Are you planning to visit the Lisbon region and wondering whether to go to Sintra or Cascais?
We love both destinations. The choice is difficult, but we’re here to help you with our opinions on specific criteria.
Here’s our Sintra vs Cascais battle with tips and photos:
- Atmosphere
- Palaces, museums and attractions
- Location
- Hotels and restaurants
- …
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Sintra or Cascais: comparison summary
Short answer
Both towns are close to Lisbon, yet very different in character.
Sintra is world-renowned for its romantic palaces, lush gardens and UNESCO World Heritage listing. The town’s charm lies in its eclectic architecture and timeless atmosphere, nestled in the heart of a misty forest.
Cascais is an elegant seaside resort with a relaxed atmosphere. Its city center, pleasant beaches and proximity to spectacular natural sites such as Boca do Inferno make it a more relaxing destination.
Depending on what you’re looking for…
- for the most beautiful palaces and monuments: Sintra
- for the most beautiful beaches: Cascais
- for young children / families: Cascais
- for the finest hotels: equality
- for a romantic break: Sintra
- for gastronomy: Cascais
- for nightlife: Cascais
- to easily explore the region: equality
- for culture: Sintra
- for nature: equality
- …
See the top-rated accommodations in Sintra.
See the top-rated accommodations in Cascais.
Access + Location to explore the region
Both towns are about forty kilometers west of Lisbon, and both have excellent transport links. Their position in the region is different, however: Sintra faces inland towards its wooded hills, while Cascais stretches along the Atlantic coast.
Here are a few guidelines to help you make the right assessment:
- Sintra to Lisbon = 40min to 1h drive
- Cascais to Lisbon = 40min drive
- Sintra to Cascais = 25min drive
- Sintra to Cabo da Roca = 20min drive
- Cascais to Praia do Guincho = 15min drive
Lisbon airport is the main international airport serving both cities. Allow 45min to 1h drive to Sintra and around 40min to Cascais.
Compare available flights.
Both towns also have a train station with good connections to Lisbon. From Rossio station, the train to Sintra takes about 40 minutes. From Cais do Sodré station, the train to Cascais also takes around 40min, with several stops along the coast.
Numerous tours are also available from Lisbon to Cascais and Sintra: find out more here.
WHERE TO STAY IN Sintra
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In downtown Sintra, with easy access to the palaces –
Hotel Sintra Jardim – Check photos and availability
In the Sintra countryside, in the natural park—
Penha Longa Resort Hotel – Check photos and availability
By the sea, a little further on—
Hotel Arribas Sintra – Check photos and availability
WHERE TO STAY IN Cascais
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Downtown –
Pergola Hotel – Check photos and availability
Ribeira Beach –
The Albatroz Hotel – Check photos and availability
Estoril, a neighboring town with beach amenities –
Estoril Vintage Hotel – Check photos and availability
Hotels: Sintra vs Cascais
Hotels in Sintra
The range of hotels in Sintra is varied and often charming, just like the town itself. Here you’ll find charming establishments, converted mansions and a few luxurious addresses nestled in the greenery. We particularly recommend:
- Charm and nature: Hotel Sintra Jardim – See prices, photos and availability
- Luxury: Hotel Rosegarden Essence Sintra – by Unlock Hotels – See prices, photos and availability
- Boutique: Lawrence’s Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Read our article on where to stay in Sintra.
Hotels in Cascais
In Cascais, the hotel offer is more varied and extensive. From seaside palaces to boutique hotels, the choice is wide. We particularly recommend:
- Luxury sea view: Hotel The Albatroz – See prices, photos and availability
- Modern, spa and hammam: Hotel Evolution Cascais-Estoril – See prices, photos and availability
- Vintage charm: Hotel Estoril Vintage – See prices, photos and availability
- Art and history: Hotel Pestana Cidadela Cascais – See prices, photos and availability
Read our article on where to stay in Cascais (coming soon).
Our review
Both cities offer great addresses at every level of comfort. Sintra stands out for its charming hotels, often set in historic mansions, while Cascais offers more sea-view options. If you’re looking for a hotel facing the Atlantic, Cascais is the winner.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Portugal
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
Attractions, museums and monuments
Attractions in Sintra
Sintra’s main attractions are
- Pena National Park and Palace, a masterpiece of 19th-century Romantic architecture with colorful walls – Book your ticket.
- Quinta da Regaleira and its famous Initiatory Well, an estate steeped in esoteric symbols – Book your ticket.
- Sintra’s National Palace in the heart of the city, whose conical chimneys are a symbol of the town – Book your ticket.
- The Château des Maures and its 8th-century ramparts, offering panoramic views over the region
- The Palace and Gardens of Monserrate, an architectural jewel surrounded by 3,000 botanical species – Book your ticket.
- Palais Biester, a romantic neo-Gothic mansion with a magnificent garden – Book a guided tour with pastry tasting!
- Stroll through the historic center and its steep streets
Find out more in our article on Sintra’s top attractions.
Cascais attractions
Cascais’ main attractions are
- Stroll through the historic center and its lively cobbled streets
- Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, an early 20th-century palace housing a collection of precious art and furniture
- Casa das Historias Paula Rego, a contemporary art museum with remarkable architecture
- Boca do Inferno, a spectacular rock formation sculpted by the Atlantic Ocean
- Cascais Citadel, a fortified complex housing art galleries, restaurants and a luxury hotel
- The Farol Santa Marta Museum and its emblematic lighthouse
- Stroll along the waterfront and marina
Find out more in our article on the best attractions in Cascais.
