How much time at Sintra?
 

Is it possible to see the sights at Sintra in a long morning? We'd like to spend more time, but can't. What highlights shouldn't be missed? Is it even worth going for a morning? Please advise!

We tried it last October. Train from Lisbon 45 mins. Tour bus to largest palace at the top of the hill. Bad luck - closed Monday. Would have liked to have wandered the village and visit a castle, but no time. Unless you have a full day, don't spend about 2 hrs. getting there.To really enjoy this wonderful area an overnight stay is recommended.

We will be staying in Belem -- is it two hours from there? Now I am considering scratching it altogether -- though I may kick myself for being so close and not even trying to see it.

There are guided tours of the castle in Sintra. Takes about an hour. It is fully furnished. Impressive castle and a very interesting place. Michelin gives it 2 stars. On your way up the hill you pass the ruins of an old Moorish castle. I didn't stop to see that one. Michelin 1 star. I took a taxi up to the castle and paid the cabbie to wait while I was taking the tour because I didn't know how I would get back to the station otherwise.

Didn't he do "quarter to three"

Sun( how do yah make a fruit cordial? You be real nice to him) Star ;)

Don't pull out! One or both of two htings would be possible/great
1. Pena Palace - absolutely and gloriously crazy mock everything - Gohtic - Moorish -----. [not Monday it seems!]
2. Castelo dos Mouros - ruined castle on ridge with superb views.

If you are staying in Belem, cab it to Rossio Station to take the train to Lisbon. Travel time is about 45 minutes (can't remember the price, but cheap). I highly recommend the Pena Palace (you have to take bus or taxi), and the Palacio Nacional in town (you can walk from the train station). These two sites should take you about 2 1/2 hours to see. You should also spend some time walking around Sintra, maybe 30 minutes if you are rushed. NEVER TAKE THE TRAIN AT NIGHT--IT IS DANGEROUS. Sintra is GORGEOUS.

Sorry, I meant for you to take the train from Rossio Station (in Lisbon) to SINTRA.

Thanks for all your input guys. So, I forgot to say we will have a car -- then I think it won't take so long to get to Sintra as it would on the train. ThinGorjus, you think it is possible to do both the Palacio Nacional and the Pena Palace in a long morning then? You are making me feel better about trying to do this. Thanks!

As interesting as the two palaces were, my favorite was the Moorish Castle. The palaces were wonderful eye candy but the castle conjoured up visions of a lost empire.

Thingorjus, your info was perfect a few weeks ago, but oudated currently. If you remember, the only way out of Rossio Station is a long tunnel that crosses a half of Lisbon. The tunnel is 100 years old and has been problematic since around 1920. The authorities decided to close it for benefit of public safety for a long period of maintenance (1.5 to 2 years). The best way to go to Sintra now is from Sete Rios station (Metro Station with the same name) near the Zoo. Check http://www.cp.pt
JSmith, since I read your post I have been thinking about what lost empire are you referring to. Since the Moorish Castle has been unoccupied since the conquest by the Christians during the first half of 12th century, I think you are most likelly referring to the Islamic empire, but I'm not sure...

lobo_mau, you are correct. The Moors controlled much of Portugal and Spain for 3+ centuries until the early 1100s.
Until the Spanish Inquisition, Christians, Jews and Moors lived peacably together for the most part.

Just one slight correction on the way to Sintra now that the tunnel is changed. Though the train station is at Sete Rios, the name of the metro stop is Jardim Zoologico, which is right across the street as lobo_mau mentioned.