How to Eat Your Way in Sintra in One Day

Have you ever been to a wonderland? If you visit Lisbon, don’t miss the chance to go to Sintra to experience the wonderland of Portugal.

Sintra is a long time royal destination, with lush forests and magical palaces. Just 40 mins by train from Lisbon, the now Unesco World Heritage Site offers the perfect haven for a Lisbon day trip.

Because any journey in wonderland should involve food, we put together the perfect guide on where to eat in Sintra in one day!

How to Get to Sintra from Lisbon

First thing, the best and easiest way to go from Lisbon to Sintra is to take the train.

You can catch a direct train departing from the Rossio train station in Lisbon.

There is a train departing every 10 to 20 minutes during the week or every 30 minutes during the weekends from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.

For more information about the schedule, check the Portugal train website here.

You can buy your ticket directly at the train station and it only cost €2.25 for the 40 minute ride.

You will need to get a Lisboa card which you can pick up at the same time as for an additional 50 cents.

Authentic Food Quest Tip: If you are sightseeing in Lisbon for a few days, consider getting a Lisboa Card. The train ride to Sintra is free and there are additional perks provided with the card. For example, you get 10% off on the Palacio Nacional de Sintra entrance. The card gives you free public transportation in the all Lisbon as well as many free or discounted museums entrance and tours.

Sintra Map: Where to Eat – Things to Do – Where to Stay

Start your day at Cafe Saudade

Start the day with a delicious cup of Portuguese coffee at Cafe Saudade which is located close to the Sintra train station.

This cozy restaurant offers a variety of coffee drinks, including the signature Portuguese style Galão coffee, which is similar to a latte or cappuccino.

Served in a tall glass, it made with half milk and half coffee, perfect for breakfast or with a sweet pastry on the side.

Once fueled up, you can start your exploration including where to eat in Sintra.

Things to Do in Sintra – Morning Visit at Palacio Nacional de Sintra

Once fueled up, make your way to the Palacio Nacional de Sintra and be impressed by the two unusual enormous large chimneys.

Located in the center of Sintra, the Palace is an easy 10- 15 mins walk from Cafe Saudade. You can also take the tourist bus 434 that departs from the train station from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, with four departures per hour.

We recommend getting the Hop-on Hop-off ticket for €6.90 per ticket.

With this ticket, you can take a loop from Sintra train station to the main sites and get on and off the bus on your way to the Pena Palace.

You find more information about rates and schedule on the bus website here.

Palacio Nacional de Sintra was built on a site that was once a Moorish castle.

New parts were added over time and it was a favorite with the Portuguese nobility from the early 15th to the late 19th century.

The palace is lavishly decorated with richly decorated rooms, galleries, and corridors.

You will be dazzled by the eclectic blend of Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline architectural styles.

Don’t forget to stop by the kitchen and look up the 33 meter high massive chimneys. This is also where royal banquets were prepared and on display are the original roasting spits and various copper and iron kitchenware.

Gourmet Lunch at a Steal  –  Incomum: The Best restaurant in Sintra

The kitchen visit at the Palacio Nacional de Sintra will leave you hungry.

You’ll be eager to lunch in Sintra and taste the local Portuguese delicacies unique to the region.

For lunch, don’t bother weighing any other options, the menu executivo at Incomum is a no-brainer.

At the best restaurant in Sintra, chef Luis Santos offers a creative cuisine with local products at a defying price of only €11 euros.

Lunch Menu at Incomum

The lunch menu includes the choice of soup or salad, fish or meat, a dessert and a drink. A Portuguese wine, of course is highly recommended.

The price includes the famous “couvert” which is bread, olives and olive oil, that is typically paid for.

You can also choose your meal from the menu or opt for the tasting menu.

Rosemary chose the Bacalhau a bras, one of our favorite ways to eat the famous Portuguese codfish style. I was tempted by the all inclusive menu executivo.

The restaurant is upscale yet accessible with tasteful decor and soft lighting. This one of the hidden gems for where to eat in Sintra.

We very much enjoyed the thoughtful touch from the waiter. He brought Rosemary a complimentary tasting of the local specialty, “pig’s ear with polenta”, while I was enjoying my chickpea soup, the starter on the menu.

The Bacalhau a bras, revisited by Chef Luis Santos, was very fresh and tender, prepared with delicious vegetables and the eggs, lightly battered and fried.

With the menu executivo, I had the Portuguese pork also called Iberian pork served with beans, vegetables, and sausages. It was hearty and full of flavor.

We shared the menu executivo dessert, a pie made of almonds with a raspberry jam. Rich and tasty but a tad sweet. It was the perfect size for sharing.

For wines, Rosemary chose a fresh and fruity Vinho Verde, while I had a nice red from the Alentejo region. Both were a great pairing for our Sintra food.

