If you prefer to drive, the shortest route is on A37, but you should bear in mind only residents cars, buses and taxis are allowed in the historic center. With several Unesco World Heritage sites, the small town is nestled amid lush mountains, surrounded by ostentatious palaces, and is home to an estate with a history of esotericism and secret rituals. There is no direct public transportation from Lisbon, but you might want to add a visit to this cape to your day trip to Cascais. Here are our top Portuguese road trips, from the hills to the coast. We started early in the morning, because leaving Lisbon as early as possible is the best if you don't want to get stuck in traffic, and at the same time arrive before the crowds at Pena Palace, having time to fit everything in one day.. As we left Lisbon behind and wondered on the highway, being lucky to catch a rather sunny day for November, the . We certainly think so. See your transportation options. We tried to head straight here but came across so many other cool places to stop and explore on the way that it took us a while to get there. Theyre open for lunch Monday through Saturday, dinner Friday and Saturday, and closed Sunday. Wear shoes and clothes you can walk in: Even if youre not taking one of the hiking routes, expect to walk a ton in Sintra. How long should I spend in Sintra? The marble building from the 1st century is well-preserved, despite its age, and one of Portugal's most significant traces of the Roman Empire. The park is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, with the last entry at 6:00 pm. You can buy transportation up from where you get your tickets to the palace. If your Portugal itinerary allows it, two days would allow you to see nearly all the palaces and castles of Sintra without feeling like you ran a marathon. Heading east from here, you reach Sesimbra, a popular resort town known for its seafood restaurants and with a wide bay with family-friendly beaches. If you do this option, you may want to skip the Sintra National Palace at the beginning to save time. Its current gothic exterior is most noticeable for the two large cone-shaped chimneys that extend from the palaces kitchens. Rosegarden House - by Unlock Hotels (9.2) Tivoli Palacio de Seteas (9.2) Penha Longa Resort (8.9) Azenhas do Mar West Coast Design and Surf Villas (9.5) Spend a few hours checking out the Moorish Castle and Palace of Pena, including the huge network of gardens in Pena park. Most restaurants alongside beach avenue (officially Av Bento Gonalves) serve typical Portuguese food, and fish dishes prevail. Afterwards, head to Praa do Giraldo for a well-deserved breath of fresh air. You have a few options for how to plan your Sintra day trip from Lisbon: In this guide, well focus on how to see Sintra on your own, but if youre interested in going with a tour group, the following packages have great reviews on Get Your Guide. 2. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The journey takes about 40 minutes to get back to Lisbon. Known as the capital city of the Alentejo region, voras distinctive whitewashed houses with yellow baseboards fit the typical image of the center-south. Were Matt and Alysha, the two endlessly curious travelers behind this site., We spent the past two years traveling, which included 18 national parks here in the United States, and an extended trip to Europe., Recently, we have chosen to put down roots in Portland, Oregon, and look forward to exploring even more of the Pacific Northwest (Matt grew up in Seattle, so he knows it well).. If you want a tour that covers everything in Sintra with pickup from Lisbon (and some bonuses), go with We Hate Tourism Tours (https://www.wehatetourismtours.com). Click for Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy. Go to Caf Alentejo for petiscos (finger food and snacks) like scrambled eggs with farinheira (a meatless sausage) or Taberna Tpica Quarta-Feira for typical dishes like fried pork meat. Learn all about the poet Lord Byron and his time in Sintra. Castelo dos Mouros sits close to Pena Palace on the hills summit. I'm Nic and I write about teaching English online, house sitting, and ways to incorporate more travel into your life! To make sure this experience is special and enjoyable for everyone, I've decided to lead a smaller group of 10-12 people on this Portugal itinerary. Follow signs in the city or ask someone do not follow GPS. The best way to get there is to jump on the 435 bus or grab an uber or taxi. Taking a day trip to Sintra is like visiting a theme park for architecture lovers. Learn more about how to get to places here. Quinta da Regaleira is a large country estate in Sintra, made up of a grand villa, small chapel, and gardens. While it is possible to walk around the main sites and attractions in Sintra, walking from the train station to Pena Palace (the first stop on this itinerary) is a different story. Youve got a few options for what to do in Sintra for one day. There are several great places to grab lunch in Sintra town, depending on what type of food you want to eat. From here you can drive north to the beautiful beach of Lagoa de Albufeira, where a lagoon meets the Atlantic, or south to the cape of Espichel, a beautiful and mystical site with massive cliffs and a sanctuary from the 18th century. The trail is well maintained and there are viewpoints and gardens to enjoy as you walk. 