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Is Monserrate Palace in Sintra Worth Visiting: Honest Review
While planning our three-day trip to Sintra, everyone told us the same thing: don’t miss Pena Palace. It appeared in almost every itinerary and travel guide.
Then Instagram introduced me to another palace hidden deep within Sintra’s forests.
With intricate latticework, soaring arches and elegant courtyards, it looked more like something you’d expect to find in Persia or Morocco than Portugal.
That was Monserrate Palace.
As an architect, I was fascinated. I wanted to see how such an unusual palace had found its way into the heart of Portugal.
But I also wondered whether it was really worth visiting or simply a quieter alternative to Pena Palace.
After visiting Monserrate Palace on our very first day in Sintra, I had my answer.
Monserrate Palace wasn’t just my favourite palace in Sintra. It became my favourite palace of our entire 24-day trip around Portugal.
It was also one of the few places all three of us, me, my husband and year old son genuinely loved.
But here’s the thing: although Monserrate Palace was my favourite, I don’t recommend it to everyone.
If you’re visiting Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon or Cascais, I’d honestly tell you to skip it.
In this guide, I’ll explain why Monserrate Palace is worth visiting, who should visit, how to get there, how much time you need and what I learnt during our visit.
Is Monserrate Palace worth visiting?
Yes, Monserrate Palace is absolutely worth visiting. Unlike many Portuguese palaces, it blends several architectural influences, including Romantic, Moorish and Indo-Islamic styles.
Yet somehow, it still feels perfectly at home in Sintra’s forests.
What makes Monserrate Palace special isn’t just the palace itself. It’s the experience of moving between the two.
One moment I was walking through halls with marble floors, colourful rooms, intricate arches and delicate latticework.
A few minutes later, I was outside wandering through ponds, giant trees and hidden chapel ruins that feel like they’ve been reclaimed by nature.
I also loved that the gardens don’t feel perfectly manicured.
Instead, they feel wild and natural, almost as though you’re walking through a forest where an extraordinary palace happens to appear around the next corner.
Why Monserrate Palace became my favourite palace in Portugal
Monserrate Palace is my favourite because the palace is just as charming from the outside as it is inside. It is one of the few places where all three of us found something we genuinely enjoyed.
As an architect who loves historic buildings, I’ve visited several palaces, castles and monasteries across Portugal, from the quiet grandeur of Alcobaça to Mafra’s beautiful library and Pena Palace’s bold architecture.
But Monserrate still stood out to all three of us, for completely different reasons.
My son loved watching the ducks and taking tiny steps along the park trails.
My husband, an amateur photographer, spent most of his time capturing the palace blending into the surrounding forest.
I couldn’t stop admiring the intricate latticework, suspended ceilings and the beautiful mix of Indo-Islamic architecture.
That is what made Monserrate so special for us. We could all enjoy the same place without having to love the same thing about it.
Who should visit Monserrate Palace and who should skip
Visit Monserrate Palace if you’re spending two or more days in Sintra. You’ll have enough time to travel there, explore the palace and gardens without rushing, and still see the other major attractions.
Skip Monserrate Palace if you’re visiting Sintra on a day trip from Lisbon or Cascais.
With only 8–10 hours in Sintra, spending around 60–75 minutes travelling between the Historic Centre and Monserrate takes a significant part of your day.
We stayed in Sintra for three days, so that travel time never felt like a compromise.
I could take my time and actually enjoy Monserrate rather than watch the clock.
The one exception is if you’ve decided to skip Pena Palace. In that case, I’d happily choose Monserrate instead.
But for a first visit to Sintra, I wouldn’t skip Pena Palace just to make time for Monserrate.
How is Monserrate Palace different from Pena Palace?
Pena Palace and Monserrate Palace offer very different experiences, even though both are among Sintra’s most famous palaces.
I visited both during our three days in Sintra, and I don’t see them as competitors.
Each has its own character.
I’ll compare them across the things that matter most when planning your visit, so you can decide which one suits your itinerary.
The architecture of Pena and Monserrate Palace is completely different
Pena Palace is colourful, dramatic and castle-like, while Monserrate Palace is more elegant, symmetrical and heavily influenced by Moorish and Indo-Islamic architecture.
I felt like every colour on the palette had made its way onto Pena Palace.
Lavender, yellow and red dominate the façade, while Gothic influences, dramatic figures, shells, eggs and other unusual details appear throughout the exterior and interior.
Monserrate is much more restrained from the outside, but the details are incredible.
Inside, you’ll find arches, intricate latticework, carved stone, decorated ceilings and Moorish and Indo-Islamic influences.
I found Monserrate more elegant, structured and poised, with its latticework and beige, light pink and white tones. In many parts, I felt like I was in a palace in Persia.
