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Lisbon Castle & palace tours

Our most recommended Lisbon Castle & palace tours

Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

1. Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Daytrip

Escape Lisbon and go on a full-day, guided journey to some of Portugal’s most popular locations stopping at the iconic Pena Palace in Sintra, the awe-inspiring cliffs of Cabo da Roca, and the ritzy seaside town of Cascais. Choose between the shared tour or private tour options. Your journey from Lisbon starts at the famous city of Sintra, whose Romanticist architecture, historic estates and villas, and numerous royal palaces and castles have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy the freedom of choice on whether you want an included entry ticket and tour of the colorful Pena Palace, or whether you prefer to gain some extra free time instead. Arriving early at Sintra means greater chances of avoiding long lines if you choose to go with your guide on a comprehensive tour through its lavish interiors and lush gardens. Marvel at the palace’s fairy-tale-like appearance, beautiful facade and extravagant interior. Next, head over to the center of Sintra and get 1.5-hour of free time to wander on your own. Get recommendations of the city’s must-see locations as well as the best restaurant options for delicious traditional Portuguese dining from your guide. Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, and take in the impressive views of the ocean crashing against the high rocky cliffs. If weather permitting, stop at Guincho beach, whose strong winds and high swells have made it a popular surfing destination. Lastly, arrive in Cascais, an elegant seaside resort town on the Portuguese Riviera. Stroll through the lovely city center and make sure to check out Cascais’ luxury marina, its charming fishing port, and a restored fort that houses many local craftsmen. After your free exploration time in Cascais, relax back on board your air-conditioned vehicle, and admire more breathtaking views of the Portuguese coast as you make your way back to Lisbon.

From Lisbon: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, & Pena Palace Trip

2. From Lisbon: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, & Pena Palace Trip

Discover Sintra’s beautiful architecture, admire the beauty of one of the highest hills of the region Walk the narrow streets of Sintra in your free time and visit with our fantastic tour guide Quinta da Regaleira. Arrive at the romantic Pena Palace in Sintra, which has a profusion of styles much in accordance with the exotic taste of Romanticism. Explore the ancient castle, which was one of the favorite residences of the royal family throughout the 19th century. Walk through the fairytale-style building and learn about its fascinating history. Take some free time to stroll through Sintra and purchase lunch if you're feeling hungry. Get recommendations on what to see and eat in the area. Afterward, begin a guided tour of the main landmarks of Sintra, and hear about local secrets and stories. Visit the picturesque village of Cascais, linked to the Portuguese royals who summered here. Stroll along beautiful beaches, mansions, museums and photogenic streets. Return to Lisbon at the end of the day.

Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket

3. Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket

The palace is situated in the eastern part of the Park of Pena, which one has to pass through to reach the steep ramp built by the Baron of Eschwege that provides access to the castle-like building. The palace itself is composed of two wings: the former Manueline monastery of the Order of St. Jerome and the wing built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II. These wings are ringed by a third architectural structure that is a fantastical version of an imaginary castle, whose walls one can walk around and which comprises battlements, watchtowers, an entrance tunnel and even a drawbridge. In 1838, King Ferdinand II acquired the former Hieronymite monastery of Our Lady of Pena, which was built by King Manuel I in 1511 on the top of the hill above Sintra and had been left unoccupied since 1834 when the religious orders were suppressed in Portugal. The monastery consisted of the cloister and its outbuildings, the chapel, the sacristy and the bell tower, which today form the northern section of the Palace of Pena, or the Old Palace as it is known. King Ferdinand began by making repairs to the former monastery, which, according to the historical sources of that time, was in very bad condition. He refurbished the whole of the upper floor, replacing the fourteen cells used by the monks with larger-sized rooms and covering them with the vaulted ceilings that can still be seen today. In roughly 1843, the king decided to enlarge the palace by building a new wing (the New Palace) with even larger rooms (the Great Hall is a good example of this), ending in a circular tower next to the new kitchens. The building work was directed by the Baron of Eschwege. The 1994 repair works restored the original colors of the Palace’s exterior: pink for the former monastery and ochre for the New Palace. In transforming a former monastery into a castle-like residence, King Ferdinand showed that he was heavily influenced by German romanticism, and that he probably found his inspiration in the Stolzenfels and Rheinstein castles on the banks of the Rhine, as well as Babelsberg Palace in Potsdam. These building works at the Palace of Pena ended in the mid-1860s, although further work was also undertaken at later dates for the decoration of the interiors. King Ferdinand also ordered the Park of Pena to be planted in the Palace’s surrounding areas in the style of the romantic gardens of that time, with winding paths, pavilions and stone benches placed at different points along its routes, as well as trees and other plants originating from the four corners of the earth. In this way, the king took advantage of the mild and damp climate of the Sintra hills to create an entirely new and exotic park with over five hundred different species of trees. The Palace of Pena was designated a National Monument in 1910 and forms part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, which has been classified by UNESCO as World Heritage since 1995.

