Quinta da Regaleira

Lovely visit in the morning & before the big groups arrive. We were all very impressed by the well & beautiful gardens. The palace has amazing woodwork & detail. Nice cafe to relax for a coffee, cake & recharge.

Absolutely loved this place, our favourite in Sintra. Make sure you book tickets for a time slot as we didn’t and had to wait 1.5 hours for the next free slot. Well worth the wait though. We did overhear someone buying fake tickets online so make sure they’re legit. Great day out for all the family

If you are in Lisbon, this is a must visit! We walked over from Pena Palace (beautiful forest with lots of stairs) and got there with a little less than 2 hours before closing. Quickly bought a ticket and ran to the initiation well. The line was sooo long and snaked up the hill. Hubby stood in line in the light drizzle while we quickly explored the grounds. The line moved at a decent pace and we came back to see the most amazing view of the well from the top. We slowly walked down. Super cool! Then walked through the grottos. Amazing! The palace was nice but I preferred all the sights from the outside better. Super amazing experience.

This is one place in Sintra that you have to visit before anywhere else! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! It was the absolute highlight of our holiday! We absolutely loved this place! I wouldn’t hesitate to go back to this stunning place again and again if I were to return to Portugal. I would call this place “Fairytale Land” it had beautiful architecture everywhere, fairytale towers that you could climb up via spiral staircases, manicured gardens, woodland walks, out of this world initiation wells and an abundance of underground caves! Once you are inside, the place is so vast, you could not possibly get bored. The initiation well was absolutely awesome which led you to the first series of underground caves. It was just one splendour after another. Then when you thought you had seen most things you would stumble upon another underground caves network (without lighting) so the torch on your phone will come in handy! Honestly I think this is one of the loveliest places we have been to. I was excited to be there and the beauty and splendour of this place was simply jaw dropping! The queue system wasn’t so great mind. Definitely book a ticket in advance. Then go to the front of the queue- as there seemed to be two queues- one for the current time slot - then a second queue for later time slots. To get in you have to go to the front queue (which tends to be quite short) . However the second queue will just leave you getting nowhere fast!

Another top attraction from Sintra, this place is amazing as well! The gardens are absolutely gorgeous and so relaxing comforting. The view is also breath taking. I recommend buying tickets in advance because they are very strict with the hours and if you don't come at exactly the time selected on your ticket you may wait a long time to get in. The value for money is very good. I definitely recommend this place!

This iconic mansion with its amazing gardens , walkways, and multiple interesting structures (including the well with spiral staircase to the bottom) was an absolute great place to spend the afternoon exploring. The property has a lot of history and is now beautifully maintained. The main house and chapel are architecturally interesting and beautiful with so many unique and elaborate designs and motifs. We were able to enter the property on time, without much waiting. The sights and popular photo spots were fairly busy with tourists, but we were able to get some good photos in spite of the crowds. We had to wait in line about 15 minutes to get into the well, but it was worth it. Bathrooms are limited on site. There is a small cafe available for snacks or drinks. Plan on spending at least 3 hours or so to fully explore the property.

Quinta da Regaleira is a magical, almost otherworldly estate tucked away in the hills of Sintra. It feels like stepping into a fairytale, with winding forest paths, secret tunnels, mystical grottoes, and the iconic Initiation Well—an inverted tower that spirals deep into the earth. Every corner of the estate is rich with symbolism, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline styles. Perfect for curious minds and dreamers, the site offers a mix of history, mystery, and natural beauty. It's not just a visit—it's an experience. Wear comfortable shoes and take your time; there's a surprise behind almost every stone. A must-see for anyone visiting Portugal.

I’ve been to Sonya several times and this was my favorite place. The grounds are just beautiful and the views are magnificent. Would recommend you leave super early because traffic is horrible going up the hill. We gave ourselves a two hour cush time and barely made it. Buy your tickets a few days in advance as it will sell out.

