Sintra lisbon advice

[ellebelli]

Hi all.
We have booked to go lisbon next month.
We have a day trip to sintra planned but I am finding it all a bit confusing so wondering if anyone can give me advice on how best to go about it all.
Where did you look first? Can you walk between sights?or did you hire a taxi?tut tut?
Did you book for lunch/eat anywhere
(We have looked at Italian restaurant como)
Going with 17yr son and 10yr and husband hoping the kids will enjoy and not be bored by an entire day of walking and looking "at old things"

Husband and I went in May. We took the train from Rossio station in Lisbon (as it was near to our hotel) direct to Sintra, and then chose to walk ~15 min into the centre of the town for a wander first. We avoided the weekend and went on a Monday but this is also the day the museums in Lisbon itself were closed so maybe choose another week day if you can. It was busy, not going to lie. I think we aimed to catch a train around 0900 and got to the station around 30 mins before that to get our tickets - the ticket hall was heaving. I joined a queue for a ticket machine and DH joined the queue for the ticket office and his moved quicker (we always divide and conquer when we can). I think we got on a train with <5 mins spare. I just could not figure out how to buy tickets from Rossio online (I just tried again and failed).

We paid in advance for our timed entry to Pena Palace (and took the option for the shuttle bus that takes you from the gates up to the Palace as that is a bit of a trek - we did walk back down to the gates) and took the 434 circular bus to get to the Palace and back, This stops at most of the palaces if you choose to visit more. It can be a bit of a bun fight to get on the bus and you buy your ticket as you board (this is not included in the cost of the Palace ticket). Aim to catch a bus that gives you loads of time - as you will have read, it is a one way route around the palaces and there is no way to get past the traffic.

For eating, we didn't book anything in advance. We were wandering around the back streets and stumbled across the Sintra Terrace, which has a lovely view over Sintra Palace. Food was lovely too. Service not the speediest though.

We’re going this week and have bought the Eyewitness book on Lisbon. It’s usefully divided up into chapters on each area of Lisbon in a small tour way.
It also has info on Sintra and the coastal towns.
Weve been to the area befor, although not Sintra and we plan to get the train from Lisbon and then bus No 434 from the station if somewhere too far to walk. Although we prefer to walk most places. ( just in case we miss something).
Cascais is also a lovely costal town, we’ve stayed there before, the same train and bus from Sintra.
Michael Portillo’ Long weekend in Lisbon is on Channel 5 catch up. Worth a watch. Have a great time when you get there.