If you’re ever in Lisbon and craving a quick escape into a fairytale, Sintra is the place to be. It’s just a 40-minute train ride from the city. This charming UNESCO town feels like you’ve stepped into another world, filled with lush hillsides, majestic palaces, and mysterious gardens. Honestly, it’s one of those spots that makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally walked into a storybook. Once there, we rented a tiny car from a company called Sight Sintra and drove it it to Sintra’s two popular sites, Quinta da Regaleira and Pena National Palace.
To Get There
From Lisbon By Train (Most Convenient and Popular Option):
- Departure: Take the Sintra Line (Linha de Sintra) from Lisbon’s Rossio Station or Oriente Station. Trains run regularly, about every 20-30 minutes.
- Duration: The journey takes about 40 minutes.
- Cost: Around €2.30 each way.
When To Go
April, May, September, and October strike the best balance between good weather and manageable crowds.
Pena Palace
We hopped into our tiny rental car and made our way up the winding roads to Pena Palace, perched high on a mountaintop overlooking Sintra. If you’re a photographer, this place is a dream come true. I’ve never seen anything quite like it—the vibrant colors alone make it unforgettable. The palace’s orange, yellow, and blue walls pop against the lush greenery, with intricate tiles, gorgeous windows, and ornate doors adding to the fairytale charm.
Once we got there, I realized I could easily spend an entire day here just taking photos and soaking in the views. The palace itself is stunning, but the real magic is in the details. Every angle offers something new—whether it’s a unique doorway or a hidden archway framed by vivid tiles. And then, of course, there’s the view from the top. From up there, you can see for miles: a blanket of green forest stretching out below, and in the distance, the sparkling Atlantic Ocean on the horizon. It felt like we were on top of the world.
Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira palace blends bright, rich colors with crisp white trim, and the solid wooden doors give the place a stately, timeless feel. It’s elegant and airy, with a sense of grandeur—but that’s just the beginning. We began by wandering through the palace itself, where I was immediately struck by the stunning mosaic floors and intricate sculptures that seemed to be in every corner.
Once we ventured outside, it felt like we’d entered a completely different world. The clean, polished atmosphere of the palace gave way to the mysterious, medieval landscape of the gardens. Jagged rock caves, moss-covered stones, and hidden grottos surround you, making it feel as though you’ve traveled centuries back in time. The Initiation Well was one of the highlights—spiraling deep into the earth, it feels like something out of a legend.
Everywhere you turn, there’s something new to explore, whether it’s the mossy stone pathways, towering medieval-like structures, or the intricate labyrinth of underground tunnels.
If I did went back to Sintra I would give myself more time to explore. Make sure you spend an entire day (or two). There are so many other structures in this city we didn’t have time to see, like the Moorish Castle.
Do you have any other tips on visiting Sintra? If so please leave them in the comments below.
One Response
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