Our LGBT-Tours in Portugal

Night Walk in Sintra With a Historian

If you would like the walk to focus on the history of the Sintra Mountains and their fascinating stories from the distant past, the meeting point will be in the old town at 8:00 PM, right next to the historic Royal Palace (the one with the iconic conical chimneys). There, you will spend some time with writer and historian Miguel Boim, who will point out intriguing details and share captivating accounts from the past that spark both curiosity and imagination.

This route includes dirt paths and road sections, and you will be rewarded with beautiful nighttime views. If fog covers the landscape’s landmarks, you will instead experience the mystical atmosphere so often associated with Sintra. If you still feel energetic midway through the walk, and if the night is clear, Miguel Boim can guide you to a higher viewpoint with a stunning panorama, while taking you along additional forest dirt paths.

If you prefer a stronger focus on the experience of walking at night in the Sintra Mountains, the meeting point will be at Peninha (very close to the ocean, on the western side of the mountains), shortly before sunset (thus, starting time will vary across the year). With this option, Miguel Boim will also share fascinating historical accounts while there is still daylight. Weather permitting, you will watch the sun set before you, with the ocean stretching across the horizon. Afterwards, you will enter the dense forest, and most of the route will follow dirt paths. Please note that the meeting point for this option is located about 14 kilometers from the old town and is only accessible by car.

Both routes were designed to be suitable for the majority of participants, requiring an effort comparable to spending a full afternoon strolling around a tourist destination. Each covers approximately 5 kilometers, and the activity lasts between 2h00 and 3h30 (depending on your questions, rhythm, and so on). All you need is water, along with comfortable clothing and footwear.

Sintra: Legends and Medieval Stories Private Walking Tour

You will meet Miguel Boim in Sintra's Historic Centre and begin a journey into the medieval past. Through carefully studied chronicles, you will understand how the Castle, the hills, the valleys and the Royal Palace appeared in earlier centuries.

Along the way, popular legends will be compared with documented History, helping you understand the difference between imagination and historical record - though sometimes History itself feels legendary.

As you gradually climb toward the Castle, you will learn about the Reconquista and the transformation from an Moorish fortress to the stone fortification we see today. You will also discover surprising details about the last flags flown there.

From one of the highest viewpoints, the surrounding fields and mountains gain new meaning through the stories of medieval knights recorded in Portuguese chronicles.

The route is circular and moderately paced, with regular stops to rest and admire monuments in the distance, including Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra National Palace (the old Royal Palace), and views toward the Atlantic Ocean.

This is a thoughtful and immersive way to experience Sintra beyond the surface.

“From the Ghosts of the Castle to the Apparitions of the Mountains” - Private Night Walk

This night experience begins in Sintra's Historic Centre and offers a rare opportunity to understand the true background of the mountains’ mysticism, away from daytime crowds.

After an introduction to myths and legends and their influence through the centuries, you will begin crossing the mountain by road and short trail sections under the night sky.

Distant monuments such as the National Palace (the old Royal Palace) and Pena Palace appear in the darkness, while lesser-known sites reveal stories that only detailed historical research can uncover. You will also learn how these places shaped the traditions and beliefs of local communities.

From quieter and higher points in the mountains, you will hear about strange and intriguing accounts preserved in historical documents.

For this 6 km the effort implied is similar to an afternoon stroll in Sintra, with gentle ups and downs.

It is a reflective and atmospheric way to experience Sintra’s History and Nature combined.

Sintra Private Guided Visit: Life and Death at the Capuchos Convent

This private guided visit takes you away from the modern world and into centuries of religious life, solitude and devotion. Through historical research and religious chronicles, Miguel Boim will explain the habits, routines and mystical experiences of the friars who lived among the rocks.

You will explore the convent's interior as well as its surrounding property, encountering unusual spaces carved into stone and learning about the fears, visitations and beliefs recorded in historical documents.

The visit lasts between 1h30 and 2h30 and offers a deeper and more reflective understanding of one of the most rustic and mysterious monuments in the Sintra Mountains.

Gay Life in Sintra's Society From the 1500s to the 1800s

Step into the hidden side of Sintra’s history and uncover stories rarely told.

For centuries, Portuguese society lived under strict social and religious control, particularly during the time of the Inquisition. Yet, through court records, personal letters, diaries, and historical memories, we can now glimpse the lives, relationships, and expressions of affection that existed despite prohibition and persecution.

Led by local historian Miguel Boim, this private walking tour reveals the lesser-known LGBT+ history of Sintra. As you walk through the town’s oldest streets, you will discover the places where members of aristocratic summer society gathered, socialised, and expressed identities that were often forced to remain secret.

Along the way, you will explore:

* Hidden references to same-sex love in medieval Portuguese songbooks

* Stories and historical speculation surrounding royal figures

* The presence of LGBT+ life within Portuguese aristocracy and religious communities

* The social atmosphere of Sintra during the 17th and 18th centuries

The experience begins in Sintra’s Old Town, where you will meet your guide and be introduced to the secret lives once lived here. The walk follows romantic pathways, quiet corners, and scenic viewpoints, always adapted to your pace and interests.

During the tour, you will enjoy views of iconic landmarks, including:

* Pena Palace

* Quinta da Regaleira

* Moorish Castle

* Sintra National Palace

This experience combines storytelling, history, landscape, and reflection in an accessible and engaging way - without academic jargon or overwhelming historical detail.

Perfect for curious travellers, history lovers, and LGBTQ+ visitors wishing to connect with Sintra through a deeper and more human perspective.