If you are on holiday in Sintra and want a trip to the beach, then this is the one to head to. Praia das Maçãs offers a wide expanse of golden sands, clean sea waters and a delightful village where you will find many restaurants, cafes and shops.
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Sintra; budget-friendly activities, free things to do and an inexpensive day trip for 2023. Sintra is one of the finest tourist destinations in Portugal, but the costs of entrance fees, transport and food can quickly mount up, making it a very expensive day trip.
Sintra has many more varied sights and attractions than Cascais, which makes it the best choice for a day trip. Cascais is a lively resort town with a much wider selection of restaurants, bars and shops, and it tends to be less expensive.
The air can be quite humid due to the closeness of both the Atlantic Ocean and the breathing of the lush vegetation of the mountain. This is also the reason why in the summer months the Sintra temperatures don´t rise much over 30º and can be up to 5º less than in the neighbouring Lisbon.
Hidden among its majestic pine forest, you will discover whimsical palaces, extravagant villas and the ruins of a 10th-century Moorish castle. This variety of fascinating historic buildings and stunning natural scenery, makes Sintra an outstanding tourist destination.
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.
Sintra in half a dayNo matter what you've seen or read, half a day is not long enough to fully appreciate Sintra. Three hours is only just enough time to see the historic centre and the Quinta da Regaleira (or Palácio Nacional de Sintra).
Sintra is a charming destination in the Lisbon district of Portugal. The town is best known for its castles, palaces, and the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains.
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.
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.
An alternative option is to follow the Caminho de Santa Maria footpath, which leads uphill from the historic centre of Sintra to the Castelo dos Mouros and Pena Palace. Be warned, this is a very steep hill and a demanding 55-minute hike, which can be very tiring in the heat of summer.
24-hour unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with 360-degree panoramic views of Sintra. Access to 2 bus routes around Sintra, with stops near palaces, parks, and beaches. Create your own itinerary to explore the city and its popular attractions.
Top beaches include Praia da Prainha and Praia do Porto do Seixal, a gorgeous black sand beach surrounded by vibrant green mountains. Just remember to set aside time for exploring Madeira's natural swimming pools.