To follow on from my previous post.
I was wondering if anyone out there has any good tips as to what else I can check out whilst I'm in the Sintra area?
I'll arrive in Lisbon, in November, and then I've got 5 days to explore some (preferably) scenic sights before having to head back to Lisbon again to catch my plane home.
I've looked online, of course, but I much prefer to hear from real people who've actually been there and done it!!
Thanks guys :)
I've been in Sintra earlier this month and I was impressed! It was a full day trip by train from Lisbon and back.
The area itself is densely planted everywhere with a combination of tropic plants, flower etc.
Visit the main 3 palaces: Palacio de Pena (especially this one offers idyllic views of the surrounding area - inland & sea), 2. Quinta da Regaleira (a must to walk and get lost in the gardens) - this one was not opened to public until late years, 3. Palacio Nacional de Sintra.
It's also beautiful to walk in the city and stroll in the streets (liked the signage, the colours and the architecture in general).
If there's a place which could be addressed as a paradise Sintra could be one.
Haven't seen anything around in order to propose more.
p.s. Try the sweets at the coffee shops - recommend 'Piriquita' which is an alley just off the main square. Generally I got crazy with the Portuguese sweets!
I spent six days in Sintra. It just keeps getting better, the more you explore.
The park/kings hunting ground, is by the Royal Castle. Its a bus ride up the hill.
The foot path from castle to "high point' is other worldly.
There are palaces ad nauseum in Sintra.
The bus ride to Cascais from Sintra is mind blowing. The catch the train back to Lisbon.
Sintra is a pleasant half-hour train ride from Lisbon, with inexpensive trains running about every twenty minutes. For details and photos of our visit to Lisbon and Sintra seethe "Portugal" section of Our Travel Journals: http://www.evcal.org . Before you go also read a couple of good Portugal guide books; we used Lonely Planet Portugal and Rick Steves' Portugal, and found both to be very helpful.
The large Moorish castle that looms over the town was my favorite. We spent a lot of time there.
There is a veteran tram (eléctrico) from Sintra to the coast 10 km away at Praia das Maçãs. A good scenic trip. Sit on the left, if you can, because there is a better view from that side. The seats are hard! so it's better to get a bus back to Sintra. Buses leave from opposite the end of the tram line at the beach.
There's a place opposite the Sintra railway station that sells little cheese cakes (queijadas de Sintra) at a much lower price that at the shops in the town centre. They are a local speciality.
A problem with Sintra is that it's so hugely popular with visitors, that it's very hard to find a vacant seat in any kind of eating place. I've started to take my own lunch when I go there.
Wow! Thank you so much for all your replies. I'm so excited and can't wait to go!!
So to ask another question for those of you who've stayed there fore a few nights. Could you recommend any reasonably priced b&b's, hostels, guesthouses or the like?
Thank you so much!
You should not leave out the Monserrate Palace and especially the Capuchos Convent. Monserrate is at least as beautiful as Pena and the Convent is a different place, like a hobbit house.
There is a bus going to Monserrate, but no public transport to the Convent.
I recommend at least 4 days in Sintra.
The first day you can visit Sintra's three most famous landmarks. First of all the Royal Palace is at the center of the village and it shouldn't take you more than an hour. Then you can climb to the Moorish Castle (or take a bus), there isn't much left but the view from the top is worth getting there. Finally you have the romantic Pena Palace and its Park, where you can start a short trek.
Take at least half day to explore the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira. There are so many caves and passages. It's close to the center. Then you can visit by bus Europe's westernmost point, the Cabo da Roca. I also find the place to be quite inspiring.
You shouldn't also miss the Montserrat Park and Palace and specially the Capuchos Convent, a very special place made out of cork and stone where you'll be able to imagine how monks could live in their small cells. Although a bus can take you to Montserrat, no public transport is available for the Cork Convent. You should make an arrangement with a taxi.
And then you have your last day. You can either head to the Queluz Palace by train or have a nice walk at the surrounding forests. Or even go to the beach in summer.