I came here on a day trip from Lisboa. It was quite the adventure. The place is absolutely beautiful and so unique. The spiral staircase stood out the most. They have a nice café with delicious croissants. Make sure to get there a little before 10 AM because the line gets pretty long otherwise. Our tour guide bought tickets in advance. It's definitely worth the visit.

What can you do while in Sintra? Visit every possible tourist site you can muster up. It's about 15 minute tuk tuk rode from the National Palace of Pena. If you are thinking of walking, forget it. Too many cars whizzing by. Quinta da Regaleira will need at least two hours to immerse yourself in this beautiful place. This Romantic Palace its consists of chapel , lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and a vast array of exquisite constructions. Definitely loved the wells and grotto that leads to waterfall. Definitely worth $20

"Do you have $3.47? I left my purse in the Underworld." (Elizabeth Hurley, Bedazzled) As Dante would say, abandon all hope, ye who enter here......but do bring with a pair of grippy shoes and your sense of adventure! Quinta da Regaleira is a ten-acre park built by the eccentric Carvalho Monteiro, a wealthy Brazilian mining owner and possible initiate of the Knight's Templar. The grounds include a palace, beautiful gardens, lakes, and the famous Initiation Well, built to represent the nine circles of Dante's Inferno. The well was linked to the Knight's Templar initiation rituals, and there are many other symbols related to Freemasonry, astrology, alchemy, and such scattered throughout the park. The main footpath winds uphill towards the entrance of the Initiation Well, but there are many trails that meander off along the way. There will likely be an intimidatingly long queue for the well no matter what time you arrive, but it moves quickly. As we passed through the well's entrance, we saw no flames and heard no anguished screams...only the deafening silence of those concentrating on their balance down the dark, wet, spooky spiral into the abyss. There are no handrails inside the well, but you can at least grab on to pillars for extra security. Take note that about halfway down, water will start dripping onto you and will puddle up on the steps. At the bottom of the well you will exit through tunnels back out to the park. As for the park's cafe, I would avoid it altogether. Once seated we found ourselves cursed to be completely surrounded by smokers. To make matters worse, our fish entrées looked inedible. We didn't send them back, but re-ordered a Nutella Crepe to split instead. It was a miserable experience. Pack snacks instead. This attraction is a must if you are visiting Sintra, unless you have mobility issues. I would allot 2-3 hours to explore the grounds, including your virtual descent into Hades. I give it 5 beasts of the nether world...but in a good way. *This review is endorsed by George Burns, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Nicholas Cage, and Viggo Mortenson.

Worth a day trip from Lisbon. We were focused on the initiation well and more pleasantly surprised to see how large the grounds were. One could easily spend 2+ hours here exploring. They seem to be locks about your entry time as we were 10 minutes late and we're still not the last ones in.

I thought Quinta da Regaleira was a great place to visit in Sintra. Highly underrated. A friend of mine suggestion coming here and it was one of the best parts about our trip to Portugal. Less crowded, great views and an incredible well.

