A day in Sintra Portugal
Dec 8th, 2015, 11:30 AM
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A day in Sintra Portugal
Hello all! I will be going to Lisbon soon , and I would like to spend 1 day wandering around Sintra. Do you have any suggestions for what I can do there in 1 day? Where should I start? What should I absolutely see? Thank you!!
Dec 8th, 2015, 12:02 PM
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Take the suburban train to Sintra - there are two castles or palaces whatever you want to call them - one right in town but IME the finest one tops a hill just out of town - lovely walk thru park to get there or shuttle buses but as you are young do the spiraling uphill walk.
Otherwise though Sintra is a posh ex-royal town there is not much in the town itself but those castles are great and the local church, bien sur!
I actually took the bus on from Sintra to Caba de Rabo - a rocky spit of land with lighthouse that is the westernmost part of the European continent - the bus goes thru eucalyptus forests en route and the nice smells waft thru the bus - from Caba de Rabo I took a bus to Cascais - and then the train back to Lisbon.
an easy day but it was summer when days are long - in winter I guess may not be so great but theCabo da Rabo was great.
Some French say Portuguese is similar enough to French that you may find your French comes in handy.
https://www.google.com/search?q=cabo...w=1745&bih=868
Otherwise though Sintra is a posh ex-royal town there is not much in the town itself but those castles are great and the local church, bien sur!
I actually took the bus on from Sintra to Caba de Rabo - a rocky spit of land with lighthouse that is the westernmost part of the European continent - the bus goes thru eucalyptus forests en route and the nice smells waft thru the bus - from Caba de Rabo I took a bus to Cascais - and then the train back to Lisbon.
an easy day but it was summer when days are long - in winter I guess may not be so great but theCabo da Rabo was great.
Some French say Portuguese is similar enough to French that you may find your French comes in handy.
https://www.google.com/search?q=cabo...w=1745&bih=868
Dec 8th, 2015, 12:04 PM
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Dec 8th, 2015, 12:12 PM
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Great thanks for the info!! I will definitely take this advice. Caba de Rabo looks beautiful! I've always heard great things about Portugal and can't wait to see for myself<3
I will have to try out my french! I am also learning a few basic Portuguese words, so that's exciting^_^
I will have to try out my french! I am also learning a few basic Portuguese words, so that's exciting^_^
Dec 9th, 2015, 07:27 AM
#6
First let me say that I agree with all that PalenQ has said.
If you want to maximize your time then perhaps a Private Tour Guide would be best.
My philosophy has always been that I do not mind paying more if I am seeing more.!!
With a private guide you could start out early in the morning because of the daylight factor.
1. You could drive along the coastline and stop at Cascais for a short visit to see the October 5 Square and the Fortress.... this is on your way anyway.
2. Then it is off to Cabo da Roca( you are right lobo_mau)
https://www.google.ca/search?q=cabo+...ukY64ZpXsYM%3A
This is the most westerly point of Europe.
Don't fall over the edge ...it is about 450 feet down.
Look across the Atlantic..on a clear day you should be able to see New York !!
3. From here is if off to Sinatra over the Sintra mountain range.
stop off briefly for photo op at the Monserrate Palace (its on the way)
https://www.google.ca/search?q=monse...w=1145&bih=507
4. Coming into Sintra Town you will first pass Seteias Palace and then Regaleira Palace Estate... stop for a picture.
Here it is:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Setea...w=1145&bih=500
5. You are now in downtown Sintra.
See the Gothic City Hall..you have to take a picture of this building
Then the republican Square, that is the Post office with the Bell Tower and that blue building right beside it is the popular Paris Café.... have a drink at an outside table if time allows.
There is a very nice café here , half a block from the City Hall called Café de Sapa. The local famous pastry is terrific.
Next go to the nearby Fountain of Sabuga where water pours out of two breasts.. have a sip because
they say if you have a drink "You will never forget Sintra"!!
Now if you want you will tour inside the Sintra Palace which is right downtown, it is the first thing you saw coming in.
It has very Moorish( Arab) patterns inside.
See the Magpies Room.
It is interesting why the King had all the magpies painted on the walls and ceiling !
6. Next you will go to the Moors Castle perched up on a hill, you can see it from downtown Sintra.
Look at the Castle wall that sort of snakes up the hillside as you walk uphill beside a sporatic moss covered stone wall.
When you are atop the Moors Castle.....look at the views towards the Atlantic Ocean and then back down to Sintra town.....amazing.
7. If time allows , you see that lovely Palace on the next hilltop from the Moors Castle..
that is the Pena Palace. Try to make it here.
It is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal!
