From happy customers

Loved by 44 million+
Maria Van Elderen
US

Maria

United States
Sep 2025
5/5

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+2 more

The excursion from Lisbon to Sintra and Cascais was the best day of our vacation in Portugal! Our tour guide Catarina Palma knows so much about the history of Portugal and she had great recommendations for restaurants in Sintra and Cascais. She was also funny and made our day extra special! Sintra and Cascais are both gorgeous. Not to be missed when you go to Lisbon.
Richard Ludlow

Richard

May 2025
4/5

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The tour came as advertised. It was well organized, people assembled at the location and were divided into groups by language. The tour guide gave out information at both sites ( could have added more while we were driving to the site). We had 90 minutes on our own at lunch time, which was good.
David Governatori

David

Apr 2022
4/5
Ottima acquisto, con orari molto compressi si riesce a gustare l'essenza sia di Sintra che di Cabo da Roca e Cascais. Accompagnatrice molto gentile e professionale.
Marie-Josee Cardinal
CA

Marie-josee

Canada
Nov 2023
5/5
Rui was very friendly, genuine, knowledgeable and provided lots of interesting information throughout the day. We really enjoyed our experience!
Lynda Ritz
CA

Lynda

Canada
Oct 2023
4/5
The tour was well hosted...the crowds and choas at Pena Palace was as expected. The ticket taking on arrival could be better organised and communicated on site. There were a lot of groups all checking in at the same time and it wasn't clear on where to line up for each particular group.
Maria Gondra Lopez

Maria

Jul 2022
4/5
La visita al Palacio da pena fue bonita pero había mucha gente y se formaban muchas colas para visitarlo. El tiempo que estuvimos en Cascais fue muy breve.
Radu Hrincescu

Radu

Nov 2022
5/5
The tour guide was very knowledgeable and took care if all the tour details. It was a stress free experience, professionally driven and very enjoyable, I highly recommend.
Dodion Isabelle

Dodion

Mar 2022
5/5
Tout parfait : véhicule super confortable, guide et chauffeur super sympas et visite guidée du palais super intéressante. Repas simple et délicieux. A recommander.


What to expect on a Lisbon to Quinta da Regaleria day-trip?

Tourist with guide in front of Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal.
Passengers seated inside an AC bus on a one-day guided tour.
Sintra city square with a fountain, colorful buildings, and tourists exploring the area.
Tourists exploring colorful towers of Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal.
Queijadas de Sintra, sweet cheese tarts with cinnamon, on a wooden tray.
Quinta da Regaleira palace and gardens in Sintra, Portugal, showcasing Gothic architecture.
Cabo da Roca lighthouse on a cliff with ocean view and green landscape.
Seixas Palace in Cascais with boats on the water in the foreground.
View of Sintra town square through an archway, featuring colorful buildings and a fountain.
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Overview

  • Distance from Lisbon to Sintra: 30 km
  • Travel time: 40–50 minutes by coach
  • Trip duration: 8–9.5 hours (depending on itinerary)
  • Start/finish: Central Lisbon (details will be shared post booking)

Setting off from Lisbon

Your day begins in Lisbon’s center, where the guide gathers the group and you board a comfortable coach. As the city fades behind, the skyline gives way to rolling hills, mist-tipped forests, and glimpses of palaces that feel almost unreal. The guide’s anecdotes make the short ride fly by.

Arrival in Sintra

Narrow lanes curve around pastel-colored mansions, while dense forests hide estates that once hosted poets, monarchs, and secret societies. You’ll quickly understand why UNESCO made the entire town a World Heritage site.

Pena Palace & Gardens (if included)

No picture prepares you for Pena Palace. Perched above the clouds, it’s a bold patchwork of colors and styles—romantic, gothic, and even a little eccentric. Inside, royal salons showcase life frozen in the 19th century. Outside, the vast gardens sprawl into lakes, pavilions, and hidden trails where you can easily lose track of time.

Free time in Sintra

Free time means one essential mission: pastries. Sintra has two icons like Travesseiros (flaky puff filled with almond cream) and Queijadas (small, sweet cheese tarts). Most travelers choose one. Smarter travelers order both.

Quinta da Regaleira (if included)

This is where Sintra goes from royal to surreal. Quinta da Regaleira is less a palace and more a coded dreamscape. Wander its leafy grounds past gothic towers, grottos, and fountains. Descend the spiraling Initiation Well, surface in a network of underground tunnels, and find symbols of alchemy and Freemasonry scattered throughout. Every corner feels like it hides a riddle.

Cabo da Roca

The edge of Europe. The Atlantic roars below as winds whip across the headland. It’s dramatic, wild, and unforgettable, especially knowing you’re standing at the continent’s westernmost point.

Cascais

After Sintra’s mystery and Cabo’s drama, Cascais feels like a deep breath. The resort town blends elegance with seaside charm. Stroll its marina, wander palm-lined promenades, or grab gelato while watching surfers carve mellow waves.

Return to Lisbon

Between the palaces, pastries, tunnels, cliffs, and coastal towns, this isn’t just a day trip, it’s five different experiences packed into one. Expect tired legs, a full camera roll, and the kind of satisfied exhaustion only the best travel days bring.

How to get to Quinta da Regaleria from Lisbon

Sintra town square with colorful buildings and Moorish Castle on the hill.

DIY day-trips

Best for: curious travelers who enjoy the thrill of crafting their own adventure

Getting there:

  • Catch the train from Lisbon Rossio Station (about 40 minutes) to Sintra. From the station, it’s a 15–20 minute walk to Quinta da Regaleira. 
  • Prefer to save energy? Hop on a tuk-tuk, local bus, or quick taxi/Uber. 
  • Driving is possible in 40–45 minutes, but parking near the old town is a headache few want to deal with.

Navigation and access: You’ll juggle trains, tickets, and the occasional queue on your own. Booking Quinta da Regaleira entry online is essential, especially in high season. Arrive early, before 9am if possible, to explore the gardens before they get crowded.

Tour experience: Total freedom. Stay as long as you like in the Initiation Well, trace hidden tunnels at your own pace, or detour for a pastry break whenever temptation strikes.

Bus driver welcoming passenger onto tour bus.

Curated day-trips

Best for: travelers who want the day to flow smoothly, with transport, tickets, and insider stories taken care of

Getting there:

  • Relax in an air-conditioned coach or bus from central Lisbon (40–50 minutes).
  • Most tours combine Quinta da Regaleira withPena Palace, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais, packing variety into a single day.

Navigation and access: No stress about queues, transport, or timing. Entry is pre-booked, itineraries are fine-tuned, and guides handle the details so you don’t have to.

Tour experience: A guide adds depth you’d miss alone, pointing out the symbolic carvings and explaining the legends behind the Initiation Well. Add in smooth transfers between stops, and your day feels more like an unfolding story than a checklist of sights.

Know everything about day trips from Lisbon

Things to know before booking your Quinta da Regaleria day tour

  • Entry is limited and timed. Quinta da Regaleira has a daily cap on visitors, and walk-up availability is unpredictable. Tours that bundle pre-booked tickets save you from long waits at the entrance.
  • Tickets aren’t always included. Some day trips only stop for photo ops outside the gates. Look for the “with entry” option if you actually want to explore the wells, tunnels, and gardens.
  • Expect uneven terrain. The estate’s magic lies in its tunnels, spiral wells, and wooded paths, none of which are wheelchair-friendly. 
  • Book early in high season. Spring through early autumn is especially busy. For guaranteed entry, secure your spot 2–3 weeks in advance; last-minute bookings often mean no access inside.

Your Lisbon to Quinta da Regaleira tours explained

Experience nameDurationReturn transferMode of transferFood & drinksUpgradesRecommended ticket

From Lisbon: Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca & Cascais Full-Day Trip

8 to 9.5 hours

Yes

Air-conditioned coach

No (free time for lunch in Sintra)

Pena Palace & Gardens and Quinta de Regaleria entry tickets (Cabo da Roca and Cascais guided tour included)

Book now

From Lisbon: Sintra, Pena Palace & Quinta da Regaleira Full-Day Trip

8 hours

Yes

Air-conditioned coach

No (free time for lunch in Sintra)

Pena Palace & Quinta da Regaleira tickets

Book now

Must-see things in Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira's Initiation Well with spiral staircase in Sintra, Portugal.