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Fall and spring are the best times to visit Sintra for nice weather and minimal crowds. The attractions are large and most have huge gardens too, so good walking or hiking shoes are a must. The palace is open daily from 9:30am to 6:30pm, with the last entry at 6:00pm. When we drove our first time visiting Sintra, we ended up circling for nearly an hour looking for a place to park. It has a good restaurant that attracts a trendy and bohemian crowd from Lisbon. Once a pilgrimage site, its now abandoned, but apparently pop star Madonna thought it was the perfect setting for her Dark Ballet video in 2019. It should also be noted that this is also an unofficial nude beach and there are no lifeguards on duty or facilities of any kind. If youre in vora mainly for the wines, head to Cafetaria Pteo de So Miguel, for Cartuxa wine by the glass, or to Ervideira Wine Shop for a wine tasting, with or without a food pairing. During these periods, the crowds will be slightly smaller and youll get to experience the beautiful colors of Sintras amazing fauna blooming into life. Book tickets online in advance: If you do nothing else when visiting Sintra, do this: buy your tickets online in advance. If it during high season you probably want to buy your tickets ahead of time online here. The drive from Lisbon to Sintra is straightforward, but you might face issues with parking in Sintra. In a seaside city where fishing is still one of the main economic activities, seafood dishes abound. In one albeit very busy day, its possible to check off three or even four of Sintras top attractions, depending on how much time you spend in each spot. Theyre so close together you can walk between them, but Id say go to Pena first since it gets more crowded as the day goes on. From here you can catch the 434 bus that departs from the Portela de Sintra train station. Mystic and romantic, Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. I hope you have an amazing time on your Sintra day trip from Lisbon! The highlight of a visit is the library, which is considered one of the worlds greatest, and the basilica, with its sculptures that are exceptional examples of Italian Baroque. Considered a baroque marvel and classified as a World Heritage Site, its located by Ericeira (see above), and can be seen before or after a day at the beach, or straight from Lisbon on a half-day trip. 7 Where to stay for a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon 8 What to pack for one day in Sintra In Sintra, youll find amazing views in all directions, some unique architectural styles that you arent likely to find anywhere else in Portugal, and expansive castles and palaces fit for royalty. We walked down to the town from the Castelo do Mouros, and would definitely recommend it. Best Sintra Tours from Lisbon 1.
If this seems too much, reduce the day trip to just two sights. The castle is open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, with the last entry at 5:30pm.
EPIC Sintra Day Trip From Lisbon - Greta's Travels Portugals (and one of Europes) best-preserved medieval town is easy to reach from Lisbon. And if it all seems to confusing just get yourself to Sintra and ask once you get there. Its now surrounded by an unremarkable suburb, but is worth a visit if you enjoy historic monuments and regal architecture. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. From Lisbon: Sintra Highlights Full Day Tour. The full hike takes around 45-minutes to an hour. The bus from Cascais departs from a terminal behind the train station. This place was awesome!! We did a walking tour in Lisbon with them, and love their approach to responsible tourism. From there we took a bathroom break and headed out to explore. The last train usually departs Sintra around midnight (its still best to check the exact train schedule for the day youre visiting). By leaving around 5:00 pm, youll have time to grab dinner and enjoy a relaxing evening back in Lisbon. One day in Sintra is better than none, and youll still be able to see some impressive highlights. It was about a 20 minute walk and we did get lost following the GPS. Its best to visit after lunch or as the last stop on your Sintra day trip. You can buy tickets online here. Tickets to Palcio Nacional de Sintra cost 10/8.50 (adult/youth and senior). They only allow residence to drive in the city center so you need to plan accordingly if you have a car. Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. The entire estate has a magical atmosphere and is usually much quieter than most of Sintras other big attractions. Theres a path at the end of the parking lot across the street that will take you up to the Castelo dos Mouros (it starts here). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Theres a direct train that runs a few times per hour from Rossio Station. Outside the walls, the parking lot closest to the historic center (10 minutes' walk) is near Porta Velha da Lagoa. If youre visiting Sintra during the winter months, dont forget to bring lots of layers and an umbrella. Bus: Two tourist bus routes cover the main attractions of Sintra, Scotturb bus 434 and 435. Check out our epic 3-, 5- and 7-day itineraries to plan your unforgettable trip. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Make sure to bring your camera! Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. You can see how kings and queens lived across the centuries. It does not store any personal data.
