Things To Do

Our Recommendations

We've created an interactive google map with tags of some of our favorite and/or recommended places! Here you will find hotels, restaurants, bars, sites, etc. We've added some notes to some of the locations on the map as well. Please continue to check this map as we update it (click the 'view' button)

Casino Estoril

The Estoril Casino is a casino in the Portuguese Riviera, in the municipality of Cascais, Portugal. It was that environment that inspired author Ian Fleming during his visit to write the first James Bond novel "Casino Royale." Open daily from 3pm to 3am (casinos in Portugal are not allowed to stay open for 24 hours). Admission is free and must be 18 years old to enter.

National Palace of Pena

A must-see in Sintra, this colorful hilltop palace looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale. Commissioned by King Ferdinand II in the 19th century, this Romanticist palace is a whimsical blend of Gothic, Moorish, and Manueline architecture, painted in bold hues of red, yellow, and purple.Its hilltop location offers panoramic views over the Sintra Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

All the Beaches From the Cascais to Estoril Sea Walk

National Tile Museum

This museum is located in a building whose origins date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, when it was a convent. The striking, gold-lined church with azulejo panels is incredibly well preserved and is part of the guided and self-guided tours (so even though focus is on tiles, there is more to see!) In addition, the museum is home to a massive panoramic 75.5 foot long mural of Lisbon, dating back to the first half of the 18th century, before Lisbon was destroyed by the great earthquake of 1755. It's easily accessible by bus or a short taxi ride from central Lisbon. General admission is €10, and tickets can be purchased online or at the museum (try to book in advance is to skip lines and secure your preferred time slot!). The museum is open Tues-Sun from 10:00 AM- 6:00 PM (with a closure between 1:00-2:00 PM) and is closed on Mondays.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Nestled in Lisbon's lush Gulbenkian Park, this museum showcases one of the world's finest private art collections, spanning from ancient Egyptian artifacts to masterpieces by Rembrandt and Monet. The serene setting and thoughtfully curated exhibits make it a peaceful cultural retreat.Open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (free admission on Sundays after 2:00 PM). Tickets are €10 (discounts available for visitors under 30 and over 65). Easily accessible via the São Sebastião metro station.

Quinta da Regaleira

Just a short walk from Sintra’s historic center, Quinta da Regaleira is a whimsical estate filled with secret tunnels, lush gardens, and symbolic architecture. The highlight is the Initiation Well—a spiraling underground tower believed to represent a symbolic journey from darkness to light. The estate is open daily from 10:00 AM-7:30 PM with last entry 1 hour before closing. Tickets are timed and should be booked in advanced! Wear comfortable shoes and plan to spend 2–3 hours exploring this enchanting UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Castle of the Moors (Portuguese: Castelo dos Mouros)

Perched atop a hill, the Castle of the Moors is a medieval stronghold commanding a breathtaking view of Sintra. Constructed by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries, it held strategic significance during the Reconquista, eventually falling to Christian forces after the capture of Lisbon in 1147. Designated a National Monument and integral to the Sintra Cultural Landscape it invites exploration of its formidable walls, providing panoramic vistas of the Portuguese landscape below. Tickets can be purchased on site at the castle ticket office or online via the official Parques de Sintra website. Online purchase is recommended to avoid queues, especially in high season (also buy your tickets online to get a 15% discount!!). Combination tickets, which include entry to several Sintra sites (such as the Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira), are also available and can save you money. Hours of operation are from 9:30AM - 06:00PM with last admissions at 5:30PM.