We plan to do a day trip to Sintra in early June of this year. Neither my husband nor I are hikers and I have worrysome knees. Everything I'm reading sounds like things are a hike. I have seen various tours involving cars or tuck tucks. Are these a good way to get to see the palaces and Montserrat? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Bend, OR
1888 posts
The area is hilly. You can take a tuk tuk or taxi or driver or bus to the various places but you’re still going to be required to do a bit of walking if you want to see the grounds. I believe “hiking” is involved if you want to walk up to the sites or back down into town from them and if you are not in shape for hiking I would not advise.
Posted by
49 posts
Sintra is a colorful, beautiful and very interesting Village on a very hilly area. In all due respect if I had “worrisome knees “ I would avoid Sintra all together and look for flatter regions in the region.
We stayed in Sintra for a couple days and had a great experience…”ravening fan” of Sintra and its sites. One take away was we walked a lot…a lot up and down both in the Village at the various sites.
Best to you on your travels in Portugal!
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
2019 posts
Monserrat, The National Palace and Quinta de Reguleira are accessible without climbing the hills. Pena and the ruins of the Morrish Castle are in the hills. Even Pena can be accessed without too much climbing if you take the little shuttle from the gate most of the way up the hill. Hiking around the grounds does require a lot of climbing, but it’s quite easy to avoid that.
Monserrat even has a golf cart type vehicle that will take you from the gate to the palace.
So, it’s not necessarily beyond your knees! And, there are buses, uber, etc. to get between the sites. Do your research and see how much you want to see these palaces. In June they will be uncomfortably crowded (for me). Monserrat won’t be so crowded but you need to take a bus, taxi or uber out to it. If money allows, a private guide could help you minimize the climbing.