Things to Do in Sintra
This walk is destined for small groups (max. 8-10 people) !
Welcome to the always-green capital of ancient mysticism and incredible landscapes (that enchanted many withstanding people throughout centuries)!
The tour is perfect for travellers who want to get a view of local history, with emphasis on mystery and secret societies - how Sintra was born, starting with pre-Portugal times and following into discoveries, freemasonry (and what stories about Holy Grail have to do with it?!). We will also revisit some of local myths and legends.
Sintra is not a big place, we will start not far from the train station and end near Quinta da Regaleira.
List of topics will go through varies widely, from local pastry to 'how started the kingdom?' and 'Why the secrecy of the societies?' , 'Who were templars?' and what's the role of Sintra in portuguese overseas discoveries.
In this tour learning new while enjoying Sintra's atmosphere - is guaranteed, be welcomed curios traveller!
Join us for an unforgetablle Sintra walking tour through one of the most magical destinations in Portugal.
With its lush hills, exotic gardens and romantic palaces, Sintra became the preferred summer retreat of 19th-century Portuguese nobility. Over time, it attracted international visitors such as Lord Byron and Richard Strauss, who were captived by its beauty.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Sintra is widely conidered one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal - and the top day trip from Lisbon.
Starting at Jardim Correnteza, we explore the charming streets of Sintra Village, uncovering its history, legends and royal traditions. Along the way, you will also have the opportunity to taste the famous local pastries: Queijada de Sintra and Travesseiro de Sintra.
During this Sintra walking tour, you will discover:
- Sintra National Palace - one of the oldest royal palaces in Portugal
- Moorish Castle - a medieval fortress overlooking the town
- Quinta da Regaleira - famous for its mystical symbolism and Initiation Well
- Pena Palace - the colorful Romantic palace built by King D. Fernando II in the 19th century.
By the end of the tour, you will understand why Sintra feels like stepping into a real-life fairytale.
Sintra Tour information:
- Minimum of 6 participants required to operate the tour
- Groups with more than 6 people fixed price of 12 euros per person.
Embark on an enchanting journey through Sintra, a town where the veil between reality and fairy tale thins, with our captivating Essential Free Tour of Sintra. This experience, a tapestry woven from two rich narratives, invites you into a world where history, romance, and myth breathe life into every cobblestone, whispering the legacy of knights, mystics, and artisans.
A Fairytale Beginning: Our odyssey commences at the heart of Sintra, against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sintra Mountains. Here, amidst the verdant embrace of Liberdade Park, the saga of Sintra's enchantment unfolds, tracing its name to tales as old as time. Marvel at the town hall, a picturesque prelude to the mysteries that await.
Tales of Templars and Romance: Journey through the village, where the stories of Gualdim Pais and the enigmatic Templars echo against the ancient walls. Discover the Moorish Fountains, a testament to Sintra's Roman and Arabic heritage, and the Palace of Valenças, haunted by a tragic love story that whispers through its romantic halls.
Culinary Delights and Architectural Splendors: Indulge in Sintra’s famous Queijada and Travesseiro, sweet embodiments of the town's rich culinary heritage. Wander past the National Palace of Sintra, with its intriguing Magpie Room and iconic twin chimneys, and hear tales of secret tunnels and the mystical Mountain of the Moon.
The Quintessence of Romanticism: Explore São Martinho's Church, where the secrets of freemasonry intertwine with the fabric of Sintra. Delight in the esoteric beauty of Quinta da Regaleira, with its Initiation Well and symbols of ancient wisdom. Behold the Seteais Palace, a monument to love and revenge, offering unparalleled views of the Pena Palace and Sintra Mountains.
A Dreamlike Setting: Though the Pena Palace and Moorish Castle beckon from afar, their allure adds to the magic of our tour. Each step through Sintra reveals a page from a storybook, from the Biester Palace's mystic allure to the Pisões Waterfall's natural splendor.
An Invitation to Wonder: Led by our expert guide, passionate about unveiling Sintra's hidden gems, this tour is an immersive journey into the heart of Sintra’s romantic soul. Discover the Lawrence Hotel, a sanctuary for poets and dreamers, and learn of Sintra’s grand love stories that inspired its most iconic buildings.
Sintra is not just a destination; it's an experience, a dream woven from the threads of history, mystery, and enchantment. With tales of knights and mystics, tragic loves, and architectural marvels, our Essential Sintra Free Tour is an invitation to step into a living fairytale. Join us and let Sintra’s magic enchant you, leaving you with memories as vibrant and enduring as the town itself. Sintra awaits, ready to reveal its secrets and fill your heart with wonder.
Useful information:
Please note that the Castle of the Moors and the Pena Palace are too far away from the center of the villa to be visited. Many guests do visit these sites after the tour.
Do you want to discover the beauty of Sintra through its Culture and History?
We offer the ideal tour!
We are LaMiRé, a group of portuguese guides, and we created this tour to show you the best our hometown has to offer!
On this tour we introduce you to the main sights of Sintra, always accompanied by its stories and historical context:
We will begin in the Correnteza Garden – only 5min from the train station. Then we'll head towards the City Council. On the way to the National Palace, we'll make a few stops surrounded by nature and historical remains. We'll visit the Saint Martin’s Church, many fountains, the Lawrence Hotel (the oldest in the Iberian Peninsula), and we finish the tour near Quinta da Regaleira — the most beautiful garden in Sintra (and Lisbon) which we truly recommend to enter after our tour.
Along this route we will give you a general idea of the History, the monuments, the romantic arquitecture and the mystical atmosphere that make our Sintra the fairytale it is. Halfway through, we'll also take a break so you can use the toilet and buy some of the best pastries from Sintra: queijadas and travesseiros!
Here we promise quality and authenticity. And a good vibe too!
Hope to see you soon 🙂
Short note:
The Moorish Castle and the Pena Palace are too far away from the town’s center to be visited. We´ll explain a lot about the palaces and their context, so you’ll be able to understand everything you are going to see in case you want to visit them on your own.
Join me, a local guide born and raised in Sintra, and discover the side of Sintra most visitors never see.
We start in the heart of the historic center, right in front of the National Palace, passing by the famous Piriquita pastry shop, where you can grab a travesseiro or enjoy a quick Ginjinha. I’ll also share my personal local tips so you know exactly where to eat like a local after the tour.
But that’s just the beginning.
Once we leave the busy streets behind, the real Sintra reveals itself.
We’ll hike through the lush and hidden trails of Villa Sassetti, a magical green path that most tourists never find. Along the way, you’ll reach breathtaking viewpoints, discover hidden corners like the Gardener’s House of the Royal Court, and pass near iconic landmarks such as the Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle, but from a completely different perspective.
This is not just a walk, it’s a journey through stories, legends, and secrets.
As we go, I’ll share the history of Portugal, the myths of Sintra, and fascinating details about places like Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace, the kind of things you won’t find in guidebooks.
We finish at the top of the mountain, surrounded by nature, silence, and one of the most unforgettable views in Sintra.
