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One day in Sintra: Visiting Quinta da Regaleira and Pena Palace
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Joanna Horanin
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Last updated at 11/11/2025, 11:30
Hi, I'm Joanna, the author of The Blond Travels. In the worlds of Thailand and Portugal, I feel like a fish in water - and it's no coincidence! I've been exploring Thailand for over a decade, and I've settled in Portugal for 6 years now. My mission is to support Dreamers - just like you - in discovering these fascinating countries and helping those in love with them find their own place on Earth, preferably for good! Let's uncover these unique corners of the world together.
After months of Lisbon locals telling me ‘You MUST see Sintra,’ I finally understand the hype. One July morning, I stepped off the train into what felt like a real-life fairy tale. The weather was rainy and cold, but it didn’t matter too much. First, I wandered among the little cobbled streets, admiring the architecture and then, I visited two most famous places – Quinta da Regaleira and Pena Palace. The stunning architecture and the history behind these attractions made me understand that Sintra is the must-see place around Lisbon.
There are plenty of things you can do in one day in Sintra, but because they are quite far away from each other, you should just focus on maximum 2 main attractions if you have limited time. It will be enough and I’m sure you will be blown away by both of them. During my visit, I walked to Quinta de Regaleira and Pena Palace and it was a great day, full of adventures!
Quinta de Regaleira and Pena Palace are the most important attractions in Sintra and at least one should be explored. Before I headed there I knew that I wanted to see Pena Palace. I chose Quinta because it was close to the station and on the way. I’m so glad that I went there because that was actually my highlight. I liked Pena Palace less, but as it’s one of the most popular attractions in Portugal, I recommend visiting it, too.
Both attractions can be explored independently. You just pay the entrance fee and you are free to roam as much as you want. I enjoyed it, especially that I love nature and I spent more time in the gardens. However, I was very curious about the history of both places and had to google it every time I wanted to find out something new. I also have missed some of the highlights as I completely forgot to check them out when I was there, or I just didn’t know about them. For example, I didn’t realize Quinta da Regaleira has two wells and not only one.
If you are also someone who likes to ask questions or just wants to have a professional with you, who will direct you to the right places, then I recommend hiring a guide. For Lisbon and other European countries, I use GetYourGuide, who connect independent guides and tourists and create really amazing experiences.
One day in Sintra – Visiting Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira is a huge mansion near the center of the town. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s one of the main attractions in the area. The queues here are long, but the gardens surrounding the building are quite large and after you cross the gates it won’t be as crowded anymore.
The place has a long history and was owned by many people over the years. In 1892 it was sold to Carvalho Monteiro, whose dream was to build an amazing, mysterious place. With a help of an Italian architect, he created something truly remarkable. Thanks to him, the estate now consists of enigmatic buildings, grottoes, caves, hidden waterfalls, and a famous well, where everyone takes pictures. I don’t know how much time I spent there, but I really didn’t want to leave. Every time I turned somewhere I discovered something new.
The mansion itself is surprisingly small inside. Although, it was being renovated during my visit and maybe some of the rooms were closed to visitors. I quickly strolled through the chambers and went outside feeling quite disappointed. I think you need to have a guide, who will tell you something interesting about the place to actually find the inside of the house interesting.
Just next to the mansion there is a small chapel, which is richly decorated frescoes and stained glass windows. Its architecture is very impressive from the outside as well as from the inside.
I don’t think you need a map to visit Quinta da Regaleira. I definitely had a lot of fun just strolling around and discovering hidden corners.
The mansion is located 10 minutes from the train station and you can easily get there on foot. It is not advisable to drive there as the roads are very narrow and there is only a tiny car park nearby, which is often full. If you have your own two wheels, leave the car in the center and then walk. See the map here.
Quinta da Regaleira is open from 9:30 am until 5 pm.
You can visit Quinta da Regaleira on your own – ticket costs 8 Euros for an adult. If you want to visit with a guide, it will cost you 12 Euros per person. I usually book my tickets with GetYourGuides. It saves me time and in the Summer is a great option, when it’s really crowded everywhere in Portugal.
There is a coffee shop on the grounds of the gardens, where you can buy a snack and drinks. There are toilets available for free as well.
Visiting Quinta took me about 2.5-3 hours. It can take even more, if you are not tired with hidden corners.
Pena Palace – The famous fairytale castle
Pena Palace is a definite must when you’re spending one day in Sintra. It is the national monument of Portugal and one of the most prominent places in the country. On a sunny day, the yellow building can be even seen from Lisbon and other nearby towns. The Palace is also on the UNESCO Heritage Site and is considered as one of the Wonders of Portugal.
The building has a very long history, which started in the Middle Ages when a small chapel was built on the top of the hill. For centuries it was a quiet place, dedicated to prayer and meditation until the 15th century when it was transformed into a summer residence by Ferdinand II. In the 20th century, it was taken over by the government and turned into a museum. It quickly became one of the most famous places in Portugal. Nowadays it is visited by thousands of people every year.
I decided to walk from Quinta da Regaleira to Pena Palace. It didn’t seem far away, but I quickly found out that it’s a bit of a trek. However, since I’m trying to be fit, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get some exercise.
