Know Sintra through the eyes of a local archeologist private tour
Description
My name is Diogo, i am an archaeologist and i live in Sintra since i can remember. As a local I've gathered knowledge and love for my land that i now want to share. I've been involved with archaeological excavations in Sintra where we uncovered treasures from past cultures. I am also a local tour guide with plenty of local advise for the newcomers who want to enjoy our marvelous land. I've made this tour thinking about out of the box places that tourists usually don't visit in Sintra, whether it's because mostly only locals know them or they are hard to find. In my view, this tour offers Sintra in it's raw and authentic state away from the crowds with a lot of past secrets to share.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will start our tour with a pick up at Sintra train Station and proceed to visit a ruined medieval village at the gates of the Moorish castle, there, we will see the remains of an archaeological excavation where i worked back in 2012 and is now an open air museum with old structures, graves popping off the ground and a museum with a lot of artifacts we found there.
The seccond place we will visit lies in the middle of the Sintra forest where an old chapel lies on a top of a hill, this chapel is known as an old pilgrimage spot where a miracle happened. Another ruined building is also seen on this barren hill top, this ruined church has its foundations on the foundation of Portugal itself. Our journey will continue to this more place of the hill, away from the crowds and mostly known only by locals. For me one of the best views of all the Lisbon bay area.
The last place we will visit will be a curious one. After a 15 minute walk deep down in the Sintra Forest, another hill top facing the westernmost point of continental europe can be visited. The place called Penedo de Adrenunes, gives us the Stonehenge vibes. Despite archaeological artifacts never been found here, it is believed that this place was used by our ancestors 5000 years ago.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(36)
Our private tour of Sintra was conducted by Anna S. She is the consummate tour guide and personally guided us through Pena Palace in Sitra, Portugal. It is about 45 minutes from Lisbon and is a must see attraction. Her knowledge of the palace was incredible and we never had to strain to hear her describe what we were seeing. Her English is fluent and she speaks other languages as well.
We highly recommend this tour for those that are interested in history. We are experienced travelers, but don’t know a lot about this area in Portugal. Our guide, Diogo, took us through some of the local sites for the day, providing a vast amount of information and great stories about local events and explaining the historical context and significance We traveled with two children ages, 11 and 13 and he tailored the topics and the stops to all four of our interests, he even added a couple things along the route that he thought would be of interest to us. All in all it was a highlight of our trip to this area and I would absolutely recommend this to a friend.
Unforgettable Experience! Diogo’s tour exceeded all our expectations from start to finish. Our guide was an absolute gem—adaptable, incredibly knowledgeable, and tuned in to exactly what we were interested in. Rather than sticking rigidly to a script, he tailored the experience to us, adding unique touches and insights that made the day truly personal and unforgettable. He didn’t just show us the sights—He brought the history and culture to life, and even suggested fantastic additional places for us to explore on our own afterward. We especially appreciated the recommendation for a local restaurant—it turned out to be one of the best meals of our entire trip! The car was a delight to ride in—comfortable, stylish, and added a fun element to the whole experience. Every detail felt thoughtful and elevated. Don’t hesitate—if you have the chance to take this tour, go for it. You’ll be talking about it long after your trip ends!
Everything was wonderful. 🤗👍🥰 We hope to return with more friends to share this experience. Great guide, very professional!
Diogo is an outstanding guide and brought Sintra to life. He created a tour just for our family’s preferences and his passion for Sintra Is contagious. We highly recommend!
Diogo (who speaks perfect english) is a local archeologist with extensive knowledge in the historical ruins of Portugal. He opened my eyes to the Evora region after he noticed my interest in the local economy, culture and religious history. After a few sites were closed for maintenance, we revised my tour. It included the archeological site at the Moorish Castle, church ruins, a regional lunch (Bifana and Chicken soup), a cork factory, the Roman (Diana’s) Temple, the Cathedral with the oldest working organ in Europe, the chapel of bones, storks, miles of olive trees and cork forests! If you want a custom tour off the beaten path with an energetic local who is a great translator…. Diogo is your guy!
Went on a tour with Diogo ( Mr. Local) in Sintra in the new car, if you want a very knowledgeable and fun tour guy Diogo is the guy, his enthusiasm and knowledge would be hard to find anywhere. One of the most rewarding and fun tours I’ve ever been on. Donna Payovich Las Vegas, NV
So glad to hear you enjoyed the tour! Sintra is such a magical place, and it’s a joy for me to share its wonders with guests like you. Looking forward to seeing you again! Diogo :)
The tour is made for inquiring minds and souls. If you are looking for the most authentic places that are off the beaten track, that tour is made for you. Diogo is absolutely fantastic, professional and passionate guide. He was 100% hearing our wishes, answering all of our questions and giving us the information that no one else could. This tour was the absolute highlight of our stay in Sintra. Thank you, Diogo, for this unforgettable adventure and letting us experience the real magic of the Mountain of the Moon. Anastasia and Valeria
Thank you Valeria and Anastasia for your kind words! I absolutely love showing people the beauty of Sintra, and I’m so happy you enjoyed your time with me. So glad you decided to do the small hike so i could show you one of my favorite treasures of Sintra, that part of the mountain is trully amazing and one of my favorites! Be back soon! Diogo
This tour was truly unique, passionate about his city and rich in knowledge. Diogo left us wanting to return to Sintra. Highly recommend a tour with him! Greetings from Florence
Gratzi! Diogo
Diogo is an excellent passionate about Sintra and life itself. We loved this experience a lot… highly recommended 👏👍