It was first a Monastery but badly damaged in the 1755 Earthquake.
As you go up the hill here you will see near the top a statue of Ferdinand II dressed in Military garb admiring his work of the Pena Palace .
At the palace walk under the Triton Arch guarded by a Sea Monster...don`t worry he won`t bite.!
I hope you can make it up here to the Pena Palace.
On you way back ( with a private guide) tell him ( or her) to drive you by the Queluz National Palace.
No! you will not have time to tour this georgeous palace.
but feast your eyes on it.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Quelu...w=1145&bih=500
okay you`re still on your way back to Lisbon...I hope it is not too dark, drive by or underneath the Aqueduct of Free waters which is about 200 feet high.
Here it is.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Aqued...w=1145&bih=500
Your back in Lisbon now.
If you want to maximize your time then perhaps a Private Tour Guide would be best.
My philosophy has always been that I do not mind paying more if I am seeing more.!!
With a private guide you could start out early in the morning because of the daylight factor.
1. You could drive along the coastline and stop at Cascais for a short visit to see the October 5 Square and the Fortress.... this is on your way anyway.
2. Then it is off to Cabo da Roca( you are right lobo_mau)
https://www.google.ca/search?q=cabo+...ukY64ZpXsYM%3A
This is the most westerly point of Europe.
Don't fall over the edge ...it is about 450 feet down.
Look across the Atlantic..on a clear day you should be able to see New York !!
3. From here is if off to Sinatra over the Sintra mountain range.
stop off briefly for photo op at the Monserrate Palace (its on the way)
https://www.google.ca/search?q=monse...w=1145&bih=507
4. Coming into Sintra Town you will first pass Seteias Palace and then Regaleira Palace Estate... stop for a picture.
Here it is:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Setea...w=1145&bih=500
5. You are now in downtown Sintra.
See the Gothic City Hall..you have to take a picture of this building
Then the republican Square, that is the Post office with the Bell Tower and that blue building right beside it is the popular Paris Café.... have a drink at an outside table if time allows.
There is a very nice café here , half a block from the City Hall called Café de Sapa. The local famous pastry is terrific.
Next go to the nearby Fountain of Sabuga where water pours out of two breasts.. have a sip because
they say if you have a drink "You will never forget Sintra"!!
Now if you want you will tour inside the Sintra Palace which is right downtown, it is the first thing you saw coming in.
It has very Moorish( Arab) patterns inside.
See the Magpies Room.
It is interesting why the King had all the magpies painted on the walls and ceiling !
6. Next you will go to the Moors Castle perched up on a hill, you can see it from downtown Sintra.
Look at the Castle wall that sort of snakes up the hillside as you walk uphill beside a sporatic moss covered stone wall.
When you are atop the Moors Castle.....look at the views towards the Atlantic Ocean and then back down to Sintra town.....amazing.
7. If time allows , you see that lovely Palace on the next hilltop from the Moors Castle..
that is the Pena Palace. Try to make it here.
It is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal!
It was first a Monastery but badly damaged in the 1755 Earthquake.
As you go up the hill here you will see near the top a statue of Ferdinand II dressed in Military garb admiring his work of the Pena Palace .
At the palace walk under the Triton Arch guarded by a Sea Monster...don`t worry he won`t bite.!
I hope you can make it up here to the Pena Palace.
On you way back ( with a private guide) tell him ( or her) to drive you by the Queluz National Palace.
No! you will not have time to tour this georgeous palace.
but feast your eyes on it.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Quelu...w=1145&bih=500
okay you`re still on your way back to Lisbon...I hope it is not too dark, drive by or underneath the Aqueduct of Free waters which is about 200 feet high.
Here it is.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Aqued...w=1145&bih=500
Your back in Lisbon now.
Dec 9th, 2015, 10:44 AM
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Percy did a very good job drawing a tour. With all due respect I'd like to add some comments.
Point 2 - Safety is a serious issue. About 1 year ago, a Polish couple dived into death at the sight of their children, because they wanted to take the ultimate (no fun intended) selfie, way after the safety fence.
Point 5 - my educated guess is that the King was a fan of Newcastle United FC.
I had a typo mistake in my last message. One "anybody" changed into "somebody"
Have fun
Point 2 - Safety is a serious issue. About 1 year ago, a Polish couple dived into death at the sight of their children, because they wanted to take the ultimate (no fun intended) selfie, way after the safety fence.
Point 5 - my educated guess is that the King was a fan of Newcastle United FC.
