Quinta da Regaleira: The most beautiful palace in Sintra

Of all the beautiful palaces and castles in Sintra Portugal, Quinta da Regaleira is my favorite.

Set in the lush hills, just 40 minutes from Lisbon, the estate comprises a grand palace, enchanting gardens, lakes, grottoes, and unique constructions like the famous Initiation Wells.

As you may know, I’m a history buff and castle lover, so no wonder the fairytale town of Sintra and Quinta da Regaleira turned out to be the highlights of my Portugal trip. I can’t wait to tell you about it.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know before visiting Quinta da Regaleira. How to get there, the best time to visit and what to expect of this enchanting estate.

History of Quinta da Regaleira

It might look like Quinta da Regaleira was built in the Renaissance or Gothic era, but construction of the current estate didn’t actually start until 1904.

In the mid-19th century, Ermelinda Allen Monteiro de Almeida, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, had ownership. She was later awarded the title of Viscountess of Regaleira – from which the Quinta got its name.

In 1892, it was purchased by António Augusto de Carvalho Monteiro, a Portuguese-Brazilian businessman, entomologist and collector, who was instrumental in transforming the property into the enchanting estate seen today. With the assistance of renowned Italian architect, Luigi Manini.

After Monteiro passed, the estate changed hands several times before ultimately being acquired by the Sintra Town Council in 1997. Thankfully it is now a public museum and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And by the way, in English, “Quinta” translates to estate or villa. It is often used in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries to describe properties with land.

Why are there so many palaces in Sintra?

Sintra has long been a favored retreat for the Portuguese nobility and royalty, dating back to the Middle Ages. Its high elevation and cooler climate provided a welcome respite from the hot summers of Lisbon.

The 19th century saw the rise of the Romanticism movement, which emphasized emotion, nature, and the past as sources of aesthetic expression.

Sintra, with its rolling hills, misty forests and ancient ruins, was the perfect canvas for Romantic architects and landscape designers.

How to get to Quinta da Regaleira

Just like the Trail of the Eagle’s Nests, a string of castles in Poland, most of the palaces of Sintra are located within easy reach of each other.

You’ll find Quinta da Regaleira just a short walk from the historic center of Sintra, 28 kilometers outside Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

Getting to Quinta da Regaleira from Lisbon is easy, whether you prefer driving for flexibility, using public transport for cost efficiency, or joining a guided tour for a more informative experience.

By car

We drove to Sintra after spending a week surfing in Ericeira, it only took 30 minutes and was easy to find just following signs. If you’re coming from Lisbon Airport, take the A37 highway which connects to the IC19 road, and then follow the signs to Sintra. It usually takes around 30-40 minutes.

There is a parking area near Quinta da Regaleira where you can leave your car. Just get there early as it fills up quickly. And be careful driving in Sintra, the roads are narrow with many people walking.

🚘 Click here to check price and availability >> Rental cars in Lisbon

By public transport

Getting to Sintra from Lisbon by train only takes 40 minutes. There are two rail routes—one from the Rossio Train Station and the other from Oriente Station. Rossio station is small and easy to navigate, and all departures head to Sintra every 20 minutes.

Several buses run from the train station in Sintra. Bus 434 stops at the most popular ones up to Pena Palace, though I have heard a lot of negative comments about it.

People feel like they have been ripped off because they are charged 13.50€ for a return trip without any options. This is really the hop-on-hop-off full-day ticket price. So if you can, then definitely walk.

You can easily walk from the train station to Quinta da Regaleira in about 15-20 minutes, passing by the National Palace along the way.

On a guided tour

If you are short on time or don’t feel like doing any planning yourself, I recommend these guided tours departing from Lisbon. You can reserve your ticket now and pay later if you want, and cancel anytime up to 24 hours before departure.

🏰 This highly-rated tour includes the two most beautiful palaces in Sintra, Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. It leaves early in the morning so you will get there before most other tourists.

🎫 If you want to see as much as possible in one day, check out this popular Sintra and Cascais tour. It covers Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace, Sintra Old Town and the picturesque fishing village of Cascais.

🚙 If you prefer to explore on your own and only have a private driver take you to Sintra, you can book this convenient transfer.

Visitor’s info

You already know I loved visiting Quinta da Regaleira, but you don’t have to only take my word for it. On Tripadvisor, the palace has a 5-star rating, which is unheard of with 14,000 reviews.

To get the most out of your visit, I recommend downloading this map of the grounds to your phone so you don’t go around in circles as we did at first. Make sure you see everything, setting aside at least 2-3 hours.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Quinta da Regaleira is during the spring (March to May) or fall (September to October) when the weather is mild, the gardens are in full bloom or displaying autumnal colors, and the tourist crowds are generally smaller.