10 BEST Sintra Tours from Lisbon To Book in 2023 - Every Steph The brightly colored palace is one of the greatest examples of 19th century Romanticism, combining Moorish and Manueline architectural styles. The town is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal, with millions of tourists making the journey annually. We didnt go inside weve seen plenty of rich peoples palaces over the years, and generally find them underwhelming unless theres something special or unique about them. National Park and Palace of Pena (Palcio da Pena), National Palace of Sintra (Palcio Nacional de Sintra), Palace of Monserrate (Palcio de Monserrate), How to Spend One Day in Sintra: Itinerary Ideas, [Option 1]: Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira, [Option 2] Palace of Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira, Palace of Monserrate, [Option 3] One Day Sintra Hiking Itinerary: National Palace of Sintra, Vila Sassetti, Pena Palace, Moorish Castle. At this point, youre probably going to be pretty hungry from a busy morning walking around the huge palace and castle grounds. Learn more. It also has a few cultural attractions for the days when its just too cold for a dip in the sea. We went to the waterfall and waited there for Cannon and Knox to make their way out and over the bridge above the water so we could take their picture. Naturally, its mostly a summer destination, but thanks to a mild climate, its an enjoyable place throughout the year, for strolls by the sea. Want to make the best of your time in the Algarve? Taking the train around 8:00 am is ideal for making the most of your day. Here are the 11 best places to visit. Getting there involves taking a bus from the Avenidas Novas district or a scenic ferry from the central Cais do Sodr Station to Cacilhas across the river followed by a commuter bus from there. The best time to visit Sintra is the shoulder season (fall and spring), and on weekdays when there are fewer visitors. Small- group daytrip from Lisbon to the historic and beautiful towns of Sintra and Cascais.
1 Day Sintra Itinerary: A Super Efficient Guide Along the way, stop to refuel at Caf Saudade, a charming cafe with sandwiches, salads, toasts, and bakery items that you can smell from a mile away. The best way to get to Sintra from Lisbon is by train. 1. Its about 1 hours away via the A8 and 1 hours via the A1. No, because you wont be able to see all of the sights. We made the walk from the Moors castle to here and it was totally doable for us but there is uphill and downhill walking so be prepared for that. We did not do the guided tour with kids I dont think you need to. Youll see the bus stop ahead. There are three main transportation options for your Lisbon to Sintra day trip, assuming youre going on your own and not part of a tour. To get to Quinta da Regaleira from the town center, you can either walk, get the 435 bus, or jump in a taxi or tuk-tuk. Jump on the train from Libson nice and early so that youll arrive in Sintra around 9:00 am.
Once they were up there they pointed at the tower across the way and told me to climb that to take their picture from there. I could tell they needed a little pick me up after the train and walk! This Day Trip from Lisbon to Sintra enables you to explore the lovely historical center of Sintra, as well as tour the Pena Palace with your private guide's commentary, climb the Moorish Castle to enjoy the views, and marvel at the . When youve wrapped up at Pena, head downhill to the Moorish Castle. Ideal as a short road trip from Lisbon, head to sunny vora for great food, wine and historical landmarks. We certainly think so. You may update your preferences by clicking the "Cookie Settings" button. It did not work on the 434 bus and that cost about 10 Euros for our family to take it from Pena to the train station. Because the attractions are pretty close together, youll be able to see a lot of sites in a short amount of time. From the rainbow towers of Pena Palace to the Gothic mansion of Quinta da Regaleira, this 1 day Sintra itinerary covers the area's highlights as efficiently as possible.