I had a typo mistake in my last message. One "anybody" changed into "somebody"
Have fun
Dec 9th, 2015, 11:25 AM
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Well of course out of curiosity I looked up Rabo x) I am glad you said something lobo_mau! I can imagine the look they'd give me trying to find "Cabo de rabo"! I'm sure PalenQ didn't say that on purpose aha.
Percy, you are awesome!! Thank you for practically planning my trip to Sintra! Now I just need to find a guide!
When you both say things like " don't fall over the edge" and " safety is a serious issue" here, it makes me wonder how often people are falling. Is it easy to fall? I won't be taking selfies. What a tragic way to die...
Anyway I can't wait to visit. It sounds magical
Percy, you are awesome!! Thank you for practically planning my trip to Sintra! Now I just need to find a guide!
When you both say things like " don't fall over the edge" and " safety is a serious issue" here, it makes me wonder how often people are falling. Is it easy to fall? I won't be taking selfies. What a tragic way to die...
Anyway I can't wait to visit. It sounds magical
Dec 9th, 2015, 12:17 PM
#9
Thanks for the added information lobo_mau.
What a terrible thing to happen at anytime, let alone holidays.
Jfgarner: No falling isn't easy , just stay on your side of the fence.!!
Okay I will tell you why the King has the room inSintra Palace painted with magpies.!!
You know how women like to cackle and gossip.. sorry Ladies
.
Well the King was caught kissing a Lady in Waiting, by his Queen and to stop the women from gossiping he painted the room with as many magpies as there were women in the Court.!!!
Here is the Magpie Room and other rooms in the Sintra Palace.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Magpi...iw=946&bih=507
What a terrible thing to happen at anytime, let alone holidays.
Jfgarner: No falling isn't easy , just stay on your side of the fence.!!
Okay I will tell you why the King has the room inSintra Palace painted with magpies.!!
You know how women like to cackle and gossip.. sorry Ladies
.Well the King was caught kissing a Lady in Waiting, by his Queen and to stop the women from gossiping he painted the room with as many magpies as there were women in the Court.!!!
Here is the Magpie Room and other rooms in the Sintra Palace.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=Magpi...iw=946&bih=507
Dec 10th, 2015, 02:44 AM
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Hi Jfgarner,
I visited Sintra a few months ago. Totally fab - you're in for a treat. Pena Palace was our highlight. The other castle, blanking on the name, is great too if you have the time and energy. I think one of Sintra's best parts is just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere . . . if you do a tour, make sure you get a little time to do that. Also, glad I missed Cabo, which Percy's great post mentions, as this girl's scared of heights!
Have fun!!
I visited Sintra a few months ago. Totally fab - you're in for a treat. Pena Palace was our highlight. The other castle, blanking on the name, is great too if you have the time and energy. I think one of Sintra's best parts is just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere . . . if you do a tour, make sure you get a little time to do that. Also, glad I missed Cabo, which Percy's great post mentions, as this girl's scared of heights!
Have fun!!
Dec 18th, 2015, 02:16 PM
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Just thought I would update. I ended up spending two days in Sintra! The first day, I went up to the Quinta da Regaleira and walked for hours in the beautiful garden. The second day, I took a bus up to Pena Palace. I walked through the palace then took a hike to get a good view from a distance. Then I took a bus to Cabo da Roca. It was incredible! Sadly while I was there, I believe a mother lost her child to another selfie
Police were everywhere. It was so sad. The wind is so strong, yet I kept seeing people climb over the fence to take selfies. I couldn't believe it. I even yelled at a girl my age to stop, but either she didn't know English or ignored me.
On a lighter note, after Cabo da Roca I took the bus to Cascais. I wasn't impressed, so I hopped on the train to Lisbon. Just as I was coming upon other stops, I noticed the beach. I jumped off the train in Estoril and strolled along the beach and took pictures. The beaches of Portugal are just beautiful.
All in all, Sintra was incredible. I hope to return again one day <3
Police were everywhere. It was so sad. The wind is so strong, yet I kept seeing people climb over the fence to take selfies. I couldn't believe it. I even yelled at a girl my age to stop, but either she didn't know English or ignored me.On a lighter note, after Cabo da Roca I took the bus to Cascais. I wasn't impressed, so I hopped on the train to Lisbon. Just as I was coming upon other stops, I noticed the beach. I jumped off the train in Estoril and strolled along the beach and took pictures. The beaches of Portugal are just beautiful.
All in all, Sintra was incredible. I hope to return again one day <3
Dec 18th, 2015, 06:41 PM
#13
Well Thank You Jfgarner for letting us know how you made out.
So sad to hear about the episode at Cabo da Roca.
So sad to hear about the episode at Cabo da Roca.