Out of all the castles and palaces we visited in Sintra, this was absolutely my favorite one! It is a MUST-SEE! DO NOT SKIP THIS! From Lisbon, we took a train to Sintra and our first palace site was Regaleira. From the research I did, I already knew that I would love this castle and its fairytale like gardens full of cave networks, wells, towers, and narrow spiral staircases. It was everything I expected it to be, and so much more. We decided to walk to Regaleira from the vila since it wasn't too far. It is a bit steep and hilly to get to the entrance at the top so comfortable shoes are a must! We had pre-purchased our tickets and showed it to them on our phones at the entrance, and it was time to explore! We spent 2 hours here, but I honestly think we could have stayed for a third hour. It was quite grand with every twist and turn we took. I suggest that when you get here, you start taking pathways that lead up towards the initiation well. This is the start of a one-way direction path that ends at the oriente grotto. This way you don't have to walk all the way back up to the top. Additionally, the line will get long, especially once all those large tourist groups get there. The initiation well was wonderful. This is one of the photo spots associated with Regaleira. It is pretty wet in there so in addition to wearing comfortable shoes, make sure those are shoes you don't mind getting a little wet and dirty. The initiation well leads to the cave networks where it feels very cool to walk around. There is a spot where people line up to take pictures with a "waterfall", but honestly, just bypass this line, walk through to see it, and turn around. It's not worth the wait and the pictures turn out poorly since it's dark. After going through these caves, we headed towards the palace. The greenery surrounding the palace is just simply amazing. I felt like I was in a Disney movie. In my opinion, I feel that for most palaces, the outside is more spectacular than the interior and Regaleira is no different. It's honestly not that big inside the palace either, or at least the area open to the public was small, but you learn about the history of the castle inside. After going inside the castle, we continued exploring the rest of the sites we missed like the lake and some more caves, and we took some last-minute photos before leaving. What I love about Regaleira is that as beautiful as the palace exterior is, the gardens are also equally as wondrous, maybe even more so. That's why I feel that people should spend more time at this park because exploring the grounds is an absolute must. I cannot say that enough. 10/10 highly recommend.

Quinta da Regaleira Garden located at central Lisbon Portugal. What a beautiful day to sightsee in Portugal.

One of my favorite places in Sintra / Lisbon. It feels like a place taken straight out of a Disney story book or Studio Ghibhi movie. The whole state is charming and just beautiful. I would budget at least 3 hours just for walking around the estate. There's just so much to see , great photo ops, and there's actually quite a bit of people. I went on a weekday morning, right when it opened, on a somewhat rainy day and it felt packed! I imagine it would be even more crowded on a weekend or better weather. There's usually a line to enter the Initiation Well (Poço Iniciático), so try to tackle that early on. It's a really cool experience and apparently used as a ritual. I would recommend reading up on the historical facts of this area, I was not prepared when I first came, and will be more prepared next time around! PS: If you're coming on a date, this is a great photo spot, I saw several people taking engagement photos / couple's photos, the landmarks are so striking and unique that it's really a great opportunity! So plan accordingly if you're into that.

Oh gosh - what an amazing, amazing place to go check out while in the areas. The combination of the garden plus palace area is just amazing to walk around and explore all the nooks and crannies. Seriously, Dan Brown needs to write a book and include this place but then maybe it'll become overrun by tourists like some of the locations in his other books! The guide told us that this place was built by a Coffee Baron from Brazil, and fun fact was that he had One key for all his houses! The Initiation Well, y'all! Just felt very spiritual walking down into the earth I spent half-a-day easily just wandering around and day dreaming, saw this quote that stuck with me, ""Children sometimes don't respect Parents dreams" and that really got to me. I would definitely recommend checking this palace/ gardens out. Yelp 2019

People always mention Pena Palace when they think of Sintra, but do not skip out on Quina da Regaleira, which is by far my favorite spot to have explored on my short day trip from Lisbon. The castle grounds is absolutely gorgeous. When you first enter the park, you are given a variety of paths to take that lead you to some of the wonderful gems that are in the area. Inside the park, you can explore beautiful footpaths with gorgeous views, travel down the Initiation Well which is both eerie yet beautiful, walk through the cave dwellings, and marvel at the magnificent, picturesque castle. Carve out at least 1-2 hours for your visit. If you're feeling like exploring the internet, there is free wifi near the main castle itself for your connection convenience. Next time I visit, I'll pack a lunch and enjoy it while inside the park.

This was the best place to visit in Sintra! Definitely go to the well first, as that gets a long line during the day! And don't just go to the well and the castle definitely go to the gardens where there's a labyrinth and a grotto that's fun to explore. There's also a church, a fountain, another hidden well, Greek statues, and all sorts of things to find. This was definitely my favorite out of my whole Portugal trip! So do not miss this spot! Plus, the people at this location were really nice and helpful! Unlike some of the other places in Sintra! Such a Cole Castle! It reminds me of the Addams family for some reason... also look at all of the statues. Some are gargoyles that look like they're eating themselves. Interesting.

