We will be in Lisbon March 15-18 and are planning a day trip to Sintra. I have read conflicting advice regarding the best way to visit Pena Palace & Quinta de Regaleria. I read the lines to get in are long even if you have a ticket so it is best to book through a tour company from Lisbon and not do it ourselves. Is this true?
Posted by
Chattanooga, TN USA
625 posts
We were there the end of February and there were no lines to get in either place. We did Quinta first, then Monserrat and finished at Pena Palace. Took the train from Lisbon Rossio station, walked to Quinta after stopping at the tourist office in Sintra, bus from Quinta to Monserrat, Uber from Monserrat to Pena, then tuktuk back to Sintra to eat before catching the train back to Lisbon. It is easily doable on your own.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
thank you for the helpful info
Posted by
Memphis
29 posts
I just came back from Portugal. I booked a ticket online for Regalreira for 10 am. The line was not long. I know majority take a train to Sintra then transit to a taxi or bus to Pena. I took a Bolt from Lisbon directly to Regalreira. It was nice and easy. Enjoyed Azenhas do Mar after Regalreia. I planned to go to Pena after lunch at Azenhas. When i was on my way to Pena it poured. Due to weather I decided to skip Pena and returned to Lisbon but it was already a satisfying trip.
Posted by
Delray Beach, FL, USA
168 posts
I'm wondering about what I heard was a 30 minute walk uphill and a shuttle to take instead to the Palace. Where exactly is the shuttle? Is there an elevator inside the Palace? My group is not young.
Posted by
USA
151 posts
When people talk about uphill walk, there are two different things
Very long, tiring uphill hike from train station to entrance of pena palace (not worth it - save energy and hassels, do a bolt/Uber directly from Lisbon hotel to pena palace ticket office entrance. It is uphill 10 minutes home from here to the palace but when you buy your grounds only ticket you can also buy shuttle bus ticket that will take you from ticket entrance to the palace. (Grounds tickets will cover all the colorful Instagram terraces and does not require to be timed and will not sell out)