Lisbon in 1 Day for Couples - Meet at Hard Rock Cafe (Restauradores) — quick downtown pickup
In Collaboration with Stas Tours. Updated on January 30, 2026.
A romantic half-day escape from Lisbon to fairytale Sintra: meet at Restauradores (Hard Rock Cafe), stroll Sintra's charming center and taste the famous travesseiro, explore the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira (including the Initiation Well), visit the Pena Palace terraces for sweeping views, then return to Lisbon. Comfortable shoes recommended — the route includes hilly, uneven paths.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Stas Tours, inspired by the tour Sintra Half Day with Pena Palace and Regaleira. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Meet at Hard Rock Cafe (Restauradores) — quick downtown pickup
- Walk Sintra historic centre and try a local travesseiro at Casa Piriquita
- Guided visit to Quinta da Regaleira including the Initiation Well
- Pena Palace terraces — colorful romantic viewpoints
- Return to Lisbon by comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
Itinerary
Day 1
Half-day guided trip from Lisbon to Sintra with visits to Sintra historic centre, Quinta da Regaleira and the Pena Palace terraces.
Meeting & Pick-up — Hard Rock Cafe (Restauradores Square)
Meet your guide just outside Hard Rock Cafe at Restauradores (Av. da Liberdade 2). Quick check-in, a brief introduction to the route and departure.
Tips from local experts:
- Stand near Door No.12 (along Av. da Liberdade) as recommended by the guide — it's less crowded than the main entrance and easy for the minivan to stop.
- Save your guide's contact and the WhatsApp number sent the day before — sometimes meeting-point directions are updated last-minute.
- Bring a small daypack and a light jacket (May can be breezy); keep your card/cash handy if you agreed to reimburse ticket purchases.
Transfer: Lisbon → Sintra (comfortable minivan)
Scenic drive northwest from Lisbon to Sintra in an air-conditioned vehicle. Enjoy quick commentary from your guide en route.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask for a seat on the left side of the vehicle for the best early views of the Estoril coast and Serra de Sintra as you approach.
- Carry a light snack or water in your daypack — drives are short but it's nice to have something for a quick nibble together.
- If either of you gets motion-sensitive, look at the horizon and sit forward — the road into Sintra winds through hills.
Stroll Sintra historic centre & pastry stop (Casa Piriquita)
Short guided walk through Sintra's charming lanes. Pause for the local specialty — a travesseiro (pillow pastry) — at the famous Casa Piriquita.
Tips from local experts:
- Order one travesseiro to share and find a quiet bench nearby — sharing a pastry is a sweet, intimate moment for couples.
- Take photos on the narrow Rua das Padarias and near the colourful tiled facades; early morning is quieter for romantic shots.
- Watch your step: some cobbled alleys are uneven. Comfortable shoes make the stroll much more pleasant.
Quinta da Regaleira — guided visit (Initiation Well and gardens)
Explore the enigmatic Quinta da Regaleira with your guide: gardens, grottoes, the Initiation Well and romantic hidden corners.
Tips from local experts:
- The Initiation Well can be damp and cool — hold hands on the spiral staircases for an atmospheric photo and watch your step on wet stones.
- For romantic photos, head to the higher terraces and small grotto viewpoints away from the main path — your guide can point you to quieter spots.
- Bring a small note of cash (~€15) if you were asked to reimburse entry fees; confirm with your guide whether tickets were prepaid.
Transfer: Quinta da Regaleira → Pena Palace (short mountain drive)
Short scenic drive uphill to Pena Palace. The route climbs through wooded parkland with expansive views — a good time to relax and chat.
Tips from local experts:
- Sit on the uphill side of the vehicle for postcard views; the driver may stop at a viewpoint if traffic allows.
- Wear your jacket — higher elevation at Pena can be noticeably cooler even in May, and windier on the terraces.
- If you'd like a special photo, tell your guide now so they can suggest the best spot on the terraces when you arrive.
Pena Palace terraces — exterior visit & viewpoints
Guided visit of Pena Palace terraces (exterior): enjoy its vivid architecture, panoramic viewpoints and romantic balcony spots — interiors are skipped to avoid long lines.
Tips from local experts:
- Head straight to the main terrace and the clock tower viewpoint for sweeping vistas — perfect for golden-hour-like photos in May's soft light.
- Avoid the busiest viewpoints by walking the adjacent ramparts for quieter, intimate outlooks where you can sit and take in the view.
- Confirm with your guide about ticket reimbursement (terrace access fee) — many groups prefer to settle this with a small cash transfer on the day (approx €10 per person).
Return transfer: Sintra → Lisbon (drop-off at Restauradores)
Relaxing drive back to Lisbon, arriving at Avenida da Liberdade (Hard Rock Cafe area). The guide will confirm drop-off and offer suggestions for a romantic follow-up (rooftop bar suggestions).
Tips from local experts:
- If you'd like a final romantic stop in Lisbon, ask your guide for a rooftop bar recommendation (Park Bar is a popular option near Chiado).
- Stretch your legs at arrival — Avenida da Liberdade has tree-lined sidewalks perfect for a slow, post-tour stroll.
- Check you have all receipts and any reimbursed cash settled with your guide before saying goodbye.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Couples |
| Transfers | 3 |
| Restaurants | - |
| Total Activities | 4 |
| Total Places | 4 |
| Activities Types | Neighborhood, Transfer, Attraction |
