Explore the gorgeous natural surroundings of the Lisbon metropolitan area, including the trails of Sintra Natural Park, a UNESCO Cultural Landscape chosen for combining natural and cultural sites, with distinct architecture and gardens. On this 3-day getaway you visit both centuries-old cultural sites in verdant Sintra and hike through the dramatic windswept landscapes of the Atlantic coast. We offer two choices of itinerary: Option 1, with a greater emphasis on hiking and Option 2, with gentler activities, wine tasting and visit to Mafra and Ericeira on the north side of Sintra. Every day we make sure you get to enjoy delicious local Portuguese cuisine made from fresh locally sourced ingredients. In just a few days, this trip will amaze you with its variety of experiences and reveal some of the most precious gems of Portugal.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: | Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon | |||||
| DEPARTURE TIME: | Please arrive by 9 am for a welcome brief and departure at 9:30 am. | |||||
| RETURN TIME: | Approximately 5:30 pm. | |||||
| WHAT TO WEAR: | Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots, hat and jacket. | |||||
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| SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: | € 90.00 / night (2024) |
Itinerary Option 1 – Activity Level 3 – More hiking
(scroll down for Option 2)
Sintra Monument Walk
After a 9 am Lisbon pickup from the airport or hotel, we take a 30-minute transfer to resplendent Sintra, a tiny village known for its excellent spring waters, noble estates nestled in the woods and two royal palaces. A favorite of Romantic era writers and artists, Sintra is one of the most delightful places to be found in Portugal. Set on a vast and verdant rocky mountain, this UNESCO World Heritage landscape is composed of splendorous manicured gardens with exotic species interspersed with convents, chapels and private estates. Sintra is, indeed, “a garden of earthly paradise”. After a quick stop to leave our bags at our hotel we’ll discover Sintra and some of its monuments on a walking tour through town and up past Vila Sasseti towards Chalet Condessa D’Edla in the Pena Palace gardens. On our way down we’ll visit the iconic Moorish castle, where we’ll enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding farmland and coast. Tonight we will sleep soundly in Sintra. Lunch and dinner included.
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Coastal Walk to Cabo da Roca (Roca Cape)
Today we’ll begin our walk at Praia Grande, a favorite beach for local surfers, and meander south along the coast of the Atlantic to the most western point in continental Europe – Cabo da Roca, where we’ll have lunch on local specialties. The views from this landmark on the cliff are so impressive you just might think you can spot New York somewhere on the horizon! After a rest over a scrumptious traditional Portuguese lunch, we return to Sintra for a guided visit to the incredible National Palace. Tonight we enjoy dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. All meals included.
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Peninha to Cascais Walk
Today’s walk begins with a visit to the singular Hobbit-like Capuchos Convent in the heart of the Sintra forest. Then we’re off to Peninha, one of the highest and most beautiful viewpoints in the Sintra mountain range, with a 17th c. sanctuary. From here we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean as we saunter down trails to Guincho beach and enjoy lunch at the Cresmina Dunes café. Option to transfer or continue on foot all the way to the quaint fishing village of Cascais on the bay. After visiting the highlights of the town, including the famous Santini’s ice cream parlor, our tour ends with transfer to Lisbon for arrival by 6pm. Breakfast and lunch included.
Distance: 7.8 km / 4.8 miles to lunch with optional 11 km / 6.8 miles along paved boardwalk to town of Cascais.
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Itinerary Option 2 – Activity Level 2 – Less hiking, more culture, wine tasting
Sintra Monument Walk (same as itinerary Option 1)
After a 9 am Lisbon pickup from the airport or hotel, we take a 30-minute transfer to resplendent Sintra, a tiny village known for its excellent spring waters, noble estates nestled in the woods and two royal palaces.
A favorite of Romantic era writers and artists, Sintra is one of the most delightful places to be found in Portugal. Set on a vast and verdant rocky mountain, this UNESCO World Heritage landscape is composed of splendorous manicured gardens with exotic species interspersed with convents, chapels and private estates. Sintra is, indeed, “a garden of earthly paradise”.
After a quick stop to leave our bags at our hotel we’ll discover Sintra and some of its monuments on a *walking tour through town and up past Vila Sasseti towards Chalet Condessa D’Edla in the Pena Palace gardens. On our way down we’ll visit the iconic Moorish castle, where we’ll enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding farmland and coast.
