Lisbon and Sintra Tour Review: Is It a Good Idea?

Portugal, that beautiful country located in southwestern Europe, just might be one of my most special places to explore! Its cities have this really cool old vibe mixed with an exciting, new energy. People all over are drawn to Lisbon’s particular vibe and it makes it one of those places that should probably be on everyone’s “must-see” list. I took a tour that hit a whole bunch of the highlights: Lisbon, Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais. I thought that sharing my thoughts with you could actually be helpful, if you, like your friends or family, are thinking about experiencing it.

What You Should Know About the Lisbon-Sintra Tour

So, what’s the deal with this tour? Basically, this day trip from Lisbon squeezes in a whole lot of sights. Pena Palace, with its fairytale appearance; Cabo da Roca, a stunning point where land meets ocean; and the charming coastal town of Cascais are all parts of the journey. A tour, typically, aims to give you a sampler platter of Portugal’s beauty and history, all in a single day.

Now, let’s get into the details. How’s the travel? The actual travel can sometimes be a bit much. I mean, it’s a full day of taking in various attractions, so expect some time spent in transit. That being said, the tour companies mostly provide a comfortable experience, usually using air-conditioned vehicles, to assist in dealing with the Portuguese climate.

One of the things that actually stood out to me with the tours, anyway, is that you generally get different options, in that you’re able to choose between group tours or go the private route. Group tours tend to be friendlier to the budget, offering, that, the chance to meet fellow travelers, but private tours may allow for a schedule that’s more personal and allows for a particular pace.

Peeking inside Pena Palace: A Fairy-Tale Delight

Okay, so, the Pena Palace, this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site, and just, arguably, the absolute top spot on the tour. From a distance, you are able to spot its red and yellow walls that are splashed across the top of the Sintra hills like colors out of a children’s book. Very incredible.

Stepping inside can almost be like stepping back into time. In a way, the palace has this unique mashup of different architectural styles, it combines Neo-Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish influences. You get the idea that King Ferdinand II, who you know actually acquired the monastery and transformed it, had a real eye for making something unique. Wandering around, you’re going to see fancy staterooms, and the chapel, while checking out amazing views.

Something to remember: You can get pretty crowded here, especially during the busier times of the year. Show up, so, early, and try going on a weekday, too. Now, I also thought the lines looked long, too it’s almost like they moved at a fairly good clip. If you’d like to ensure you are able to experience more while on your journey, think about grabbing a “skip-the-line” ticket – It may prove quite worthwhile!

Experiencing the Edge of the World at Cabo da Roca

Next up on our tour is Cabo da Roca. Cabo da Roca can almost make you feel like you’re literally standing at the edge of the world, anyway! As a matter of fact, this westernmost point of mainland Europe is where the land meets the vast Atlantic Ocean. The views, so, are very intense. The cliffs drop sharply into the sea, making for this wildly dramatic, but extremely gorgeous scene.

Just a little side note, so, make certain you have that jacket handy; because that wind can really get intense! Besides the view, anyway, there is, actually, this little monument with a stone cross, in the same way as the lighthouse does, that makes it what it is. Taking some moments to quietly experience what it is really like while at Cabo da Roca is actually something I very strongly recommend!

Cascais Charm: Seaside Bliss and Beyond

After the rugged beauty of Cabo da Roca, the tour continues, usually, to the seaside town of Cascais. It’s so worth the visit, Cascais provides a completely different vibe, that is, that contrasts it from Sintra. Once a little fishing village, now, and just like what seems to happen everywhere now a days, Cascais has turned into a fancy resort town that still keeps the vibe of its maritime roots.

I did that the city seemed super walkable. Walking down its cobblestone streets, that is, could allow one to check out local shops. Maybe you’d grab lunch in one of the local spots? I do want to note that it does tend to be pretty full of tourists. Very interesting spot.

Depending on what tour you’re dealing with, some are, typically, able to carve out some time to actually chill on the beach or maybe visit attractions nearby like Boca do Inferno. You get the idea that Cascais offers something, though, for almost everyone that enjoys beautiful scenic drives!

Food on the Tour: Tasting Portugal

Food can be very important to my tours, because eating can, sort of, open you up to understanding the local vibe a bit better. In other words, these organized tours usually don’t take care of your food for you, though they, clearly, sometimes take you to spots where you can easily grab food on the fly, anyway.

Sintra can, typically, provide opportunities for attempting to check out some local pastries, too it’s almost like travesseiros and queijadas are the town’s two famous sweets that can go amazing together when mixed with coffee. Cascais will definitely be somewhere that one can find various seaside restaurants where people might be able to taste the fresh seafood. So good!

If I am allowed to provide a recommendation: You should pack some snacks or perhaps a bottle of water. Very smart, should you plan on skipping any of those random tourist trap restaurants and not buy a sugar filled pastry. It’s almost, too it’s almost a super fun and good idea that can seriously allow you to avoid spending too much cash.

Is the Lisbon-Sintra Tour Actually Worth It?

Alright, down to the question: Was this tour really something amazing? Yeah, if you want a speedy look into some of the coolest spots nearby Lisbon, I would, personally, say yes. Now, if I had to explain why, I would tell you to look towards the tour hitting a whole bunch of great sights and also handling all the transporting from spot to spot.

Now, if you tend to like really diving into spots slowly and with tons of time, then perhaps taking day trips separate to each of these destinations might be a better pick. Remember: taking organized tours sometimes means going around spots for just a short period.

Thinking it over a bit, these kinds of tours should prove to be quite wonderful for travelers new to Portugal or if you actually don’t have tons of time on your hands to plan your own adventures. Plus, having a tour guide on hand just might allow a deeper insight into Portuguese history or culture too!

Some Final Thoughts

Ultimately, taking that Lisbon-Sintra tour just might depend on what you actually love! Want to check out a whole bunch of great sights in a single day? I would recommend the tour option then. Is slowly exploring and not trying to rush things more what you love? Make certain that you plan your days accordingly.

Make certain that whatever the option that fits what your style is that you can make sure it gives you experiences that’s going to give you the trip memories to always remember.