Vila Nova to Lisboa

We woke to another stellar day with only just over 200 km to go. We made a stop at the view point in the town and then made for the Galp for gas and breakfast! Not much for scenery on the ride today.

Watch the video HERE

We found an apartment in a great location and we booked 3 nights. We made it in time to meet our host early so we had a bonus afternoon to explore.

First we headed down to the waterfront to the Arco da Rua Augusta.

There are lots of hills here but the highest has the Castelo de São Jorge on top. Last time we were here there was no charge to enter the grounds, but now it’s 15 E and the line is massive so we decided to skip it and wander around the neighborhood instead.

Walking down we arrived to the Mirador das Portas do Sol for a cocktail and an amazing sunset.

Today we decided to get some exercise and joined a bike tour that wound its way out to Belem and back taking in some of the major sights of the city.

We did something very out of character today….we went on a tour to Sintra. It was a combination of the rotating train strike, the long walk or bus ride to the sites, and the hefty entry fees that clinched the decision. It’s a 40 minute bus ride from the city centre to Sintra town.

We had some free time to explore and then we walked up to the Quinta da Regaleira to explore the gardens, palace, and the famed initiatic well.

We enjoyed a lunch on the main square of the old town at the cafe Paris overlooking the National Palace of Sintra. Next on our agenda is to visit the mountain top palace of the Portuguese royal family at Palacio da Pena.