Alright, so you’ve soaked up Lisbon. Done the tram rides, eaten your weight in pastel de nata, the whole nine yards. Then comes that feeling, right? What else is out there? I hit that point pretty quick. Started poking around, figuring out what was within easy reach for a day away from the city buzz. And honestly, branching out was some of the best stuff I did while I was there.
First up, like pretty much everyone else, I had Sintra on my list. You hear about it constantly. “Oh, you must see Sintra!” So, I did. Got on a train, simple enough. And yeah, Sintra is… a lot. It’s like a fairy tale exploded all over the hills. Palaces, castles, the works. Pena Palace, all bright and crazy colors, sitting way up high. Felt like walking onto a movie set. But man, the crowds. My advice? Get there super early. I mean, crack of dawn early. Otherwise, you’re just shuffling along with what feels like half the planet. Quinta da Regaleira was a highlight for me, though. That spooky well and the tunnels? Got properly lost in there, which was actually pretty cool.
- What I learned about Sintra: Wear shoes you can actually walk in. Those hills are killers.
- And maybe pack your own snacks. Food up at the main sites can cost a fair bit.
After all that climbing in Sintra, my legs were screaming for something a bit flatter. And I was craving some sea air. So, Cascais was next. Another easy train, this one hugging the coast, which was a nice ride in itself. Used to be a fishing village, they say. You can still kinda feel it, under all the smart-looking cafes and shops. I didn’t do much in the way of proper “sights.” Mostly just wandered along the esplanade, all the way to Estoril and back. Watched the waves, soaked up some sun. Found a cracking little spot for grilled fish. Fresh as anything. Boca do Inferno, the “Mouth of Hell,” was worth a look – pretty dramatic cliffs with waves smashing in.
Then there was Óbidos. This one, I took a bus to. A proper walled medieval town. Felt like stepping back in time. You can actually walk right around the top of the ancient walls. A bit dicey in places, not gonna lie – some bits have no railings! But the views over all the little whitewashed houses with their terracotta roofs? Worth the slightly wobbly knees. The town itself is tiny, easy to see in a few hours. And you absolutely have to try the Ginja de Óbidos. It’s this cherry liqueur, and they serve it in little chocolate cups. I reckon I had a few. Good stuff.
Figuring Out the Logistics and Other Bits
Getting around for these trips? I mostly used the trains and buses. Pretty cheap, and they get you where you need to go. I thought about hiring a car, but then I saw the parking situation in places like Sintra… no thanks. And trying to navigate those tiny, twisty old streets? Forget it. Public transport worked just fine for me.
The biggest thing I figured out? Don’t try to pack too much into one day. I saw people trying to tick off Sintra AND Cascais in a single day trip. Madness. You’ll just run yourself ragged and not really see anything properly. Pick one spot, take your time. That’s my method, anyway. Made the whole thing much more enjoyable.
And, of course, the food on these trips was always part of the adventure. Fresh seafood by the coast, local pastries you stumble upon, that cherry stuff in Óbidos. You gotta try the local specialties, right?
So, yeah, stepping outside of Lisbon for a day or two? Absolutely worth the effort. It gives you a totally different flavor of Portugal. Just make sure your shoes are comfy and don’t try to rush it. That’s my experience, for what it’s worth. Hope it helps someone figure out their own little escapes.
