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Two nights in Sintra in September

Focusing on the Sintra portion of our trip with two other couples (preceded by six nights on Sao Miguel; followed by four nights in Lisbon), I have some tentative thoughts and several questions. As you'll see, we're not trying to rush to maximize the number of sites we see. But neither do we need a lot of down time.

Our flight from Ponta Delgada is scheduled to arrive in Lisbon at 14:00 on Thursday, September 15. I'm looking for recommendation for a transfer to the Sintra Boutique Hotel. Also, given time to get checked luggage, meet the driver, and drive to Sintra, when is it reasonable to think we'll actually get to the hotel?

Afternoon September 15: Quinta da Regaleira (Google Maps says it's about a 10-minute walk from the hotel)
Or, is the morning, English language tour sufficiently worthwhile to visit the morning we leave Sintra? If so, would this be a good time for the Palacio Nacional de Sintra? If not, what?

walk around the town

Dinner: suggestions?

Morning September 16: Palacio Nacional da Pena and park (travel by taxi). How far in advance is it prudent to buy tickets for the 9:30 opening?.

Moorish Castle (downhill walk)

Walk downhill to town

Lunch: suggestions?

Mid or Late Afternoon: Palacio Nacional de Sintra (but suggestions are welcome if we plan on Quinta da Regaleira for the next morning (to go on the English language tour) and substitute this site for the afternoon of our arrival)

Dinner: suggestions?

Morning September 17: morning activity in Sintra? stroll about the town? morning transfer to Lisbon? (or Quinta da Regaleira for the English langage tour)

TIA

Posted by
1826 posts

It takes me about two hours from touchdown to my apartment in Cascais. The distance to Sintra isn’t much more.

The Palacio Nacional will take much less time than Quinta de Reguleira. The big draw to the Quinta is the gardens, well and caves. And, as the grounds are good size, you can’t do them justice in a short time. The Nacional Palacio only takes about an hour. I would do the National palace on day of arrival. That would have you in the middle of downtown Sintra about when the tourist hordes are departing.

Monserrat is also lovely, if there is anyway for you to schedule it in. You do need a taxi/Uber to get there as the buses are very crowded and not very regular. I personally, would do Monserrat over the moorish castle since it’s just a ruin.

For restaurants- Incomum is highly recommended and close to the train station. If you want to (again) take a taxi/Uber - Bar do Fundo at Praia Grande is pretty spectacular. It’s right on the beach and the food is good, too. Either of these will need reservations.