An included 25 minute transfer will bring you from Lisbon to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra. Stroll around the historic centre, soaking up the atmosphere of this wonderfully vibrant, colourful town and perhaps visit the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, a Gothic palace featuring ornately painted ceilings. In the evening, sit back, relax and enjoy dinner in one of the many cosy restaurants serving delicious Portuguese specialities such as the tasty Bacelhau a bras cod dish.
Overnight Sintra
Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
A beautiful renovated building with elegant decor. Villa Bela Vista is located in the historic centre of Sintra, where rooms come with spectacular views of the National Palace and beyond.
Today is dedicated to discovering the extravagant palaces, manor houses and castle of Sintra. First stop is the amazing Castel dos Mouros (Moors Castle) which sits right on top of the hill and offers amazing views over Sintra. Continue on foot, following a peaceful wooded trail uphill to the Pena Palace, with its impressive multi-coloured turrets, dramatic architecture and exotic gardens. If you have time we also recommend visiting the Quinta Regaleira, a lavish mansion and former home to Portuguese nobility. With it’s enchanting, tropical gardens and lots of hidden caves, tunnels and wells, you can easily spend a couple of hours here.
Please note that entrance fees to the above are not included to keep your day flexible, and we recommend booking in advance to avoid the sometimes long entrance queues. The distance detailed is also only to entrance gates of the attractions - you will actually walk quite a bit further by the time you have walked around all of them!
Overnight Sintra
Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
A beautiful renovated building with elegant decor. Villa Bela Vista is located in the historic centre of Sintra, where rooms come with spectacular views of the National Palace and beyond.
A short transfer this morning will bring you to the fantastic Monserrate Palace, a Neo-Gothic mansion set within landscaped gardens. Take your time to explore the gardens which were built by a series of wealthy British merchants and artists. From here a beautiful coastal path will lead you towards Praia Grande, and its dramatic cliffs, passing Colares, a small town famous for its wine and pastry.
Overnight Praia Grande
Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
Located in a beautiful spot right by the sea, the Arribas Sintra is a bright, modern hotel. Enjoy their amazing saltwater swimming pool and enjoy an evening meal taking in the beautiful sea views.
Leaving Praia Grande behind, you will now emerge onto coastal paths and follow them over the impressive cliffs, where the ocean stretches as far as your eyes can see. Once again, you will find Adraga beach. Here you can see the Pedra de Alvidrar, also known as the “Rock of Reason”, a huge rock formation which drops almost vertically into the sea, and according to local tradition, was an initiation place for young men to prove how brave they were, by climbing up and down it, risking their lives.
Then, you will approach the Fojo (cave), with its viewing platform providing a perfect spot to stop and take it all in. Before reaching Azoia, you will visit Ulgueira, a beautiful village that has been able to maintain its rural environment and its great beauty. Take some time to explore its typical white bright streets from where the landscape astonishes, and also to know its proud Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church dated from the 16th century or the interesting Festeiros Fountain dated back from 1766.
Ascent/Descent: 490m/283m
Overnight Azóia
Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
This gorgeous hotel features an outdoor swimming pool with an architecture rich in wood and stone details, it is located within a forest area, which includes a vineyard. Each of the 7 rooms is named after a different wine grape.
Enjoy a beverage while looking out at the sea or their garden. The property has panoramic views over areas like Guincho Beach, Cascais and the Atlantic Ocean.
A loop walk today takes you into the heart of the Sintra forest and “Moon Hills” (so called because the ancient Celts worshipped their moon god here). At one of the highest points in the area you will find the hill-top Peninha Chapel with far-reaching views across the countryside. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Rock, it is said that in the past sailor’s wives would come here to keep watch for the return of loved ones.
Overnight Azóia
Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
This gorgeous hotel features an outdoor swimming pool with an architecture rich in wood and stone details, it is located within a forest area, which includes a vineyard. Each of the 7 rooms is named after a different wine grape.
Enjoy a beverage while looking out at the sea or their garden. The property has panoramic views over areas like Guincho Beach, Cascais and the Atlantic Ocean.
Leave Azoia and the “Serra da Sintra” this morning and return to the rugged coastline following winding paths on the GR11 to the 17th century fort “Fortaleza de Guincho” (now a hotel). From here, it is a very easy walk following a path between the road and the ocean passing lighthouses and interesting cliff formations to reach Cascais.
Overnight Cascais
Accommodations
A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.
The Hotel Baía Cascais is a family hotel located in the village of Cascais, with its feet by the sea. It has views over the beautiful Cascais Bay (in front) and the town center (in the back), with the Serra de Sintra as a backdrop. Enjoy evening meals in their beautiful restaurant serving up a varied menu of Portuguese cuisine, whilst enjoying sea views.
Check out after breakfast and make your way by train back to Lisbon for onward travel connections (40 min).