Lisbon, Sintra, Pena Palace & Regaleira Day Trip: A Review

So, thinking of ditching Lisbon for a day and hitting up Sintra, Pena Palace, and Quinta da Regaleira? Well, a lot of folks do, and it’s easy to see why. That little corner of Portugal is practically overflowing with fairytale castles, lush gardens, and just plain cool spots. Is it worth it? Usually, I’d say it certainly can be, but here’s the lowdown, based on my experience.

Setting off from Lisbon

Alright, the thing is, Lisbon is pretty, but Sintra? That’s a whole different vibe. A good amount of these day trips start bright and very early, so you aren’t wasting daylight stuck in traffic. That bit alone is actually fairly worthwhile, skipping the city bustle when it really gets going, you know? You will typically meet your group (or guide, if you went private) somewhere central, like near Rossio Square, and pile into a van or minibus.

The drive to Sintra isn’t extremely long, maybe around 40 minutes or so, depending on traffic. Along the way, it’s almost a chance to sit back, gaze a bit out the window, and gear up for a day that promises tons of walking and picture-taking.

Pena Palace: A riot of color, really

Okay, Pena Palace. It’s the one you’ve more than likely seen in photos, the one that appears as if somebody spilled a bunch of paint onto a castle and said, “Yeah, that looks perfect.” Actually, it’s something else, in a way. The architecture is this odd blend of styles, kinda like someone couldn’t pick just one, so they picked them all. There’s a bit of Gothic, a tiny touch of Manueline (a very specific Portuguese style), and even some Moorish thrown in for good measure.

That said, very truthfully, it does draw the crowds. Getting inside can take some time, with queues that wind around like a slightly annoyed snake. I advise getting there as soon as possible. That usually translates to less time spent waiting and additional time spent wandering around the grounds, you know? It’s fairly worth it, those views from the top are something else – you are getting sprawling hills rolling all to the ocean, plus a clear view over the town of Sintra.

Quinta da Regaleira: Mystery and magic, very mysterious, even

Okay, if Pena Palace is a visual spectacle, Quinta da Regaleira is something totally different. This location is almost atmospheric, even, appearing as if it was pulled straight from a gothic novel. You’ll discover twisting tunnels, plus initiation wells, and hidden symbols carved into everything.

You might want to give yourself enough time here. Wandering those grounds, and it’s almost as if there’s a surprise around pretty much every corner. The initiation wells are probably the main draw – winding staircases going down, down, down into the earth. It could be that there were ceremonies performed here way back, or it could simply be a slightly eccentric rich guy’s project (most think it was Carvalho Monteiro who owned this place), but that bit just gives the place some air of mystery. You will absolutely want comfortable shoes for exploring this location – there’s a good bit of up and down, so too potentially slippery surfaces if it rained a little. Still, that little detail just ups the feeling of adventure, is that it?

Lunch in Sintra: Fueling up, naturally

Anyway, these tours typically allow some time for lunch in the town of Sintra itself. Which is good, as by this point you are probably fairly hungry. It’s almost that the center of Sintra can get super crowded, though. Souvenir shops line the roads, with little cafes fighting for space.

A bunch of tour guides know some decent spots. Some tourists favor traditional Portuguese spots serving things, such as bifanas (pork sandwiches) or maybe arroz de marisco (seafood rice). The pastries also could tempt you too; Sintra is fairly famous for its sweets, particularly travesseiros (almond pastries) and queijadas (cheese tarts). Find a location you think you could enjoy.

The advantages and disadvantages of a day trip, really

Okay, that said, before you even spend one second mulling over taking this tour, take into account you’ll have both some positive things and negative aspects that you would deal with. Tours sort of mean you won’t need to sweat the details – transportation, tickets, none of that will matter. Just show up, and someone will shepherd you around.

Also, with a guide, that does typically get some insight into the background and story of the spots you visit. It isn’t just gazing at an ancient building; it will be about understanding a bit concerning its past. The big issue would typically be time. A single day? That just isn’t quite enough to see everything at your own tempo. It can feel fairly rushed, especially at places such as Pena Palace, where you can quickly chew up an hour just in line. You aren’t going to go super off-the-beaten-path. The usual tourist stops are always where these tours head.

Is it very worthwhile?

Okay, if you just have a very brief amount of time in Lisbon and you’re still feeling somewhat curious to witness Sintra, I might then say yes, alright, do the day trip. You’ll come back with a good amount of stunning photos, memories, and a solid taster of what the spot has. But then too, I’ll add that, if you have some time? I’d consider dedicating a good bit of days to Sintra. Actually, I think I’d go for that.

The trains from Lisbon are pretty decent. In a way, Sintra isn’t all that big. Very quickly, you can move from location to location, but in saying this, doing this is what you will need if you’d want more flexibility, and that would need additional scheduling.