Trip guides / Sintra and Cascais
Sintra and Cascais travel guide
Fairytale palaces, misty hills and Atlantic beaches, a short train ride from Lisbon. 29 guides, written and checked by the team behind our Facebook groups.
Sintra is about 40 minutes from Lisbon by train, with a cluster of palaces and gardens in the hills above the old town: Pena, the Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, Monserrate and the National Palace. Cascais, on the coast, has beaches and a pretty old centre, and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, sits between the two.
Start with visiting Sintra and our Sintra palace tickets guide, then plan the day with Sintra in one day. Book palace tickets ahead in busy months and leave the car behind: the 434 bus, tuk-tuks and walking are easier. Every Sintra and Cascais guide we have written is below, grouped by topic.
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The Sintra and Cascais essentials
Visiting Sintra: 20 Essential Tips for 2026
Timed Pena tickets, the new traffic rules, the train and 434 bus, which palaces to pick and where to eat and stay, from people who live in Portugal.
Sintra Palace Tickets: Prices, Time Slots and How to Book
Sintra palace tickets: 2026 prices for Pena, Regaleira, the Moorish Castle, Monserrate and the National Palace, timed slots, combined tickets and booking.
Pena Palace: Tickets, Prices and Tips for Your Visit
How to visit Pena Palace in Sintra: timed tickets (about EUR 20, or EUR 12 for the park), bus 434, the best time to go and how long you need.
Sintra in One Day: The Perfect Plan from Lisbon
How to see Sintra in one day: the best order (Pena first), timed tickets, the 434 and 435 buses, the new traffic rules, and where to eat.
Lisbon to Sintra: Train, Bus, Uber and Getting Around (2026)
How to get from Lisbon to Sintra by train, Uber or tour, and around Sintra on the 434 and 435 buses, with 2026 fares and the new traffic rules.
Things to Do in Cascais
The best things to do in Cascais: town beaches, Boca do Inferno, the Cidadela, the promenade to Estoril, Guincho, Cabo da Roca and getting there from Lisbon.
Every guide
All our Sintra and Cascais guides
Sights and things to do
- The Capuchos Convent, SintraThe Capuchos Convent in the Sintra hills: a tiny cork-lined Franciscan friary in the forest, its history, tickets, how to get there and an hour-long visit.
- Estoril: Casino, Promenade and BeachesEstoril near Lisbon: the seafront promenade to Cascais, Tamariz beach and its seawater pool, the casino, wartime history and Estoril or Cascais as a base.
- Azenhas do Mar: Sintra's Clifftop VillageAzenhas do Mar on the Sintra coast: the classic viewpoint, the ocean pool at low tide, seafood by the pool, Praia das Macas next door and how to get there.
- Visiting the Sintra National PalaceSintra National Palace, a short walk from the station: the giant chimneys, Swan Room, Magpie Room and Coat of Arms Room, tickets, hours and the old town.
- Moorish Castle, Sintra: Tickets, Getting There and TipsVisiting Sintra's Moorish Castle: 2026 tickets (EUR 12), bus 434 or the walk up, how long to allow, the best views of Pena Palace and combining the two.
- Visiting Monserrate Palace in SintraMonserrate Palace in Sintra: the exotic palace and botanical gardens 4km from the old town, current works, tickets, bus 435 and a half-day plan.
- Visiting Quinta da Regaleira: The Initiation Well and MoreQuinta da Regaleira in Sintra: timed tickets, the Initiation Well, tunnels and towers, how long to spend, the walk from town and beating the queues.
- Boca do Inferno, Cascais: How to Visit and What to SeeBoca do Inferno near Cascais: the collapsed sea cave and viewpoints, the 2km coastal walk from the station, when to see big waves, safety and food nearby.
- The Most Instagrammable Spots in SintraPena Palace, the Initiation Well, the Moorish Castle, Monserrate, Cabo da Roca, Praia da Ursa and Azenhas do Mar: Sintra's best photo spots and 2026 prices.
Itineraries and planning
- Sintra and Cascais in One Day from LisbonSintra and Cascais in one day from Lisbon: a route via Pena Palace and Cabo da Roca, train and taxi links, timings, tour or DIY, and tips for a long day.
- Cascais vs Lisbon: Where to Stay?Cascais vs Lisbon as a base: sights, beaches, atmosphere, nightlife and the train compared, who should stay where and how to get the best of both.
- Sintra with Kids: The Best Palaces and Tips for FamiliesVisiting Sintra with children: Quinta da Regaleira tunnels and well, the Moorish Castle, Pena Park, getting around and practical tips from parents.
- Sintra vs Cascais: Which Day Trip from Lisbon?Sintra or Cascais? Palaces versus beaches compared, how to get there from Lisbon, and how to do both in one day via Cabo da Roca.
Where to stay
- The Best Hotels in CascaisWhere to stay in Cascais near Lisbon: The Albatroz, Farol Hotel, Pestana Cidadela, The Oitavos, Onyria Marinha and Hotel Baia, and which one suits you.
- Where to Stay in Cascais: Best Areas and HotelsCascais or Lisbon? The best areas and hotels in Cascais, from Farol and the Albatroz to The Oitavos, family resorts and good-value beach hotels.
- Where to Stay in Sintra: Best Areas and HotelsIs it worth staying in Sintra? The best areas, palace hotels, boutique stays and guesthouses, and tips on parking and palace tickets.
Tours, cruises and experiences
- Best Sintra Day Tours From Lisbon (and How to Choose)Small-group, private, Regaleira and e-bike tours from Lisbon to Sintra, what each includes, and how to pick the right one.
Day trips
- Cascais Day Trip from Lisbon: Beaches, Boca do Inferno and GuinchoHow to do a day trip to Cascais from Lisbon: the train from Cais do Sodre, the best beaches, Boca do Inferno, Guincho, Cabo da Roca and staying in Cascais.
Beaches and the coast
- The Best Beaches Near SintraSintra beaches: Praia da Adraga, Praia Grande, Praia das Macas, Azenhas do Mar and wild Praia da Ursa, with how to get there, food and a half-day route.
- The Best Beaches in and Around CascaisBest beaches near Cascais: Conceicao and Rainha in town, Tamariz in Estoril, Carcavelos for surf, Guincho and Praia da Ursa, plus which beach suits what.
- Guincho Beach: Wild Coast Near CascaisGuincho beach: dunes, surf, kitesurfing and sunsets 10 minutes by car from Cascais, plus getting there, seafood restaurants nearby and swimming safety.
Walks, gardens and nature
- The Best Hikes in SintraSintra hikes: the Santa Maria trail to the Moorish Castle and Pena, Cruz Alta, Peninha, Capuchos and the Cabo da Roca cliffs, plus a one-day route.
- Visiting Cabo da Roca: Europe's Westernmost PointCabo da Roca, mainland Europe's westernmost point: 20 minutes from Sintra and Cascais, the free viewpoint, lighthouse tickets, sunsets and a one-day loop.
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