7-Hour Sintra and Coastal Towns Tour with Azenhas do Mar

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Discover Sintra National Palace, the former summer residence of Portuguese royalty
• 02 Enjoy Sintra's local sweets like "queijadas" and "travesseiros" at a historic bakery dating back to 1862
• 03 Visit the picturesque coastal village of Azenhas do Mar and its ocean swimming pool
• 04 Take a scenic drive through mountain roads, summer residences, and pine-wood landscapes to Praia Grande

Named after Cynthia, the Celts' goddess of the moon, Sintra has been considered for millennia a cradle of temples and mysteries that inspired novels and tales. Without a doubt one of Portugal's most fascinating and romantic places, Sintra offers remarkable monuments to visit and local sweets to sample. Its natural beauty descends from the mountains to the sea, where golden sands, Atlantic waters, rugged cliffs, and century-old bays create a striking coastline that can be enjoyed at any time of year.

A real illustrated postcard, Azenhas do Mar takes visitors by surprise with its geographical location, its houses cascading down the cliff slope to the sea, bathed in an idyllic white light.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Lisbon, Serra de Sintra, Azenhas do Mar

Languages English, Italian, Portuguese

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Sintra Village, Praia Grande, and Azenhas do Mar

• After pickup from your hotel or cruise pier, depart from Lisbon towards the historic village of Sintra to visit the Sintra National Palace, the former summer residence of royalty. Enjoy free time for a stroll or shopping in the village.
• Enjoy a coffee break and sample local sweets at a bakery dating back to 1862.
• After a stroll through the typical streets of Sintra village, it is time for a coffee break and a taste of the traditional sweets in a historic café: the famous "queijadas" and "travesseiros," cheese tartlets and puff pastries with almond cream.
• Next, head to Praia Grande, driving along a winding route of roads, mountain summer residences, and pine-wood landscapes to reach one of the renowned local restaurants, where you will discover unique flavours - seafood is a must!
• After lunch, drive a couple of miles along the waterfront and visit Azenhas do Mar.
• A real illustrated postcard, Azenhas do Mar takes visitors by surprise with its geographical location, its houses cascading down the cliff slope to the sea, bathed in an idyllic white light.
• It is one of the bathers' most sought-after beaches, with an ocean swimming pool that delights visitors.
• Around 4 pm, drive back to Lisbon.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Private transportation (Opel Insignia Station Wagon 2020)
• 7.30-hour tour with my personal assistance and explanations of sights and monuments
• All mandatory insurance required by Portuguese law, including personal liability insurance

What's Not Included

• Personal expenses
• Monument fees, if applicable
• Food, drinks, and snacks
• Tastings

What to bring

• Hat
• Sunblock
• Comfortable shoes
• Extra layer of clothes

Know before you go

• Sintra is a mountainous area. Bring an extra layer, just in case. In spring and fall, temperatures can be much lower than in Lisbon.
• Tap water is safe everywhere.
• Only euros are accepted in Portugal. No other currency is accepted in stores, markets, or cafés.
• ATMs are the best way to get euros. They are safe and available on every corner.
• Alternatively, instead of the Medieval Palace, we can visit other local monuments such as:
  • Monserrate Palace
  • Capuchin Convent
  • Queluz Palace
  • Moorish Castle

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Lisboa, Portugal

Tour start

Lisbon, Portugal

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.