Travel Budget for Sintra-Cascais National Park Visit Sintra-Cascais National Park on a Budget or Travel in Style

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Sintra-Cascais National Park

If you travel during the low or shoulder season (and avoid ), you'll find lower accommodation prices and less tourist crowds.

If flying into Lisbon, you can take either the metro or bus to get to Cascais or Sintra. From these towns, you can take a bus, taxi, or rented car into the park to your final destination.

Traveling around the park is made easy by the Scotturb buses which are tourists buses that run to the major attractions throughout the area. There are also a few trams that connect the larger parts of the park and run through some of the valleys. If you decide to rent a car, you can easily drive throughout the area as the roads are fairly easy to navigate. If you're staying in a small part of the park, you can easily navigate on foot or bicycle.

Transportation Tips

If you're using a car, make sure your hotel has convenient parking available.

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Sintra-Cascais National Park is around $84 (€72) per person, with previous travelers spending from $37 to $161. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Sintra-Cascais National Park are as follows:

• Breakfast: $8 to $25
• Lunch: $13 to $34
• Dinner: $25 to $59
• Coffee: $7
• Fast Food or Street Food: $13

Being so close to the ocean, this is a fantastic area to try local seafood and fish dishes; common types of fish include sea bass, bream, and Cascais sole. The area is also known for their wine production, specifically Colares wine which comes from the northern mountainous region of the park. Colares wine comes in both red and white and can be found at restaurants all over the area. There are restaurants and cafes dotted around the park, with everything ranging from relaxed traditional cuisine to upscale restaurants with international fare. There are a few seaside restaurants, although the majority of options are found closer to the city of Sintra.

Food & Dining Tips

Many accommodations feature breakfast in their rates, while some may charge additional fees for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly from one hotel to another. Knowing this information ahead of time helps you decide if you need to spend extra money. A tasty hotel buffet could be worth the expense, or a nearby bakery or cafe might offer a more affordable choice.

Instead of buying drinks, carry a water bottle with you. It's also a good choice for the planet.

When planning a tour, don't forget to look into which meals are covered. You may be responsible for some of your own food, which could impact your budget significantly.

One of the most popular sights in the entire park is the Cabo da Roca, a dazzling vertical cliff that is actually the westernmost point of Europe. The site is so popular that you can even get a certificate stating that you've been there after going to the top of the cliff. From Cabo, head inland where you'll find the various smaller parks, farms, and mountain ranges. A must-see mountain range is the Serra de Sintra, which is covered in lush vegetation and known for producing incredible, fresh, aromas during the summer due to all of the flora on the mountain.

The inland area of the Park is also home to the Quinta do Pisao, an agricultural part of the park where you can get a guided tour and even purchase some of the produce they grow! Then, make your way back to the coast to see the Boca do Inferno, a 150-million-year old cave that opens into the sea and makes for the perfect sunset-viewing spot!

Parks and Towns

Marechal Carmona Park: Located in the center of the park, Marechal is essentially a resting place where you'll find a cafe, library, and a few footpaths that wind through well-kept gardens. The Nature Tourism Information Centre is located in front of the entrance to Marechal.

Quinta do Pisao: Located on the north side of the park, it is an agricultural and forestry estate open to tourists.

Pena Park: Home to the impressive Pena Palace and breathtaking natural scenery which can be explored through relaxed walking paths.

Monserrate Park: Located in the central part of the Sintra mountains, it is a large garden with a greenhouse.

Tapada de Mafra: A small town in the northern part of the park, it is a popular place to enjoy the local wildlife.

The Park is fantastic for sports enthusiast as you can do everything from windsurfing to hiking to mountain biking. For windsurfing, surfing, and swimming, head to Praia Grande Beach where you'll find great sandy beaches and the perfect water conditions for all of your activities. For hikers, there are dozens of trails to follow throughout the entire park, all of which are well-marked. Many of these trails can also be toured on bicycle, and you can even rent a bike for free from the Nature Tourism Information Centre.

For something more adventurous, head to the Pedra Amarela Base Camp on the southern side of the Serra de Sintra. Here, you'll find activities like mountain biking, rock climbing, and rope sliding. If you prefer something a little more relaxed, you can take a train safari ride around the Mafra Park and catch views of the wolves, foxes, genets, and eagles.

Nightlife Tips

Nightlife is a blast when traveling, but scaling back on drinks can really help stretch your travel budget.