Please sign in to post.

Sintra Tourist Sites - cafe/cafeteria experience?

We will be in Sintra for two days in early October 2022. We are savvy to the crowd issues that we will need to manage when visiting Pena Palace, in particular. Does anyone have advice/reviews/feedback on eating, if necessary, at the cafes/cafeterias at Moorish Castle and/or Pena Palace? We know some of the locations still seem temporarily closed. Wondering, in particular, if any locations are more manageable/accessible for a quick bite. Does Moorish Castle have much to offer? I saw one posting on TripAdvisor suggesting it’s just vending machines.

Posted by
888 posts

I asked a similar question several weeks ago and didn't get reassuring response. Rick Steves advice is pack a picnic lunch which will probably be out choice. Maybe hit a bakery on the way to the train for sandwiches. We always pack an insulated lunch bag for travel.

Posted by
1071 posts

In April, 2022 I bought a sandwich at Moorish Castle. They had a small setup where they sold sandwiches, chips, drinks etc. And a few outdoor tables to sit and eat. I'm not sure about Pena Palace. There was only 1 person working, so the line was a bit slow. We didn't choose to pack a lunch since we were taking a hiking path to the Pena palace, touring the grounds, and then seeing Moorish Castle (I don't like to carry extra weight). Did bring a water bottle and protein bar.

If you visit Quinta da Regaleira, they have a nice outdoor cafe that I enjoyed in August 2021. And Monserrate has a lovely lawn that would be perfect for a picnic lunch.

Edit to add: There is a Starbucks attached to the Rossio train station. They sell local pastries and I believe they have sandwiches. Might be an easy place to grab something prior to catching the train. The buses that take you up to Pena board by the train station. It's a bit of a walk to get into the historical town where most of the cafes are located. I do remember that there is a coffee shop by the train station. I can't remember if they sell sandwiches.

Posted by
183 posts

The cafe line at the Peña palace was painfully slow so be aware.