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How do I get from Sintra to Cascais and Cabo da Roca?
Short answer: Use Carris Metropolitana bus 1624. It links Cascais and Portela de Sintra and stops at Cabo da Roca, so one ride can cover both. If you're staying in central Sintra, bus 1253 from Sintra station is the usual way to reach the cape. You can then continue to Cascais on the 1624.
The details
- Two buses serve the cape. Parques de Sintra, which manages the Cabo da Roca lighthouse, lists bus 1253 (Carris Metropolitano) for Sintra train station to Cabo da Roca. It lists bus 1624 (Carris Metropolitano) for Cascais terminal to Portela de Sintra via Azóia and Almoçageme. (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- Know where the 1624 starts. Its Sintra end is Portela de Sintra, not the historic center. Portela de Sintra is a separate station on the Sintra rail line. If you're sightseeing in the old town first, take the 1253 to the cape, then change to the 1624 there.
- Old guides say "bus 403." That number is outdated. Search Carris Metropolitana for lines 1253 and 1624 instead. Timetables are at https://www.carrismetropolitana.pt/horarios/.
- Coming from Lisbon? Parques de Sintra says CP's Sintra Line trains leave from Oriente, Rossio and Entrecampos. (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- Trains run only to Cascais, not to the cape. Cascais is on a separate CP line from Cais do Sodré. CP's Cascais timetable, in force since 20 June 2026, shows morning departures from Cais do Sodré about every 20 minutes. (checked Oct 12, 2026)
- Timing and fares. Typically, the bus takes roughly 35 minutes from Sintra to the cape and roughly 30 minutes from the cape to Cascais. Buses usually run about every 30 minutes, with fewer in winter. We haven't confirmed a current fare or last-bus time on an official page. Check the line pages on carrismetropolitana.pt.
Tips
- Pick the direction that suits your day. Starting in Sintra and finishing in Cascais works well. You end by the sea with plenty of dinner options, and trains run from Cascais to Lisbon late into the evening.
- Plan your return before you ride out. The cape has little else, and it can be seen in well under an hour. Check the next two departures before you leave the bus stop.
- Don't count on a taxi at the cape. Ride-hail or taxi pickups can be hard to find there.
- Carry a contactless card or a transit card. Check Carris Metropolitana for what the driver accepts.
- Don't try to do all of Sintra's palaces plus Cascais. Give the palaces a morning, the cape an hour, and Cascais the evening. Cut one of them if you're tight on time.
FAQ
Is there a direct bus from Sintra to Cabo da Roca?
Yes. Bus 1253 runs from outside Sintra train station to Cabo da Roca, according to Parques de Sintra. The 1624 also stops at the cape but starts at Portela de Sintra. For current departure times, use the line pages at carrismetropolitana.pt.
Can I go from Sintra to Cascais without stopping at Cabo da Roca?
Yes. A faster direct bus, line 1623, typically also links Portela de Sintra and Cascais without the coastal detour. Confirm the line and times on Carris Metropolitana. The 1624 is the one that goes via the cape.
Is it worth going to Cabo da Roca by public transport?
If the weather is clear and you like dramatic coastline, yes. The 1624 makes it an easy add-on between the two towns. Skip it if you're short on time. The viewpoint takes only a short visit, and bus waits can make it the longest part of the trip.
Where does the bus to Cascais stop?
The 1624 ends at Cascais Terminal, the bus station in town. Cascais's train station is a short distance away. You can catch the CP train from there to Cais do Sodré in Lisbon. Check the CP timetable for the last train.
Can I do Sintra, Cabo da Roca and Cascais in one day from Lisbon?
It's possible but rushed. Sintra's palaces take hours on their own, so most visitors pick one or two highlights. A short palace visit, the cape, then dinner in Cascais is realistic if you start early. Check the last bus before you commit.
Want the whole trip planned? The PerkJolt Lisbon guide puts the routes, timing and points strategy in one place. Get the Lisbon guide
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See every question about Lisbon → /answers/lisbon/
Last verified: 2026-10-12. Bus frequencies, last departures and fares change by season, so check the 1253 and 1624 pages at https://www.carrismetropolitana.pt/horarios/.
Good to know before you go
. Confirm hours, fees, schedules and road or trail status on the official page before you book or go.
Sources
- https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/cabo-da-roca-lighthouse/
- https://www.cp.pt/info/documents/d/cp/comboios-urbanos-lisboa-cascais-1