Must see if you are in Sintra! There's an ATM inside. There was a food place within quinta da regaleira garden. We self seated ourselves and the server took our order. We ordered ham and cheese crepes x2 and coke after our trip to initiation well. Initiation well- there was a line full of people but fast. Nine story deep going down, be careful, it is wet! Overall, I appreciated the architecture of Sintra!

Stop by if you're already on the way to Peña palace or in Sintra! In many ways I much preferred the Quinta da Regaleira to Peña Palace- the grounds are huge and you can take your time exploring. Find your way to the Incantation Well and make your way down. Ultra spooky! It's delightful to wander the gardens and take in the architecture and scenery.

This was one of the two main attractions we decided to visit while in Sintra, and we loved it! Very romantic, beautiful, and quirky, even if it lacks some of the historical significance of the other sites in Sintra. We loved leisurely strolling through the grounds and finding little hidden staircases leading to mysterious grottos or picturesque gardens. Even in January, the grounds were green and beautiful. Don't miss the Initiation Well, the chapel, and the intricately carved wooden ceilings in the main palace. If you're thinking about making this a stop in Sintra on your way to Pena Palace, do it!

A quinta is a type of palace or manor house and I didn't know that until I started exploring the Quinta da Regaleira. I walked here from the city center and I'm glad I did. Interesting landscape and a pretty good uphill climb that got my cardio going in time for the later food tour today. This large piece of land is half palace and half park and half botanical garden and half castle with lots of interesting structures all about, many botanical scenes to appreciate and a few reflecting pools with fountains that are just beautiful. While you're here, do not miss the Initiation Well which is amazingly open during COVID though masks are required. It's a "reverse tower" with a spiral staircase that goes down 27 meters to a cave structure that comes out of the mountain at a completely different spot. Entrance is timed to ensure social distancing and you'll need to keep moving so that the traffic doesn't bunch up. Take pictures at the top and bottom. You could easily spend two hours here and still miss things. But worth it. [Review 16665 overall - 176 in Portugal - 177 of 2022.]

Magical. Just...wow. Unfortunately, the only day we had available for a Sintra trip from Lisbon was on a very rainy day. Honestly, the overcast skies and fog made for a really cool skyline and views. We became a bit soggy as we wandered the grounds and steep hills, but so be it! There are, of course ample areas to explore: a house, with beautiful fountains, caves, statues, beautiful flora, and the famous spiral staircase (the Initiation Well). So much history and interesting architecture here, making it a must-see! We enjoyed Quinta far more than our Pena Palace experience.

I'm not saying this estate was designed by someone who intended on hunting people for sport...but I wouldn't be surprised either. Quinta de Regaleria is like nowhere I've ever been before. Perched high in the (endless, seriously endless) Sintra hills, Quinta is a dreamy wonderland of gardens, sculptures, grottoes and secret passageways. Don't be afraid to take a staircase or a path - you'll likely be very surprised at where it will lead you. Every direction offers incredible views, beautiful gardens and mysterious symbolism. Apparently the owner was a mason and many features (the well especially) were used for rituals. Don't miss the incredible "palace" - the interior is lavish but surprisingly livable (it reminded me a little of Schloss Linderhof). Be ready for lots of uphill climbing too - basically everything after the entrance is straight up and the comes back down, encouraging you to wend your way through the different areas. I don't think you can come to Sintra and miss this - it's completely unique and worth your time.

Need to go here for the spiraling staircase if nothing else. This is The spot you come to if you are in this area. It is a beautiful piece of art. I believe a former rich man used to live here and the entire place with lush gardens and this lush entrance way became the not so corny must-go-to site that it is today. Needs more than 1 bathroom stall by the gift shop.

