A day trip to Sintra is a highlight—and a delightful contrast to the urban delights of city life in Lisbon. Steep winding roads, lovely forests, fresh water springs all set in and around an incredible variety of sites provide the traveler with far more possible adventures than one can take in for one day. However, it’s possible to catch the spirit of this place that some call “enchanted” by carefully plotting out the day.
Plan your transportation to Sintra. From Lisbon, take the train from the Roma Station. You can buy your ticket right at the station. The trip to Sintra will take about an hour on a small local train. Notice the old aqueducts you’ll be passing.
Plan your transportation once you’re in Sintra. When you arrive at the Sintra train station, buy a bus ticket that will allow you to ride all day, getting on and off wherever you wish. The buses run approximately every forty minutes starting around 10:00 in the morning. Before you board the bus, take a minute to purchase one of the readily available illustrated tourist maps.
Ride the bus to the top of the mountain by way of a winding road. At this point, you’ll be able to consider the various options for the day and choose among them.
Take in two palaces. One of these is the Palacio Nacional with its incredible maze of lavishly decorated rooms, some completely and amazingly covered with gorgeous tile work (don’t miss the Swan’s Room); you’ll also pass through fascinating courtyards and staircases. Stop in the monks’ kitchen and see the inside view of the huge cone-shaped chimneys, which can be seen from all over Sintra.
The other palace is the Palacio da Pena which was built around a ruined monastery. Gargoyles, turrets, pink and yellow buildings, and the ballroom with its stained glass windows are just some of the incredible features that greet you. Don’t miss the Arab Room.
Be sure to stop in at the Museu do Brinquedo (toy museum). Here you’ll see a private collection fifty-five years in the making. Among the over 20,000 toys, you’ll see miniatures of all kinds, dolls, steam engines, and an incredible number of toy trains, planes, and automobiles.
Make your way to the Cantinho Lord Byron (who wrote about Sintra--calling it the most beautiful village in the world ). Ask any merchant for directions,and have your picture taken in front of the sign with the poet’s portrait. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a delicious inexpensive lunch of tostas (sandwiches).