Things to Do in Sintra – An Afternoon in Wonderland

Perched on the hills is one of Portugal’s fairytale castles. This whimsical building is the magical realization of King Don Fernando II, in the 19th century, also known as the “Artist King”.

Work your lunch off as you make your way up the hills to the Palacio Nacional da Pena.

Stop for Queijada de Sintra at Fábrica das Verdadeiras Queijadas da Sapa

On your way up to the Palace, stop by Fábrica das Verdadeiras Queijadas da Sapa. Since 1756, this is where to eat in Sintra, the famous pastries called queijada de Sintra.

These small sweet cakes are made of a thin shell filled with soft cheese, eggs, sugar, milk and flour. Order at least one of each kind of queijada de Sintra: almond, milk and orange for less than €4 each.

You can also get coffee at this shop where you can admire the view of Sintra in the tea room at the back of the store.

These pastries will make for your reward after the 45 minute hike up. We promise the combination of breathtaking views and delicious pastries to be sublime.

Hiking Up To Palacio Nacional da Pena

The hike to Palacio Nacional da Pena will take about 45 minutes. It is a pleasant gradual hike to admire the views of the city and its region.

To do so, follow the signs to the Villa Sassetti. You will walk through the Parque de Sintra up to the base of the Palacio Nacional da Pena.

If your time is limited or your legs need a rest, hop on the 434 bus back at the train station or across the Sintra Palace.

Visit Palacio Nacional da Pena

The Palacio Nacional da Pena is a remarkable example of Portuguese Romanticism architecture.

The fanciful architecture includes a mix of Manueline and Moorish styles.

After your visit, walk around the 85-hectare park, which surrounds the palace. Waterfalls, ponds, pavilions, and exotic plants and trees make this an exceptional place to explore.  

Authentic Food Quest Tip: We recommend buying the combined ticket which gives you access to both the palace and the park grounds. The park as much as the Palacio da Pena is worth touring and enjoying. Buy your ticket online to skip the line. Be warned that the Palacio can get really busy in high season from the spring to the fall. We recommend going really early or late in the day to avoid the large crowds.

Touring Moors Castle

After visiting the Palacio de Pena, head to the Castelo dos Mouros or Moors Castle.

This Castle is reminiscent of the Moors era in the Iberian Peninsula during the 8th and 9th centuries.

Although the castle was fortified in the 14th century, it was slowly abandoned until 1840. That’s when King Don Fernando II set out to rebuild the castle and make it what it is today.

Surrounded by the forest, the castle stands 412 m above the sea level. The views from Sintra to the Atlantic are breathtaking.

From the castle, the well marked path leads you back to the center of town via the rampa do Castelo and the Calçada dos Clérigos. It takes about 25 mins for the 1.5 miles or 2.4 km descent.

Authentic Food Quest Tip: The Castle of the Moors doesn’t get as busy as the Palacio Nacional de Pena. However, if you are visiting in the middle of the peak season, you may have to wait in line to get your ticket. You can skip the line by buying your ticket online.

A Sweet Finish With Sintra Must Eat Desserts at Casa Piriquita

Finish the day at Casa Piriquita and have the two delicious and famous desserts of Sintra. This pastry shop has been “fattening up” royalty and visitors alike since 1862. For where to eat in Sintra, this is one of the most tempting local gems. 

The famous Queijada de Sintra (if you didn’t try it at the Fábrica) is what got this pastry shop started, and was propelled to success by King Carlos I.

These delicious little pies have a crusty exterior and a soft inner batter made with cheese, sugar, eggs, flour and a little cinnamon. They are not too sweet and have a hint of a fresh cheese taste. Delectable!

Our absolute favorite and another signature dessert from Sintra and also created at Casa Piriquita is the Travesseiro.  

This dough based pastry, which is long and slender like a “pillow” absolutely melts in the mouth.

We ordered one to share and after the first bite, knew we made a mistake. We quickly ordered a second one because we couldn’t share.

This light pastry filled with almond cream and other secret ingredients is heavenly. As you eat your way through Sintra, don’t miss the Travesseiro dessert.

Keep in mind this is one dessert you cannot share.

More Things To Do in Sintra – Quinta da Regaleira

There are many monuments and parks to see in Sintra.

To complete your tour of this wonderland destination, we recommend visiting Quinta da Regaleira.

Located on the outskirts of the city center, Quinta Regaleira was first built at the end of the 19th century.

The romantic property was then acquired by Carvalho Monteiro nicknamed Monteiro dos Milhões or Monteiro the Millionaire due to his vast fortune.

The construction of the Palace as we know it started in 1904 and was completed for the most part in 1910.

Quinta da Regaleira is an amazing romantic palace to explore. Don’t miss the Initiation Well, the surprising caves and the many winding path through the gardens.

It is easy to spend two hours wandering through this vast magical estate.