Definitely worth a visit. Quinta de Regaleira is a sprawling estate once owned by a wealthy individual. It's most interesting site is the Initiation Well -- a spiral staircase into a well with several chambers leading to different places. Lots of Knights Templar influences here. So, that history is interesting. Also, lots of pretty gardens and sights to see.

If you visit the Lisbon area but don't have a lot of time, spend a day in Sintra to visit the Pena Palace in the morning and Quinta da Regaleira in the afternoon.

We decided to visit this estate first in the morning. We figured out that Pena and Moorish castle will be anyway overrun by visitors, so let at least have a quiet morning walking the gorgeous gardens. There are 2 lines that are being formed at the entrance-e-tickets already purchased online on the left from the gate and the line to purchase the ticket on the kiosk on the right.. so, make sure you're in correct line from the start. We arrived at 9, an hour before the opening and there were few peoples already there. By 10 when they've opened the door, e-tickets line had over 200 people waiting. We had a car rental and we parked it 2 min uphill from the property there were few available spots on the side of the road. The small parking across of the actual property had 6 spots and was already full. Most of the people were being just dropped off by shuttles and cabs. First thing we did was walked uphill straight to the initiation well , on the way back stopped and looked the main house and had a quick snack at the restaurant's terrace. It was a perfect start of the day, did everything within an hour, took all the photos we wanted and we got out an hour later. By than there were 100+ people in each lines waiting to get in. Initiation well was our favorite, but found main building interior quite delightful on our surprise. Seems much larger from the outside thought.

This was our best stop in Sintra -- way better than Pena Palace (mainly because Pena is swarming with tourists, whereas this place is chill). The actual house here is pretty lackluster. But the gardens are gorgeous and fun to explore, with hidden grottos and caves and rivers and ponds. It's quite hilly, so come ready to climb many flights. Overall a treat.

Nice historic place to see. Large garden. Visit it all. 10 euros adults. Less for kids. Take the green line train metro, from Lisbon. Sintra is last stop maybe 40 min. Confusion when you exit. No clear signs on how to get up to castles. We rented private driver. $40 euros day. The gardens are beautiful. 1st floor of castle only avail for viewing.

Beautiful, majestic monument from the Romantic era. Gardens are well maintained and filled with flora from around the world due to the history.

I think another Yelper put it best-something about "fairy tales & romantic dreams." I was disappointed they didn't have the guided tour the day I went but it worked out fine as I enjoyed putting away the map & getting lost over and over again & at the same time discovering the amazing parts of Quinta. Got here on a Friday around 1:30 and line wasn't long (about 20 in front of me) but when I left at 4:30 about 100 in line for a ticket. So looks like earlier is better. They suggest 1.5 - 2 hours but I would say take the time and spend at least 3 hours. Enter this palace and go back in time. Stroll in a garden, enjoy the view from a few towers, walk in a cave or two, step into the spiral staircase Well (initiation Well) & of course there is a Waterfall. The photo opportunities are endless. This is the hidden gem of the "Discover Sintra" line (take the 435). Definitely worth prioritizing!

Quinta da Regaleira has to be one of the most enchanting and whimsical places on Earth. It is a bewildering estate built at the beginning of the 20th century by the wealthy Carvalho Monteiro. In addition to a romantic palace and chapel that blend Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance influences, an expansive and labyrinthine #garden park also sprawls across the estate. On these serene hills of Sintra, paths wind through lush gardens and magnificent trees, around lakes and green lagoons, and into myriad grottoes leading to and from fantastical architecture of wells, towers, winding staircases and shaded alcoves. Supposedly, symbolism and references to alchemy, Masons, Rosicrucians, and the Knights Templar are also embedded in this fairytale location. Unfortunately, word is getting out (and photos getting shared), so the mindless masses who make Pena a destination are starting to come here, which means at peak season it is starting to become a bit crowded. If you have a choice, I'd recommend trying to be here first thing when they open, or later on in the afternoon (if you want some personal space and better photo ops, try to avoid the midday times of around 10:30-2:00)