Early morning right after opening or late afternoon before closing are ideal times to explore the estate to avoid the midday rush and to enjoy the soft, natural light for photography.

I loved exploring Quinta da Regaleira on a sunny day in October. It was warm enough to wear a dress and the gardens were still mostly green. However, when I return, I’ll visit in the spring to see the gardens in full bloom.

Opening hours

Quinta da Regaleira is open year-round (except December 25th and January 1st), but opening hours vary with the seasons.

• Summer (March 21st – September 30th): 10:00 am to 7:30 pm (last admission at 5:30 pm)
• Winter (October 1st – March 20th): 10:00 am to 6:30 pm (last admission at 5:30 pm)

Quinta da Regaleira tickets

Children up to 5 years old and seniors over 80 years old have free admission but require a ticket. You can purchase your tickets at the entrance, online through this site or a tour company.

I bought them online in advance through GetYourGuide (below) to skip the queues, which I recommend, especially during the peak tourist season. That way you also get free cancellation.

What to expect at Quinta da Regaleira

At Quinta da Regaleira you are met with a maze of walkways, tunnels, bridges, hidden grottoes, towers and a palace. It truly feels like something out of a fairytale.

Architecture

Regaleira Palace is the centerpiece of the estate, a five-story building that blends Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline architectural styles.

It features an ornate façade of intricate carvings and gargoyles, as well as luxurious interiors with elaborate decorations. The unique silhouette is highlighted by white stone and the whimsical design of its towers and turrets.

Upon entering the palace, you are transported to a bygone era of opulence and eccentricity. It is set at the south end of the grounds, close to the exit, which means we got here last. Even in October, it was very crowded inside just after noon, so I only explored the ground floor.

The ground floor hosts the main living areas, including the Renaissance Hall, the Music Room, and the dining room, which are adorned with beautifully painted ceilings, walls and mosaic floors. The stone carvings and intricate plasterwork continue throughout.

As you ascend the floors, you’ll find the library and bedrooms. The rooms are furnished with some period pieces that reinforce the Renaissance and Gothic feel.

Just outside the palace, you’ll find the chapel, a small yet equally intricately detailed building. Inside, you can admire more breathtaking plasterwork, colorful stained glass windows and a representation of the Holy Trinity.

A spiral staircase leads down to the crypt, which connects to the underground tunnels.

Grounds and gardens

The gardens, or parklands, at Quinta da Regaleira, are a spellbinding collection of lush greenery, mystical structures, and hidden symbols that create an atmosphere of enchantment and discovery. It is designed in such a way that it presents a journey through the mystic and esoteric.

The foliage is diverse and well-maintained, with local and exotic species that provide a canopy of green, creating a cool and serene environment.

One of my favorite and most magical areas of the garden is the Lago de Cascata, which translates to Cascade Lake. You can walk over the bridge but also under it, across stones in the green pond. With the sound of the water and birds chirping, I would have sat here for hours just taking it all in.

From the Terrace of the Celestial Worlds (Terraço dos Mundos Celestes), a high point within the park, you get panoramic views of the estate and the surrounding landscape of Sintra.

Initiation Wells

One of the most iconic features of the Quinta da Regaleira gardens is the Initiation Wells (also known as Inverted Towers). These wells, one of which is still unfinished, are not water sources but were supposedly built in connection to Masonic and Knights Templar initiation rights

The larger well contains a 27-meter spiral staircase with several small landings, which descends to the bottom of the well through nine levels separated by fifteen steps each, reflecting the nine circles of Hell, the nine sections of Purgatory and the nine skies of Paradise from Dante’s Inferno.

Connecting the wells and grottoes is a series of tunnels and underground passages that add to the sense of mystery. There are multiple entrances and exits throughout the gardens, we kept popping out in random places, which added to the fun. 

Pro tip >> Keep in mind that you can only walk down the well, I got a stern talking-to when I tried to go back up to shoot more photos. So get your camera out before you enter, and head straight here when you arrive if you are looking for photos without people.

Where to stay in Sintra

You can easily visit Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon, but next time I’m going to spend at least one night there. The area is so beautiful that it deserves at least two days of exploration.

And you can even stay in one of the beautiful old-world mansions Sintra is known for. We walked past this turquoise gem, just 100 meters from the train station. I decided then and there, this is where I’m staying when I return.

Chalet Saudade dates back to the 19th century and offers scenic views of the surroundings. The property underwent a 5-year complete renovation recently and now offers modern rooms, living rooms with trompe l’œil frescoes and romantic gardens with antique water fountains and ponds.

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