Pena & Regaleira Palaces in Sintra: Is a day trip enough?
 

Hi everybody,

I'm visiting Lisbon the first week of July. I'm planning on visiting Sintra as a day trip, but I'm concerned about a day trip being enough.

My main focus is to visit Pena Palace and Regaleira Palace and the rest of the town. Should I only focus on the town and the Pena Palace or will I actually have enough time to visit both without rushing it?

Thanks!

You'll have time for both. Get the first bus to the Pena Palace ticket booth (10:00 I think) and then the jitney to the palace.

I liked the National Palace more than the Quinta da Regaleira.

Thanks, Adrienne... can people actually visit all three palaces in one day?

One day is plenty . I also like the National Palace better.

You could do all 3 in one day but it will be really hot inside in the afternoon in July. If you don't mind the heat I would say do the Pena Palace first then the National Palace then the Quinta da Regaleira last as it's apt to be cooler since there are trees around it and it's the least interesting and doesn't need much time. The chapel and first floor of the mansion are interesting; the other two floors of the mansion are not.

You can walk to both the National Palace and Quinta da Regaleira; the National Palace is near the TI and the Q da R is about a 10 minute walk away (approximately).

I would not short change Sintra; it was my favorite town in Portugal. I didn't much like Lisbon.

A thought - you could have a taxi take you right from the train station to the Pena Palace rather than going to the TI from the station and catching the bus up to the Palace. If you get an early train you could be at the ticket booth by 10:00, ahead of the bus which leaves the TI at about 10:00 and then walk to the Palace (about 10 minutes but uphill).

We also loved Sintra and 1 day is enough but I would suggest only 2 palaces. We went to Pena Palace and National Palace and especially liked Pena. There are some steep hills to climb so good shoes, water and cool clothing are important. We liked Lisbon but also loved Cascais. Have fun!

I like the Pena Palace best. There is a room with a Meissen fireplace. (I have an 18-century Meissen soup tureen, so I am a fan.)

I wouldn't take a bus to or from the Pena Palace. The buses get VERY crowded. Sometimes there is a line for the bus.

Take a hired Mercedes to and from the Pena Palace.

How are you getting to Sintra from Lisboa?

Are you driving or taking the train?

If you take the train, be careful of pickpockets.

International Thin

We took the train from downtown Lisbon to Sintra. Very easy and convenient. It passes thru some pretty awful 60's tenement neighborhoods, however it didn't feel unsafe at all. At the Sintra station (which is not in central Sintra), we caught the bus to the Pena Palace. Again very easy. At the palace, you can either take the long walk up the hill to the palace or take a shuttle bus. From the palace we took the bus back into town, had lunch and explored the town. The National Palace is right in the heart of town, but we were 'palaced out' after the mind blowing Pena Palace, and it was getting late. If you really want to enjoy your visit without stressing, one palace plus exploring the town might be best.

Hi and thanks Zootsi... I just came back yesterday from a wondefful week in Lisbon... my favorite european capital so far... I took the train Rossio-Sintra... climbed up to the Moorish Castle, went down to have lunch in town, and climbed up again to the Pena Palace... it was one of my highlights during my stay in Lisbon!

Oh please write a trip report Castellanese as we are heading there for New Years this year...

We preferred the National Palace as well, historical with beautiful tile work.One day should be enough for all.