Is it worth going inside Quinta da Regaleira?

Many people head to Sintra, Portugal to see famous sites like Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. But another site well worth seeing is Quinta da Regaleira. Included under Sintra's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, this 4-hectare estate is absolutely magical.



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Quinta da Regaleira is a hidden gem nestled in the enchanting town of Sintra, Portugal. Step into a fairytale as you explore the mesmerizing gardens, secret tunnels, and mystical symbols that adorn this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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As Pena Palace is the most visited palace in Portugal, which offers beautiful scenery with changing seasons, it is recommended to visit the place early in the morning after its opening, as it offers you more time to explore all the aspects of the attraction from the palace's interiors to its parks and surroundings.

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To reach the Palace of Pena, follow the signposted footpath as far as the main entrance to the Park of Pena and then climb to the Palace. This walk takes around 30 minutes.

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Don't be like me—wear sneakers, or at least sturdier sandals. Due to its altitude and location closer to the coast, Sintra is often chillier than Lisbon, which was definitely the case when we visited. I recommend dressing in layers, and bringing a light jacket or sweater.

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Quinta de Regaleira is a UNESCO World Heritage site designed by Carvalho Monteiro. Italian architect Luigi Manini designed the four-hectare estate with its enigmatic buildings, believed to hide symbols related to alchemy, Masonry, the Knights Templar, and the Rosicrucians.

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Getting to Quinta da Regaleira by Public Transport Catch bus 434 from Sintra Estacao and get down at Estrada Pena N16. Buses depart every 15 minutes for this route. From Estrada Pena N16, the estate is just 1.1 km away. You will have to walk this distance.

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Sintra in half a day No matter what you've seen or read, half a day is not long enough to fully appreciate Sintra. Three hours is only just enough time to see the historic centre and the Quinta da Regaleira (or Palácio Nacional de Sintra).

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The 'Park Ticket' for the Palacio da Pena. There is a second entrance ticket to the Palacio da Pena, which provides entrance to the grounds only. The 'Park Ticket' costs €7.50, but surprisingly little of the palace and the terraces can be seen.

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The spoiler alert - the most advertised Palace in Sintra is NOT the one you should visit, if you are pressed for time. However, this less known National Palace of Sintra is the must-see Palace in Sintra, even if you only have one day to visit and time enough for only two palaces!

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I recommend going with the park/palace entry because it's worth the €14 euros. Now bring good comfortable walking shoes because when I tell you that you'll be doing a lot of walking only if you plan to explore more than just the palace.

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A typical visit to the Castelo dos Mouros lasts 60-90 minutes, and is a surprisingly large complex. The peak hours are the early afternoon (12:00-14:00) just after everyone has had their lunch in Sintra town and then head into the hills, where the Pena Palace and Moors castle are situated.

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The Palacio Nacional de Sintra is open every day from 9:30 until 19:00 and the last entrance at 18:30. The entrance fee is €10.00/€8.50/€8.50/€33.00 (adult/child/senior/family). A typical visits last between 30-60 minutes depending of level of exploration.

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Starting your day before 9 a.m. is ideal! (The buses in Sintra start running between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m., so if you can be there around that time, it will be less crowded than later in the day.)

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If visiting the Sintra region during the summer plan to head to Sintra either early or late in the day to avoid the crowds and the intense sun. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays and all of the main sights of Sintra are open every day during the high season.

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To reach Quinta da Regaleira from the Sintra train station, take bus 434 to Largo Ferreira Castro. The entrance to the palace is an 8 minute walk up the road from there. Alternatively, you can walk to Quinta da Regaleira. From Sintra train station it's a 22 minute walk, and from Sintra town it's about 15 minutes.

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