Monserrate Palace & Park
Explore the romantic Monserrate Palace in Sintra with skip-the-line mobile tickets. Discover at your pace or choose combo tickets to visit nearby historic sites and save on your experience.
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Visit Monserrate Palace, a romantic and whimsical castle from the 19th century.
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Witness a heady blend of Arabic Gothic, Moorish, and Indian architectural styles.
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Discover one of the richest botanical gardens in the world, housing lush exotic foliage.
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Retreat into hidden nooks and crannies, and discover a world less traveled.
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Dive deeper into the history and significance of the palace with a free audio guide in four languages.
More details
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Visit Monserrate Palace, a romantic and whimsical castle from the 19th century.
-
Witness a heady blend of Arabic Gothic, Moorish, and Indian architectural styles.
-
Discover one of the richest botanical gardens in the world, housing lush exotic foliage.
-
Retreat into hidden nooks and crannies, and discover a world less traveled.
-
Dive deeper into the history and significance of the palace with a free audio guide in four languages.
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Save significantly by choosing the combo of two majestic palaces from different architectural eras giving you a glimpse into the best of Sintra.
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Visit Quinta da Regaleira, the UNESCO Heritage site of Sintra, and learn about its historical significance as you explore the palace and nearby garden at your pace.
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Take the time at another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Monserrate Palace & Park to explore the arts, sculptures, hallways, fountains, tapestries, and the legendary farmyard.
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Between the two landmarks, you get two elaborate botanical parks that present a great opportunity to see unique flora, fountains, sculptures, and garden decorations.
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Leverage the audio guide filled with unique stories and facts as you tour the Quinta da Regaleira by yourself.
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Fun Fact: Initiation Wells at the Quinta da Regaleira were never filled in as water sources, they were utilized for stately purposes that included Tarot inception ceremonies.
More details
-
Save significantly by choosing the combo of two majestic palaces from different architectural eras giving you a glimpse into the best of Sintra.
-
Visit Quinta da Regaleira, the UNESCO Heritage site of Sintra, and learn about its historical significance as you explore the palace and nearby garden at your pace.
-
Take the time at another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Monserrate Palace & Park to explore the arts, sculptures, hallways, fountains, tapestries, and the legendary farmyard.
-
Between the two landmarks, you get two elaborate botanical parks that present a great opportunity to see unique flora, fountains, sculptures, and garden decorations.
-
Leverage the audio guide filled with unique stories and facts as you tour the Quinta da Regaleira by yourself.
-
Fun Fact: Initiation Wells at the Quinta da Regaleira were never filled in as water sources, they were utilized for stately purposes that included Tarot inception ceremonies.
5% off
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Looking for the best views of Sintra? Head up to the 10th-century Moorish Castle, where you can admire its sturdy walls, towers, and ramparts.
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See relics dating back to the Bronze Age and enjoy some of the best views of Sintra and beyond, including the Atlantic Ocean, from atop.
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Gain entry to Monserrate Palace which served as a summer residence for British royalty and aristocracy.
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Wander through Portugal's lush botanical paradise, featuring picturesque grottos, and over 3,000 species of plants from various continents.
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Fun fact: Monserrate Palace has served as a filming location for several movies such as "The House of the Spirits" (1993) and "The Ninth Gate" (1999).
More details
-
Looking for the best views of Sintra? Head up to the 10th-century Moorish Castle, where you can admire its sturdy walls, towers, and ramparts.
-
See relics dating back to the Bronze Age and enjoy some of the best views of Sintra and beyond, including the Atlantic Ocean, from atop.
-
Gain entry to Monserrate Palace which served as a summer residence for British royalty and aristocracy.
-
Wander through Portugal's lush botanical paradise, featuring picturesque grottos, and over 3,000 species of plants from various continents.
-
Fun fact: Monserrate Palace has served as a filming location for several movies such as "The House of the Spirits" (1993) and "The Ninth Gate" (1999).
5% off
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Explore Sintra’s heritage at the Monserrate Palace & the magnificent National Palace of Sintra while saving money with the combo.
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Discover the rich history of Sintra as you walk through the elaborate interiors featuring Europe’s oldest Mudejar tiles at the National Palace of Sintra.
