Sintra

Shore Excursions

Famous for its incredible array of palaces, Sintra steals the hearts of all those who travel there. On this full day private tour, take your pick of which palaces to visit with the help of your experienced local guide. From the beautiful Romantic Pena Palace, the Morrish Castle and the Masonic Regaleira, you’ll be absolutely spoilt for royal choice! Definitely not one to miss is the incredible ‘Portugese Versailles’. Or, will you choose the Queluz Palace, home to the Portuguese Royal Family back in 1755 before their earthquake escape to Brazil. One of the most beautiful palaces, Quelez is known for its Rococo style, gardens, and terraces. After the palaces, travel to the center of Sintra to visit and learn all about the area’s historical monuments and interesting tourist attractions. Next, head to Cabo da Roca, the most western point in Europe where the land ends and the vast sea opens up. Marvel at the stunning ocean views and then travel to the ‘Mouth of Hell’, where the waves hit the rocks with frightening force, and years of erosion have left vast cavities in the limestone. Now it's time to explore Cascais Bay, a wide beach nestled amongst picturesque streets full of fish restaurants caught fresh by the village fishermen. Sat between the bay and the Sintra mountain range, Cascais was the vacation hotspot for Portugese royalty in the 19th century. On the return to Lisbon, journey along the coast of Estoril, famous for its Casino, the inspiration of Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel ‘Casino Royale’.

Skip the big group shore excursions when your ship docks in Lisbon and enjoy a private tour of the city, along with the artistic town of Sintra, the Estoril coast, and the traditional fishing village of Cascais. Start with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra, a fairytale town of fantastic architecture. Wander the narrow streets to discover the summer retreats of the kings of Portugal and Moorish lords. Marvel at the romantic Moors Castle, and the Royal Palace built on the site of a Moorish Alcazar. Head to the top of the hill to the extravagant 19th-century palace of King Ferdinand. Known for its rare Romanticist architectural styles and colors, the Pena Palace commands stunning views of the “Sacred Mountains” of the Serra. Next, take a relaxing drive along the Estoril Coast, and visit the historical center of Cascais, where fishing traditions are still maintained. Continue to the beautiful beaches of Estoril, gazing at the Atlantic Ocean en route to Lisbon. Spend the afternoon exploring the main squares of Lisbon, such as the ornate Praça do Rossio and Praça do Comércio. Go to the Castle of Saint George for astonishing views of the city and old Moorish quarter of Alfama. End your adventure where many explorers started, in the historic district of Belém, and marvel at the 16th-century Tower of Belém and Jerónimos Monastery. See the Monument to the Discoveries, erected in 1960 to honor the 500th anniversary of the death of the great Portuguese explorer, Henry the Navigator.

Visit historical center of Sintra, once the hunting residence of the Portuguese kings and now an important cultural heritage site. This tour takes you along to Cabo de Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where you will have the opportunity to take some photos before continuing on to Cascais and Estoril, Lisbon's trendy seaside resorts. On this panoramic tour, you will explore some of the picturesque districts of Lisbon, such as Baixa, the city's downtown, Rossio Square, and drive from there to Comércio Square. Visit the Hieronymites Monastery - see the church and take the opportunity to get a closer look at the cloister. You will then visit Belém Tower, Lisbon's famous landmark located on the Tagus River. There, you can see a copy of the airplane that the Portuguese pilots Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral rode in for the first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic in 1922. The final highlight on this tour is the Monument to the Discoveries, a 60-meter monument built in 1960. There, you can admire over 30 statues that were erected in honor of Portuguese navigators. Admire the world map and the marble compass rose - a gift from the Republic of South Africa.