Sintra became the world's first center for Romantic architecture in the 19th century. Whimsical buildings like the Pena Palace now make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases some of the world's finest Romanticist architecture.
Is there a direct train from Porto to Sintra?
No, there isn't a direct train from Porto to Sintra. You need to take a train from Porto to one of Lisbon's main stations such as Oriente, Santa Apol├│nia, or Entrecampos, and then transfer to a train going to Sintra. The changeover in Lisbon is straightforward, with frequent connections to Sintra.
How long does it take to get from Porto to Sintra?
The journey from Porto to Sintra takes approximately three and a half hours by car, depending on traffic, and about four to five hours if you go for public transport. When using public transport, the travel time includes transferring trains in Lisbon. The total duration can change based on connection times between trains in Lisbon and the chosen method of travel.
Is Sintra close to Porto or Lisbon?
Sintra is much closer to Lisbon than it is to Porto. It is located approximately 18 miles (30 km) to the west of Lisbon, and it's easily accessible by car, train, or bus, which makes it a popular day-trip destination. In contrast, Porto is about 206 miles (332 km) north of Sintra, making the journey significantly longer whether youтАЩre traveling by car, train, or bus.
What is the best way to get from Porto to Sintra?
The best way to get from Porto to Sintra is with Daytrip's door-to-door private car service. This option saves you the most time and stress compared to driving or taking a bus, train, or plane. You can create a completely custom itinerary to explore Portugal on the way.
Can you just walk around Sintra?
Yes! Sintra is compact, so it's easily walkable (plus parking is limited)! Pena Palace is about a 45-minute hike from Sintra on the Villa Sassetti Trail, or you can take a taxi.
The west side of the Iberian peninsula can be discovered in many ways, but few of them are as rich as having a road trip from Porto to Sintra. What could be better than a comfortable and enriching ride to the smaller, calmer but equally charming (not to mention UNESCO-listed) town of Sintra after making the most of the lively Porto?
Your trip would begin with piercing through the city into the landscapes surrounding Porto and the Douro River. Carrying your port wine as a memento, youтАЩll be watching vineyards and agricultural fields from your window. The distance between Porto and Sintra is around 206 miles (332 km), and your journey will last only around three hours, if you donтАЩt make stops youтАЩll take along the way. But why would you miss the opportunity to explore more of Portugal?
You can't just pass by Coimbra, the medieval capital of Portugal. The blend of the former Moorish medina, the S├й Velha, and the Convento de Santa Cruz is a must-see display of CoimbraтАЩs history leading further back than the 8th century. Another great place to stretch your legs is Nazare, a fascinating fishing town set on a cliff with views right out of a fantasy book. Alongside its popular beach, the small town center, the lighthouse, and the high waves will linger in your mind long after your visit.
About Sintra
Once you travel from Porto to Sintra, youтАЩll quickly realize that this is a town worth staying, exploring, and enjoying for days. Its charm partly comes from being located within the foothills of PortugalтАЩs Sintra Mountains, which bless Sintra with a pleasant microclimate, enveloped by deep, which always offers a retreat from the summer heat.
Sintra's 19th-century Romantic architecture, opulent palaces, historic estates, and well-cared-for gardens have earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. all of which are set against the dense woodlands and mountain peaks.
The microclimate of Sintra means that it can often be cooler and more misty than neighboring areas. It gives the town and its surrounding forests an ethereal, almost mystical quality. This climate has nurtured such a green landscape that, combined with the architectural wonders, creates a fairytale ambiance that is unique to Sintra.
Speaking of architectural wonders, the Pena Palace which stands atop a hill in the Sintra Mountains, is a masterpiece of Romanticism. YouтАЩll see such bright colors that are not typical for palaces at all, perfectly combined with ornate stonework. Your coming up here will be rewarded with astonishing views of the surrounding countryside and the Atlantic Ocean.
Just exploring the town of Sintra will be a delight alone to explore. YouтАЩll walk through cobblestone streets, traditional shops, and cafes serving Portuguese delicacies like travesseiros _and _queijadas. Visiting the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, which encloses the town and houses the Pena Palace, means hiking trails, picnic spots, and a feast for the eyes.
From Porto to Sintra: travel tips
Traveling from Porto to Sintra can be as smooth, fun, and comfortable as possible if you take a look at some of our travel tips!
If you are drivingтАж
Get a Via Verde device so you can drive through Portugal's toll roads without stopping, especially on the A1 motorway from Porto to Sintra. This not only saves time but also simplifies your trip. Be mindful of the speed limits and traffic laws in Portugal and plan your parking in Sintra before you set off.
Start your trip early
To make the most of your visit to Sintra, start your journey from Porto early in the morning. ItтАЩll help you avoid the peak traffic around Lisbon and youтАЩll arrive in Sintra with enough time to explore before the afternoon crowds. An early start gives you a head start on both the road and the tourist influx.
Pack wisely
Portugal experiences more or less warm temperatures all year round. And especially if you are visiting during the hot summer months, pack enough water bottles with you. Have your preferred snacks ready to keep your energy level high. Dress in lightweight and airy clothes to be comfortable during the whole drive.
How to get from Porto to Sintra
There are several ways to travel from Porto to Sintra, including driving, taking a bus, train, flying, or having a door-to-door private car service like Daytrip at your service. Take a look at your options and pick the one thatтАЩs the most convenient for you.
Porto to Sintra by private car service
A private car transfer with Daytrip is by far the most convenient and comfortable option. YouтАЩll avoid the stress of driving, finding parking, going through so many transfers, and carrying your luggage around. Instead, you can simply lean back and enjoy the route from Porto to Sintra.
