Quinta da Regaleira Tickets

• Last tour at 17:30
• Gift shop: closes at 17:30 daily
• Café: closes at 18:30

Best Times to Visit

• As early as possible (10:00, opening time) – There are fewer crowds earlier in the morning, allowing a more solitary exploration experience. The weather is also cool and crisp. Sometimes there’s even a magical-feeling morning fog drifting around the estate, especially during wetter winter or spring months.
• The two hours before closing – The crowds die away late in the day, and the golden light of the warm Sintra sunsets make this the most photogenic time to explore Quinta da Regaleira during summer and autumn months. 

If you’re coming from Lisbon, make your way to a green line station and take the line towards Sintra. Trains leave every 30 minutes, and it’s a 45-minute ride from Lisbon to Sintra. From there:

Most of the estate is difficult or impossible to navigate with mobility issues. The main attractions, including the Palace, the Regaleira Tower, the underground wells, and the tunnel system all involve steep stairways that aren’t fitted with ramps or elevator alternatives.

There is a parking lot on the grounds and most of the outdoor spaces are navigable in a wheelchair, but many of them are on hills and so may require pushing assistance.

A few tips to stay respectful at Quinta da Regaleira: 

• Use your indoor voice, even in the outdoor areas. Quinta da Regaleira is a peaceful, atmospheric place, and boisterous groups ruin the vibe. This is especially important in the chapel; remember it’s a sacred space.
• Stay out of the roped-off areas.
• Don’t climb on structures or statues, even to pose for a photo.
• Do not pick plants from the garden
• If you’re taking photos that include people, ask permission to photograph them first
• No drones or tripods allowed

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From the entrance on Rua Barbosa du Bocage, go through the large iron gates and start down the smooth stone path. An old brick building with ticketing, an info center, and restrooms will be on your right, and the cafe will be on your left.

The entrance courtyard is a great place for you to orient yourself and set off on your self-guided tour. We’d suggest tackling the landmarks described below in this order:

1. Gardens
2. Initiation Well
3. Unfinished Well
4. Waterfall Lake
5. Chapel
6. Palace
7. Tower

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A  30–40 minute stroll through the gardens is the perfect way to ease into Quinta da Regaleira’s enchanting atmosphere.

The cobblestone paths of the gardens twist and climb through dense greenery, winding through sheltered lawns and open terraces with sweeping views of Sintra. Along the way, you’ll pass moss-covered walls of ancient brick, hidden stone staircases, and babbling fountains. Decorative stone benches and architectural flourishes from fairy tales dot the route, as well.

The gardens were deliberately designed to include visual metaphors symbolizing a spiritual journey, so even the landscaping carries layers of meaning.

These two adjacent “wells” were never actually used for water; they are both circular chambers dug deep into the earth with staircases built in.

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The Initiation Well is the more elaborate of the two, ringed by an arch-lined staircase spiraling down 27 meters. The theatrical-feeling descent is symbolic of initiation rites and rebirth. It leads into a network of dark tunnels that connect to other corners of the estate. Bring closed-toe shoes and a flashlight!

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The Unfinished Well is smaller and more “rough around the edges” than its counterpart. Its incomplete state gives it a raw, mysterious vibe that makes it feel dark and ominous.

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At arguably the prettiest water feature on the estate, a cave opens onto a small pond with gorgeous aquamarine water and 8 stepping stones leading across. A man-made waterfall trickles into the pool, creating a cool, secluded atmosphere.

You can walk across the stones for the best view of the grotto. Careful, though, because the uneven rocks can get very slippery when wet.

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The small chapel is filled with intricate frescoes, stained glass, and mosaics that illustrate the palace’s themes of mysticism and faith. The walls of the small but high-ceilinged place also echo sound amazingly well, making the chapel feel like a cathedral. Try visiting when the chapel is quiet to really appreciate the atmosphere.

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The palace blends Gothic, Renaissance, and Romantic design features into one ornate residence. Inside, you can explore lavishly furnished rooms, carved wood ceilings, and mind-bogglingly detailed stonework that are the result of boundless imagination + tremendous wealth.

The palace’s balconies and windows also provide panoramic views of the gardens. Allow at least 30–40 minutes here, moving room-to-room at your own pace.

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Emanating from the palace and stretching above the rest of the estate like Rapunzel’s tower, this is the best vantage point at Quinta da Regaleira. There’s a stone spiral staircase leading up to the top, and it can get very crowded during peak hours since it’s so narrow.

There is so much to explore on the Quinta da Regaleira estate that we couldn’t include all of it! We hit all the big landmarks, but one of the best activities at Quinta da Regaleira is doing some freeform wandering and discovering the hidden nooks and crannies yourself.