Requesting Sintra Info
 

Hi, I am trying to gather info about getting to, getting around and what to see in Sintra.

1. So from my understanding - you take the train from Rossio. Is this train station open? I read somewhere that it is being renovated??

2. Once in Sintra, how do you get around? Is there a tour bus system, tram or is everything walkable?

3. So far on my list I have the following as sites to see...anything missing?: ·Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Palácio Nacional de Pena, Castelo dos Mouros.

THANKS in advance!

#1: Yes, Rossio station is open. Main entrance from Rossio square or directly from Restauradores metro station.
#2: I have no comments
#3: Those are the must see if you have only one day available. Other options are Covento dos Capuchos (Monastery), Quinta da Regaleira (Freemasonry center), Eléctrico da Praia das Maçãs (Apples Beach Tramway), Museu do Brinquedo (Toys Museum) and the last, but not the least Periquita patries shop (in line of sight from Palácio Nacional de Sintra, aka Palacio da Vila).
I wrote the names in Portuguese to facilitate your research in Internet in case you have interest in any of those items. If you have difficulties in locating relevant Internet sites, please let me know.
If you are interested in historical details, Palacio Nacional was the place where Columbus payed a visit to king Manuel of Portugal, while his ship was doing a technical stop in Belem area, after his 1st trip to the Americas and before heading to the South of Spain do complete the journey.

For #2 - they are walkable if you are an energetic walker. There are a lot of hills and no footpaths. If the weather is very hot, or rainy, then you can take a shuttle bus that continuously travels a circuit around the train station and all the main sights all day.

I'd say that it's more a hike than a walk, and involves taking on steep slopes. Try it if you are fit and want some proper exercise. I chose the bus. Be warned: it's not quite a hop-on, hop-off tour bus; you can get out and continue on a later bus with the same ticket, but the ticket is good for one circuit only.

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

Waking is doable and a lot of fun. Also, go to the Tourist Info center in the center of town and they will give you info on all the options for buses/tours to the attractions. Also, when you buy a ticket in town for the bus that goes up the hill to the attractions, buy the ticket to the attarction (The Palace for example) there so you don't have to stand in line again to buy a ticket.

I think there might be some info about Sintra over at http://www.seeportugal.org

Best of luck. Sintra is great.