Follow in the footsteps of Saul Schwartz, who explores Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Wondering what’s a must-see in Lisbon and its surroundings? Is spending a whole day at Sintra National Park worth it? Saul suggests you take a free walking tour to find out.
Saul and his wife Fern spent four days in Lisbon and Sintra in October. They dedicated two days to exploring Lisbon’s historic center, one day in Belém, and one day at Sintra National Park. Here’s their guide to a perfect day trip to Sintra:
In Sintra, they booked a free walking tour via the Guru Walk website. Their guide, Gabriel, met them at Largo Dr. Virgílio Horta near the city hall. Gabriel was incredibly informative, providing fantastic tips and recommendations as they explored Sintra for two hours. He shared fascinating legends, including the myth of the secret portals.
The tour began with a series of scenic viewpoints showcasing the town’s stunning landscapes, Romanticism architecture, and glittering palaces. Sintra is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
They walked past several beautifully tiled monumental fountains. The Moorish fountain, with its lovely blue tiles, built in 1922, is located on Volta do Duche. Gabriel explained the acoustics of this fountain. They also saw the Pisoes fountain, a semi-circular structure on Avenida Almeida Garrett, adorned with Renaissance-inspired decorations.
They then learned about the National Palace of Sintra, a residence of Portuguese royalty for almost eight centuries. Based on Gabriel’s recommendation, they toured the palace after the walking tour. The tour concluded at the Tivoli Palacio de Seteais, a former palace that is now a five-star hotel. They enjoyed a packed lunch in the large public gardens nearby.
In the afternoon, they revisited the National Palace of Sintra, located in Sintra Vila. Gabriel had explained during the tour that the palace was constructed in three phases. The main Gothic section, built in the 14th century, includes large kitchens under two conical chimneys. The Moorish-style section was added in the 16th century by Manuel I, and the final section features Portuguese architecture. Admission was 10 Euros per adult. Now a museum, this well-preserved royal palace showcases vibrant tile features, a stunning 17th-century banqueting hall ceiling, and intricately painted ceilings in the Sala das Pegas.
They spent their third day in Sintra, a favorite day trip for tourists visiting Lisbon. They took a train from Rossio train station, which is near the Rossio Metro stop. Despite not buying tickets in advance, the queue was short. Trains run every 30 minutes and have several stops. Due to a delay, the trip to Sintra took a little over an hour, but was quicker on the return. The train ticket, not covered by their Metro pass, cost 2.30 Euros. The journey was comfortable though slightly crowded.
Saul Schwartz lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and has been in the Washington, D.C. area since 1984. He loves traveling across Europe with his wife and family, and enjoys engaging with locals. Saul has previously shared his travel experiences about places like Southwest Ireland, Modern Athens, and The Vatican.
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