Often, when people look up guides for Sintra or must-see attractions, Monserrate Palace and its beautiful parks don’t get the attention they deserve. However, after chatting with locals in Cascais, a charming seaside town nearby, it quickly became clear that Monserrate is a must-see spot in Sintra. With this advice in mind, we decided to visit the palace before heading back to London.
The parking situation at Monserrate was quite telling of its under-the-radar status. When we arrived, the car parks were almost empty except for a tour bus or possibly a wedding bus, and just a couple of cars. This was a stark contrast to Pena Palace, where we had to wait for a parking spot on a narrow winding road. After a few tries, we managed to find a space, but it definitely wasn’t hassle-free.
As we wandered along a path toward the palace, it quickly became clear that skipping other attractions in Sintra for Monserrate was the right call. While we wanted to explore everything, there just wasn’t enough time on this trip, making it a perfect excuse to return.
Soon, the breathtaking Arabesque masterpiece that is Monserrate Palace appeared before us, and it truly lived up to the hype! The palace is a stunning example of Arabesque architecture, with intricate details showcasing a perfect blend of design and mathematics.
When we arrived, there was a guitarist playing for a wedding taking place there. Aside from the wedding guests, who were easy to spot with their festive attire and cheerful demeanor, there were only a handful of other visitors around, no more than five.
Monserrate Palace is smaller compared to other palaces in Sintra, which makes it easier to explore in a short amount of time. Despite our intention to leave Sintra earlier, we ended up staying longer than planned. We had to rush back to the car to head to the airport, quickly driving past the gates of Quinta da Regaleira.
Sintra is a true gem of a place, and it’s hard not to fall in love with it. If there’s one piece of advice I’d give, it’s to set aside at least two to three days to explore it properly. Even then, you’ll likely feel there’s more to see, giving you even more reasons to return to this enchanting Portuguese town.