Your English-speaking driver will pick you up, help you with your luggage, give you insightful tips about Portugal, wait for you while you explore the towns on the way, and leave you at your desired destination in Sintra.
Porto to Sintra by train
From Porto, take a train to Lisbon, namely Oriente, Santa Apol├│nia, or Entrecampos stations, and then switch to a Sintra-bound train. The train ride from Porto to Lisbon takes around 2.5-3 hours. From Lisbon to Sintra, it's about 40 minutes. The combined train ticket cost varies but expect to pay around тВм25 to тВм40 one-way per person. Keep in mind that although trains are frequent, switching trains in Lisbon can be complicated.
Porto to Sintra by bus
There are direct bus services from Porto to Sintra. Flixbus and Rede Expressos operate between Porto and Sintra around three or four times a day. The bus ride can take 3.5-4.5 hours. Remember that bus trips are less comfortable than trains and car rides for long distances, but it's a viable budget option.
Porto to Sintra by plane
You can take a 45-minute flight from Porto to Lisbon. From there, you can either take a taxi or car service to Sintra or take the 783 or 744 public buses to the Esta├з├гo Entrecampos train station. From here, there are trains to Sintra departing every 20 minutes.
If that sounds complicated, it is. And it doesn't even save you any time since you need to get to the airport 2 hours before your flight, whatever time it takes to get off the plane and get your luggage. It's also more expensive than just taking a private car the whole way.
Porto to Sintra by car
Driving from Porto to Sintra is one of the more flexible options you have. You can go through the A1 motorway, transitioning to the A8, and then the IC19 towards Sintra, which would be the most direct route. The drive itself would take approximately three to three and a half hours, without possible traffic jams and stops along the way. There will be tolls on the A1 and A8 motorways, so having Via Verde installed would save you time.
Things to do when you get to Sintra
Once you finally arrive from Porto to Sintra and its many wonders, youтАЩll need several full days to make the most of this fairytale town. Making a to-do list always helps, so here are some of our top tips to inspire you!
Be blown away by Pena Palace
Pena Palace was originally a medieval monastery, but was ruined by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In the 19th century, Ferdinand II purchased it and some of the surrounding estates, like the Moorish Castle, and transformed them into the things of wonder you see today. Pena PalaceтАЩs hodgepodge of architectural styles, vibrant facades, and opulent interiors make it one of the finest examples of Romanticist architecture in the world, not to mention the centerpiece of SintraтАЩs UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Get tickets in advance!
Explore the Moorish Castle
Step back into the 8th century as you walk through the ruins of the Castelo dos Mouros. One of Sintra's UNESCO-listed monuments, this historic fortress offers stupendous views that stretch from the green hills of Sintra to the Atlantic coast from its hilltop perch. Wander around its ancient ramparts and battlements, and immerse yourself in the rich Moorish history that shaped the region.
DonтАЩt skip the Sintra National Palace
The heart of Portuguese history, and another piece of Sintra's UNESCO-listed landscape, lies at the Sintra National Palace, an architectural treasure distinguished by its iconic twin conical chimneys. It is nestled in the old town of Sintra and boasts an extensive collection of Moorish tiles and a rich history as a residence for Portuguese royalty. Explore its blend of Gothic, Manueline, Moorish, and Mud├йjar styles, which reflect the diverse cultural influences that have swept through Sintra over the centuries.
Be mesmerized at Quinta da Regaleira
Just a short walk from SintraтАЩs historic center rests the Quinta da Regaleira, yet another of Sintra's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is an estate under a Gothic spell, nothing like anything youтАЩve seen before. It will captivate you with its Gothic fa├зades, magical gardens, and mystical grottoes.
Venture into the Initiation Well, a symbol of rebirth, leading you through an underground labyrinth to come out transformed. The green gardens, hidden tunnels, and antique architecture make it a fascinating blend of history, mysticism, and nature.
When is the best time to visit Sintra
Sintra is beautiful and quite enchanting pretty much during every season. But spring is the best time to visit.
Plan your trip from Porto to Sintra during the spring months from March to May. The temperatures will be ideal for exploring Sintra, the gardens will be in bloom, and since you will be avoiding the peak travel times, youтАЩll have a more relaxed and laid-back experience with fewer crowds.
Alternatively, visit in the fall months from September to November for a similar experience, except the gardens and forests will be changing color rather than blooming!
Dubbed тАЬthe Venice of PortugalтАЭ because of its canals and gondola-like boats, visitors will find Aveiro has its own unique identity.┬аThe тАЬVeniceтАЭ of Portugal┬а
Coimbra
Halfway between Lisbon and Porto, this varied and captivating city has a long history and vibrant atmosphere built around the country's oldest university. ┬аThe Medieval Capital of Portugal┬а
Obidos
Traditionally owned by the Queen of Portugal, every house in this hilltop town had to meet the royal aesthetic.┬аThe Town of Queens┬а
Alcobaca
This medieval city is inextricably linked to its UNESCO-protected Monastery.┬аMonk Made┬а
Nazare
This historic fishing village attracts beach-goers, culture-lovers, and surfers, who come to ride its record-breaking waves.┬аA Real Catch┬а
Mafra National Palace
With a massive library, beautiful basilica, and luxurious apartments, it's easy to forget that this sumptuous Baroque complex was at its heart, a convent. ┬аThe Promised Palace┬а
тАЬWe got picked up from Sintra and taken to Porto, Portugal with Augusto. He couldnтАЩt do more for us. We stopped in Nazar├й and Coimbra along the way with Augusto giving us tips and directions on what to see. The door to door service was perfect considering we a group of two families.тАЭ