This was our third stop on our visit to Sintra. After hiking downhill following visits to Pena and the Moorish Castle we walked the road to the Qunita. It was later in the afternoon so it was not crowded. We knew the gardens were the main attraction vs the house so we skipped the house until the end. There were no maps available and the ones on the grounds were not super helpful but with directions from other visitors we made it up to the well. This cannot be missed. We then walked down into the well and through the labyrinth of tunnels to the waterfall. It was a lot of fun. There were many other hidden treats in this fairytale landscape. The house itself took about 10 minutes. Another five star attraction in Sintra!

We had a couple of hours to visit here during our day trip to Sintra and I'm so glad we were able to spend some time by ourselves, just touring around and exploring the grounds. My favorite was the Initiatic Well (Masonic Initiation Wells) that represent the 9 Circles of Hell in Dante's Inferno. Our tour guide told us earlier that free masons used it for initiations. You can walk down the spiral staircase yourself, but beware that there are no railings and you'll have to share the stairs with others going up. It can also get a bit disorienting going around and around, so if you're very sensitive to that like I am, take it slow. All of the buildings, decor, and landscaping are just so intricate and beautiful, and there is SO much to see. We saw as much as we could but not everything, so we could've easily spent another hour or two here and I would suggest planning accordingly. Wear comfy shoes, layer up, take some water with you, and maybe some snacks if you're planning on spending the day here. It's also not very accessible, so keep that in mind if you have any kind of mobility issues.

This place is what romantic dreams of fairies and princesses are made of. It's quite a walk from the train station or Sintra town center, but you will be amply rewarded. It's a lovely example of the Manueline style of architecture unique to Portugal, the Jeronimo Monastery being another. I couldn't get enough of these beautifully ornated columns and trims. Do take time to explore the ground a bit. The map provided is not very good, so if the timing works out, go with a tour guide to help you explore everything.

So glad we were able to come here on our recent trip to Sintra. We could only stay 1 hour here during the lunch time of our tour, but we made it work. We were able to visit the well, the guardians area, and walk over a small pond. What a fun time! Wish we could have stayed longer, but it'll have to do for this time around.

Wow, Palacio Da Regaleira is a unique, fun not to be missed Sinatra experience. A UNESCO World Heritage preserved sight built during the whimsical Romanticism architectural design period (Similar to Pena), this estate offers a fun exploration of not only the main house but grounds including caves, grotto, waterfalls, statue lined walkways, and other surprises.

Quinta da Regaleira was the most interesting of the four Sintra attractions we visited. Embedded in the enchanting and whimsical points of interests was much allusion and symbolism hiding in plain sight. How do I know? I booked the 90-minute English tour in advance (by emailing them for availability and confirmation) and got a semi-private tour (with only 4 people in November). The 12€ per person charge for the tour and admission is a steal as we got a super well-spoken and captivating guide who reminded me of a history professor/lecturer for master class landscape design, regaling us in the illuminating stories behind each symbolic element. If you can't book the tour, I imagine the audioguide is the next best thing. Notes: - You cannot buy the Quinta da Regaleira tickets in advance so you must buy in person. - It's the first stop for the smaller 435 Sintra minibus (at about 22 minutes drive from the Sintra train station). The bus is 5€ all day for hop on hop off including the much busier 434 route for Pena Palace and Moorish Castle - Be prepared for a bit of a hike to the entrance after the 435 drop off/pick up point. - Don't miss the super cool Initiation Well - There's tons to see so allow at least 2 hours to not feel rushed.

Beautiful palace that is on the must see list. Gets crowded pretty fast. A lot of walking on inclined roads. Be prepared. You need to pay to get in.getting here can be tricky since streets are narrow,winding 1 way only and limited parking. Spend about 1-2 hours here.

