Hi,
Going to Portugal first time. I am super excited! I’d like to join a day tour from Lisbon and am seeing following options. Which one would you recommend? I like scenic views and old towns.
1. Sintra, Pena Palace, Roca Cape Coast e Cascais
2. Knights Templar Day Tour in Tomar
3. Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, Obidos
I have 3 full days in Lisbon. Shall I do 2 day trips and spend 1 day in the city OR do 1 day tour and spend 2 days in the city?
Posted by
Calgary
1732 posts
I loved Sintra. I also liked Cascais, but if I had time for just one of those, I'd choose Sintra.
Lisbon has plenty to do and see for 2 days or even more, so my choice would be 2 days in LIsbon and 1 day trip.
Posted by
New York, NY
1586 posts
Hi Jysel,
Do 1 day trip and spend 2 days touring Lisbon. Sintra is a nice place to tour and see the castles there. Also, the city of Cascais and Estoril are other great day trip options which are close to Lisbon. Since you like scenic views and old towns then you might fall in love with Cascais. Jysel check this link I sent you below about Lisbon.
Posted by
Chicago
3076 posts
I vote for tour # 1.
I did the Sintra and Fatima tours earlier this year with Lisbon Riders.
https://lisbonriders.com/#grouptours
I liked Sintra better than Fatima. I’m Catholic and I was a little bored in Fatima.
With 3 days, I would do just one tour. There’s a lot to see in Lisbon.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
61 posts
While I haven't been to any of the locations in options 2 and 3. I really enjoyed my day trip to Sintra: I saw Pena Palace, Pena Park and the garden in _ de Regelaria- I'm forgetting the correct name. There is also another palace and the moorish castle ruins. Just my opinion that you can't see all four main Sintra sites in one day.
It's a short commuter train ride, about 30 minutes, to Sintra. If that is where you decide to go, carefully plan the order in which you see the sites. I'm assuming it's still a one way loop road to Pena Palace and a few other sites.
There is lots and lots to see in Lisbon- spend two days there..
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thank you everyone! It really help deciding 2 days in Lisbon + a day tour to Sintra!
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4499 posts
I loved Sintra however in hindsight I wished we had 2 full days there. I think it will be a whirlwind on a daytrip that includes everything listed in your #1. Sintra is easy by yourself by train, as is Cascais which we did on a separate day trip. Of the two, I'd pick Sintra. I assume that Sintra doesn't include the Moorish Castle? That was my favourite site on the day.