Which is better Sintra National Palace or Pena Palace?

Which is better Sintra National Palace or Pena Palace? In short: Pena Palace is more famous, but Sintra National Palace is more impressive inside. You still need to check out the Pena Palace from outside. The majority of the tourists arrive on a day trip and don't have enough time to visit all the palaces in Sintra.

How long do you need at the Moorish Castle in Sintra?

A typical visit to the Castelo dos Mouros lasts 60-90 minutes, and is a surprisingly large complex. The peak hours are the early afternoon (12:00-14:00) just after everyone has had their lunch in Sintra town and then head into the hills, where the Pena Palace and Moors castle are situated.

Can you see the outside of Pena Palace without a ticket?

All around the Pena Palace you'll find many terraces, all perfect spots to take good pictures and gaze at breathtaking views. NOTE: you cannot access these terraces without a palace and park ticket!

Can you see Pena Palace from Sintra Town?

A castle ? Pena Palace ? sits very high up on the hill above Sintra. So high, it's not easily seen from town. Constructed in the 1800s, it's considered one of the world's great examples of Romantic architecture. Up on that same hill, there is an 10th century fortified wall and battlement built by the Moors.

What time should I go to Sintra?

Starting your day before 9 a.m. is ideal! (The buses in Sintra start running between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m., so if you can be there around that time, it will be less crowded than later in the day.)

Is Pena Palace the same as National Palace?

Sintra National Palace vs Pena Palace In short: Pena Palace is more famous, but Sintra National Palace is more impressive inside. You still need to check out the Pena Palace from outside. The majority of the tourists arrive on a day trip and don't have enough time to visit all the palaces in Sintra.

Can you take an Uber to Pena Palace?

We took the Uber to Pena Palace last month, it is the best option if you have 2 or more people. The uber ride costed around 7 Euro. The bus driver charged you $4 per person for one way ticket.

Can you do Sintra in half a day?

Sintra in half a day No 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).

Which palace to visit in Sintra?

The Pena Palace is a Romanticist castle in São Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera. The castle stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon and much of its metropolitan area.

How long does it take to see the National Palace of Sintra?

The Palacio Nacional de Sintra is open every day from 9:30 until 19:00 and the last entrance at 18:30. The entrance fee is €10.00/€8.50/€8.50/€33.00 (adult/child/senior/family). A typical visits last between 30-60 minutes depending of level of exploration.

Where is the best place to start in Sintra?

I advise starting your day in Sintra with a taxi ride to Pena Palace. This colorful castle is located on top of the hill, so it's best to start here and walk your way downwards towards the town center. You should know that the walk from the entrance to the palace is quite steep, so wear good shoes.

What time of day is best to visit the Pena Castle?

In my experience it's best to visit Pena Palace in the morning as it gets packed, while the other attractions have more manageable crowds. Ensure you book the tickets to Pena Palace online in advance to save significant time. The visit will take you around two hours.

How to get to Pena Palace easily?

How do I get to Pena Palace without walking?

If you take an uber straight to the Pena palace, that would definitely be easiest (We drove from Lisbon and had to find parking in town and a way to get up the mountain because there is not much parking up there). I would get there 45-60 min before your scheduled time. Then you can walk down to the Moorish castle.

Is Sintra more crowded on weekends?

If visiting the Sintra region during the summer plan to head to Sintra either early or late in the day to avoid the crowds and the intense sun. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays and all of the main sights of Sintra are open every day during the high season.

What happens if you are late to Pena Palace?

If you arrive at the Palace of Pena after the time slot you booked, you will not be able to enter and your ticket cannot be refunded (see the general sales conditions here). Plan your trip ahead, to ensure you do not get late.

How long does it take to get through Sintra National Palace?

How long to spend in the Palacio da Pena? A visit to the Palacio da Pena will take at least two and half hours, and could be much longer. The staterooms and interior of the palace take 40 minutes to fully appreciate, while the terraces need another 30 minutes.

How to get from Sintra City Center to Pena Palace?

The 434 bus route is the best way to travel up the Pena Palace from Sintra train station. The bus follows a one-directional loop that departs from the Sintra train station and heads up the hill to the Moorish Castle and Pena Palace, before returning to the train station via the historic centre of Sintra.

How long of a walk is it from the entrance to Pena Palace?

To reach the Palace of Pena, follow the signposted footpath as far as the main entrance to the Park of Pena and then climb to the Palace. This walk takes around 30 minutes.