Lisbon and Sintra Private Tour
Description
Why not a tour of Lisbon and Sintra in a single day? Embark on an exclusive 8-hour journey that beautifully combines the romantic magic of Sintra with the vibrant history of Lisbon. Your day begins by escaping to the lush hills of Sintra to explore the colorful, fairy-tale terraces of the Pena National Palace ( tickets not include ) and stroll through the charming cobblestone streets of its historic center. Afterward, you will travel to Lisbon's grand waterfront to admire the breathtaking Manueline architecture of the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, followed by a drive through the elegant 18th-century avenues of Baixa downtown. Concluding with a scenic panoramic drive through the ancient, soulful streets of Alfama, this private tour offers the perfect, stress-free balance of royal palaces, rich heritage, and iconic city highlights in a single unforgettable day.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The choice of what palace ( or palaces ) to visit is yours, the guide will suggest that it is best for you to visit between: “Quinta da Regaleira”a palace from the XIX. Although it seems to be older, with a decoration that impresses, rich in Masonic symbolism, Moorish Castle a testimony of the Islamic presence in the region, built between the 8th and 9th centuries and enlarged after the Reconquest or why not the Palaçio da Pena, a a fantastical and revivalist reconstruction, to the taste of nineteenth-century romanticism, which was owed to the passion and imagination of the artist D. Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, consort of D. Maria II.
Sintra is without a doubt one of the most extraordinary places in Portugal, mainly because of its microclimate that transforms this small town situated on the slopes of the mountain range “Serra de Sintra” and next to the Atlantic into a major attraction for visitors. Admire its famous castles and palaces or simply taste the traditional food, pastries, sweets and souvenir shops selling typical local items. In it´s historic center where you will have time to try the famous “travesseiros” and “queijadas” in the Piriquita Pastry Shop and explore the narrow streets of the most romantic town in Portugal.
Belem the Lisbon district that personifies the epic of the Portuguese Discoveries, with several monuments classified Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity by Unesco. The Portuguese empire became one of the largest empires in all history, the majestic monuments that we find in Belem are a reflection of the golden era in the history of Portugal. Such as Monastery of Jerónimos, Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries with the statues of the great Portuguese sailors and explorers, Pedro Alvares Cabral, Vasco da Gama among others. The must-visit will be to the famous “Pastéis de Belém”, one of Portugal´s most typical pastries/sweets.
Step into Baixa, Lisbon’s vibrant and historic downtown, where grand 18th-century architecture meets traditional Portuguese charm. Rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1755 with a magnificent neoclassical grid design, this elegant district is perfect for a relaxed stroll. As you explore, you will marvel at the majestic architecture of Rossio Square and walk through the iconic Arco da Rua Augusta to open up into the breathtaking Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio) right by the edge of the Tagus River. Filled with traditional pastry shops, boutique stores, and bustling outdoor cafés, Baixa is the lively heart of the capital and an absolute must-visit to capture the true essence of Lisbon.
Step back in time in Alfama, the oldest and most atmospheric neighborhood in Lisbon. Having miraculously survived the great earthquake of 1755, this medieval labyrinth of narrow cobblestone alleys, hidden courtyards, and whitewashed houses looks and feels like a village frozen in time. As you wind your way up the scenic hills, you will catch the haunting melodies of Fado music echoing from traditional taverns and pass by historic landmarks like the majestic Sé Cathedral and the ancient ramparts of São Jorge Castle. Offering some of the most breathtaking panoramic views over the terracotta rooftops and the Tagus River from its famous miradouros (viewpoints), Alfama is the ultimate place to experience the authentic history, soul, and romance of Lisbon.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will pick you up at your accommodation
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(117)
Unfortunately our driver was sent to the wrong hotel so we waited for 30 mins outside our hotel unnecessarily and wasted 30 mins of our tour time.
Thank you for your feedback. While we acknowledge that the guide arrived 30 minutes late, this delay was a direct result of the booking details provided. Had you booked a hotel within Lisbon rather than 30 minutes outside the city, and provided the correct hotel name instead of a different location from the same chain inside the city, the guide would have arrived right on time. Despite these discrepancies, we accommodated your request by arranging a vehicle and ensuring your drop-off was outside Lisbon at no additional cost. We always strive to go above and beyond to help our clients, but it is disappointing to see that this flexibility was not appreciated.