Tonight we will sleep soundly in Sintra. Lunch and dinner included.
*option to ride to top of Sintra and only walk down
Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Sintra National Palace; “Saloia” country winery visit, walk & lunch; Mafra Convent; Ericeira surf capital for dinner - Night in Sintra
We begin the day with a special guided visit to Sintra National Palace with local guide specialized in art history. After the palace visit and return to the hotel, your guide will take you north to the tiny town of Cheleiros for a visit and tasting at ManzWine, known for producing wine with a rare local varietal which the owner discovered when he started the winery. Afterwards, you have the option to take a short walk (or ride) afterwards to the quaint village of Aldeia da Mata Pequena, once left in ruins and now restored for tourism. The village is a wonderful example of how most of this “saloia” or agricultural region, nestled north of Sintra along the coast once looked. We’ll have a light meal at the village restaurant before we head to another UNESCO less known World Heritage site: the impressive Mafra Palace & Convent built in the 18th c. . Then we’re off to the coastal town of Ericeira, now famous among surfers around the world but once a beloved summer retreat for many Portuguese as well as an important sea porto. After a walkabout of this vibrant town, we’ll finish our day with an early dinner of local tapas or seafood before we return to Sintra for a quiet evening. All meals included.
Optional hike: distance 6 km / 3.7 miles
Sintra Coast, Walkabout Cascais
We begin the day with a transfer to Cabo da Roca or Cape Roca, the westernmost point in continental Portugal. From the windswept landscape of this historic Cape we marvel at views of the wild Atlantic and local fisherman perched on the cliffs ready to hook their day’s catch. Our hike will take us on trails hidden among the coastal flora to Praia da Adraga and Praia Grande beaches on Portugal’s spectacular Atlantic Coast. After lunch, we’ll drive through the natural park to visit the contemplative moss-covered Capuchos Convent, located high on the northwestern flank of the Sintra mountains. It was built by Franciscan monks in complete harmony with its surroundings. From here we transfer to Cascais. a charming seaside village set in the heart of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park with an Old Town which dates from the 17th century and hosts fortresses, a lighthouse and lovely citadel. We’ll do a walkabout of the town and stop for an ice cream before transferring to Lisbon. Breakfast and lunch included.
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles to lunch.
What’s included
- Transportation during the course of the trip
- Guilt-free van support with snacks and water
- Highly experienced and enthusiastic trilingual guides
- Entries for specific monuments, events or points of interest
- Gratuities for all accommodations and group meals
- Baggage transfers and handling
- Optional transfer to Lisbon at end of the trip
- Wine with dinners
- Lodging and meals as indicated below on the daily itinerary
Accommodations
Hotels – 2 nights
- Sintra – 2 nights in centrally located 4* hotel
*Option to upgrade to 5* hotel with pool, for a supplement, subject to availability. Please inquire when you reserve.
Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 3 lunches
Day 1: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour Reviews
The combination of outdoors, culture, history, and food made the trip densely packed and perfectly balanced!
We recently took the Atlantic Coast Short Break tour, hiking the Atlantic coast of Portugal and visiting the sights of Sintra and surroundings. We were recommended Terracotta by two sets of friends who did two separate trips, and we will recommend this to keep this chain going. The combination of outdoors, culture, history, and food made the trip densely packed and perfectly balanced. Our guide, Manuel, was a walking encyclopedia. He fielded questions with knowledge from a wide breadth of topics. There was much discussion on native and invasive plants, since this is an interest of my wife. Manuel was very patient with my history questions as I tried to sort out the sequence of invaders that included Romans, Moors, Spanish, French, etc. He was even well-versed on Portuguese literature (fiction, non-fiction, and poetry) to fill any gaps for us after the trip. We had a great time! Lawrence O’G.
I don’t think I have enough positive words to describe how wonderful this tour was!
My husband and I did the Atlantic Coast Short Break in July 2023 with Andre as our guide. I don’t think I have enough positive words to describe how wonderful this 3 day tour was. 3 solid days of walking, touring, eating, and learning from Andre, who is knowledgeable, personal, and a lot of fun. The variety of activities packed into 3 days was remarkable and the quality of the experience was unparalleled. I cannot recommend this highly enough and hope to do another tour with Terracotta in the future.
– Lucinda M.
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