; however, wine tasting includes snacks like cheese and bread.

How long does it take to get from Lisbon to Sintra?

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

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Lisbon, private transport by air-conditioned minivan with a local driver-guide, bottled water throughout the trip, entry tickets to Quinta da Regaleira Palace, a regional wine tasting with snacks along the way, plus time exploring castles, beaches, gardens and historic towns before returning in comfort at sunset.