THE 10 BEST Sintra Tours & Excursions for 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor Weve got you covered! Price: From US$14.48. Sintra has been around throughout much of Portuguese history, from Paleolithic settlements to its Roman and Moorish occupations, right up until the Reconquista by Christian armies in the 9th century. Walk down to your starting point, passing by Rua Cndido dos Reis, Cacilhas famous street full of bars, shops, cafes, and restaurants (where fish dishes prevail). [Update: The Vila Sassetti trail is temporarily closed for maintenance. I got lost my first time trying to find this bus stop, so when you exit the train station take a hard right and walk on the sidewalk directly beside the train station. Operated by Rodoviria do Oeste, departure schedules can be found online but tickets are purchased on the bus. You can easily purchase tickets at the kiosks or self-service machines at the station theres no need to book in advance. Walk down the main road that leads to the historic center, snaking through the virtually untouched slopes of Serra de Sintra. Look for street art alongside Av Bento Gonalves, where the back wall of creative center Escola Conde Ferreira has the most eye-catching mural. 4.1 Palacio Nacional da Pena 4.2 Castle of the Moors 4.3 Sintra Old Town 4.4 Quinta da Regaleira 4.5 Sintra National Palace 5 Estimated cost for a Lisbon to Sintra day trip 6 Is doing a day trip to Sintra worth it? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Instead in true fashion for us we said we got this lets walk it. Getting from Sintra Train Station to Pena Palace, A Lisbon to Sintra Day Trip: Exactly What to Do with One Day in Sintra. This also meant we had time to study the map we were given of the property, when we bought our tickets, to figure out where we wanted to go. Multiple Tuk Tuk drivers asked if we wanted a ride and offered to give us one for 5 Euro a person. After getting lost and back tracking, finding the right way which brought us hugging the wall as we walked up the street to get to the steep trail, and lots of complaining we made it to the Moors Castle. The Pena Palace also has a terrace and cafe where you can grab a bite before heading back down the mountain. This road will take you to the historic city center and along the way, youll pass the Parque da Liberdade, a free public garden, and Fonte Mourisca, a grand fountain that dates back to the 1920s. Full Day Sintra Cascais Amazing Tour. Sintra Private Tour with Cellar Visit & Wine Tasting 3. Next, walk across town to a cobbled road called Estrada da Pena which runs alongside the Parque das Merendas. Traditional restaurants closer to the ferry boat station, like the famous Ponto Final, serve mainly fresh seafood. Another said just walk 20 minutes down the road from Quinta Da Regaleira. Then it comes back down the mountain to the train station. The walk between the palace and the main entrance gates takes about 20-30 minutes, so this will be a longer stop on your Sintra day trip. Review of: Day Trip to Sintra from LisbonArticle: GonzaloReviewed by: Gonzalo Rating:5On January 19, 2021Last modified:January 20, 2023Summary:Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon - Best RecommendationsMore DetailsIMPORTANT MESSAGE: NEW CAR RESTRICTIONS IN SINTRA, READ HERE Sintra is the most popular day trip for people staying in Lisbon. You are able to walk through the bottom floor. Sintra is a fantastic place to hike, so if youre interested in spending more time in nature, this itinerary is for you! Step into Livraria de Santiago, a bookshop within the 18th-century So Tiago church, which was originally built in 1186 and rebuilt after it was destroyed by the 1772 Lisbon earthquake. We did not buy tickets ahead of time but this may be something you want to do if you plan to visit during the summer months. Your email address will not be published. With more days, escape to the beautiful and wild beaches to the west. Lisbon: Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais Day Trip 2. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. 2 4 hours (we were there 2 and it was not enough). This historic town is a Unesco City of Literature and punches far above its weight in the number of amazing bookstores to visit. After, take some time to explore the tiny streets and shops in the old town. Plus there were other people walking as well so it was totally fine to walk. Wed recommend starting at the top which means Pena Palace and making your way downhill on foot. You can expect the town and attractions to be packed with other tourists and day-trippers. 3. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. You can catch the train to Sintra from Rossio Train Station (or Oriente, which is a slightly longer ride) in Baixa in the heart of Lisbon. Before you hop on the Costa da Caparica bus in Cacilhas, you might want to stop by the Cristo Rei monument nearby, which overlooks Lisbon. Halfway between Lisbon and Sintra is one of Portugals most beautiful buildings. Taxis and tuk-tuks are available everywhere in Sintra. The peak summer months are the busiest time of year to visit Sintra. Our Lisboa Card did get us on the train from Lisbon to Sintra and back. A rainbow-colored castle located high on the mountain with amazing views of the Sintra Nature Park. It should take you around 2030 minutes to walk to the historic center. Located a short distance from Sintra, deeper into the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, the Palcio de Monserrate is another amazing architectural wonder of Portugal. After youve finished with lunch and have regained your energy, the next stop on this Sintra itinerary is Quinta da Regaleira. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. See more of Portugal with these top day trips from Lisbon BONDART PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock. As you come out of the ferry, walk to the left until you reach the old train station. Carson said this was his favorite out of the 3 things that we did in Sintra. How do I travel from Lisbon to Sintra for a day trip? Here are our in-depth European travel guides to help you plan a trip full of learning, discovery, and unforgettable experiences. Sintra is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime destination, and no matter which itinerary you choose youll be in for a memorable time. There are car parking locations outside of the city center. If you rent a car and self-drive, you can come and go whenever you like. Stay on the train until the last stop).
