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Portugal walking tour: Lisbon & the Sintra Hills
    • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
    • 8 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
    • 2 - 15 travellers
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Superior
      • Trip code : K1104
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About the Portugal walking tour: Lisbon & the Sintra Hills trip

About the Lisbon and the Sintra Hills trip 

Lisbon, the beautiful white washed capital city of Portugal, is blessed with its famous 'seven hills', a stunning coastline and the majestic Tagus esturay. It is a vibrante and cosmopolitan city ideal for exploring on foot and our itinerary will take you to belvederes and iconic sites and monuments, weaving through the narrow paved streets.
During this Portugal walking trip, you will visit the historic districts of Mouraria or Alfama, the districts of Baixa and Bairro Alto, illustrating in turn the Romanization, the Moorish Middle Ages, the colonization of Africa, Asia or Brazil, the terrible earthquake of 1755 or the escapades of the 19th century. A walk or cycle along the Tagus estuary will lead you to Bélem with monuments strongly linked to the golden era of the Great Maritime Discoveries. 

Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a haven of greenery, just a few kilometres outside of Lisbon. This granite massif rises to an altitude of 500 metres at the edge of the ocean, stretching towards Cabo da Roca. Sintra boasts an exceptional micro climate allowing plants and trees from distant continents to coexist and flourish in luscious forests and parks. Impressive monasteries, castles, palaces and manor houses (the famous quintas) have been built throughout the centuries and add a historic and cultural depth to Sintra.
Hike along the coast from Cabo da Roca and admire the beautifully wild yet wonderfully preserved Atlantic facade, incidentally, the westernmost point of the European continent. 

Highlights of the trip

  • An intimate tour of the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Lisbon  
  • Bélem and its monuments dedicated to the Great Maritime Discoveries
  • The botanical beauty and lush forest of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Hiking to the westernmost point of Europe, Cabo da Roca
  • A free day to explore Sintra
  • Walking or cycling along the shimmering waters of the Tagus estuary 
  • Swimming opportunities in Cascais
  • Possibility of a guided tour of Lisbon


    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Portugal walking tour - Lisbon & the Sintra Hills : Day by Day

Day 1 - Arrival in Lisbon

  • lisbon walk tourA pickup at Lisbon airport and taxi transfer to your hotel in the centre of Lisbon. Depending on your arrival time, you can stroll through the black and white mosaic streets of the city, take a tram or walk up to the belvedere offering a panoramic view of the capital and the Tagus estuary where you can just picture the scene from years ago with the galleons returning from Brazil, Mozambique, China….
  • Night in Lisbon

  • Market in Lisbon: Mercado da Ribeira, the famous market in Lisbon close to Cais do Sodré station. Open everyday, with many places to eat and regular events and entertainement. 

  • We recommend : 
    . Having an extra night in Lisbon and enjoy strolling through the streets of this beautiful city on the Tagus river ! 

  • Access:
    . Regular flights to Lisbon. Regular metro and bus to the centre of Lisbon : info here

Day 2 - The districts of Lisbon

capital portugal walk tour

  • Walking day in Lisbon 
    3h - 8km / 5 miles -  Ascent : 500m /  Descent : 500m
  • From one square to the next, from belvederes to the gardens, Lisbon's streets and alleys are full of surprises that make it one of the most interesting European capital cities and certainly the most suitable for a walking tour. From Mouraria the cosmopolitan district, we move on to the panoramic district of São Jorge Castle, then to Alfama to reveal the secrets of traditional Fado music. On to la Baixa to admire the reconstruction of Lisbon following the 1755 earthquake, while the business and commercial districts of Chiado and Carmo invite us to take a break in a literary café. A tailor-made itinerary in a vibrant & colourful city. 
  • Night in Lisbon
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

  • We recommend:
    . A guided tour of Lisbon with a private English speaking guide. (Can be tailored to a theme of your choice)
    . Visit the Azulejos museum, the Gulbekian or the Oriental museum

Day 3 - Along the Tagus river to Bélem

portugal walking tour

  • Walk - Lisbon > Bélem 
    4h - 10km / 6.2 miles - Ascent : 100m / Descent : 100m
  • Optional : This itinerary can also be done by bike - contact us
  • The Tagus' nickname is "the sea of straw". This great Iberian river is at the heart of this maritime city, a port founded by the Fenicians and from the 15th century became the capital of a thalassocratic empire spread over several continents. During this hike along the Tagus river (on foot or by bike), you can picture the scene of the past with the galleons returning from distant continents and observe the art of living in contemporary Lisbon. The district of Bélem is an ex-libris of the city whose monuments, (Monastery of Jeronimos, Monument of Discovery, Tower of Bélem) are linked to the golden age of the Great Maritime Discoveries. We suggest returning to Lisbon by tram. 
  • Night in Lisbon 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

