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Sintra is best known for its fairytale palaces, but the picturesque hills and coastline around this UNESCO World Heritage town hold just as much to fill a trip.
Between forested hiking trails, a historic tram line, wine-growing villages, and cliffside beaches, there’s plenty to keep you busy in this enchanting place.
Here are the 12 best things to do in Sintra when you want to experience the region in all its multifaceted glory.
1. Tour Sintra’s Fairy-Tale Castles & Palaces
Photo Credit: Petar Mirkovic
- Location: Pena Park and Sintra’s historic center
- Best for: First-time visitors who want the postcard sights
- Time needed: Half a day to a full day
Sintra’s hilltop park holds the country’s most photographed monuments and isn’t to be missed. Sights include the candy-colored Pena Palace, the ancient ramparts of the Moorish Castle, the mysterious gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, and the Renaissance-era Sintra National Palace close by in the historic center.
Seeing even two or three of these means budgeting at least a full morning or afternoon, but we recommend giving yourself a full day to appreciate them fully. For hours, ticket tips, and which palace suits which kind of traveler, see our full guide to Sintra’s must-see attractions.
2. Hike the Villa Sassetti Trail
- Location: Villa Sassetti, Sintra
- Best for: Hikers and early risers
- Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour one way
This forested footpath climbs from Sintra’s historic center up toward the hilltop park, passing the restored Villa Sassetti and a huge boulder known as Penedo da Amizade. The shaded trail stays cool even on warm afternoons, and the higher switchbacks open up wide views back over the town’s rooftops.
The trailhead sits near the Lakes Entrance parking area and is marked with small signs pointing uphill toward Pena Park, so it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking out for it. Wear practical walking shoes, since the cobbled sections get slick and uneven in spots.
3. Ride the Historic Sintra Tram to Praia das Maçãs
- Location: Sintra Tram Station to Praia das Maçãs
- Best for: Families and anyone who likes a slower pace
- Time needed: 45 minutes each way
Running since 1904, this vintage electric tram trundles through pine forest and small villages on its way from Sintra down to the beach at Praia das Maçãs. The open-air cars and wooden benches make the ride itself the attraction, and it’s an easy way to reach the coast without a car.
The journey takes 45 minutes each way, and the tram’s schedule varies by season, so ask locally for the current times. You can buy tickets at the small trackside kiosk in Ribeira de Sintra.
4. Taste Local Wine in Colares
- Location: Regional de Colares Winery, Colares
- Best for: Wine lovers
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
Colares sits just down the road from Sintra and grows some of Europe’s oldest ungrafted vines, planted in sandy soil that protected them from the phylloxera blight that wiped out much of the continent’s vineyards.
A tasting at the regional cooperative lets you sample the area’s distinctive, mineral-driven reds and whites, made mostly from the rare Ramisco grape grown directly in sand. If your vacation rental has a fridge, a bottle from here makes an ideal souvenir for an evening in.
5. Explore the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park by Bike
Photo Credit: Goinyk Production
- Location: Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais
- Best for: Active travelers
- Time needed: 2 to 4 hours
The hills between Sintra and the coast are laced with trails that range from gentle forest paths to genuine enduro and downhill mountain bike terrain.
Guided e-bike tours are a good option if you’d rather cover more ground without the climbing, while mountain bikers can find some of the country’s better technical trails here. Either way, the payoff is a string of viewpoints most day-trippers never reach.
Rental shops near the train station stock both road and mountain bikes if you would rather go without a guide.
6. Watch the Sunset at Cabo da Roca
Photo Credit: roffa_rmf
- Location: Cabo da Roca
- Best for: Sunset chasers and photographers
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours, excluding the drive
As the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca has a dramatic, wind-scoured coastline that looks especially good in late afternoon light. There’s a lighthouse and a small marker noting the point’s geographic claim to fame, plus a cafe if you want to wait out the sunset with a coffee.
The small visitor center beside the lighthouse sells a certificate confirming you’ve reached the westernmost tip of the continent, for a few euros. This spot is roughly a 30-minute drive from Sintra’s historic center, but it’s so iconic that it’s definitely worth the journey.
7. Surf or Swim at Praia da Adraga
- Location: Praia da Adraga
- Best for: Surfers and beach walkers
- Time needed: Half a day
Backed by dramatic cliffs and rock formations, this beach draws a smaller crowd than the more famous coastal spots near Lisbon. The surf here suits more experienced swimmers and surfers, since currents can be strong, but the tide pools and rock arches make it a rewarding walk even if you stay dry.
The restaurant built into the cliffside above the sand serves grilled fish that’s worth the trip on its own. Or, pack a picnic if you have a vacation rental with a kitchen, and you have a full afternoon sorted.
8. Cool Off in Azenhas do Mar’s Natural Pool
- Location: Azenhas do Mar
- Best for: Swimmers visiting in summer
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
This whitewashed clifftop village is built around a natural seawater pool carved into the rocks, with the Atlantic refilling it at high tide. It’s a striking spot to swim, and just as nice to admire from one of the cafes perched above it.
The best light for photos comes in late afternoon, when the sun catches the whitewashed buildings stacked above the water. Note that the pool is open year-round but is best visited during the summer months when the water is calm and swimming is safer.
9. Wander Sintra’s Historic Center
- Location: Sintra historic center
- Best for: First-time visitors
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
The cobbled streets radiating out from the National Palace are lined with ceramics shops, small galleries, and cafes named after the poets who once summered here. It’s an easy way to spend a slower morning or a rainy afternoon between other stops.
Páteo do Titão and Olaria S. Pedro are two of the better shops for genuine Portuguese ceramics rather than mass-produced souvenirs.
10. Taste Travesseiros Where They Were Invented
- Location: Casa Piriquita, R. Padarias, Sintra
- Best for: Anyone with a sweet tooth
- Time needed: 30 minutes
Travesseiros are Sintra’s signature pastry: puff pastry filled with an almond and egg yolk cream, dusted with sugar, and best eaten while still warm.
Casa Piriquita is generally credited with inventing them, so it’s worth the short queue that tends to form outside. Order a queijada too, the region’s other classic sweet cheese tart.
11. Join a Sintra Food & Wine Tour
- Location: Tours typically depart from Sintra’s historic center
- Best for: Foodies who want a guided introduction
- Time needed: 3 to 4 hours
A guided food and wine tour is an efficient way to work through Sintra’s pastries, regional wines, and a stop or two outside town, without having to research every bakery yourself.
Several tour operators offer gastronomic adventures in Sintra, and the easiest way to find the best option is to ask locally at your accommodation. Most combine walking with a short drive out to a winery or cooperative, uncovering many hidden gems along the way.
12. Catch a Live Fado Show
- Location: Taverna dos Trovadores, Ref. Lojas do Picadeiro, Praça Dom Fernando II 18 porta 6, Sintra
- Best for: An evening of culture
- Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
Fado is Portugal’s traditional music of longing and nostalgia, and hearing it live in a small tavern is a very different Sintra experience than a daytime palace visit.
Taverna dos Trovadores is a regularly recommended spot for both the food and the performances. Reservations can be made online and are worth making for weekend evenings when tables fill quickly.
Making the Most of the Many Things to Do in Sintra
Sintra rewards travelers who look past the palace gates, and the hikes, beaches, and villages above prove it. Pick two or three that fit your pace, and pair them with a rental that gives you room to slow down between them.
If you’re ready to experience this list of exciting things to do for yourself, the first step is to find a home away from home. Browse the best accommodation in Sintra and book your stay today.
