Best for: adventurous travelers who love flexibility, budget savings, and the thrill of piecing the journey together.
Getting there:
- Train from Lisbon Rossio (40 min) or Oriente (47 min) to Sintra.
- Connect to Bus 434 (17 min uphill to Pena Palace).
- Driving is possible (40–45 min), but parking near the palace is scarce and stressful.
Navigation and access: You’ll juggle train tickets, bus queues, and palace entry yourself. Arrive before 9am to beat the crush, especially for Bus 434. A downloadable Sintra map helps keep you on track.
Tour experience: Absolute freedom. Linger in the palace gardens, take pastry breaks in Sintra, or detour to the Moorish Castle. Perfect if you like to wander at your own pace, with no clock-watching.