We will stay in the Lisbon/Sintra area for 4 days and will travel to the Algarve region for two days. Should we base in Lisbon or Sintra to make the best use of our time while also enjoying the ambience of the location?
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1610 posts
I am sure that everyone will have a different opinion on this. And there really is no right or wrong answer. My personal opinion is that I would base in Lisbon. That's because I love Lisbon! There is so much to see and do in Lisbon, and it's a wonderful city for walking and exploring neighborhoods, albeit hilly! So make sure to wear very good walking shoes. I would not want to base in Sintra and daytrip into Lisbon because I would be doing this frequently. One day in Lisbon is not enough for me.
When you say you have 4 days, is that 4 nights or 5 nights? If 5 nights, perhaps you could spend 4 nights in Lisbon and one night in Sintra. Or spend all of the nights in Lisbon and daytrip to Sintra, which is what we did. But I will admit that daytripping to Sintra might not be ideal. It really depends on how many palaces/sites you want to see in Sintra.
And what are your sightseeing interests in Lisbon? We visited the Gulbenkian Museum (amazing), Castelo De S Jorge, explored the Alfama district (the oldest district in Lisbon), Sao Roque Church, Mosteiro De Sao Vicente De Fora, and spent a day in Belem visiting the Mosteiro Dos Jeronimos, The Discoveries Monument, and the Coach Museum.
Posted by
Austin, TX
1925 posts
I was in Lisbon last October for four nights and it was not enough. I spent a few hours in Sintra and it was also not enough.
My suggestion is to base in Lisbon and visit Sintra for a day. If at all possible, also go to Belem.
Be Poet Baixa Hotel is a very good three star boutique hotel.
Posted by
WA USA
1092 posts
Sintra city center is very small and gets very crowded, so unless your focus is on the Palaces, I would say Lisbon. Lisbon is walkable and each area is unique. Lots and lots to see and experience. The tile work is amazing on the old building, nice parks to sit on the bench and relax, amazing overlooks, and good food.
I love Sintra, but I view Sintra as a tourist place, Lisbon is a place where people live. So when I think ambience, I would think Lisbon because it is not just a place where people enter and leave by the end of the day, but where people go to work, come home, go out to have fun. It has a pulse.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
These are great suggestions! Thank you so much!