The Perfect Day Trip from Lisbon: Sintra Palaces & Wild Ocean Views

Planning a trip to Lisbon? One of the best things you can do is take a day trip from Lisbon to the magical town of Sintra and the breathtaking Atlantic coastline. In this post, I’ll share a flexible, scenic itinerary based on our own road trip adventure—palaces, castles, and hidden beaches included.

When planning our Lisbon visit, I deliberately looked for accommodation that would allow me to easily pick up a rental car nearby. Our accommodation was close to Marques De Pombal square. If you’re looking for a place to stay, I highly recommend this area. Whether you prefer an apartment, room, or hotel, you’ll find plenty of options. Metro and bus stops are nearby, and there are numerous shopping opportunities and restaurants. After picking up our rental car, we headed toward Sintra.

I booked the car through Discover Cars. Everything went smoothly, from the reservation and payment to picking up and returning the car. I also purchased additional insurance, just to be safe. Although it wasn’t needed in the end, seeing how narrow some of the roads were during our journey, I didn’t regret it. You pay the toll electronically and it’s then taken off the deposit based on how much you use the toll roads.

What to see on day trip from Lisbon

As mentioned, we set off toward Sintra. It’s not far, about half an hour or approximately 30 km away. This is where you’ll find the National Palace of Pena, The Moorish Castle, Quinta da Regaleira, and the Park and Palace of Monserrate. These were all saved in my travel plan. However, I didn’t plan too strictly, allowing chance to guide us on the day.

This is how we ended up missing the popular National Palace of Pena. There had been a time change the night before (So we ended up getting out of bed quite a bit later than intended) and when we arrived by car we couldn’t get up the hill and the parking lots were full. Due to the congestion, police were directing traffic. We would’ve had to park lower down (3km away) and take a transfer (tuk-tuk) or walk up. Since I had two other coastal locations on my list, I decided to let this one go and move on, knowing that the National Palace of Pena would be at least a half-day program that wouldn’t fit into our schedule that day.

National Palace of Pena

Book a guided tour to Explore Pena Palace, marvel at Cabo da Roca’s coastline, and unwind in Cascais

The Moorish Castle

The Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) is an ancient medieval fortress built during the 8th and 9th centuries by the Moors who once occupied the Iberian Peninsula. Strategically positioned on one of Sintra’s highest hills, its stone walls snake dramatically along the ridge, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Walking along the well-preserved battlements takes you back in time, while providing incredible photo opportunities. Though mainly ruins now, the castle retains an atmospheric charm that helps visitors imagine its former military importance in defending the region.

Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira is a mystical estate that seems plucked from the pages of a gothic novel. Completed in 1910, this UNESCO World Heritage site showcases the eccentric vision of its owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, and Italian architect Luigi Manini. The property features a romantic palace, a chapel, and elaborate gardens filled with symbolism related to alchemy, Masonry, the Knights Templar, and the Rosicrucians. Its most famous feature is the Initiatic Well, a spiraling inverted tower that descends 27 meters into the earth. Underground tunnels connect various parts of the estate, creating a labyrinthine journey that symbolizes death and rebirth. The entire property feels like an enigmatic wonderland waiting to be decoded.

Park and Palace of Monserrate

On our way, we passed by the Palace of Monserrate. Fortunately, we found parking spaces here that were complimentary. Taking advantage of the opportunity, we bought our entrance tickets and set off to explore the palace and botanical garden. It immediately became clear that this was a good decision to stop here. There were no crowds, the garden was paradise itself – huge and beautiful. The palace was also breathtakingly gorgeous.

The Park and Palace of Monserrate represent a stunning blend of Gothic, Indian, and Moorish architectural influences. The exotic palace was built in the 19th century as a summer retreat for Sir Francis Cook, a wealthy English textile merchant. What makes Monserrate truly special is its expansive botanical garden, considered one of the most beautiful in Portugal. The microclimate of Sintra allows for an impressive diversity of plant species from around the world, creating distinct garden sections including a Mexican garden, a Japanese garden, and a rose garden. Waterfalls, ponds, and meandering paths lead visitors through this botanical paradise. The palace itself features intricate stonework, arabesque arches, and detailed plasterwork that create an atmosphere of refined exoticism.

Tickets for adults: €12
Learn More About Visiting Monserrate

From Sintra to the Sea: Cabo da Roca & Adraga

After exploring the magnificent Palace of Monserrate, we decided to continue our coastal adventure. The winding roads leading away from Sintra offered spectacular views of the Portuguese countryside. The contrast between the lush greenery of Sintra’s hills and the approaching coastline created a perfect transition in our day trip.

Cabo da Roca

Our next destination was Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Standing on the dramatic cliffs overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean gave us a profound sense of awe. The powerful winds, the crashing waves below, and the lighthouse standing proudly against the elements made for an unforgettable experience. We took a moment to appreciate this geographic milestone, where land meets the seemingly endless ocean.

When planning your route, don’t follow the location marker on Google Maps (Miradouro do Cabo da Roca). It will take you to the wrong place. Just follow the signs and drive through the settlement of Azóia. Basically there is not much here except a view, parking and a bar/restaurant. The area is beautiful, and if you have time, it’s worth taking a short walk along the nearby paths and admiring the beautiful rocky coastline from high above.

Praia da Adraga

From Cabo da Roca, we decided to visit one of the region’s hidden gems – Praia da Adraga beach. Taking a scenic drive through the winding roads of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, we followed signs to this less touristed coastal treasure. The narrow road leading to Praia da Adraga descended through beautiful countryside until suddenly the magnificent Atlantic coastline appeared before us.

Renowned for its dramatic sea stacks and natural rock arches, this beach is considered one of Portugal’s most beautiful coastal spots. The golden sand beach is nestled between towering cliffs, creating an intimate and sheltered feeling despite facing the mighty Atlantic. Unlike the more crowded beaches closer to Lisbon, Praia da Adraga offered a more authentic and tranquil experience, allowing us to truly connect with Portugal’s stunning natural coastline.

Parking is limited, so get there early, and if you arrive in the middle of the day, be patient as someone will leave after a while. That’s how we found a spot. There is also a restaurant on the beach where you can have lunch or dinner with a beautiful view.

The return drive to Lisbon in the evening was smooth and quick. Reflecting on our day, I was grateful for the flexibility in our planning that allowed us to discover unexpected treasures like Monserrate, even though we missed Pena Palace. This day trip from Lisbon excursion provided a perfect complement to our Lisbon city experience, showcasing the diverse beauty that Portugal has to offer within such a short distance from its capital.

One thing’s for sure, I’ll be going back to Portugal. There’s still so much to see there. I’m already planning my next trip!

Looking for more Portugal inspiration? Check out my post about Lisbon in March, Spring – What you need to know or follow me for updates on my next trip!

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