Ok I am taking a day trip to sintra from cascais. my apologies if I ask questions from similiar posts, but I am sure the pena palace is a must, but are there other musts during a day trip? Not sure if pena palace, castelo do mouros and the monserrate palace are too much to do in one day. (and any good tips for visiting those three, not sure what time they open) Are there taxis that can take you? (When I am in nyc I take uber, not the subway so I am not big on mass transit) Cabo da roca and boca do inferno look pretty but not sure if they are far away and more just a view of the water? and I assume to buy tickets ahead of time? and where would I do that? any other tips I would love to hear. We love to walk so if anything is walkable that would be great, but not sure in july is that is the best idea... so any rough ideas of how much a taxi or private driver could be? Thank you !!
Posted by
11606 posts
We preferred the Palacio Nacional in Sintra more than Pena Palace. It is more historic and has incredible tilework. Plus, it is in town, not up in the hills.
Posted by
Richmond, VA
301 posts
I did a day trip to Sintra two years ago. It was the first week of July, but not too hot. I'd say low-to-mid 80s, and there's a lot of shade. I had planned to go on my own, but in the end joined a small group (there were three of us plus the driver) just for simplicity's sake. It did help maximize time and allowed me to get to Cabo da Roca without a headache (I had planned on skipping it). If your preference is to hire a driver, I don't think you'll have any trouble. I'd contact your hotel--I'm sure they have connections. You might also check TripAdvisor to see if there are small group tours that would appeal.
When I went, I think I paid 30 euro, or something similar, not including admission and tip. My driver wasn't a guide, per se, and didn't accompany us into the sites, but he was very interesting to talk to. It was a pretty basic operation, pretty much one guy and an air-conditioned mini-van, but I was pleased with it. He was able to suggest places for lunch, good vantage points for pictures, etc.
Caroline
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Quinta da Regaleira (a really unique garden) was the highlight of Sintra for me, though I didn't get to Cabo da roca. I took the 434 bus up to the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace. I made the mistake of not buying my Pena tickets online and had to wait in a crazy long line at the park entrance - buy online ahead if you can! I have been inside plenty of palaces so only wanted to see the outside, which is what I did (you can buy a ticket for just the park entrance, which lets you walk around the outside of the palace just not enter). The Pena Palace is really unique and colorful from the outside, I can say, and I'm glad I took the time to see it. It is in a large park you walk through - the park has some little diversions, but in my view they aren't worth the time. Just walk through the park to the palace and back, don't waste time in the park unless you have a slow pace.
There are "tuk tuk" mini-taxis (little 3-wheel golf carts of a sort) if you want to skip the 434 bus - tuk tuks are all over the place in Lisbon especially but elsewhere too. I didn't ride one.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
If you are going to Sintra from Cascais, I would suggest getting a driver. I recently made the trip with public transport and it was pretty awful. Both buses from Cascais take a long time and make many, many stops. And, they have recently made some of the streets in downtown Sintra pedistrian only. This has messed up some of the bus routes and there is no signage to inform one of the new stops! After the recent visit, I will not be returning anytime soon!!
Quinta da Reguleira was my favorite until I visited Monserrat! It is lovely. While Pena and the Quinta are best from the outside, Monserrat is amazing inside.
There are many small group tours from Lisbon, but I’m not aware of any from Cascais. If I ever go again, I will find a driver for the day..
Posted by
OP
22 posts
great tips thank you! would the hotel know how to get a private driver ?
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
If the hotel doesn’t have a contact, send me a PM. I can ask around for you.
Posted by
1 posts
Hi
I am going to be staying in Cascais in december and want to spend a day in Sintra I had planned to take the bus but from what I have read that is not a good idea. I have been researching drivers and tours but they all seem to leave from Lisbon. does anyone have any information as to how to find a car and driver in Cascais?
Posted by
OP
22 posts
well we are probably going to go with lisbon riders tour with a private tour? I touch high on the cost but we just feel it will maximize our time, since we have a conference later that night in cascais. they do group tours but I have heard nothing of great things, but I will be there in july if you want to wait and hear. but sintra sounds like it needs some planning to see all the things because of the hills ...
Posted by
127 posts
Well, I have not found this bus ride to be unpleasant. I have taken the municipal bus from Cascais to Sintra for three round trips in the past five years. This is a bus for locals and it does make many stops. If you want to see how people live, you may find this trip interesting. The pace of life may be slower in Portugal than where you live. If you are in a hurry, and don't care about the cost, you can hire a driver or take a taxi. If you want to see a bit of Portugal away from tourist spots, local buses are a good option.