Sintra National Palace, Sintra

Palace is really cool from the outside. There were lots and lots of people of course and unfortunately. If you ever think about visiting on a busy day; don't wait in line for 2 hours to see the inside. It's definitely not worth it. Visit the park around it instead (lots of cool places and lookouts). After that return to the palace if you really want to look inside. Usually the queue is gone. I did this today and it saved me 2 hours waiting time.

Well worth a visit, a 40 minute train journey from Lisbon. Very simple, get on at Rossio and get off at get off at Sintra. Both are a terminus so you can't go wrong. The Palace is really interesting, and so rooms are magnificent. There are groups of rooms in different time zones representing the different Kings and Queens occupying the Palace. The walls are pretty much all tiled and some of the ceilings are extraordinary. Good descriptions to tell the story on the way rounds. Some great antique furniture but no explanations about these items. Views from the windows amazing too, across Sintra to the Moorish castle on the hill. The signposted garden is free but really not worth the bother. Guess that's why it's free.