Sintra Part 1 – Pena Palace, Moorish Castle and Cabo de Roca
Sintra was magical beyond my expectations! Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, Cabo de Roca, Quinta Se Regaleira, and the town itself all charmed my socks off!
I arrived around 1AM at my centrally located accommodation, Moon Hill Hostel. For a Hostel the service was first class, the place was very clean, and the bed very comfortable with fresh linen and soft pillows. It was also only few minutes walk from where I alighted, the Sintra station.
The Pena Palace was the most vibrant palace I’ve seen. The Moorish Castle felt so serene. Caught the day’s last return trip to Cabo de Roca – it was perfect timing for sunset, a great climax for my first magical day in Sintra. Ended the night with traditional Portuguese dinner.
It was almost noon by the time I got started. I had my complimentary breakfast late. Finished around past 11am. Juice, good coffee, toasted cheese and ham sandwich, and apple. Got myself sorted and ready to get going…
Pena Palace. Took the 434 bus from the Sintra Train station to Pena Palace. Next to it was Moorish Castle.
One and a half hours certainly wasn’t enough to spend in the Palace. I was there around 1PM, finished almost 5PM. I didn’t even walk around the grounds! I just went crazy taking photographs of the photogenic Pena Palace. There were hordes and long queues of tourists visiting the inside of the Palace itself. Entry was 14.50 Euros including the palace interior.
Moorish Castle was my next stop. It was already around 5PM, and I spent a good hour there. It wasn’t so much a castle as it is a wall. It did have a great view of Sintra – I think it’s the highest point. Entry was 7.50 Euros
Cabo de Roca. I got back to the station around 7sh pm. I decided to go to Cascais. At first I waited for 413 bus, as the map says it goes to Cascais. I thought the direction didn’t seem right, there was another Cascais bound bus, 403, that goes to Cabo de Roca, the lighthouse. I asked around, and found the right bus stop, only few meters away from where I was. There was already a short queue when I got there – indicated I must be at the right place!
I didn’t realize it was a 40 min ride to the lighthouse! Fortunately, the bus has a charger as my phone’s battery was in the red.
It was perfect timing for an awesome view. The bus I took was the second to the last one that goes back to Sintra. The next one was 9:04pm, which left me an hour to explore – and to watch the sunset.
The place kinda looks like Batanes. It was windy and a bit cold. I was glad I had my jacket with me.
The lighthouse towered over the dramatic cliffy rocky coastline that takes your breath away.
It was worth the ride to and from Sintra. Already almost 10 by the time I got back and went food hunting. Luckily restaurants are still open. I had a nice skewered shrimps and squid… with potatoes and salad. I ordered “pillow” traditional Sintra pastry with an Americano. When I finished it all up, they gave me complimentary Sintra cheesecake with cinnamon, and a port (I think). Well I don’t really drink, but I appreciate it and felt had to have some. Being a gracious guest I guess. Cost me 22 Euros but worth the service and the good food!
