Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra (Visitar)

Quinta da Regaleira is a must stop for anyone visiting Sintra. Known for its mysteries, such as Poço Iniciático (Initiation Well), this destination joins a list of destinations to visit in Sintra, where the Pena National Park and Monserrate Palace. 

Near the Historic Center of Sintra we find one of the main tourist attractions in the region: Quinta da Regaleira. 

Considered a mysterious destination, the truth is that its visitors were surprised by what this villa has to offer. 

The first regaleira records are from the 17th century, in reference to the land that today is part of the villa. However, it was only in 1830 that Regaleira got its current name, still without the existing buildings. 

It is at the end of the 18th century that construction plans began to be discussed, which would later come to fruition and originate what is now known as Quinta da Regaleira. However, this was a long process, marked by the appearance of several obstacles, occurring only between 1904 and 1910, integrating in the last years of the monarchy. 

Quinta da Regaleira was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995

For anyone visiting Quinta da Regaleira, we recommend that you do so with plenty of time, since, in addition to the main buildings, there are many details throughout the park that deserve the attention of its visitors. 

The parking it is one of the biggest difficulties in this visit. Since there are few parking spaces next to the Villa, as well as the fact that it is a little isolated, there is some difficulty in looking for parking. What we did, and many visitors have to do, is to follow the road until you find side areas that allow parking and then continue to the Villa on foot, but keep in mind that you will have this difficulty. 

Entering the enclosure, we soon find the ticket office, duly indicating which way to go from who is going to buy tickets (10 € / adult) and who bought them online, as we did. Likewise, there is the option of a guided tour, with a cost of € 15. Regardless of how to buy the ticket, you will be given a map of the park, witch can be consulted online here and that comes in handy during the visit.

at the entrance of the Regaleira a map is given to all visitors

We were also lucky that, when showing our ticket and receiving the map, we were given directions by the security guard about the best visit order. As a result, it was easier for us to fully enjoy the villa and we also learned about the changes due to COVID. 

First, we were recommended to visit the Portal of the Guardians e, em seguida, localizado mesmo em frente, o Zigurate Sendo este último  também chamado de Terraço dos Mundos Celestes e é composto por dois conjuntos de escadarias, um que conduz a um terraço e outro que conduz a uma torre, que oferece uma vista linda sobre o parque. 

Similarly, the Portal of the Guardians consists of a building with two turrets and a central lookout. The central viewpoint is connected to a path behind that leads to the Initiation Well. This space should serve the purpose of an amphitheater. 

Quinta da regaleira has a large set of caves, connected by tunnels

Below, in the center of the building, we find an opening that gives access to the Initiation Well. And here we find two newts, mythological figures, together with a conch, undoubtedly one of many others, references scattered throughout the farm. 

We follow the path to Imperfect Well, the first attempt to build the Initiation Well, about 9 meters deep. 

This site is also connected to the underground tunnels that run under the farm. But the entrance to the well is blocked by an iron railing, we do not know if because of COVID or other security reasons. 

This being one of the main tourist destinations in the region. Known as the inverted tower, it consists of a 27 meter well, which can be descended via a spiral staircase, up to a small square where we find a wind rose. 

the initiatic well owes its name to rituals of initiation to masonry, which (some say) occurred here

Before, it was possible to go up and down the tower. However, because of COVID's new safety measures, the visitor is forced to follow the existing tunnel at the end of the well. 

The name of this well is due to the fact that they thought that this place served as a stage for the rituals of initiation of masonry. 

This tunnel is illuminated and will exit under the Cave of the East. 

Subsequently, there are several possible places to visit. In order to see the most distant part of the villa, we recommend taking the opportunity to see the sites around these groups, namely the Aquarium, the Tennis Floor and Cascade Lake, the latter also with access to the Initiation Well. 

the famous initiatic well results from the 2nd construction attempt, the first being the imperfect well

If you want to see everything, in the furthest part of the villa there is the so-called Virgin Cave, which is the furthest point from the entrance / exit, and the only place we did not visit, due to the closing hours of the palace, which is more earlier than the rest of the villa. However, and for those who have time, we recommend visiting this place as well, although more remote.  

In this same area we also find the Cascade Lake, which has a bridge that allows the passage over the lake and, walking on the arranged stones, gives access to the wells.

Following the main path, you will arrive at Regaleira tower, which offers a view over the entire farm. And at its base, we find the Leda Cave, which, despite the name and the size of other caves seen, is a simple cave with a statue inside. Beside we find the greenhouse which, at the time of our visit, was closed. 

some of the caves require more care as they are not lit and not signposted

Before seeing the palace, we head towards the Fountain of Abundance, a bleached fountain with several elements, namely a large shell in the center. According to the path next to the wall it is possible to visit the Loggia, a watchtower, the Lake, the House of Ibis, where there is a very colorful house with a fountain on its facade and, our favorite part of this area, the Cave of the Labyrinth, a set of caves that are not lit, irregular and not signposted, so be careful and attentive. 

To finish, we follow the Land of the Gods, a tour that, as the name implies, is full of statues of gods, and that ends next to the Palace. 

At the Palace, nowadays, it is only possible to visit the lower floor, where there is the hunting room, the music room, the kings room, the smoking room and the Renaissance room, all of them composed of incredible details, carved in ceilings, walls and furniture that compose them.

The Regaleira Palace is a building from the early 20th century, still in the time of the monarchy

The exit is through the -1 floor. We recommend that you spend some time exploring the exterior of the Palace, as it is made up of different styles and references. Due to COVID, and the limitations imposed in closed spaces such as museums, circulation ends up being conditioned, so this visit to the Palace may have an even greater impact for those who do it outside this time. 

Finally we visited the Chapel. It also has its access fenced, so it is only possible to observe from the door. Although small, the detail and biblical representations are remarkable. 

Quinta da Regaleira resembles a fairy tale, full of places to explore and details to observe. If you go to the region, be sure to visit this beautiful and mysterious place, and you will pass the exit gates with a smile on your face. 

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in Sintra

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