Chasing Sintra's Charm: A Day Trip Through Palaces and Fairytale Hills
When you only have a day in Sintra, you don’t want to waste precious time stuck in the traffic. Sintra, Portugal offers a variety of transportation options to get you around its charming streets and historical sites. Here are some of the most popular choices to get around Sintra:
Tuk-tuks:These motorized rickshaws are a fun and unique way to explore Sintra, especially for small groups. Be sure to negotiate the fare before getting in.
Scotturb: This public bus company operates several routes within Sintra and to surrounding areas like Cabo da Roca and Cascais. Buses are affordable and convenient, but can get crowded during peak season.
Walking: The historic center of Sintra is relatively compact and pedestrian-friendly, making it a great option for exploring at your own pace. However, keep in mind that some of the attractions, like the Pena National Palace, are located uphill and require a bit of a climb.
Video 1. Sintra: Lovely day trip from Lisbon (YouTube link)
One-Day Itinerary
Based on [1], here are Chelsea's recommendation for a day trip from either Lisbon or Cascais:
9:15am: Arrive at Pena Palace (Portuguese: Nacional Palácio da Pena)
The main stations in Lisbon, all with departures every 10 minutes on weekdays, 30 on weekends & holidays, and Metro connections are: Oriente (45 minutes journey), Rossio (40 minutes), Rome-Areeiro (38 minutes), Entrecampos (36 minutes) and Sete Rios (33 minutes).
SINTRA (railway station) > PENA: Bus n.º 434 (Scotturb)
From Vila de Sintra, bus n.º 434 makes the connection between the train station and Palácio da Pena
Due to the narrow roads of Sintra, the bus only operates in one direction:
Sintra Station> Historic Center, Tourism, National Palace of Sintra > Castle of the Moors > Pena Palace > Historic Center, National Palace of Sintra > Sintra Station
Figure 2. Pena Palace (Portuguese: Nacional Palácio da Pena)
Pena National Park and Palace
Palacio da Pena is the most famous of all the castles in Sintra, and the one you’ll see on all the Portugal guide book photos. The brightly colored red and yellow towers are visible from all around Sintra, as this castle is high on the hillside and the gardens include the highest point in Sintra. Pena Park is huge, and a maze of footpaths. Make sure you pick up a map, you will need it to find your way around!
Entrance to the Palace by appointment only (buy the ticket online here).
Castle of the Moors is a UNESCO world heritage site for its architecture and the surrounding landscape. The castle was built at the top of the Sintra hills, on extremely uneven terrain, by the Moors in the 8th or 9th century. It was conquered by King Afonso Henriques at the time the country was founded in 1147.
Figure 4. National Palace of Sintra (Palácio Nacional de Sintra)
The Palácio Nacional de Sintra, located in the historic town center, was inhabited for nearly eight centuries by the Portuguese monarchy and its court. It was much used, particularly during the Middle Ages, as a hunting retreat and summer resort, as well as a refuge from outbreaks of disease in the capital.
The owner of the Quinta da Regaleira was a wealthy Brazilian mining owner, who was fascinated by the secretive religious orders of the Knights Templar and Freemasons, and allowed his mind to run wild in the construction of his wonderous villa (Portuguese: Quinta).
Video 2. Sintra's mysterious 'inverted tower' - BBC REEL (YouTube link)
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