Sintra Portugal

[drron]

The other threads I found were closed for further comment. But I wanted to advise people on what not to do when visiting Sintra. Do not think you can drive your rental car to the attractions you want to see You are unlikely to be able to park.
The traffic today was horrendous even though it is no where near high season. Though according to the fellow who checked us into the Sheraton Cascais today who lives in Sintra there is no low season. So if you are driving a rental car and want to see Sintra either stay there and do as @kpc did leave your car at your accommodation and walk or Uber to where you want to go, If on a day trip park at the railway station which is the most likely place to have a spot then walk or Uber.

Today we tried. The roads are horrendous. Narrow and winding with lots of taffic. We got where we wanted to go but the police were outside and only letting very small cars enter the property to park. They directed you down another road to find a park. A constant stream of people walking back and it was over akilometre before we found a spot. But it was an awful day with fog and rain. We decided to call it quits as walking some 3 km in the rain and fog was not appealing.

 

[SYD]

The other threads I found were closed for further comment. But I wanted to advise people on what not to do when visiting Sintra. Do not think you can drive your rental car to the attractions you want to see You are unlikely to be able to park.
The traffic today was horrendous even though it is no where near high season. Though according to the fellow who checked us into the Sheraton Cascais today who lives in Sintra there is no low season. So if you are driving a rental car and want to see Sintra either stay there and do as @kpc did leave your car at your accommodation and walk or Uber to where you want to go, If on a day trip park at the railway station which is the most likely place to have a spot then walk or Uber.

Today we tried. The roads are horrendous. Narrow and winding with lots of taffic. We got where we wanted to go but the police were outside and only letting very small cars enter the property to park. They directed you down another road to find a park. A constant stream of people walking back and it was over akilometre before we found a spot. But it was an awful day with fog and rain. We decided to call it quits as walking some 3 km in the rain and fog was not appealing.

Planning to visit there in June but was going to day trip on the train from Lisbon. Probably a sound idea?

 

[MELso]

Was there in October last year and strongly second not driving (not that I do on holiday anyway).

I took the train from central Lisbon to Sintra, and cabbed it up to the Pena Palace (the road up is narrow and there's no parking anyway). Sintra itself is quite walkable.

 

[RB]

We caught the train from Sintra and then a small bus service within the area. Looks like it is the 434 bus. All around Lisbon we found the public transport to be excellent

 

[Anna]

Planning to visit there in June but was going to day trip on the train from Lisbon. Probably a sound idea?

I did that a few years ago but Sintra itself was so horribly crowded . Also many of the buildings were built in the 19th century and aren't as historic as they might appear at first glance. In short I didn't like Sintra that much! I loved Porto though, and (most of) Lisbon, and Coimbra and the hinterland behind Faro.

 

[SYD]

I did that a few years ago but Sintra itself was so horribly crowded . Also many of the buildings were built in the 19th century and aren't as historic as they might appear at first glance. In short I didn't like Sintra that much! I loved Porto though, and (most of) Lisbon, and Coimbra and the hinterland behind Faro.

We’ll be driving from Lisbon up the coast and on to Coimbra and Porto before negotiating a train to Spain.

 

[RB]

We’ll be driving from Lisbon up the coast and on to Coimbra and Porto before negotiating a train to Spain.

A while back now but my 2014 trip report might give you a few tips

 

[VPS]

I did that a few years ago but Sintra itself was so horribly crowded . Also many of the buildings were built in the 19th century and aren't as historic as they might appear at first glance. In short I didn't like Sintra that much! I loved Porto though, and (most of) Lisbon, and Coimbra and the hinterland behind Faro.

I missed a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon recently because I was sick. Your comment makes me feel slightly better about missing it

 

[RooFlyer]

We’ll be driving from Lisbon up the coast and on to Coimbra and Porto before negotiating a train to Spain.

Don't miss the grilled sardines on the esplanade at Peniche, just north of Lisbon. Straight out of the Atlantic, over coals.

 

[SYD]

Don't miss the grilled sardines on the esplanade at Peniche, just north of Lisbon. Straight out of the Atlantic, over coals.

O/N stay in Peniche already booked!

 

[MELso]

I did that a few years ago but Sintra itself was so horribly crowded . Also many of the buildings were built in the 19th century and aren't as historic as they might appear at first glance. In short I didn't like Sintra that much! I loved Porto though, and (most of) Lisbon, and Coimbra and the hinterland behind Faro.

Sintra's still crowded, but needs to be done at least once.

Porto is awesome (and has an amazing Macca's on the main drag), but sadly central Porto is one big construction site at the moment due to them putting a new metro line through. Although the central market had reopened when I was there so that's something.

Also worth doing the train up the Douro (but note there's no cafe/snack bar at the end of the line at Pocinho - more reading).

 

[ozziflyer]

I found scooter/bike the only way to visit Sintra tourist sites if you wanted to control transport. Granted not suitable for most people

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Sintra is so picturesque.

 

[oobi doobi]

Drove to Sintra about 4 years ago. Traffic was horrific. Narrow streets and total gridlock at one stage. Apart from that it was worth visiting.
cheers