Lisbon: Saint George's Castle Entry & Self-Guided Audio Tour

4. Lisbon: Saint George's Castle Entry & Self-Guided Audio Tour

Experience St.George Castle at your own pace with a skip-the-line e-ticket and a fascinating self-guided audio tour on your smartphone. Receive your instructions by email, download the app, the entrance tickets, and the audio tour on your phone, prior to your visit, and travel back in time to experience the glory of one of Lisbon’s main attractions, the magnificent St. George Castle. Put on your headphones and discover the breathtaking Arco do Castelo, the Castle’s entrance, and the Castle’s breathtaking monuments and treasures through the power of storytelling and learn historical information and uncommon stories and anecdotes for this spectacular attraction of Lisbon. Tour’s content is the result of in-depth research, squeezed into brief original stories that will make your visit both engaging and informative. The audio tour can be used repeatedly and anytime, before or after your visit. This is an unmissable opportunity to gain valuable insights into one of Lisbon’s main and most well-known attractions, the Castle of St. George and relate to your surroundings in an entirely original way.

From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour

5. From Lisbon: Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais Full-Day Tour

Discover Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on this day tour. Admire the town via minivan, surrounded by a natural park, a medieval castle, palaces, and chalets. Walk along the medieval streets of Sintra and drive through the national park. Take in the rare fauna, the unique trees, the Moorish Castle, Monserrate Palace, and the several chalets along the road. Next, visit Pena Palace, one of the most impressive architectural expressions of 19th-century Romanticism in the world, and one of Portugal’s seven wonders. Continue on to the westernmost point of continental Europe at Roca Cape. Finally, travel along the Atlantic coast. Discover the natural seawater pools at Azenhas do Mar beach. Stop in Cascais, was once a holiday retreat for the royal family and the European aristocracy.

Lisbon: Tomar and Almourol Knights Templar Tour

6. Lisbon: Tomar and Almourol Knights Templar Tour

Follow the footsteps of the mysterious Knights Templar, a religious-military order, on this full-day tour. The Templars played an important role Portugal's history from the country's foundation, until the era of Portuguese discoveries. Visit the picturesque village of Constância, as well as Almourol Castle, built by the Templars on a small island. See the Tomar Convent of Christ, a church inspired by the temple of Solomon. Explore its many cloisters and see the iconic Manueline window. Both offer insight to the Knights Templar. Tomar was the former headquarters of the Templars, making this place one of the most important sites in the medieval world, and is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Venture next to the Gothic-style Church of Santa Maria do Olival, a gorgeous 12th century church erected for the Knights Templar. Your guide will accompany you along the way, sharing stories and curiosities about the place you visit.

From Lisbon: Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré, and Obidos Tour by Van

7. From Lisbon: Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré, and Obidos Tour by Van

Discover the diverse sights around Lisbon on a tour to Fátima, Obidos, Nazaré, and Batalha. Walk through the medieval city of Obidos, see the biggest waves in the world in Nazare, visit the most religious place in Portugal, the Sanctuary of Fátima, and admire the beauty of the last Gothic convent in Batalha. Sit back and relax in your group's van and head out of Lisbon towards Fatima. Immerse yourself in religious history at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, a Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. Visit this location steeped in history, dating back to the times when pilgrims came to this peninsula. Now, it is one of the most significant places of the 20th century, where, a hundred years ago in 1917, the Virgin Mary appeared to the three shepherds and the crowd. Then, admire the beauty of the Dominican convent in Batalha, the Monastery of Batalha. Built after the famous battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, this is one of the best and original examples of Late Flamboyant Gothic architecture in the country. Continue through wonderful natural landscapes on the way to Nazaré, home to the biggest waves in the world. Walk through this quiet fishing town, where a church houses the world's first statue of St. Mary. Then, head over to the fairytale, picturesque medieval town of Obidos. Meander through this fortified town's cobble stone streets up to the imposing castle at the top of the hill. Marvel at views of the surrounding landscape from the top. Finally, head back to Lisbon in the comfort of your van.

From Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira and Pena Palace Guided Tour

8. From Lisbon: Sintra, Regaleira and Pena Palace Guided Tour

Benefit from a guided tour inside the Quinta Regaleira and Pena Palace. Fall in love with Sintra, a village full of magic and mystery, the lasting symbol of Portugal's Romantic period and also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to treat yourself and your loved ones to a private experience with your own guide and pickup from your own hotel. Alternatively, you can get picked up from a convenient location in the center of Lisbon. Accompanied by a tour guide, visit Quinta da Regaleira and enjoy its lush gardens, lakes, grottoes, and enigmatic constructions, including the world-famous Initiation Well. Uncover the mysteries of each place and learn about the orders of the Freemasons and the Knights Templar. During the lunch break in Sintra's old town, you will have free time to explore the historical and charming streets. You will also have time to taste the traditional pastry, travesseiro. After buying your entry ticket with your guide, step into a fairy tale when you enter the romantic Pena Palace and Park. Understand its unique architectural expression of Romanticism. Spot how it blends many styles, including Gothic, neo-Manueline, neo-Islamic, and neo-Renaissance. Stroll around the park with its astonishing variety of plants and trees. Marvel at the palace's amazing views of the castle and the Atlantic Ocean, a perfect way to end the day before returning to Lisbon.

From Lisbon: Sintra Highlights and Pena Palace Full-Day Tour

9. From Lisbon: Sintra Highlights and Pena Palace Full-Day Tour

Fall in love with Sintra, a lasting symbol of Portugal's Romantic period, on a day trip from Lisbon via an air-conditioned bus. See the stunning landscape classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour of monuments like Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Monserrate Palace. Start the tour by exploring the exotic Pena Park and the magnificent Pena Palace. This remarkable building is complete with different decorative styles, symbols, and intriguing features, and was once the royal family's official summer residence. Walk through Sintra's charming city center. Stop by the decorative Quinta da Regaleira estate. Explore the Initiation Well, a mysterious and unusual place. Spend your lunchtime strolling through the historical village. Enjoy a quick stop at local patisseries to try some of Sintra's well-known delicacies. Conclude your journey at the eclectic Monserrate Palace, a glorious estate that once served as a summer residence for the British elites in Portugal.

Lisbon: Sao Jorge Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket with Escort

10. Lisbon: Sao Jorge Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket with Escort

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon or morning at Sao Jorge Castle with these convenient skip-the-line tickets. Learn about the history of Lisbon's most popular monument that stretches back into the 10th century. Meet your GetYourGuide representative directly in front of the castle for a 15-minute introduction to the monument before picking up your tickets. These allow you access to the castle's interior and will give you plenty of time to explore. Enjoy the visit at your own pace - admire the ancient architecture, and discover the castle's permanent exhibition, showcasing the many 11th century objects found in the Moorish quarter's archaeological site, and take in a 360-degree view of the city and the Tagus River from one of the highest hills in Lisbon.

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What people are saying about Lisbon

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 7,304 reviews

Our tour guide Nunu is a local and very knowledgeable about the place. He told us the most romantic love story of the Queen Dona Maria II and the King consort Ferdinand. Ferdinand acquired the old castle to remodel and extend it for the Queen Maria. It took 12 years to complete but sadly the Queen died of giving birth to their 11th child and didn’t see the completed palace. As we entered Peña Palace, it made us feel everything inside has a story to tell…….

We had a trip on 7.03. Everything was amazing! Miguel is very cool guide. He is as a real local , knows many nuances how to avoid crowded places and big lines, that made this trip very comfortable.he told us about history and much more. Totally recommend. Everything went smooth, interesting and very funny))

Magical place exceptional exhibition. Interesting comments !! No queue ... Easy access to the paintings because not too many people ... rare ... I had taken premium tickets but it was not useful suddenly .. (1st week February holidays)

Great tour. An early start to avoid the crowds in Pina. Plenty of exercise, quite cool. Excellent narration with loads of good personality. Everything was well done.

Fascinating architecture and period furnishings. Plaques at each room explained the occupant and their place in the royal family. Thoroughly enjoyable!