Sintra, Palaces & Sea

The colourful palace, the initiation well and the village hanging over the sea.

A full day in Sintra and on the coast nearby: in the morning, Pena Palace and the mysterious gardens of Regaleira; in the afternoon, the white village of Azenhas do Mar and Cabo da Roca. Your driver drops you at each door and waits, and entry fees are paid separately. For a first visit to Lisbon.

The day, stop by stop

1. 

   1

   Palácio da Pena

   High in the Sintra hills, Pena Palace is the romantic dream of King Ferdinand II: yellow and red towers, Moorish arches and terraces above the forest, built partly on an old monastery. Inside, the rooms show how the royal family lived. Around it lies a vast park of lakes and paths. Tickets are paid separately and are best bought in advance. Your driver drops you at the entrance; wear comfortable shoes, as the walk up to the palace is steep.

2. 

   2

   Quinta da Regaleira

   Quinta da Regaleira was conceived in the early twentieth century by António Carvalho Monteiro and the Italian architect and stage designer Luigi Manini as a garden full of symbols. There are grottoes, ponds, towers and tunnels, and the famous initiation well, a spiral staircase about 27 metres deep that winds down through nine landings, a nod to Dante's Inferno. Entry is paid separately. Wear shoes with a good grip and arrive early, before a queue forms for the well.

3. 

   3

   Azenhas do Mar

   Azenhas do Mar is a small village of white houses clinging to the cliff north of Sintra, with a natural rock pool below that fills with the sea. The best photograph is taken from the viewpoint by the road. You can walk down the steps to the pool and, when the sea is calm, take a dip. There are fish and seafood restaurants with a view, paid separately. Come late in the afternoon, when the sun falls sideways across the houses.

4. 

   4

   Cabo da Roca

   Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Europe, a high cliff above the Atlantic with a lighthouse and a monument bearing Camões's line about the place where the land ends and the sea begins. There is little to do but look, and that is exactly the point: ocean as far as the eye can see and short paths through the low scrub. Stay behind the fences, as the cliff drop is high. It is lovely at sunset, but bring a jacket, as the wind is strong.

The essentials

Duration

6 h · Full day

Pick-up

At your hotel. The final price depends on where you are staying; we confirm it when you tell us.

Included

The car and the driver, only for your group, tolls and water.

Not included

Entrance tickets and meals.

Who it is for

First visit to Lisbon.

The route