The route first led through a small park that quickly turned into a forest. The path was going up and up and at one point I thought I would never reach the summit. Just before the Palace, there was a nice viewpoint overlooking the Moor Castle, which made me think that the climb was worth the effort.
When I finally reached the palace, I was slightly disappointed. It was so crowded! There were people everywhere and it seemed that the place was struggling to take everyone in. There was not that much space to walk around. I loved the terraces at the back of the building though. The sweeping views over the nearby area rewarded me for all the previous disappointment I felt.
I took a couple of photos, wandered around the palace for a little bit and then quickly made my way to the surrounding gardens. It seemed that not many people get an idea to see them. In some places, I was completely alone. It was a lovely walk and I even got to pet some horses!
You can walk from Quinta da Regaleira to Pena Palace. The trek should take you a little over an hour. Yes, it’s a bit of a way, but the route is really lovely. Bear in mind that you need to be quite fit to do it. See the map here.
Again, driving a car there is not a very good idea. The roads are narrow and can be tricky to navigate on a busy day. After visiting Quinta da Regaleira, just make your way straight to the Palace.
Another option is the bus 434, which goes through the Pena Palace and stops at the Moor Castle as well, so you can also see it on your way up.
Pena Palace is open from 9 am in the Summer months and from 10 am in the Winter. It’s best to arrive as early as possible to avoid crowds. In the high season, avoid sightseeing around 11-12 and 3-4, when it’s very busy.
The entrance fee is 14 Euros for an adult. You can also purchase a cheaper ticket for 7.50 Euros that allows you to enter the park and terraces. The latter is a better option for people, who are not interested in history and would rather spend the day in nature.
During my visit, I didn’t see any shops nearby, but I’m sure there must be one that sells drinks. Just in case, if you are going there in the Summer, make sure you have a bottle of water with you. There are free toilets at the site.
Other useful information
You might spend only one day in Sintra, but I think it’s good to choose the time when it’s warm enough to do a long walk and when the risk of a rainfall is slightly lower, and at the same time there are not that many people around. I would recommend going in May and September and October. The peak hours for visitors are between 11 and 14 and then after 15:00. Sintra is a very popular place in Portugal and it gets crowded here, so plan beforehand.
Spending one day in Sintra will make you hungry and thirsty, so below you will find some great recommendations for places to eat and drink. And if you want to stay there a bit longer, I also have a list for you of accommodation for every budget.
Getting to Sintra from Lisbon is quite easy and straightforward. There are a couple of ways you can get there.
You can get to Sintra by train from Rossio, which is right in the center of Lisbon. I lived in Benfica at the time of my trip there and I took a train from Sete Rios. Another station that operates trains to Sintra is Oriente. The trip takes around 40 minutes up to an hour. Tickets cost 2.25 Euros per person. You can buy them online or at the station.
I think driving in Portugal is quite pleasant. Personally, I haven’t driven to Sintra, but I drove to other places and I really liked it.
You can rent a car at the airport. Just remember to book ahead as the prices are lower the earlier you book. I can recommend Discover Cars as a search engine for the best deals. Book early – I’ve seen prices jump from €4 to €40/day in peak season. Bear in mind that it’s best to drive to Sintra and leave your car in the town. Later on the roads are very narrow and there are no parking spaces.
Explore your next holiday destination at your own pace with a rental car. Hit the open road and discover hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Rent a car with Discover Cars at the best market rates!
Sintra is famous for its pastries – travesseiros – which are made in a small bakery called Piriquita. The recipe is a secret and only here you can buy the originals. They are best eaten warm with a cup of strong coffee.
Another place to eat at in Sintra is Queijadas de Sapa, where you can buy quijadas – small muffins that are prepared using cheese, eggs, milk, and sugar. They are also mainly produced here.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Sintra. The easiest choice is the restaurants in the center of town. Of course, the prices are a little higher, but most places serve fresh, good food. For lunch, we went to Tasca do Xico, where I had my first octopus! I really loved it and since then I have been eating it every time I have a chance.
Here are some places I chose for every budget.
- Portuguese Hostel: The cheapest option in town. Offers private rooms with shared bathrooms. It’s in a great location, in the center of the town.
- Chalet Saudade: Homey and nicely designed. A great location and the low price makes it a really good deal.
- Sintra Central Flat: This apartment looks so cozy and inviting that I really had to include it here. The price is reasonable and the location is great!
- Vila Lunae: Want a room with a view? You don’t need to look far. These apartments are spacious and very comfortable. They all come with small balconies and kitchenettes.
- Vila Gale Sintra: An upscale hotel, where you can feel like a king or a queen. Rooms and suites here come from kitchenettes. There is a breakfast included and after a whole day of sightseeing, you can relax in a spa.
If I stayed in Sintra overnight, I’d choose Chalet Saudade – I just love this very Portuguese design. The place has a swimming pool, which would be a perfect addition during a Summer stay.
I was really positively surprised with what Sintra had to offer. I couldn’t believe that I only saw two places and I was already convinced that it was worth the trip. Since then I have visited the town many times and I have seen many more amazing spots. During your trip to Portugal, don’t miss the town and both the Quinta de Regaleira nor the Pena Palace. You will not be disappointed!