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Admire the beautiful decor & artifacts of Portugal’s oldest palace and walk its gardens.
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Make your way to visit the enchanting Monserrate Palace with its dreamy architecture & adorned with intricate designs.
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Take a walk in the Palace’s prolific gardens with exotic foliage. Come across Beckford’s Waterfall, the Japanese garden & the scented path.
More details
-
Explore Sintra’s heritage at the Monserrate Palace & the magnificent National Palace of Sintra while saving money with the combo.
-
Discover the rich history of Sintra as you walk through the elaborate interiors featuring Europe’s oldest Mudejar tiles at the National Palace of Sintra.
-
Admire the beautiful decor & artifacts of Portugal’s oldest palace and walk its gardens.
-
Make your way to visit the enchanting Monserrate Palace with its dreamy architecture & adorned with intricate designs.
-
Take a walk in the Palace’s prolific gardens with exotic foliage. Come across Beckford’s Waterfall, the Japanese garden & the scented path.
5% off
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Step inside Monserrate Palace, tucked away in the mountains of Sintra with skip-the-line access and journey through architectural eclecticism.
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Listen to your English/Portuguese-speaking guide regaling you with tales of the Gothic and Indian influences on the Palace’s history.
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With only a small group of 20 beside you, get your inner bibliophile to take in the collections of Portuguese history and flora books.
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End your tour with a stroll through Monserrate Park’s Japanese Garden, home to an exotic collection of camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and bamboo.
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Fun fact: British poet Lord Byron visited Monserrate Palace in 1809 and expressed his love for the monument in his poem, “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.”
More details
-
Step inside Monserrate Palace, tucked away in the mountains of Sintra with skip-the-line access and journey through architectural eclecticism.
-
Listen to your English/Portuguese-speaking guide regaling you with tales of the Gothic and Indian influences on the Palace’s history.
-
With only a small group of 20 beside you, get your inner bibliophile to take in the collections of Portuguese history and flora books.
-
End your tour with a stroll through Monserrate Park’s Japanese Garden, home to an exotic collection of camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and bamboo.
-
Fun fact: British poet Lord Byron visited Monserrate Palace in 1809 and expressed his love for the monument in his poem, “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.”
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About Monserrate Palace
As a refuge for writers, Monserrate lured tourists from all over the world, especially the British, who were especially enamored by its beauty, immortalizing it in engravings and memoirs. When the wealthy British entrepreneur and exceptional art collector, Francis Cook, came here in the 18th century, he fell in love. The Park and Palace of Monserrate, a Romantic masterpiece, emerged from this ardor.
Monserrate Park boasts a unique "living library" of over 4,000 plant species! These plants originate from five continents, creating a miniature global ecosystem within the park. Imagine spotting Australian tree ferns next to Japanese camellias, all thriving in this meticulously maintained environment.
Keen observers might notice similarities between the Monserrate Palace chapel and the Capela da Senhora da Pena, another notable landmark in Sintra. This isn't a coincidence! Both chapels were designed by the same architect, Germano Wolff, and share architectural elements, lending a subtle sense of connection between these historical sites.
Bram Stoker, the author of the iconic novel 'Dracula', is believed to have visited Sintra in 1895. While evidence is anecdotal, some speculate that Monserrate Palace, with its dramatic architecture and exotic gardens, might have served as an inspiration for the novel's atmospheric setting. Imagine the palace's towers and hidden grottoes sparking the author's imagination for Dracula's castle!
Monserrate hasn't always been the romantic masterpiece we see today. Before its transformation in the 19th century, it was a humble chapel and later a residence used for hunting. This historical journey adds another layer of intrigue to the palace, reminding us of its evolution over time.
Look closely at the palace's main façade and you might spot a curious detail. The central window, designed in the Neo-Manueline style, incorporates a "five shields" motif. This motif, often associated with Portugal's King Manuel I, is believed to represent the five continents represented by the diverse plant life found within the park, a subtle yet meaningful nod to the park's global character.
Why visit Monserrate Palace?
Small wonder
You know, Monserrate Palace may not be as massive as some of the other palaces in Sintra, but that's actually a plus! It means you can breeze through it relatively quickly, giving you no excuse not to visit. And trust us, you won't regret watching this stunning example of eclectic architecture, blending Gothic, Moorish, Indian, and Manueline styles. No matter where you're from, you'll find a bit of your culture here!
