Insight: If you are considering a day trip to Sintra and Cascais, never try to combine them in a single day. Both towns need at least one day of sightseeing to fully appreciate, and two days could be easily spent in Sintra.
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How many days to spend in Cascais, Portugal? If you're short in time, then 1 day in Cascais will be enough to explore the cute historic centre of Cascais and you can even visit a beach. If you have more time, I'd recommend staying for at least 1-2 nights in Cascais.
While you can see the main highlights of Sintra in one day, we recommend at least two days in Sintra. This will allow you to see the most popular castles such as Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, or Quinta de Regaleira, but also explore the area deeper and visit some lesser-known gems such as Monserrate Palace.
Yes, absolutely! Cascais is not only one of the easiest day trips from Lisbon, but it's a gorgeous, relaxed resort town in its own right. If you're looking for beautiful ocean views, a charming town center, and plenty of beaches, Cascais is absolutely worth visiting.
Many first-time travelers wonder whether it is better to stay in Lisbon or Cascais. But for those who are interested in waking up to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the small town of Cascais is the perfect place to stay.
The best way to get from Sintra to Cascais without a car is to line 1623 bus which takes 29 min and costs €2 - €4. How long does it take to get from Sintra to Cascais? The line 1623 bus from Av Álvaro Vasconcelos to Cascais takes 29 min including transfers and departs hourly.
In Sintra, you can get around by walking, by bus, or by taxi. If you're just in Sintra for 24 hours, walking will take up too much time. With that amount of time, it's best to take the train from Lisbon to Sintra, and then use Sintra's bus lines or taxis to get around.
Cascais prides itself - and rightly so. It currently has 16 museums, two urban parks and they can all be visited by foot. On the center there are old family houses transformed into museums, royal palaces, and buildings designed by Pritzker prize winnners and a cultural center with exhibitions.
Cascais to Sintra by Public transportThe rail route is impractical as requires two journeys; one from Cascais to Lisbon and a second from Lisbon to Sintra. The Cascais Sintra bus route is direct and is the recommended means of travel between the two tourist towns.
Getting from Lisbon to Sintra. Sintra is located around 30km northwest of Lisbon and sits within the stunning Parque Natural Sintra-Cascais. The town is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Lisbon, mostly thanks to how easy it is to get to from the Portuguese capital.
Don't be like me—wear sneakers, or at least sturdier sandals. Due to its altitude and location closer to the coast, Sintra is often chillier than Lisbon, which was definitely the case when we visited. I recommend dressing in layers, and bringing a light jacket or sweater.
Be mindful of petty crimePickpocketing and bag-snatching are the main concerns to keep in mind, especially when traveling on the trams and metro in Lisbon or Porto. Avoid moving around during the crowded peak times, and don't zone out on your phone.