My husband & I will be visiting Sintra arriving around 12noon on Thursday (May 4) & leaving Saturday (May 6) in the early afternoon. We haven't purchased tickets for the palaces yet because I value and trust this forum's advice on our itinerary. Here it is:
Arrive on Thursday around 11:30am by train:
- Check w/ our guesthouse (Sintra 1012 Boutique Guesthouse) if we can drop off our luggage
- Go to the T1 to pick up maps & bus routes
- Quick lunch @ Villa Craft Beer & Bread
2pmish: Take the 435 bus & head to Monserrate Palace (~2hours)
4pmish: Take the 435 bus to Quinta da Regaleira (~2hours)
Friday:
9:30am: Take a taxi (as suggested by the Guesthouse Host) to the Pena Palace Park entrance
10:30amish - 12:30pmish: Explore Pena Palace Gardens (~2hours + hike back to the palace)
1:30pm - 3pmish: Pena Palace (outside terraces only) (~1 1/2 hours)
3pmish - 5:30pmish: Hike up to & explore The Moorish Castle (~2hours)
Hike back down to the Town Center
Saturday:
11:00am: Check out, but we're going to ask if we can leave our luggage so we can enjoy the Town Center before catching the 1:50pm train to Lisbon
Specific Questions:
Should we wait to see Quinta da Regaleira on Saturday morning instead of later in the day on Thursday? As I'm typing this, it feels like it's a good idea.
Does 2 hours provide enough to hike up to the High Cross, visit the Chalet & Garden of the Countess of Edla, & everything else in between in order to make it for the 1:30pm Palace entrance time?
Does the 24-hour Scotturb pass include both the 434 & 435 buses? There's conflicting information online.
If we decide to pack a picnic lunch for Friday, is there a supermarket/convenience store close in the Town Center?
Obrigada!!
- Amy