Sintra & Cascais Day Tour with Pena Palace tour and Gardens Walk

Explore the romantic palaces, lush forests and gardens of Sintra on this must-do scenic day trip from Lisbon. Drive along the Atlantic Coast to Cabo da Roca, marvel at the breathtaking beaches of Cascais, and follow in the footsteps of poets, exiled kings and more. Notes: 1. Our visit to Pena Palace visit starts with a walk through the Gardens, which allows to avoid crowds at the main gate. People with walking difficulty may find this not suitable as activity. 2. You should choose your ticket option for Pena Palace: - Full ticket: allows you to visit the interior rooms of the Palace; - Pena Park Only: allows you to visit the gardens, terraces around the building and the Chapel. You can't upgrade later; 3. The tour can either start by Sintra and Pena Palace in the morning, as it can start in Cascais and Roca Cape, depending of timings and expected crowds and queues. 4. During weather alerts and fire alerts in SIntra Mountain, Pena Palace will be replaced by Sintra National Palace;

Itinerary

1. We start the tour in Lisbon: We'll pick you up at your Hotel or Apartment, or even the Port or the Airport, always between 9h00 and 9h30 (depending on option selected, pickup itinerary, etc.). Please note that you may need to join us at a nearby meeting point, in some areas of the city where we can't reach your address. Contact our services in advance to ensure a smooth communication. (10 min)
2. Following your pick-up, drive to Sintra Hills, home to fairytale palaces and castles, chosen by the Portuguese Royal Family since the foundation of our country.
3. Escape the crowds and reach Pena Palace enjoying a scenic short walk through the carefully curated gardens by its creator: King Ferdinand. On your way learn all about the love story in the origin of the palace construction, before visiting inside Pena Palace, considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Enjoy and admire amazing views of Lisbon on the horizon, from its balconies and yards, with proper context provided by your guide. Pena Palace is the most iconic Palace in Sintra. It is considered the most beautiful Castle in Europe, and it’s a true pleasure to walk in its Park, or just admire the views from its balconies, with Lisbon in the horizon. You should choose your type of ticket: - Full Palace visit - allowing you to visit the interior rooms of the palace; - Park Only visit - you can save some money and opt for not visiting the interior rooms. However, all participants will visit the Gardens and Park, the Terraces surrounding the palace and the Palace Chapel. (1h 30min) Admission included
4. Drive down narrow roads to explore the picture-postcard village of Sintra, stop for lunch time, taste local pastries and shop for souvenirs. Don’t give a rest to your camera, as you’ll certainly fall in love with the charming architecture and colorful streets and alleys. You'll have free time to explore on your own, and your guide will surely suggest some restaurant options. The Sintra National Palace, right in the Town Center, is the most ancient in the area, dating back to the Islamic period, and used by the Royal Family for centuries after. It's an architectural jewel, with several styles used over the years. (1h 40min)
5. Continue to Cabo da Roca to stand at the westernmost point of mainland Europe, a landmark with breathtaking views, beaten by the Atlantic winds. Free time to admire the views and take some photos! Surely this impressive landmark will give you lasting memories. (15 min)
6. Stop at the once fishing village of Cascais, turned into a holiday resort, refuge for exiled kings and a center of espionage during World War II. Listen to your guide explaining how this small seaside town helped shaping History of the XX century. You'll have free time to explore the Town Center, its bay and the surrounding streets. Try the "best Ice-cream in the world" at Santini's, or just enjoy some time at the beach. Otherwise, let yourself immerse in the colorful streets, where handcraft shops will attract your attention for sure. (45 min)
7. Travel along the coast road, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Tagus River, on your way back to Lisbon. At the Marginal Road, always along the coast, watch surfers in the pristine blue water, or people just enjoying the clear sands of the famous beaches on the "Blue Coast". Enjoying amazing views over the ocean, first, and the Tagus River, after, you'll arrive back in Lisbon and get dropped-off at your original location.
8. We arrive at Lisbon, where the tour ends. Ask your guide to be dropped-off somewhere else than your original departure location, if you prefer. (5 min)