Worst trip ever taken using Viator. I have requested a full refund, because the tour operator failed to properly plan the tour around afternoon reservations at Pena Palace. The driver took is there first, not telling us where we were then got into a dispute over we should have bought tickets in advance. After wasting 90 minutes we figured out that this is where we had tickets for 13:30. The tour operator was informed of this 2 months in advance. Unfortunately, they didn’t tell the driver. This resulted is us not having enough time to visit Sintra, make stops along the way to take pictures or have lunch. By the time we finished Pena Palace we were highly irritated and done with the tour. The driver was a nice guy, but he had a dented wrecked van that was loud and uncomfortable. He also didnt have water as part of the included items. Don’t do this tour with Viator. Poor tour operator for Sintra tour.
We were honestly expecting this review and this score, given the rude, uncommunicative, and frankly hostile attitude you displayed toward our guide throughout the day. It is regrettable when a professional is subjected to such a difficult environment while trying to provide a high-quality service. Regarding the points mentioned, we must clarify the facts: 1. Logistics and Tickets: The responsibility for the day's organization depends on the clarity of the information provided by the client. As soon as the booking was made, we sent an email (March 22nd) explicitly warning that if you wished to visit the interior of the Pena Palace, you should purchase tickets as soon as possible due to fixed time slots, providing the direct link for the purchase. Mr. Donald replied stating he purchased tickets for 1:30 PM. Immediately after, Mrs. Lora sent a message saying the tickets were for "late afternoon" and asking if you could enter at any time. We replied instantly asking for the exact time on the tickets to adjust the logistics perfectly, a question you never answered. 2. The Conflict in Sintra: It is incomprehensible why, despite having the tickets, you told the guide you did not have them, deliberately creating a conflict. Our policy of not including tickets in the base price is clear: Pena Palace tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, whereas our tours offer a 100% refund up to 48 hours before the trip. We cannot force a client to pay for a non-refundable ticket through us that they might lose if their plans change. 3. The Vehicle and Service: Describing a Mercedes V-Class—a top-of-the-line, modern, and luxury vehicle—as a "wrecked van" is a baseless statement intended only to defame our company. Regarding the water, the guide provided it; you drank one and, in a total lack of courtesy, threw the empty bottle under the seat. Even when the guide stopped at a station to offer you more water, you refused just to maintain a reason for complaint. 4. Conclusion: It seems clear that your objective from the beginning of the pickup was to find or create problems in order to demand a full refund after the service was rendered. We inform you that no refund will be issued, as the service was fully provided and the logistical delays were caused exclusively by your lack of communication regarding the tickets you already held. Fortunately, the thousands of clients we have served through Viator recognize the quality of our work and maintain a level of mutual respect, which was sadly absent in this case. Best regards,
The tour guide was incredibly nice and personable. She even spent more hours than we were booked for to get us to some cool spots around Lisbon near our hotel. Lovely day. Sintra castle and Pena castle were closed due to fire threats in the area. Would recommend checking Instagram for the latest updates. The "official" website said it was open but the Instagram for Sintra castle told the most accurate up to date info. Also another tour guide confirmed that Insta had the better info. Check before you go to not be disappointed. We had fun anyway touring around the city and she took us to some hidden outlooks because she was a local and knew the area very well. Also the surprise of Cabo do Roca was also one of the highlights of our trip. Lovely day.
Ruben was a wonderful tour guide He was well versed with history and took us to the palace and sintra He drove well and we also ate at a great place with fresh fish He went out of his way to help us I would recommend him thoroughly He also had a assistant Diego who was outstanding
Ruben was very friendly and professional. He took us to see many sights that we would not thought of to include in our vacation. We had a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it.
Four of us had a private tour around Lisbon and Sintra with Manuel. He was a terrific tour guide. He was very professional, did a lot of previous research and shared a wealth of knowledge with us all while navigating the congested traffic and narrow streets. Manuel was extremely accommodating and did his utmost to ensure we all had a wonderful day, which it was. He reached out numerous times before our tour date, asking if we had any specific requests. You would be lucky to have Manuel as your tour guide.
Ruben was a great guide. Advise people to dress warmly for Sintra as it is quite cool and breezy there. If I were to do again I would do Sintra one day and Lisbon a separate day. Such wonderful things to see and the tour went smoothly. Also for Sintea should be able to walk up hills and stairs.
All of it! Tour guide was great - Manuel was extremely informative, helpful, and generous with suggestions!
The whole tour was incredible and it was thanks to Pedro. If I had to describe him it would be "one of a kind". We went to Lisbon with my 3 kids and he was so patient, he took his time explaining everything. I would highly reccomend him and the tour.
This was one of the best private trips we took. We were a family of 7 coming off a cruise ship. Pedro picked us up with all our luggage. He took us to our hotel to drop it off and then off we went on our journey to explore Lisbon and Sintra. He was very informative and friendly. We had the best time. Thank you Pedro.