How to Get From Lisbon to Sintra, Cascais, Fatima, and Evora - TripSavvy Inside the palace, youll also learn more about the history of Portugal and the development of the decorative azulejo tiles. Alysha even said that my brother and I could go on, and shed wait outside. Da Pena Palace was constructed by Ferdinand II in the 19th century when he took a ruined monastery and turned into into a palace. This was high on my list of places I wanted to check out. Learn more. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You could definitely do it in less time if you dont want to walk to the top of the towers. In the summer, take the 45-minute boat trip to Berlenga Grande island to roam its beaches and nature reserve. I recommend taking the train if you dont want to deal with parking. The train is an easy and affordable way to travel from Lisbon to Sintra. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. All the details you need to plan your trip are below what to do, where to stay, when to visit, and more. Just let them enjoy exploring the grounds! 14 things Portugal locals want you to know before you visit, The best road trips in the Algarve to escape the crowds, Plan the ultimate Algarve itinerary for sun, surf and culture, Summer 2022: Lonely Planet travel experts offer incredible tips, insight and inspiration for your summer travel plans, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Before we got on the train we stopped at a place called Burger and Co right by the train station and got the Lembranca de Sintra it was a good snack and we were told was local to Sintra. Its an enchanting place that was a queens wedding present, and looks just like it did in the 1200s, with whitewashed houses with gothic doorways inside the crenellated walls of a castle. Private tour with private Guide: Palaces of Sintra & Gardens 5. Also going to Algarve? We knew this was the first stop of our day and we had a lot of other things to get in so we had to move things along faster then we would have liked to. From surfing hubs and romantic mountain towns to emerging art destinations and heritage sites, be inspired to explore beyond thecapital of Portugalwith this list of places that are only a short journey away. Instead, I recommend picking your top two must-see attractions and another spot youd like to see if you have time. Rua Direita the towns main road is lined with chocolate and sour cherryliqueur (ginjinha) shops to entice its many visitors, but make time for a rewarding wander deeper into the town's winding streets too. It was a quick walkthrough but definitely worth it to do it. A lot of people opt to skip this, and we think thats a mistake. 5. If you drive in Sintra, youll end up spending most of your day stuck in traffic, getting lost on tiny back roads, and hunting out limited parking. Were all for walking, but even we didnt feel like taking on this challenge first thing in the morning (we do, however, recommend walking down the hill back into town). Built by an English merchant in 1790, the grand palace is one of the best examples of European eclecticism, with a mix of Indian, Moorish, and Gothic influences, topped with a dome inspired by the Duomo in Florence. On a visit to the palace, you can explore its elegant and unique interior. , Read More 3 Days in Porto: How to Plan a Perfect Porto ItineraryContinue, Look, were from coastal California (which we realized over the course of our Algarve road trip is remarkably similar to the Algarve in terms of scenery, flora, and fauna) and we still thought this hike was spectacular. Palcio Nacional de Sintra was a favorite with Portuguese nobility and was used continuously as a royal residence for almost 500 years. Just be sure to negotiate a good price BEFORE you ride, and dont get ripped off by tourist scams. Uber and Bolt are popular rideshare options in Portugal, and you can book taxis through a service called Radio Taxi. Wed recommend getting on the first feasible train you can. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". All rights reserved. vora's Roman temple is every visitor's first stop. Our number one tip is to get an early start the crowds in Sintra build over the course of the day, and we found wandering the grounds of Pena Palace in solitude was much more preferable to wading through crowds in Sintra town later in the day.