Highlights
- Full-day Sintra royal palaces tour from Lisbon with a professional local guide
- Visit three stunning palaces in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Sintra
- Tour Pena Palace and marvel at its spectacular architecture
- Explore medieval Sintra Palace and learn of extravagant King Manuel I who once lived there
- Discover Queluz Palace and admire its elegant Throne Room
- Learn about architecture from varying periods, like Gothic, Moorish, Neo-Renaissance and Rococo
- Small-group tour limited to 19 people ensures a personalized experience
Useful Information
Small-Group Sintra Royal Palaces Tour from Lisbon: Pena Palace
First stop of your day is Pena Palace, easily Sintra’s most famous architectural icon with its over-the-top, fairy-tale architecture – the kind of castle that was designed from a child’s dream. Created in the 1800s for King Ferdinand, the palace is similar in appearance to Bavaria’s famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
After a 1.5-hour lunch break (own expense) in Sintra, meet your guide and visit the medieval Sintra Palace, with its smooth white façade. Originally built in the 10th century, the palace now boasts a mixture of Gothic, Moorish and Manueline architecture, and while its exterior is less ornate, the inside will dazzle you with extravagant rooms like the Blazons Hall, decorated in vivid blue tiles. Stroll around with your guide and learn about King Manuel I who commissioned the interior’s elaborate décor.
As you explore, your guide will point out drawbridges, ramparts, domes and fascinating gargoyles – all painted in pretty pastel colors. Learn about the many architectural styles that comprise this astounding building, like Neo-Gothic, Islamic and Neo-Renaissance, and admire the palace’s richly decadent Victorian and Edwardian rooms. Marvel at the Arab Room with its elaborate frescoes, and enjoy panoramic views of town from the windows.
Continue for the last visit of your day – Queluz Palace. Known as the Portuguese Versailles, this 18th-century palace with its ornate gardens, statues and fountains was the last of the Europe’s Rococo (Late Baroque) buildings. While exploring with your guide, admire its decorative art that adorns rooms like the elegant Throne Room and the Royal Bedroom with its distinctive domed ceiling.
When you’ve finished exploring Sintra’s must-see palaces, return to central Lisbon by minibus.
Reviewed by Michaela H, May 2013
Excellent tour highly recommend
Reviewed by Lindsey P, May 2013
Long day of palaces but worth it. So much easier taking a coach to each place. Would have missed Queluz otherwise, and that would have been a huge shame. Great tour.