For the lovers of nature
As you stroll towards the main building, you'll be greeted by a lush lawn, perfumed by the fragrant scent of roses. And that's just the beginning. Wander further and you'll discover a Mexican garden, refreshing fern gardens, and dense forests. There's even an abandoned chapel hidden among ancient trees. These gardens are truly captivating and, dare we say, even better than the ones at the celebrated Quinta da Regaleira. Don't believe us? Why don't you pay a visit and see for yourself?
Peace and tranquility
Despite its status as one of Sintra's finest attractions, Monserrate Palace remains one of its best-kept secrets. Located just 3.5km from the historic centre of Sintra and overshadowed by the more famous Palácio da Pena, Monserrate often goes unnoticed by day-trippers. But you know what? That's exactly what makes it so special. Even during peak tourist season, Monserrate remains a serene oasis, far from the crowds and chaos.
Highlights
Sacred Art Room
Often referred to as the small museum, the sacred art room houses a notable collection of art and religious artefacts. These artefacts were curated by Francis Cook. The Sacred art room also features a stained glass window that lends to the religious artefacts museum ambience.
Main Hall
The main hall is the central atrium of the Monserrate palace. The towering arches and domes are indicative of the gothic architectural influence of the time. The grand interior welcomes people to the rest of Monserrate Park and the Palace complex.
Library
Francis Cook and his associates made an office out of the Monserrate Palace library. The entrance of the room can be blocked off with an ornate and heavy wooden door. The door itself is considered a piece of art.
Billiards Room
During Francis Cook’s time, the men would usually smoke following a meal. In the absence of an actual smoking room, they made good use of the billiards room. The room features beautiful Porphyry engravings that elevated the charm of the room.
Music Room
Francis Cook regarded the Music room as his main hall. This is where he would greet guests. This space also doubled as a party room where the Cooks would host soirees. The room also had good acoustics, this was done so that the musicians could entertain the guests properly.
Fern Valley
Under the able guidance of William Stockdale and James Knowles, the Monserrate garden could feature some of the rarest and most beautiful gardens in the world. The garden also has a vast collection of arboreal ferns that were sourced from New Zealand and Australia.
Chapel
The current chapel that stands here used to have the original chapel for Our Lady of Monserrate. The current chapel has artificial ruins built by Gerard de Visme. The chapel was also used to house three sarcophagi that served as garden ornaments. They are now housed in the São Miguel de Odrinhas Archaeological Museum in Sintra.
Rose Garden
Through his expansive rose gardens you could tell Francis Cook’s love of roses. He considered roses to be the Queen of flowers. They sourced roses from all around the world. The rose garden is a must-visit when going to Monserrate Palace and the park.
Staircase on the Scented Path
This clever piece of architecture takes influence from the palace of Monserrate. The staircase on the scented path connects the outside of the palace to the inside. The Staircase on the Scented Path structure rises above the fish tank which gives it a scenic view.
Mexican Garden
The Mexican garden strategically makes use of the driest and warmest part of the Monserrate complex. The garden is watered through a series of water-carrying systems. The water system features a canal, water pathways, and water tanks. It is a must-visit in the Monserrate palace complex for the beautiful collection of warm climate plants.
Plan your visit
Garden Entrance
This is the main entrance for visitors exploring the park and the palace. It leads to the ticket booth and the beginning of the guided tour route. This section was created for Monserrate family and visitors. As is typical of British summer cottages, its centralized position allowed for easy, comfortable movement. This connected the garden to the sitting, music, and billiards rooms without walking via the Library or Main Entranceway and allowed access to the top floor stairway.
Main Entrance
Located on the east side of the palace, this entrance was likely used historically by the occupants for formal entries. However, it's currently not accessible to the public.
- The ticket office is closed from 12 am to 1 pm.
- Automatic ticket vending machines are available.
Accessible toilets are available in the recently refurbished cafeteria and store.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available for loan with prior reservation.
The main entrance to the palace is accessible by ramp, and the ground floor is partially accessible for visitors with limited mobility. However, the second floor and the kitchen are not accessible.
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