Our review
Sintra is the clear winner in this category. The density and quality of its palaces, gardens and historic sites are unrivalled in the region. Cascais, however, offers interesting museums and a pleasant seafront, more accessible to families and visitors who prefer a slower pace. Our winner: Sintra.
Most beautiful beaches
Sintra Beaches
The coast around Sintra is wild and spectacular, but the beaches are more difficult to access. The Praia da Ursa, considered one of the most beautiful in Portugal, requires a 30-minute walk along a steep path to reach. The Praia da Adraga, with its beautiful natural arch, is more accessible. The Praia do Magoito and its immense dark cliffs will appeal to lovers of wide open spaces. These beaches are wild, with few facilities and sometimes exposed to strong currents. They are better suited to seasoned travelers than to families with young children.
Cascais beaches
Cascais offers a more varied and accessible range of beaches. The urban beaches of Praia da Rainha and Praia da Duquesa, just a short walk from the center, are ideal for families thanks to their calm waters. Estoril’s Praia do Tamariz is a long, lively stretch of golden sand. For those seeking a more natural setting, Praia do Guincho, a 15-minute drive away, offers wild panoramic views and perfect conditions for surfing and kitesurfing. We liked the diversity of the offer: there really is a beach for every taste.
Our review
Cascais is the winner when it comes to beaches. The accessibility, variety and facilities available make Cascais a much better base for seaside enthusiasts. The beaches closer to Sintra are more beautiful in their wild aspect, but are still difficult to access and not suitable for all traveler profiles.
Excursions around the cities
Excursions from Sintra
From Sintra, you can visit..:
- Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point on the European continent, a 20-minute drive away
- Cascais and its seafront, a 25-minute drive away
- Lisbon and its historic districts, a 40-minute drive away
- Azenhas do Mar, a coastal village suspended between cliffs and ocean
See our article on the best excursions from Sintra (coming soon).
Excursions from Cascais
From Cascais, you can visit:
- Sintra and its palaces, a 25-minute drive away – a must-see excursion
- Cabo da Roca, the tip of the European continent, a 20-minute drive away
- Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, 40 minutes by car or 40 minutes by train
- The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park for walks in the heart of nature
- Praia do Guincho Beach – go surfing!
See our article on the best excursions from Cascais (coming soon).
Our review
Both towns offer similar excursions, being close to each other and both within easy reach of Lisbon and Cabo da Roca. Cascais does have a slight advantage, however: by staying there, you can easily visit Sintra for the day, while the reverse is a little less convenient for enjoying the beaches. Our preference: Cascais as a base, Sintra as an excursion.
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Best gastronomic offer
Restaurants in Sintra
The restaurant offer in Sintra remains focused on traditional Portuguese cuisine, with a few refined restaurants worth a visit. We particularly appreciated the Restaurant A Raposa for its carefully prepared local dishes in a romantic setting. The city is also an opportunity to sample local specialties such as queijadas and travesseiros, pastries that are not to be missed. Among our favorite addresses:
- Restaurant A Raposa: authentic Portuguese cuisine in a stylish setting
- Restaurant Incomun: a local restaurant not to be missed
- Restaurant Cajó: traditional cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Sintra (coming soon).
Restaurants in Cascais
The culinary scene in Cascais is more varied and lively than in Sintra. Here you’ll find oceanfront seafood restaurants, gourmet eateries and creative tapas bars. We were won over by the cuisine at Hotel Albatroz and the inventive cocktails at Restaurant Hifén. Seafood products are particularly well prepared. Among our favorite addresses:
- Hotel Albatroz restaurant: refined Portuguese cuisine with breathtaking sea views
- Restaurant Hifén: modern tapas bar with creative cocktails worth a visit
- Restaurant Taberna Clandestina: a popular, friendly address tucked away in an alleyway
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Cascais (coming soon).
Our review
Both cities offer good Portuguese cuisine, but in different styles. Sintra is all about tradition and the sweetness of local pastries. Cascais offers a more dynamic gastronomic scene, with a particular focus on seafood. Our winning city: Cascais.
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Easy to get around these cities
Getting around Sintra
Getting around Sintra requires a bit of organization. The historic center can be visited on foot, but the palaces are scattered in the hills and require the use of tourist buses 434 and 435, a tuk-tuk or a cab. You can walk, of course, but it’s sporty, given the gradients. Access roads can be very congested in high season, especially at weekends. Car parking is difficult near the main sites. We recommend arriving early in the morning or taking the train from Lisbon to avoid traffic jams, then taking a tuk-tuk or bus.
Getting around Cascais
Cascais is easier to explore. Most of the center’s attractions are within walking distance of the station or marina. The city has a local bus network and a convenient, inexpensive bicycle rental system. To reach Boca do Inferno or Praia do Guincho, a car or bus is all you need. In addition, the train service to Lisbon is regular and comfortable, making it easy to get back and forth during the day.
Our review
Cascais is easier to get to grips with on a day-to-day basis. The city is more compact and better equipped for car-free travel. In Sintra, the scattered nature of the sites and the large number of tourists sometimes complicate logistics. Our winner: Cascais.
Can we visit Sintra and Cascais on the same trip?
The two towns are only a 25-minute drive apart. It’s perfectly possible to combine them on the same trip, or even on the same day if the program is well organized. We recommend that you choose Cascais as your base and devote a full day to visiting Sintra, leaving early to enjoy the palaces before the influx of visitors. An alternative is to stay two nights in Sintra and then two nights in Cascais to fully enjoy each city.
And why not other cities/regions?
Around Lisbon and along the coast, there are many other destinations to explore. You can read our comparison:
- Sintra or Lisbon
- Cascais or Lisbon
- …
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Portugal
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