Experience the coastal beauty, golden sands, and lush forests of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
At a close distance from Lisbon lies the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park which is yours to discover on the 7-Day Self-Guided Sintra Heritage and Coastal Trails tour. This route starts in the stunning coastal town of Cascais and takes you along its blue coast through wide bays of golden sand and some breathtaking cliffs. The most stunning of them all is Cape Roca, the westernmost point of Continental Europe.
Experience hiking inland, where you'll cross the Sintra Forest and its hilltops capped by luxuriant vegetation. On this spectacular hiking tour, you will also explore charming hotels, delicious gastronomy, and an incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.
Highlights of the Sintra Heritage and Coastal Trails
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Sintra Heritage and Coastal Trails Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Portugal!
Arrive and transfer to Cascais with a local guide (30 minutes). Explore this delightful town, a village with 650 years of history forged by fishermen but later populated by kings, queens, writers, painters, and singers! Deep down, Cascais is a synonym for charm and inspiration, something you will undoubtedly feel if you have the chance to walk in its streets and listen to the gentle lullabies of the ocean. This is the perfect beginning for this trip, which can be celebrated with a delicious fresh fish dinner at the village center!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cascais
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Optional transfer to Guincho and Hike to Azoia
Experience a wide and open coastline between dunes, valleys, and small villages today on your walk to Sintra. You will feel a rural atmosphere with a touch of luxury, a representation of the past uniting with the present!
Follow the wild ocean and enjoy a break at Guincho Beach. The goal for today is to reach your hotel at the head of a secluded valley, and on the way, you have the strong old Guincho’s Fort, no longer protecting you from invaders but providing a beautiful view over the beach. It is a peaceful location where the sea and the mountains meet.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Sintra
Distance: 10-18km, 300-400m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike the Azóia Loop
Sintra's mountain will immediately take your breath away on today’s beautiful journey! You will start with a circular walk into the "moon hills" as Sintra Mountain was once known. This route reaches 488 meters above the sea, where you will find the sanctuary of Peninha. Take a moment to kick back and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view. Up here, you will be surrounded by elegant paths within the forest and be rewarded by the beauty of both land and sea. The perfect place to enjoy the silence and contemplate the endless sky!
Overnight Location: Hotel near Sintra
Distance: 10km, 300m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Hike from Azóia to Praia Grande
After a delicious breakfast, you will emerge into a scenery over the cliffs where the ocean stretches as far as your eyes can see. Then comes Cape Roca - the westernmost point of mainland Europe, where you can see a beautiful lighthouse illuminating this coast since 1772. Along this rocky promontory hides a wild and beautiful beach, which goes by the name of Ursa (Bear)! You will also find the gorgeous beach of Adraga, a great option for lunch.
From here, you will head to Praia Grande, where you will stay for a night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sintra
Distance: 14km, 300m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Beaches, Forest Trails, and Historical Sites
Start from the beach area and hike on the forest trails this morning, leading you to the Capuchos Convent and then the Monserrate Palace, a neo-gothic mansion revealing a brilliant example of the romantic period that left such an imprint in Sintra. This experience will be a perfect introduction to the atmosphere of Sintra's village, where you can stroll around the historic center and discover little intriguing details, romantic corners, and some delicious regional pastries.
There is a short-track option for this day (14 km).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sintra
Distance: 14-20km, 500-700m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Explore the Hills Above the Village of Sintra
This day will be reserved for exploring the hills above the village of Sintra and enjoying the vast architectural patrimony set on the mountain. Such is the grandeur and importance of these buildings and monuments that Sintra's cultural landscape was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995!
Visit the Moorish Castle and the fabulous Pena Palace, with its exuberant and exotic gardens. Today, you will feel like a king or queen, finishing the evening with an exquisite dinner at the village center.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sintra
Distance: 6-10km, 300-400m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Transfer from Sintra to Lisbon
That's it! This splendid tour comes to an end this morning following breakfast. We hope the memories and experiences you have created and shared stay with you forever.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Sintra Heritage and Coastal Trails Price and Dates
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of rooms that you need.
2024 Departures:
The departures are available daily, from January 4th to December 15th, 2024.
- Single room: from $1,875 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $1,225 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. The prices listed are per person.
Book NowAccommodation on Sintra Heritage and Coastal Trails
This tour is based in charming and superior accommodation. All rooms will have private washrooms.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Baía in Cascais ★★★
The Hotel Baía Cascais is a family hotel located in the village of Cascais, right by the sea.
Quinta Vale da Roca ★★★★
Quinta Vale da Roca is located in the surroundings of magnificent landscapes, with a beautiful view of the Atlantic and the vineyard.
Arribas Sintra Hotel in Colares ★★★★
The most Western hotel in Europe, located in the middle of Praia Grande, on the magnificent coast of Sintra.
Sintra Boutique Hotel ★★★★
Sintra Boutique hotel where the contemporary art pieces and bespoke decorated rooms will be waiting for you.
What’s Included in the Sintra Heritage & Coastal Trails?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes airport pickup and drop-off, luggage transfers from hotel to hotel and short transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
Also included
- Welcome briefing in English
- Digital Information Book delivered before the tour
- Smartphone App & GPS tracks
- Local Support Number (Free to call 24h/day)
- Pre-departure Information Pack (checklist, general travel information)
- Tour Information (description of daily stages & profiles)
Not included
- Any personal transport
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tips
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- GPS Device (Garmin Oregon)
- Different arrival & departure transfers
- Tickets for Pena Palace, Monserrate Palace, Moorish Castle and Capuchos Convent
Frequently Asked Questions about Sintra Heritage and Coastal Trails
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