Sintra to Cascais

The hills in the morning and the coast in the afternoon, down to the town of fishermen and kings.

The hills in the morning and the sea in the afternoon: it starts at Pena Palace, continues to Cabo da Roca and follows the coast down to Boca do Inferno and Cascais, where you can have dinner by the bay. Entry fees and meals are paid separately. For anyone with just one day for Sintra and Cascais.

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

   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.

3. 

   3

   Boca do Inferno

   Boca do Inferno, the Mouth of Hell, is a sea cave with a collapsed roof a few minutes from the centre of Cascais, where the ocean surges in and crashes against the rocks. In 1930 the occultist Aleister Crowley staged his own suicide here with the help of the poet Fernando Pessoa, only to reappear in Berlin weeks later. It is seen from a fenced viewpoint. Come when the sea is rough to watch the water explode, and stay behind the railings, as the rocks are slippery.

4. 

   4

   Cascais

   Cascais was a fishing village until 1870, when King Luís began spending his summers here and the court followed. Today it combines the fishermen's beach, the Citadel, the pedestrian streets of the old centre and museums such as the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego. It is worth walking along the bayside promenade and stopping at a terrace café. Your driver drops you in the centre and collects you wherever you agree. Try grilled fish at one of the restaurants by the harbour, paid separately.

The essentials

Duration

5 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

Anyone with one day for Sintra and Cascais.

The route