Day trip to Sintra…

[Gillaspiewoods]

Hello. How walkable is Sintra? Is it feasible by my wife and I to train there from Lisbon, visit three or four of the sites (e.g., Moorish Place, Peña Palace, Old Town) and be back in Lisbon via train for dinner? Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrew]

It's a distant memory for me, but fine to do as a day trip from Lisbon. Note that, according to this site, the Pena Palace now requires reservations; it's on top of a hill where a bus requiring reservations can take you from the park entrance. Information here:

Buy tickets - Park and National Palace of Pena

Get to know the new ticketing system at the Park and National Palace of Pena

www.parquesdesintra.pt

 

[Gillaspiewoods]

It's a distant memory for me, but fine to do as a day trip from Lisbon. Note that, according to this site, the Pena Palace now requires reservations; it's on top of a hill where a bus requiring reservations can take you from the park entrance. Information here:

Buy tickets - Park and National Palace of Pena

Get to know the new ticketing system at the Park and National Palace of Pena

www.parquesdesintra.pt

Thank you so much, Andrew; very helpful.

 

[amymac]

Yes, a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is very doable. The train takes about 40–50 minutes each way, and you can see three or four main sites if you start early. Old Town is walkable, but attractions like Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle are uphill—most visitors use tuk-tuks or buses. We actually planned something similar to this in our weekend in Portugal trip, and you can be back in Lisbon by early evening for dinner.

 

[wco81]

Yes, a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is very doable. The train takes about 40–50 minutes each way, and you can see three or four main sites if you start early. Old Town is walkable, but attractions like Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle are uphill—most visitors use tuk-tuks or buses. We actually planned something similar to this in our weekend in Portugal trip, and you can be back in Lisbon by early evening for dinner.

The one time I visited I drove, parked and walked a lot uphill.

My understanding is that you can find buses and taxis fairly easily from the train station but coming back down from the Pena Palace, it's hit or miss. There are Ubers up there but again, you may or may not be able to find one to return to the train station.

On TripAdvisor, there are horror stories about tuktuks, charging really high prices.

Like I said I hiked up to the Moorish Castle and then visited Pena Palace, again more uphill for the latter, and then when it came time to return, I was very tired and even though the walk would be downhill, I was looking at an hour or more.

So I got on an open-air bus type of thing. I don't know if it was a tuktuk but there were maybe half dozen passengers and I think I paid €10.

Another option to consider might be a coach tour that you can find on Viator or GetYourGuide or similar sites. If they drive you and drop you off at the Castle and the Palace, instead of just the train station, it might be worth it. I think they're guided tours as well.

 

[Gillaspiewoods]

Thanks WCO. I’m currently inclined to take the 434 bus from the train station as I’m hearing a fair amount of skepticism about the more local travel options.