I flew to Lisbon to get my Portuguese passport during the Covid.
To my delight and sadness because of the coronavirus, there were almost no tourists in Lisbon when I traveled and when I went to Sintra there were very few people there, too.
In regular times, Sintra is considered a very touristic place with thousands of people every day.
This made the visit to Sintra more fun for me because I could be photographed and take pictures without people in the background. And there were no queues anywhere, which was more convenient.
How to get to Sintra from Lisbon
The truth is that at first, I thought of joining a tour out of Lisbon to meet people on the way (because I was traveling alone) but then I explored the options and realized that it would be best for me to travel there on my own and not be depending on tour times.
I knew it was a town I would like to photograph a lot and I do not like to be under the pressure of a group in such situations. lol
In any case, the options to get there are: take a taxi, take an organized tour from Lisbon, or get there by train.
If you prefer to join an organized tour from Lisbon, I found this option that seems quite comprehensive – a day tour from Lisbon to Sintra.
**It is not recommended to get there by private car as there are some very limited parking spaces in Sintra the castles have no private car entries and there are steep ascents.
I took a train. The cost of the train was cheap and was about 2.25 euros for an adult.
Directions to the train station in the old area of Lisbon Rossio train station
The train ride was about 40 minutes on a line called Rossio-Sintra. There is another line that takes about 50 minutes to Oriente-Sintra. Because I was traveling during the coronavirus pandemic, it was calm at the train station and there were not many people, but from what I heard, there are rush hours that are very busy there, so it is advisable to arrive as early as possible in the morning.
Where to stay in Sintra
If my trip had been longer, I would have stayed in Sintra for at least one night.
I found some great accommodations in a central location:
Get to know Sintra town
Sintra is a town that is around 35 km from Lisbon. It is a magical place with castles and palaces and a stunning historic town center. It has crazy views and also special beaches. UNESCO declared the cultural landscape of Sintra a World Heritage Site in 1995.
I think it’s worth dedicating two or three days to Sintra and not just one. There is a lot to see and in every site you will spend a few hours for sure, so it is impossible to get everything done in just one day. On my next opportunity, I will go there for a few days.
*Tip: note that the entrance to each castle and palace costs money. There are machines for purchasing tickets at the entrance to each site and the payment at the machine is by credit only, so it is recommended to arrive with credit (there are also cash registers, but the queue can be very long).
How to get around Sintra
The castles and palaces are up in the mountains and it is very difficult to access them by foot unless you are there for a few days and love a sporting challenge. You can easily get there by bus.
There are buses with a one-time fee for free daily. One line costs 7 euros and travels to three places, line 434, which passes through Dos Mouros Castle, Pena Palace, and the historic town center. The frequency of the bus is every half hour.
There’s a second line that makes a more comprehensive route and costs 15 euros per day.
I took the 7 euro bus because in one day I think it’s hard to get to more than three destinations, especially if you take a lot of pictures and stay for a few hours in each location.
In addition to the buses, there are tuk-tuk drivers (though I do not know what price they charge). Anyway, I took the bus. There is a bus stop close to the train station.
Coffee break
The first thing I did when I got to Sintra was go for coffee. There was a cafe that looked nice near the train station, but it was crowded so I went to a calmer one. It was a nice cafe with desserts and drinks and you can sit outside or inside – Garagem cafe (directions). There is a bus stop close to it so from there you can start exploring Sintra.
Dos Mouros Castle – Teachers Castle
I recommend buying tickets in advance – Order entrance tickets online
The first stop of line 434 is the crazy castle Dos Mouros. The castle was built by the mores in the eighth and ninth centuries. The castle was built on the mountain and was once a defense of the entire area.
The road to the castle is impressive and special but when you enter it and walk into the area of the walls and defense towers, then you are truly amazed. The medieval walls (and the view from them) give the feeling of being inside a movie.
I really recommend going to this castle and not missing out on it.
Pena Palace is located about 400 meters further up from the castle. You can continue by bus first to the palace and then get off on foot to the castle. Either start at the castle and then walk to the palace or wait for the bus to take you there.
Tip: I started at the castle, but it is better to start at the palace and then go down to the castle because the palace is more touristy and the queues there can be very long.
Pena Palace – Park and National Palace of Pena
I recommend buying tickets in advance – Order entrance tickets online
WOW! It really is the most beautiful palace I have ever seen and the truth is I think anyone who has visited it will agree with me. This palace looks like it was taken from a legend and is so colorful and special that you can’t believe that it really exists. This palace is known as the jewel in the crown of the Sintra Mountains.
The palace demonstrates the architectural style of the 19th century. Around the palace there are wooded areas, continuing the design ideals of the palace’s romance, with hidden routes, mystical ornaments, and stunning views.
It is advisable to get there as early as possible because it is considered the busiest place in Sintra.
The historic town center of Sintra
When I got there I was already starving and exhausted from walking in the palace and castle so I did not get to walk around too much and it’s a shame because it seems like a fun place to explore.
I sat there in a cool restaurant outside whose highlight for me was their excellent and refreshing sangria that cost 3.5 euros – Tasca Saloia Restaurant (directions).
I ordered a portion of shrimp in olive oil and chips which were very tasty and, in short, I was very pleased with the choice.
Sintra National Palace
I recommend buying tickets in advance – Order entrance tickets online
Unfortunately, I was already exhausted from running around that day, so I only managed to see the Sintra Palace from the outside, but it looked impressive. For those with more time, I think it’s worth going inside to explore. Its location is very convenient, right in the center of Sintra, near restaurants and cafés. The palace combines Gothic and Moorish styles and served as a summer residence for Portuguese kings throughout history. Today, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Directions.
More recommendations for things to do in Sintra
Before I visited Sintra, I did some research on the places I wanted to visit. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to see everything. Here are some more recommendations for your visit:
Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira is an impressive estate with well-maintained gardens, located just a short distance from the center of Sintra and covering about four hectares. The estate is named after Baroness Regaleira, who originally purchased the property in 1840.
The palace is about a 10-minute walk from the town’s historic center, but keep in mind that the walk includes an uphill climb.
Parque e Palácio de Monserrate
The Monserrate Park and Palace are located about 4 kilometers from the center and are a perfect example of the 19th-century Romantic style, which greatly influenced the architecture throughout Sintra. Although the palace was emptied of its contents in the mid-20th century, its rooms are still impressive and worth visiting. The “Music Hall” on the premises continues to host cultural events, adding a unique touch to the experience.
Notes about Sintra
- You will walk a lot while you’re there, so come with comfortable shoes.
- Sintra is colder than Lisbon, so bring a jacket (after 5 in the evening it gets even colder).
- It is advisable to visit as early as possible in the morning both to get as much time as possible and also to avoid queues that are too long.
- Charge your camera and your cell phone before you visit because you won’t stop taking pictures while you’re there.
- If you are in Lisbon for a few days, then do not miss out on visiting Sintra. It’s really close and it’s definitely worth it!
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