Visiting Monserrate Palace in Sintra

Monserrate is Sintra’s best-kept secret: an exotic palace in a romantic botanical garden, a few kilometres from the busy town centre. It’s much quieter than Pena and Regaleira, and just as magical. Here’s how to visit.

Quick answer: Monserrate is about 4km west of Sintra’s old town. Get there by bus 435, tuk-tuk or taxi. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the palace and gardens. It’s ideal for an afternoon after a busy morning at Pena. See Monserrate tickets.

About Monserrate

The estate was famous long before the palace was built: Lord Byron praised the romantic ruins of an earlier house here. In the 19th century, the English collector Francis Cook built the current palace, blending Gothic, Moorish and Indian influences, with intricate stone lacework and a domed music room. The gardens were planted with species from around the world.

What to see

• The palace: carved arches, the octagonal hall and the domed music room.
• The gardens: themed gardens including a Mexican garden, a Japanese garden, a fern valley and a rose garden.
• The romantic follies: a fake ruined chapel, waterfalls and lakes.
• The great lawn in front of the palace, perfect for photos.

Tips

• Quiet: even in summer, it’s far calmer than Pena.
• Walking: the gardens slope downhill to the palace, so you’ll walk back up.
• Combined tickets: check the Parques de Sintra combined tickets if you’re visiting several sites.
• Lunch: there’s a café on site.

Getting there

Bus 435 runs from Sintra station via the old town to Regaleira, Seteais and Monserrate. A tuk-tuk or taxi is quicker. Some full-day Sintra tours include Monserrate.

More: palaces in Portugal, Sintra in one day and where to stay in Sintra.

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