The Initiation Well

As you descend the spiral staircase, the stone walls twist around you, leading into shadowy tunnels once tied to secret rituals and mysticism.

Underground tunnel with stone walls at Quinta da Regaleira, Lisbon.
Quinta da Regaleira palace facade with ornate Gothic architecture in Sintra, Portugal.
Stepping stones over green water at Waterfall Lake, Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal.
Tower surrounded by greenery in the garden of Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal.

Add-ons & nearby stops

Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal, with colorful towers and lush surroundings.

Pena Palace & Park

A 19th-century Romantic masterpiece perched above Sintra. The palace fuses Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish styles into something deliberately eclectic, while the vast park was landscaped to feel like a wandering journey through exotic species and hidden viewpoints.

Don’t miss: The Queen’s Terrace for the clearest views over Sintra, and the Valley of the Lakes in the park for a quieter escape.

10 minutes from Quinta da Regaleira

More about Pena Palace day trips
Cape Roca lighthouse on cliff edge overlooking Atlantic Ocean, Cabo da Roca, Portugal.

Cabo da Roca

Continental Europe’s westernmost point. A rugged headland where cliffs drop sharply into the Atlantic. The appeal here is less about monuments and more about scale: ocean, sky, and wind colliding in one dramatic panorama.

Don’t miss: The viewpoint marker isn’t just a photo stop; look south for endless coastline and north for jagged cliffs that change color with the light.

25 minutes from Sintra

More about Cabo da Roca day trips
Panoramic view of Guincho Beach in Cascais with waves and rocky coastline.

Cascais

A former fishing village turned cosmopolitan resort. Today, it blends working-harbor grit with polished marinas, sandy beaches, and tiled streets lined with seafood restaurants and boutiques.

Don’t miss: The seafront walk between Cascais and Estoril for its coastal views, and Boca do Inferno, a natural cliff arch that booms when waves crash through.

30 minutes from Cabo da Roca

More about Cascais day trips

Visitor tips for Lisbon to Quinta da Regaleira day trip

  • Start with Quinta if possible. If your itinerary allows, head there before Pena Palace crowds arrive. The gardens feel entirely different when they’re quiet.
  • Expect walking, lots of it. Reaching Regaleira from Sintra’s center means uphill lanes; inside the estate, paths, wells, and tunnels involve steps and uneven ground. 
  • Bring a light layer. The estate’s gardens are shaded and damp, even on warm days. Tunnels and wells can be noticeably cooler than the rest of Sintra.
  • Allocate at least 1.5–2 hours. Regaleira is compact compared to Pena’s vast park, but its layered details, tunnels, and viewpoints deserve time to explore properly.
  • Pairing matters. If you’re booking a combo day trip, confirm whether Quinta is paired with Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, or Cascais so you know how much actual time you’ll get inside the estate.
  • Cash helps in Sintra. Many cafés and tuk-tuks still prefer cash for quick stops on your free time breaks.

Frequently asked questions about Quinta da Regaleria to Lisbon day trips

How far is Quinta da Regaleira from Lisbon?

About 30 km. By coach or train, expect 40–50 minutes to Sintra, plus 10–15 minutes to reach the estate.

Do tours from Lisbon include Quinta da Regaleira tickets?

Not always. Some tours stop outside only. Look for the “with entry” option to guarantee full access to the palace and gardens.

How long do tours spend at Quinta da Regaleira?

Most itineraries allow 1.5–2 hours, enough to see the palace, Initiation Well, tunnels, and main gardens without feeling rushed.

Can I visit both Quinta da Regaleira and Pena Palace in one day?

Yes, many tours combine both palaces. Expect less time at each site, but it’s doable with a well-planned guided tour.

Is Quinta da Regaleira wheelchair accessible?

No. The estate has steep paths, uneven cobblestones, steps, and underground tunnels. It’s not suitable for wheelchairs or visitors with limited mobility.

What’s the best season to visit Quinta da Regaleira?

Spring and early autumn. The gardens are lush, the weather mild, and crowds slightly lighter than peak summer.

Do guided tours explain the symbolism of Quinta da Regaleira?

Yes. Guides often highlight the esoteric symbols, Masonic references, and hidden meanings that most visitors miss when exploring alone.

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