The Sintra Bus 435 follows a scenic circular route, designed to showcase Sintra's lesser-known attractions. As the bus departs from Sintra Train Station, it embarks on a journey that unveils the town's hidden treasures.
Sintra Train Station: The starting point of Bus 435, Sintra Train Station serves as a convenient hub for travelers arriving from Lisbon, making it an ideal choice for those seeking seamless transportation.
- 1st stop: National Palace and City Centre: This stop brings you closer to the heart of Sintra's historic center. The National Palace, with its unique blend of Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish architecture, stands as a testament to the town's rich history. Take a stroll through the charming streets, explore local shops and cafes, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.
- 3rd stop: Seteais Palace: Continuing along the route, the bus stops at Seteais Palace, a neoclassical masterpiece surrounded by lush gardens. Immerse yourself in the elegance of this 18th-century palace, and don't miss the opportunity to capture breathtaking views of Sintra's landscape.
- 4th stop: Monserrate Palace: The final stop on the Bus 435 route, Monserrate Palace, is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Known for its eclectic architectural style and enchanting botanical gardens, this palace offers a unique blend of influences from various cultures. Explore the expansive gardens, admire the intricate details of the palace, and let the tranquility of the surroundings transport you to another era.
Right in the heart of Sintra is the National Palace, Palácio da Vila is the best preserved medieval royal residence in Portugal, being inhabited more or less continuously from at least the early 15th century to the late 19th century. It is a significant tourist attraction, and is part of the cultural landscape of Sintra, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Much of the palace dates from the times of John I, who sponsored a major building campaign starting around 1415. Most buildings surround the central courtyard – called the Ala Joanina (John's Wing) – date from this 15th century. The building contains terraces, a chapel, kitchens, quarters for the affairs of state, scribs, secretary and dispatches, along with this the palace had 26 rooms including: The Swan Room (Sala dos Cisnes) in Manueline style, named so because of the swans painted on the ceiling. Magpie Room (Sala das Pegas); the magpies (pegas) painted on the ceiling and the frieze hold the emblem por bem (for honour) in their beaks. This relates to the story that the King John I was caught in the act of kissing a lady-in-waiting by his queen Philippa of Lancaster. To put a stop to all the gossip, he had the room decorated with as many magpies as there were women at the court. Patios: the early wing of the palace features courtyards embellished with tiles and featuring Islamic style water pools. John I's son, Duarte I, was very fond of the palace and stayed long periods here. He left a written description of the palace that is very valuable in understanding the development and use of the building, and confirms that much of the palace built by his father has not changed much since its construction. Another sign of the preference for this palace is that Duarte's successor Afonso V was born (1432) and died (1481) in it. Afonso V's successor, John II, was acclaimed king of Portugal here.
It's a good time to grab a big lunch. From here, we take bus 435
Sintra Bus 435 Tickets
This is a “hop on hop off” route and tickets are €5.50. “Hop on hop off” doesn’t mean you may ride it as many times as you want throughout the day, it means it’s valid until it completes the route. Example: You hop aboard on the first stop, get off to see the Sintra National Palace, then take another 435 to Quinta da Regaleira, and after visiting that you take another 435 to Monserrate, then another back to the first stop in the center of town, all with the same €5-ticket. Tickets are bought from the driver
Sintra Bus 435 Schedule
Bus 435 departs every 20 minutes between 9:30am and 7:50pm in the summer, and 9:30am and 6:10pm at other times of the year.
We get off the bus at:
12:00 Monserrate Palace
The story of Monserrate all began in 1540, with an old chapel for Our Lady of Monserrate.
Charming and rather eerie at the same time, this cave-like hermitage was carved from rock in 1560. It’s where Franciscan monks lived until 1834, and where visitors now have something of an “Alice in Wonderland” experience, going through rooms of shockingly tiny dimensions.
The building’s rustic simplicity, with just cork lining the walls for isolation (which has given it the nickname of “Cork Convent”), shows the austerity of the monks, who focused on spirituality and spent their days praying and meditating. It’s a contrast to Sintra’s extravagant palaces, and part of the experience is imagining the lives of the men who lived here.
Originally named Convento de Santa Cruz da Serra da Sintra (“Convent of the Holy Cross of the Sintra Mountain”), it was founded by a nobleman as the fulfillment of a vow that he had made to his father, who was the Portuguese viceroy of India. After his travels in Asia, he wanted a place that followed the ideals of the Order of St. Francis of Assissi, meaning the search for spiritual perfection and the renouncement of the pleasures of earthly life.
Tell him Marlene, Steve and Joshua from Philadelphia recommended him.