We are visiting Portugal in March and we plan to visit Sintra during the trip. The main attractions we would like to see are the following:
Pena Palace / Castle of Moors
Quinta da Regaleira
National Palace
From what I read it is not easy to walk between these locations due to hilly terrain. We have a rental car and my question is how easy will it be to park at each of these places or is there a way to travel between them via bus, train, etc?
Any advice is appreciated!
JP
I was there about a year ago and went to all four of those places in one day as a day trip from Lisbon using public transportation. I took the train to Sintra and from there took the public bus up the hill to Pena palace (timed entry ticket). From there I walked over to the Castle of Moors. From there walked downhill to Quinta and National palace and then walked through the town back to the train station. I would think you could park a car but it would be tricky, especially Pena palace. I saw parking lots but they were not close and those people had to walk too. I would also say whether or not if you drive or walk, the Castle of Moors is a knee buster with lots of up and down steep stairs. I was able to do it but I am in pretty good shape. The walk down the hill was very scenic and worthwhile. The other two stops (Quinta and National Palace) were just ok to me because I liked the first two stops better. If you only have time for two then those would be my two picks just because they are so unique and different.
Sintra is a small town and parking is limited. We stayed there for three nights a couple of years ago. We took a taxi from our hotel in town up the hill to the Pena Palace for a timed entry and walked down to the Moorish Castle and walked down from there into town.
These are the best places to visit in Sintra: Pena Palace, a colorful and iconic palace perched on the mountaintop with breathtaking views, Quinta da Regaleira, famous for its mysterious gardens, underground tunnels, and the Initiation Well, Monserrate Palace, an elegant palace surrounded by one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Portugal; Azenhas do Mar, a charming village built into the cliffs with stunning ocean views; and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, known for its dramatic cliffs and unforgettable sunsets. Just keep in mind that Sintra is very hilly overall, so be prepared for a lot of walking uphill.
Sintra is definitely not walkable in the way many people expect. Distances are short on a map but very steep, and moving between Pena, the Moorish Castle, Regaleira, and the National Palace can be tiring and time consuming.
Parking is possible but tricky. Lots are limited, often far from entrances, and you still end up walking uphill. The bus works, but it can be crowded and slow, especially in March if the weather is good.
What worked best for us was focusing on one main monument in the morning and then letting the rest of the day flow instead of trying to do everything. Regaleira and Pena are the most time and energy consuming. Trying to add the Moorish Castle on the same day involves a lot of stairs.
If walking is a concern, I’d avoid stacking Pena + Moorish Castle unless you’re very comfortable with steep paths. Regaleira + the National Palace is much easier to combine.
Sintra is much more enjoyable when you plan around terrain and crowds rather than just ticking boxes.
When I was there, I had a tour guide who made all the difference!
Appreciate the info and your perspective - thanks!
