A Sintra day trip from Lisbon works by train from Rossio station to a heritage town with palaces, gardens and the Moorish Castle. For a Lisbon itinerary, choose a small group of sights and plan the connections between them before you leave central Lisbon.
- Train: Lisbon’s Rossio station to Sintra on the urban Sintra line.
- Local buses: Scotturb routes 434 and 435 serve sights from Sintra station.
- Ticket detail: the National Palace of Sintra has timed opening and last-admission hours.
Choosing the right sights for one day
Sintra’s main sights include the National Palace of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. Pick the places you most want to see before setting out; the local bus routes connect several of them, but visiting multiple monuments means keeping their separate opening and admission times in mind.
The National Palace stands in Sintra’s centre, while route 434 serves Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors. Route 435 runs from Sintra station to Monserrate Palace. This makes the bus network useful when you are deciding which outlying sights to combine with time in the centre.
How do you get from Lisbon to Sintra?
Take a train on the Sintra line from Lisbon’s Rossio station. CP includes the Sintra line in Lisbon’s urban train network and provides a complete timetable for the Lisbon–Sintra/Azambuja urban line. Before leaving, check CP’s timetable and real-time status tools for current departures and arrivals.
Saldanha station is about a 5-minute walk from Hotel Canada, and connects you with central Lisbon rail services.
CP says its Lisbon urban trains offer wheelchair accessibility and spacious vestibules for baby strollers. If you are travelling with a wheelchair or stroller, check the current service details with CP as part of your planning.
For the metro connection from Saldanha, consider how to use the Lisbon Metro from Saldanha.
Getting between Sintra’s attractions
Scotturb routes 434 and 435 connect Sintra station with attractions beyond the town centre. Route 434 serves Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors, Biester Palace and the National Palace in the centre; route 435 runs between Sintra station and Monserrate Palace.
For a day focused on Pena Palace and the Castle of the Moors, route 434 covers both. Check Scotturb’s current route information before you go, then allow time for the places you choose to visit.
Tickets, opening hours and advance planning
Parques de Sintra sets admission prices and opening times for its monuments, and these details can change. Check the official site before you go, including the site for the monument you plan to visit.
The National Palace of Sintra is open from 09:30 to 18:30, with last ticket and admission at 17:30. Its gardens are open from 09:30 to 18:30, with last admission at 18:00. The ticket office closes from 12:00 to 13:00, and automatic ticket machines are available.
The National Palace’s Essential Visit ticket costs €13 for adults aged 18–64, €10 for youths aged 6–17 and seniors over 65, and €35 for a family ticket covering 2 adults and 2 youths. Children under 6 enter free.
Pena Park is open from 09:00 to 19:00, with last ticket and admission at 18:00. The palace is open from 09:30 to 18:30, with last ticket at 17:30 and last admission at 18:00. If you buy a Park and National Palace of Pena ticket, you must choose the day and time for your palace visit.
The Moorish Castle is open from 09:30 to 18:00, with last ticket and admission at 17:30. Its ticket costs €12 for adults aged 18–64, €10 for youths aged 6–17 and seniors over 65, and €33 for a family ticket covering 2 adults and 2 youths.
Advance online tickets require a date reservation. Visitors can automatically reschedule the visit date on the Parques de Sintra website within one year; check its current ticket conditions before booking.
Returning to the Saldanha area
Return to Lisbon by train from Sintra to Rossio, then use the city’s public transport to continue toward Saldanha. If you are planning more time in the city, what to include in a day in Lisbon from Saldanha can help shape the rest of your itinerary.
FAQs
Which station do trains to Sintra leave from?
Trains to Sintra use Lisbon’s Rossio station and run on the urban Sintra line.
Which bus goes to Pena Palace?
Scotturb route 434 runs between Sintra station and Pena Palace, and also serves the Castle of the Moors and other stops in Sintra.
Do you need to choose a time for Pena Palace?
Yes. A Park and National Palace of Pena ticket requires you to choose the day and time for your palace visit.
Can you buy a ticket at the National Palace of Sintra?
Automatic ticket vending machines are available. The palace ticket office closes from 12:00 to 13:00.