Located just one hour away from Lisbon, is the magical town of Sintra. I say magical since it’s home to the marvelous Pena Palace, which is just one of the things that drew me to the town.
From Lisbon’s Rossio station, a roundtrip rail-pass cost €4.30. Once in Sintra, the Sintra bus RT434 is your transportation. For just €5.00, you have access to the bus for a self-guided tour of the city. (Tickets are purchased upon entry to the bus) The bus is available from 9:15 am to 19:50 pm. Single tickets are €3.00 but if you count on walking back to the train station wear comfortable shoes. Walking is a good option because of the multiple pieces of art that are located throughout the roadside.
The first stop on the bus is Palacio National. It is the longest royal residence in Portugal. In the area, there are also charming shops, cafe’s and restaurants.
The next stop is the Moorish Castle. The walk in from the entrance, along with the steeps hills and narrow walkways give a great scenic route to the castle. The views are breathtaking. Walking along the castle walls is a great way to see the town below and the neighboring mansions and forest. Here you can also purchase a Lisboa Passport. The idea of the passport is you collect a stamp for every attraction in Portugal, it's a great way to challenge yourself to see every one of them.
The last stop is the Pena Palace. The palace is a mixture of eccentric stone carvings and vibrant colors. The palace is everything I thought it would be and more. On the grounds of the palace is also Pena Park, for those wishing for a little adventure while there.
A combination pass to all three sites are €25.00 and is a great way to save on entrance fees if you're going to all three. The Pena Palace is €14.00, The Moor’s castle is €8.00 and the Palacio National is €9.50. The town's a great stop if you're going to be in Portugal for a few days.
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