Since we stayed in Sintra we had effectively a day and a half to explore and we managed to see 4 places. We began our day 1 with Pena Palace and day 2 with Castelo dos Mouros and the weather on the 2 days were absolutely opposite. Day 1, it was raining cats & dogs and we were in Pena Palace and the typical picturesque, colorful facade was very dull with a thick layer of fog; and the view from there - well, it was non-existent! Anyways.......
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We began our day with Pena Palace because it is one of the most visited monuments in Sintra and can get pretty crowded as time goes by. Many visitors do Sintra as a day-trip while staying in Lisbon and by 11:00-12:00, Pena Palace gets very very crowded and it can take upto an hour to get in! Since we were staying Sintra, our primary motive was to beat the crowd in Pena Palace.
Coming back soon with Quinta de Regaleira and Monserrate Palace, the other monuments in Sintra that we managed to see.
To Stay:
While it is possible to visit Sintra in one or more daytrips from Lisbon, it is an amazing experience to stay in Sintra, surrounded by all greenery with a stunning view from the window, of the Moorish Castle!
Airbnbs, hostels & hotels are available are various price points, esp., close to Sintra railway station.
Check out my review of the historic hotel, Sintra Marmoris Palace where we stayed.
To Get There:
On Google Maps: Pena Palace main entrance, Castelo dos Mouros main entrance
From the main entrance of Pena, reaching the palace is a short 500m walk, but its slightly uphill. A shuttle operates from the entrance to the Palace for €3.
The public bus service in Sintra, Scotturb, has 2 loops connecting the various monuments of Sintra to the Historic Centre (railway station).
Uber also functions well here. However since several roads are one-way it can take a longtime to reach!!! If its close-by to walk, sometimes its quicker to walk.
In either cases, be prepared to wait! Buses don't really come on time and Uber can cancel even if you're nearby, if reaching you needs a long one-way route!
On a totally different way, it is possible to hike to Pena Palace and Moorish Castle from the Historic city centre! It would take about 1hr with an average fitness level. Here are the maps for hiking in Sintra.
From the main entrance of Pena, reaching the palace is a short 500m walk, but its slightly uphill. A shuttle operates from the entrance to the Palace for €3.
The public bus service in Sintra, Scotturb, has 2 loops connecting the various monuments of Sintra to the Historic Centre (railway station).
Uber also functions well here. However since several roads are one-way it can take a longtime to reach!!! If its close-by to walk, sometimes its quicker to walk.
In either cases, be prepared to wait! Buses don't really come on time and Uber can cancel even if you're nearby, if reaching you needs a long one-way route!
On a totally different way, it is possible to hike to Pena Palace and Moorish Castle from the Historic city centre! It would take about 1hr with an average fitness level. Here are the maps for hiking in Sintra.
Entrance Tickets & Timings:
Pena Park only: €7.5
Pena Park & Palace: €14
Castelo dos Mouros: €8
Can be bought online on the official website of Parques de Sintra.
5-10% discount available if combined tickets are purchased for 2 or more monuments. But this can only be bought at the ticket counter.
The best thing is that Pena Palace is available to hire for weddings and other events. Just the whole idea of getting married in a super colorful palace, atop a hill, surrounded by all greenery, with a view a view of the Moorish Castle.... isn't that splendid! Here is your perfect destination wedding venue!!!!
Pena Park & Palace: €14
Castelo dos Mouros: €8
Can be bought online on the official website of Parques de Sintra.
5-10% discount available if combined tickets are purchased for 2 or more monuments. But this can only be bought at the ticket counter.
The best thing is that Pena Palace is available to hire for weddings and other events. Just the whole idea of getting married in a super colorful palace, atop a hill, surrounded by all greenery, with a view a view of the Moorish Castle.... isn't that splendid! Here is your perfect destination wedding venue!!!!
P.S: I was invited by Parques de Sintra to experience the region and hosted by Sintra Marmoris Palace, for review purposes, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.