Templars, Freemasons, storybook palaces and the Initiation Well: discover Sintra’s most magical and mysterious side with a local guide. Book for €1.50 and decide what it was worth at the end.
Fun fact: King Ferdinand II, captivated by Romanticism, transformed a mountain range dotted with convents into the storybook setting that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights
- Templars, Freemasons and legends of Sintra
- The National Palace and its famous chimneys
- Quinta da Regaleira and the mysterious Initiation Well
- Try queijadas and travesseiros (not included), Sintra’s traditional pastries
- Views of Pena Palace from Seteais
Full description
Sintra looks like it’s straight out of a fantasy book, and that’s no coincidence. For centuries, it drew kings, poets, Templars and Freemasons. In the 19th century, King Ferdinand II, a Romantic at heart, transformed it into a storybook setting that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your local guide will show you around the town on foot, with the mountains and the Moorish Castle watching over you from above. You’ll hear about Gualdim Pais, Portugal’s first Templar, secret tunnels and the “Mountain of the Moon”; see the National Palace’s famous twin chimneys; and discover the esoteric symbols in São Martinho Church. You’ll pass the hotel where Lord Byron stayed and the film-set-worthy Biester Palace, before reaching the enigmatic Quinta da Regaleira and its Initiation Well. And along the way, you can give in to the temptation of queijadas and travesseiros, Sintra’s traditional pastries. How does it work? The €1.50 you pay when booking is just a booking fee: it reserves your place in the group but doesn’t go to the guide. The tour itself is tip-based: at the end, you pay your guide whatever you think they’ve earned. Most people leave €15–20 per person, but here the price is set by your smile, not a fixed rate.
Route
Duration: 2 h 30 min
- Meeting point
On foot
1Ayuntamiento de Sintra
Guided visit · 10 min
Meeting point, with the mountains and the Moorish Castle in the background
On foot (5 min)
2Parque da Liberdade
Guided visit · 10 min
Gualdim Pais and the Templars
On foot (5 min)
3Fuentes moriscas
Guided visit · 10 min
Sintra’s Roman and Arab heritage
On foot (5 min)
4Palacio Nacional de Sintra
Guided visit · 15 min
The twin chimneys, the Magpie Room… and queijadas (tasting not included)
On foot (3 min)
5Iglesia de São Martinho
Guided visit · 10 min
Esoteric and Masonic symbols
On foot (5 min)
6Hotel Lawrence
Pass by · 5 min
One of the oldest hotels on the Iberian Peninsula, where Lord Byron stayed
On foot (5 min)
7Palacio Biester
Photo stop · 10 min
The setting of Polanski’s “The Ninth Gate”
On foot (5 min)
8Cascada dos Pisões
Photo stop · 5 min
Sintra’s lush greenery
On foot (5 min)
9Quinta da Regaleira
Guided visit · 15 min
The Initiation Well and Carvalho Monteiro’s symbols (viewed from the outside)
On foot (10 min)
10Palacio de Seteais
Photo stop · 15 min
End with views of Pena Palace and two great love stories
For reference only: the route and times may change on the day.
Duration: 2 h 30 min
Shared group
Up to 6 people
Guide / driver speaks
Spanish
What's included
Spanish-speaking local guide
A walking tour of Sintra’s historic center, lasting about 2.5 hours
Stories, fun facts and recommendations from a local
Not included
The tip for the guide, paid at the end of the tour (the average is €15–20 per person)
Palace admission (the palaces are viewed from the outside) and transport to Sintra
Food and drinks (including pastries)
Meeting point
Sintra, Portugal
The exact meeting point is provided in the booking confirmation.
Important information
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- People with reduced mobility
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes (there are hills)
- Water
- Cash for the tip
Not allowed
- Groups of more than 6 people, even if they book separately
Good to know
- Look for the blue umbrella with yellow “Free Tour” lettering
- Arrive 10–15 minutes before the start time
- The tour runs rain or shine
- At the end, leave whatever tip you think is fair, in cash
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation until the tour start time: your booking fee will be refunded. If your plans change, cancel to free up your spot for another traveler.
Company's general termsShowHide
Tip-based free tour: the €1.50 paid at booking is a booking fee and does not include payment for the guide. At the end of the tour, each person pays the guide whatever they think is fair, in cash and euros only (the average is €15–20 per person). Maximum 6 people per booking: we don’t accept groups of more than 6, even if they book separately. Are you a larger group? For larger groups, we require prepayment of €12 per adult and €5 per child, or you can book a private tour. There are hills. Palaces are viewed from the outside; admission is not included. Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle are too far away for this walking tour. Drinks, food and transport are not included. Stops may vary depending on the guide, weather or events in town. Free cancellation until the tour start time.
Questions and answers
Where is the pick-up?
At the hotel, rental or address you give when booking. The company confirms the exact spot and time.
Can I bring children?
Yes. Count children in the number of people. For child seats or other needs, write to the company through the booking messages.
Can we stop wherever we like?
On a private service the vehicle is just for your group: agree stops with the driver, within the service's duration.
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation until the tour start time: your booking fee will be refunded. If your plans change, cancel to free up your spot for another traveler.
How do I pay?
Online, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. You get the confirmation by e-mail straight away.
What if I have more questions?
After booking, talk to the company through the booking messages. Before that, write to us at [email protected].
