Stunning Sintra, just a stone’s throw from Lisbon, is a town brimming with stunning palaces – including the picturesque Pena Palace. This whimsical destination is something straight out of a Disney book, I half expected Belle to be singing down the street, off to visit her Beast! But how do you get to this magical town and is it worth a day trip from Lisbon?
Is Sintra worth visiting?
When traveling to Lisbon, many people overlook what is close to the city and I was one of them! It took me three trips before I finally made my way to this charming, quirky town, and it was absolutely worth the wait. So, if you have the time, Sintra is definitely worth a visit. You’ll be transported to a world completely different from Lisbon, where even Pena Palace has a stunning rooftop!
How long should I go to Sintra for?
If you love palaces and exploring the surrounding areas, an overnight stay in Sintra would be perfect. However, if you’re just looking to tick Pena Palace off your list, have a brief explore, a day trip will be more than enough.
How do you get from Sintra from Lisbon?
There are several ways to get from Lisbon to Sintra, depending on your time, budget, and preferences. You can drive, take an Uber, hop on a train, or, as I did, join an organized tour with Get Your Guide. I chose this option because we were also heading to Cascais for a few days. The tour conveniently took us from Lisbon to Sintra and then to Cascais (and then to it’s rooftop bars!). Handy to be able to leave our luggage on the bus and not be dragging it round. Plus, not having to think about the details was a lifesaver, especially since I ended up getting sick that day! The meeting point is early at Rossio Square and if you’re visiting in winter, be sure to wrap up, as the mornings can be chilly while you wait.
The tour whilst convenient is very drawn out. There was a lot of standing around listening to the history, in the cold. But having someone be in charge of your palace tickets and timings, was a good pay off. However, if I had to do it again, even with luggage (just hand luggage though!), I would have got the train. It runs direct from Lisbon (also from Rossio) and then taken the local bus or uber/bolt up to Pena Palace (and back). The lunch break in Sintra town could then be at your own pace and its an easy walk to other palace. Of course, driving would be simplest but not which when there are Ginja shots to be had! Also I read that the town centre is car-free and the surrounding areas are often jammed, so driving there isn’t advisable anyway. So Saúde, Gin Gin!
Visiting Pena Palace – what you need to know
Most people will head to Sintra to visit the colourful, wonderful Pena Palace – which traces back to the 12th century. The version we see today was transformed in the 1800’s from its roots as a monastery into the bright, bold, beautiful Pena Palace by King Ferdinand II. The legend goes that he did it all to impress a woman! These days, many men today can’t even manage to text back and he goes and builds a palace!
Most people (and tours) will go early before the crowds (though I do wonder if it does get busy later, if everyone goes early!). If you just want to admire the palace from below, get a Pena park ticket to access the grounds and gardens. But if you want to get up and personal with this incredible building then you will also need a timed palace ticket. Booking online is obviously the safest option, especially at popular times and in summer but out of season it is possible to buy on the day. Once there you will usually find quite a queue to enter the palace and there is a micro climate. Not a warm one!
I wasn’t feeling great by this point, so I sat the interior tour out. My friend, however, went in and said that unless you’ve never seen the inside of a palace before, it wasn’t as bold or exciting as the exterior. Slow-moving, a bit claustrophobic, kind of boring – even with a guide explaining everything. I’m sure history buffs would love it. I loved not doing that and finding the very small café kiosk and enjoying a coffee soaking in the sunshine on a palace rooftop!
How far is Penn Palace from Sintra town
If you’re taking the train, note that Pena Palace isn’t actually in Sintra town. It’s about a 20-minute drive, either by taxi or as part of an organized tour. Planning to walk? Be prepared for a 45 minute hike, up a steep hill! The two most popular DIY options are a tuk tuk or the local 434 bus that runs from the station. But bear in mind, it can take up to 45 minutes due to traffic. And for ticket timings you will need to factor in that you’ll be dropped off at the bottom of the palace. You then still have a 10-15 minute walk up.
Visiting Quinta da Regaleira Palace
Sintra isn’t just home to one, but two stunning palaces in close proximity, well actually there are more! Pena Palace and the Quinta da Regaleira are the most popular, and these are the two featured on our tour. Unlike Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira is easily accessible by foot from Sintra’s town centre, offering a stark contrast in style and atmosphere.
The grounds and gardens are absolutely stunning, but it’s the underground tunnels and wells that tend to capture the most attention from photographers. Claustrophobics may want to skip this part, but for those channeling their inner mole, exploring the labyrinthine caves is an unforgettable experience.
What is there to do in Sintra town?
If two palaces weren’t enough for you then you can head to the National Palace of Sintra or Queluz National Palace for more history and royalty tales! However if you are done with palaces then Sintra is a quaint and query town to wander round and enjoy some lunch in. It really reminded me of Gjirokaster in Albania, eclectic with it’s own picture perfect personality.
My biggest regret was not researching restaurants here. I assumed the tour would take us to one they had a relationship with. We chose one randomly and the food was ok but not that I would recommend. If I had planned it then I would have chosen one with a view.
After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through the winding streets, pick up some souvenirs, and be sure to enjoy a shot (or four) of Ginja, a Portuguese specialty found in many towns. It also makes for a great gift. You can also find it at the airport airside for fellow hand luggage travellers!
Final thoughts on Sintra
Sintra is a Disney dream town that I would encourage any one to experience. You will be transported to a world of wonder, where I am sure Prince Charming and talking animals were hiding. Or maybe I had too many Ginja shots! If you are also planning to visit Cascais or first time to Lisbon then I got you!