  • We recommend: 
    . Have lunch in the famous pasteleria de Bélem and sample a famous "pastel de Nata"
    . Optional bike hire: 19€/person for a classic hybrid bike - 40€/person for an E-bike
    . Visit the Bélem Maritime museum, or the museum of carriages or contemporary art

Day 4 - The Moorish castle and the Palacio da Pena

sintra hiking tour

  • Walking day to Sintra castle 
    5h - 12km / 7.4 miles - Ascent: 400m /  Descent : 400m
  • Private transfer to Sintra. The small streets of the historical centre lead to the foot of the massif. You begin the ascent on a path borded by giant granite rock, through lush green forest. The old walls of the Moorish castle offer incredible views of the Sintra massif and stretch as far as the ocean.  A series of paths will take you to the park and Palace of Sintra. Many different species of plant and tree from around the world flourish here as you enter a 19th century Romanticism sub-tropical paradise, adorned with small pools, bridges and sculptures. The Pena Palace, the architectural fantasy of King Fernando II, dominates atop the massif summit. 
  • Night in Sintra
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 5 - Cabo da Roca and the wild coastline

self guided walking holiday in portugal lisbon sintra

  • Walk - Cabo da Roca > Adraga beach > Praia Grande beach  
    4h - 9km / 5.5 miles - Ascent: 250m /  Descent : 250m
  • Private transfer to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, overlooking the breaking waves of the Ocean from the top of 140-metre cliffs. Take the time to soak up the raw beauty of the landscape. The itinerary then follows the coast through multicoloured moors or along cliffs, taking in the beaches of Adraga and Praia Grande and Praia das Maças with several swimming opportunities and a choice of seaside cafés and restaurants. Return to Sintra
  • Night in Sintra
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 6 - On the road to Colares

portugal walk stay

  • Walk - Sintra > Colares 
    4h - 11 km / 6.8 miles - Ascent: 250m / Descent: 450m
  • You head to the historic centre of Sintra and follow a small forest road that runs along the northern slope of the massif past different palaces or "quintas". These manors or estates reflect the richness and architectural and ornamental diversity that flourished in Sintra, mainly during the Romantic period of the 19th century. Monserat Palace is surrounded by one of the most beautiful botanical parks in the country. Wandering through the Mexican garden or the collection of fern trees is a delightful sensory experience. The hike continues through forest or along country roads to the wine-growing village of Colares.
  • Possible visit of the wine cellar of Colares. Transfer back to Sintra
  • Night in Sintra
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 7 - Free day in Sintra

lisbon hike trip

  • Free day in Sintra 
    A free day to explore the colourful seaside town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and choose from our many suggestions and options :

    . We recommend visiting the National Palace or the Quinta da Regaleira, two iconic places in Sintra. The former was the summer residence of the Portuguese nobilty from the 15th to the 19th century and boasts decorative art treasures. The latter is a Mecca of 19th century esotericism and mysticism.

    . You can also visit the Capuchos Convent, a miniature Franciscan monastry - lost in the forest and set amidst and giant granite boulders - that illustrates the asceticism of the Capuchin monks.
    Transfer to the convent by bus, or by private transfer ( around 25 €uros for 4 person ) 

    . Or you may prefer to explore the seaside town of Cascais and  enjoy some relaxation time on the beach. Cascais is a fisherman village on the Portuguese west coast, at the extreme point of Continental Europe, with a 30 km maritime coast. There are several beaches to choose from, some with wild features and surrounded by a beautiful scenery of dunes and mountains, others closer to the center of the village and accessible by foot
    Train to Cascais, Bus or tramway to "Praia das Maças" beach

  • Night in Sintra 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 8 - Bye bye Portugal

portugal hike trip

  • After breakfast, taxi transfer from your accommodation to Lisbon airport. End of your trip in Lisbon.

  • Access: Regular flights from Lisbon airport  

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    • Hiking to the westernmost point of Europe, Cabo da Roca
    • A free day to explore Sintra
    • Walking or cycling along the shimmering waters of the Tagus estuary 
    • Swimming opportunities in Cascais
    • Possibility of a guided tour of Lisbon


      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 770 € / pers
    Trip details
    Portugal walking tour: Lisbon & the Sintra Hills
        • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
        • 2 adults (2x770€)
        • 0 children (0x770€)
      • 8 days
      • Comfort
    Total 1540€
    Deposit 460€
    Book now !