GETTING AROUND SINTRA

BY CAR

Once you arrive in Sintra you will need to find somewhere outside the old town to park. Since 2018 the cobbled narrow and steep roads of Sintra are out of bounds for drivers without a permit. Permits are mostly reserved for residents only.

On the residential side of Sintra, 1.5km east of the old town, close to the Portel de Sintra train station, is a large car park and is the best option during the summer. The maximum fare per day is €1.50. There's a "Park and Ride" system in place, show your parking ticket to the driver and you'll get a free transfer to Sinta town centre where bus connections wait to take you further on. Buses run every seven minutes or so.

There's also a fair-sized car park closer to the town train station, just behind the Pingo Doce supermarket. From there, it's an easy stroll to catch the local bus to take you to where you want to go.

e-Car hire

Enjoy the flexibility and freedom of a Sintra tour in a 100% electric, eco-friendly storytelling vehicle with GPS audio guidance. It's a talking car! The vehicle is your tour guide and a reliable copilot. While driving, this shows you Sintra in a relaxed, fun and innovative way.

BY BUS

The Bus #434 – Circuito da Pena
This circular service is operated by Scott URB and ideal for those arriving from Lisbon by train. The route starts outside of the Sintra train station (NOT Portela de Sintra station), up the hill to Sintra Old Town centre where you'll find the National Palace and most of the towns restaurants, cafés and shops. From here it continues to meander up the steep windy road to the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros). The bus continues its hike to the Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena) and its surrounding park before descending back down to the train station. At a push then it's possible to do all three attractions in one day however two is sufficient, especially if you're considering having lunch in the town centre. Tickets are bought onboard from the driver.
Return: €7.60 | One Way: €4.10 | Timetable

The Bus #435 – Villa Express & 4 Palacios
The 435 is a circular route which after stopping at the old town goes on to Quinta da Regaleira, the Seteais Palace and the Monserrate Palace. The 435 also starts and stops at the train station.
Return: €5.50 | Timetable | Scott URB Website

BY BICYCLE

E Bikes are perfectly suited to making the hilly Sintra region accessible to all active travellers. Park E-Bike offers bike rental for those who need their independence. They also a series of guided tours for those who look for a more insightful experience shared with others. Pick up your e-bike at their office only five minutes on foot from Sintra Portela Train Station. If you are staying in Sintra, they can deliver your e-bikes to your hotel or accommodation.

BY TRAM

Sintra's vintage tramway resumed its seasonal service from the centre of Sintra, close to the Museu de Arte Moderna, to Praia das Maças on the coast. This rickety old tram squeaks and judders eleven and a half kilometres (7mi) picturesque route up and over the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais, passing through Colares and Banzão along the way. Bones are shaken for about 45-50 minutes before reaching the final destination. For a more rapid and comfortable, yet less fun, option take the Scotturb bus.
Old Tram Sintra - Praia das Maças Timetable

Adult: €3.00 Single, OAP & Child: €2.00 Single, Infant <6: FREE
Avenue Heliodoro Salgado, Sintra, Portugal. | 38º 48' 12.0" N | 08º 37' 17.62" W
+351 219 238 789
dtur@cm-sintra.pt |  Website

ON FOOT

There are a number of hiking trails well signposted between the historic centre and the various attractions of Sintra and surrounding area:

• Santa Maria Trail (Centre to Moorish Castle/Pena; 1770 metres, 1 hour)
• Lapa Trail (Centre to Pena; 1450 metres, 45 minutes)
• Seteais Trail (Centre to Seteais, Pena/Moorish Castle; 2410 metres, 1½ hours)
• Vila Sassetti Trail (Centre - Pena/Moorish Castle; 1850 metres, 45 minutes).

For more information about the walking trails of Sintra [ More About ► ]

BY TAXI

There are taxi ranks at the train station and in the old town centre by the post office. The minimum charge is between €3 - €4. Taxies are usually quite reasonable in Portugal, in Sintra they're a little more expensive. There is Uber in Portugal which is a cheaper option but there's no guaranteed phone signal in some of the remote areas of Sintra. Therefore it's useful to have some taxi numbers at hand, you can always use a landline to call them if needed.

BY HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE

Reminiscent of times past, these loverly carriages are a key feature of Sintra. What could be a more idyllic way to discover such a romantic town than by open-top horse-drawn carriage. Feel like royalty as your carriage leisurely clippity-clops along cobbled streets. There are several different tours available. Usually carriages can be hired in the Old Town centre by the National Palace. Make an agreement with the driver of the route and fare. There are also a few who operate within Pena Park.
A whole range of tours and services are offered by Sintratur whose carriages are restored ‘milords’ and ‘jardineira’ from the 1920s.

Contact Details
16 – 2.º Dt.º Av. Heliodoro Salgado, 2710-572 Sintra , Portugal. | 38º 48' 13.4" N 09º 22' 53.2" W
+351 219 241 238 | geral@Sintratur.com |  Website

TOURIST ROAD TRAIN

A fun way to see Sintra is riding the Tourist Road Train that chugs its way past the most emblematic places of Sintra, namely the National Palace of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Moorish Castle and Pena Palace. The bumpy tour lasts 45 minutes and is accompanied by a commentary. There are several stops along the way and makes an ideal low-cost hop-on/hop-off option. However, the cobbled nature of the roads may make doing the whole route in one a little uncomfortable.

Adult: €8.00 Single, OAP & Child: €5.00 Single, Infant <6: FREE
Transportes Parques da Pena Lda, 12 Avenida Doutor Desidério Cambournac, 2710-553 Sintra.
38º 48' 03.5" N | 09º 22' 41.7" W
+351 918 258 001
geral@comboiodeSintra.pt |  Website

BY TUK TUK

Tuk Tuk tours start outside the main entrance of Sintra's train station, hopeful drivers eager to win your custom compete to get your attention. Tuk Tuk is an enjoyable way to explore the magical town of Sintra. Discover why UNESCO granted it World Heritage status first hand as you visit some of the fairytale palaces and gardens. Marvel at the romantic architecture of buildings such as the emblematic Pena Palace and Seteais Palace. Hear how Ferdinand II turned a ruined monastery into a castle using a mix of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance styles. Journey through some of the parks and gardens full of exotic trees and plants. Explore how the artistic town became the blueprint for landscape architecture throughout Europe at sites such as the amazing Quinta da Regaleira. Guarantee now the best price for your Tuk Tuk tour and pre-book: