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Portugal · Lisbon

Sintra and Cascais travel guide

Fairy-tale palaces in the hills and a seaside town

Pena Palace. Photo: Singa Hitam, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2h 30mflight from London
LISnearest main airport
21° in Augwarmest month
12° in Jancoolest month

Sintra is a UNESCO-listed hill town of romantic palaces, gardens and castles, 40 minutes from Lisbon by train. The colourful Pena Palace and mysterious Quinta da Regaleira are the stars.

Nearby, Cascais is an elegant seaside town with beaches and a marina. Together they make a great base outside Lisbon.

Good forHistoryPalacesBeachesDay trips

What Sintra is known for

  • Pena Palace

    A colourful hilltop palace.

  • Quinta da Regaleira

    Gardens with a spiralling initiation well.

  • Cascais

    An elegant seaside town.

  • Cabo da Roca

    The westernmost point of mainland Europe.

Top things to do in Sintra and Cascais

  1. 1

    Pena Palace

    Book a timed slot and go early.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Quinta da Regaleira

    Gothic gardens, tunnels and the initiation well.

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  3. 3

    The Moorish Castle

    Walls running along a rocky ridge.

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  4. 4

    Cabo da Roca

    Cliffs at Europe's western edge.

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  5. 5

    Cascais

    Beaches, the marina and old town.

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See all tours and tickets in Sintra

Where to stay in Sintra and Cascais

Find a hotel in Sintra

Best time to visit Sintra and Cascais

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. April to June, September and October: pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
11.6 C12°J11.7 C12°F13.1 C13°M14.6 C15°A16.7 C17°M19 C19°J20.1 C20°J20.6 C21°A19.9 C20°S17.9 C18°O14.4 C14°N12.1 C12°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Sintra and Cascais, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 2h 30m from London to LIS, and flights from most UK airports.

Trains run from Lisbon to Sintra and to Cascais. Bus 434 loops between the palaces.

Find flights to Sintra (LIS)

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Good to know

  • Avoid driving up to the palaces: parking is very limited.
  • Weekends are very busy, so go midweek.
  • Sintra is cooler and mistier than Lisbon.
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Sintra and Cascais FAQ

Can I do Sintra as a day trip?

Yes, but a night lets you see it after the crowds leave.

How many palaces can I see in a day?

Two or three comfortably.

More places in Portugal

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