Many years ago when I was traveling in Lisbon, on the last day I saw a photo of the well but it was too late to visit. Since then, I have been wanting to come to Sintra. This palace is about a 10 minute walk from the historical center of town. But, when you arrive at the palace, the ticketing counter is around the other side of the palace and the walk is a bit steep. This is the case regardless of whether you walk or take the 435 bus. The entrance fee is only 6 euros per person. Make sure to grab a map available at the ticket counter because there are a lot of things to see. You can easily spend hours just wandering around the gardens and exploring the many paths, nooks, and towers. Clearly a lot of thought was put into building this place. There are so many paths, some underground and many cross-crossing. I admit some of the underground passage ways were creepy because they are pitch dark and you have no idea what is ahead of you. But, that is part of the charm of this place. The Regeleira Tower looks exactly like the Rapunzel tower. There's also a section that reminds me of Rivendell. The famous Initiation Well is just as amazing as it looks in photos. Make sure to go to the bottom of the well where there's a path that leads to the stepping stones and bridge. The castle itself is also dark, gloomy, and creepy with a lot of doors that do not appear to lead anywhere. I would be scared to come here at night after dark. I'm so glad that I finally made it to Sintra and particular to this palace. Regeleira is very different from the other sites in Sintra and provides a new and unique experience for visitors. The 435 bus picks up right in front of the exit and will take you directly to Montserrate for 2.50 euros round trip. You can use the same ticket to return to the city center or train station.

It's simply a crime not to visit Quinta da Regaleira when you're in Sintra. I came here as part of a tour so I had limited time to explore. Definitely try to follow the map to make it to the well. Don't go too far up or you'll pass it. Definitely go to the top of the well to peer down but don't trip on the stairs! It can definitely get crowded and you may get stuck trying to get all the way down. Once you get down there, take the left most path to get to the small 'waterfall'. It's dark - watch your step. So much to explore here. Don't miss out!

"Enchanted" and "whimsical" are fitting words to describe this UNESCO heritage site located 30 minutes north of Lisbon by train. For 6 euros you can explore endless acres of castles, gardens and tunnels. I found Quinta da Regaleira on Pinterest as one of the top fairytale like villages in the world. To top it off, I was dying to see the well that you can see in many of the Yelp images. Take your time to explore the castle and understand the purpose of the home and history of the property. The structures were not as old as I imagined. The cherry on top? Winding our way back down the hill to grab dinner in picturesque Sintra. A must-see when in the Lisbon area. Wish we had reserved a couple of days for this attraction and village.

MUST SEE. Lose yourself in a magical maze of gardens, hidden paths, tunnels, fountains, gothic spires, and unexpected structures intertwined with nature. 6euro entrance fee is a bargain. PROTIP: Quinta da Regaleira is. 6-8minute walk from Sintra city center, but the entrance is another 5 minutes walk. At 6 euro for a ticket, it's a 100% must see, along with Pena Palace. We strolled along well manicured main paths and explored the winding side paths, finding curiosities along the way. You could easily spend up to two hours in the gardens alone. The mansion itself is a magnificently detailed example of gothic revival, full of gorgeous tilework and wood carvings. Overall, well worth your time, energy and money to visit a unique world heritage site.

Nice place to visit when in Portugal. Be prepared to walk! There are interesting cave-like structures, water wells, towers, waterfall, etc. Great for pictures.

This place is a must-see while in Sintra. Eight euros lets you into a playground full of intriguing sites to explore. From the intricate palace, to the towers, to the volcanic caves, to the two giant wells that look straight out of a fairytale - this place is full of surprises.

This was an incredible place that I spend 4 hours at and the best 6 euro that I have spend. It is a play ground for children and adults. It is hard to explain this magical garden filled with waterfalls, wells, underground tunnels, lake, castles, chapel and an incredible house. The detail to this place is uncanny and it took only 12 year to create. *^_^* I HEART QUINTA DA REGALERIA !!

