Pick Two: Palaces in Sintra

Posted by shburks on 11/03/25 03:38 PM

We have a private tour booked, so we can choose which two palaces we want to visit in the morning. I had originally thought Pena Palace (and maybe just the grounds) but would you pick two others instead?

I think Regalaira has moved to the top of my list, so between Pena, Monserrate, and Moorish Castle, what would you choose for the second one?

For reference, we are two adults, early 50s and able to explore. We love history and sights! We'll be in Sintra on March 2.

After castles, we'll have lunch and then head towards the coast and then Cascais before returning to Lisbon. We have limited time, so we cannot spend longer in Sintra and it has to be a day trip!

Posted by margie

Bend, OR

11/03/25 05:14 PM

1696 posts

We didn’t do Regalaira because our local guide said it wasn’t worth waiting in the huge line. Probably Monserrate, it wasn’t crowded and the gardens were beautiful.

Posted by Linda

Seattle, WA, USA

11/03/25 05:34 PM

1542 posts

You will get various opinions on which palace to go to. for me, I actually loved Quinta da Regaleira for the amazing staircase going down into the deep well and walking through the cave like setting with dripping water and nice little grottoes. I would definitely consider Quinta da Regaleira as a first or second choice Next to Peña Palace

ETA: Also, the Quinta visit was nice because we remained out of the heat. We visited in early October 2023 and it was still very warm in Portugal. The coolness of the caves was a very nice escape from the heat.

Posted by Allan

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

11/03/25 05:58 PM

5416 posts

The Moorish Castle is a ruin but it was my favourite between it and Pena. We didn't have time to visit the other. It's a beautiful walk through a lush forest to get to the castle and then you can walk the walls to the top for some killer views.

Posted by shburks OP

11/03/25 08:04 PM

5 posts

Thanks for your feedback although it didn't help me narrow it down! haha!

Posted by Allan

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

11/03/25 08:24 PM

5416 posts

Thanks for your feedback although it didn't help me narrow it down!
haha!

Probably the correct answer is that you'll likely enjoy whatever you choose. No sense on stressing on what you might have seen.

Posted by Lexma

Denver

11/03/25 08:49 PM

862 posts

My opinion seems to be different than 90% (100%?) of people who visit Sintra. I was not interested in or impressed by Pena Palace. There were many, many people there, and it was a huge slow-moving line through the rooms. Keep in mind, also, that this palace was built / reconstructed in the mid-1800s, so it's not very old (in terms of European castles). It was built during the Romantic period, to be evocative of older (and idealized) structures.

I loved visiting the National Palace, which is in Sintra. There were few people, and each room had different and marvelous tiled walls. It's much older than the Pena Palace, which I also appreciate; some portions of this Palace are older than others.

The Moorish castle was ruinous and somewhat interesting.

Quinta de Regaliera was built as a (large) folly, and was fun, though when we were there it was also mobbed by people.

Posted by TravelJunkie

USA

11/03/25 09:13 PM

160 posts

With private tour you can pick your own spots

Moors castle is ruins and require a climb up.
Ground tickets of Pena palace is flexible and lets you see all colorful terraces that matters.
(do buy shuttle bus ticket from entrance to palace to save energy - offer to stand if it helps you get into a full bus and not wait for the next one - it is only 7 minutes ride)
QR is a unique park with well and caves
Monserrate is a beautiful park that is much less crowded.

You might be able to do three but if you can do only two then Pana and QR will be my choice.