An ABSOLUTE MUST if visiting the Lisbon/Sintra area. If I had to pick between visiting the Quinta da Regaleira, the Palacio da Pena, and the Castelo dos Mouros, I'd definitely pick the Quinta da Regaleira. It just had this magic fairy tale vibe throughout. Steps to nowhere, hidden lagoons, spaniel statues, spiraly wells.... this place is truly a wonderland. There's no way this petty Yelp review could do it justice-- just go!!! Transportation: We took the train from Lisbon to Sintra and it took about 20-30 min to get there. We walked (maybe 20 min?) from the train station. Recommendations: I'd recommend getting there early (i.e. right when it opens), as it's not as magical and enjoyable with a ton of people around at peak times. You could easily spend 1.5- 2 hours here if you're trying to see the majority of the attractions. The "Pozo" is that cool spiraly thing you see in everyone's pictures. I'd recommend hitting this up first because it is going to be the most crowded attraction.

The unique architecture and the grounds are absolutely beautiful. If you take a break from Lisboa and want to travel to a place which will stimulate your senses with new and different. Then, this is your place in Sintra. There is hours worth of exploring inside and outside. I wish I could give this place 6 stars!

Wow, this place is amazing. It's hard to believe that people come to Sintra on a day trip because there is just so much to see. Quinta da Regaleira is about a 10-15 minute walk from the center for Sintra (which is easily accessible by train from Lisbon). The grounds of Quinta da Regaleira are absolutely spectacular - it felt like we were walking around in a fairytale. The palace itself is beautiful as well, but most of your time will be spent in the gardens. There are many towers to climb, secret tunnels o walk through, and views to look out upon. This is truly a spectacular place.

Amazingly beautiful would definitely recommend and visit again. The garden itself is very mysterious and simply magical.

One of the most magical places in Sintra! The gardens are amazing and the wells are awesome

The castle of pena was weird... this one is 10 times weirder. It helps to know that it was design to look like an Franc-maçonic initiation ritual. doesn't make it less weird but explains a lot. The castle is less impressive than the gardens full of caves, bridges, weird towers. Very very very nice !

What an amazing place! This was a personal favorite of mine and a welcomed change from other European castles. It's like stepping into another world where you will truly feel like an explorer discovering some fantastic medieval ruins. Around every turn there is a secret pathway leading to a little castle or magical waterfall. You are free to roam on your own and climb to the top of all towers where you will encounter spectacular views. It's relatively inexpensive compared to the entry price of most European castles and landmarks, which made it all the better for us study abroad students who spent all our money on pastries and Ryanair flights, and it's just a quick train ride away from Lisbon. After you're done, watch the sunset while you eat at one of the many little restaurants in the picturesque town of Sintra before you head back to Lisbon., Pro tip: Don't forget your phone or a flashlight because the caves and tunnels are pitch black. Having to feel my way around via the slimy wall was not really something I would say enhanced my experience.

The staircase is really the only thing worth seeing here. The staff is not very friendly and the top 1-2 stories of the palace are not accessible by visitors - although they apparently include a library and "alchemy lab." The part of the palace accessible by visitors is very mediocre and gives the impression that a lot of interesting information was omitted. If you are willing to pay 10 euro to see the staircase in the picture, then proceed. If not, you would be better off spending your time and money elsewhere.

If you only have one day here, this is a must see beside the Pena Palace. The grounds are great for both exploring, and taking in many of the features. The well is pretty cool and you can walk all the way to the bottom. The water feature is great as you can take the bridge and stairs to the next level of the property. Just don't get oo excited skipping across the rocks or you might fall in (just ask our 3 year old). The cafe is a quaint little shop that offers a decent variety of food. There is both out door and indoor seating here and you don't have to buy a ticket to access the cafe. So many amzing photo ops here and fun for the kids to climb the towers.