It reminded me of the traditional bathhouses in Kashan, Iran.
Neither is better or inferior. They are simply beautiful in completely different ways.
Visiting the palace interiors and royal rooms
Both Pena Palace and Monserrate Palace have beautiful interiors, but I personally found Monserrate prettier and much easier to explore.
However, the standard Pena Park ticket does not include the palace interior. You need a separate ticket with timed entry.
When we visited, the wait for the palace interiors was around 1.5 to 2 hours.
We could still peek into some of the rooms from outside, but as an architect who had already read about the interiors, I didn’t feel they were worth spending so much of our limited time queuing.
Monserrate was completely different. There is no separate palace interior ticket or complicated timed entry.
You simply enter and explore at your own pace.
Inside, I loved the Persian- and Mughal-inspired details, intricate jali work, stained glass, crimson-red walls in the library, decorated ceilings and the mix of English and Moorish influences overlooking the gardens.
Both are beautiful, but I found Monserrate’s interiors more elegant, detailed and easier to appreciate without the stress of queues and timed entry.
Visitor numbers at Pena and Monserrate are worlds apart
Monserrate Palace is much less crowded than Pena Palace. Its location, around 8 km from Sintra’s Historic Centre, means most first-time visitors prioritise Pena Palace and the attractions closer to town instead.
When we visited on an October afternoon, I’d estimate there were barely 10% of the visitors we saw at Pena Palace.
I walked straight to the ticket counter, bought our tickets and entered without waiting in a queue.
Even the palace’s most photogenic spots were almost empty. At Pena Palace, some popular viewpoints had queues just to take photographs.
Monserrate isn’t an unknown attraction.
It simply gets fewer visitors, which means you have more space and time to appreciate the palace without feeling rushed.
Gardens and what exists in their gardens
Pena Park is much larger than Monserrate Park. Pena Park covers around 200 hectares, while Monserrate Park covers around 50 hectares. But the difference isn’t just size. They feel completely different to explore.
I found Pena Park more like a village within a forest, with mansions, villas, viewpoints and other attractions spread across the hills.
We visited Villa Sassetti while my husband climbed up to the Moorish Castle, which is quite a difficult hike. Looking back, I wish I’d visited the Chalet of the Countess of Edla instead. It looks much more beautiful.
Pena Park also gives you viewpoints such as Cruz Alta and the Moorish Castle, where you can see Pena Palace from different angles.
Monserrate Park is smaller and much simpler to explore. There are no other large mansions or villas inside the park.
Instead, it feels like a forest garden, with plants from different parts of the world, winding paths, waterfalls, ponds and the beautiful ruins of an old chapel.
You can also find Beckford’s Waterfall, the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Indian Arch and Fern Valley.
For me, Pena Park felt like discovering a village within a forest, while Monserrate felt like walking through a forest garden with a beautiful palace waiting at the end.
How much time do you need at Monserrate Palace?
I’d allow 1.5 to 2 hours to see Monserrate Palace and its park properly. The palace itself isn’t very large, so you can explore the interiors in around 45 minutes.
I’d keep another 45 minutes to wander through the gardens, see the chapel ruins, ponds and waterfalls.
We spent around three hours there, but we weren’t in any rush.
My son loved watching the waterfalls and wandering along the park paths, and because we were staying in Sintra for three days, we could simply enjoy the place without watching the clock.
You also need to allow time to get there. From Sintra’s Historic Centre, the journey takes around 30 minutes each way, so I’d set aside about three hours in total if you’re visiting Monserrate from central Sintra.
Best way to get to Monserrate Palace
The best way to Monserrate Palace by bus, or taxi. If you’re already in Sintra, I’d take the 435 bus. You can also take Carris Metropolitana bus 1253 from Sintra railway station.
If you’re coming from nearby, such as Cascais, a Bolt or taxi can be the more convenient option.
We drove to Monserrate because we already had a car with us.
We had driven from Nazaré and visited the palace before checking into our hotel in Sintra’s Historic Centre.
I’ll share what I learnt about driving there, because having a car doesn’t necessarily make the journey easier.
Driving to Monserrate Palace – not recommended
Driving gives you flexibility, especially if you’re already travelling around Portugal by car. But the road to Monserrate can be very narrow, so I would avoid taking a large car or SUV.
We drove there from Sintra’s Historic Centre, and once we left the main road, the road became so narrow that even my husband wondered whether we should continue.
We even met another traveller coming the other way who had stopped and managed to turn around where she could. She waved at us to say that the road ahead was too narrow.
So, if you’re driving to Monserrate, I’d choose a smaller car if possible.
In fact, I feel
Is parking available at Monserrate Palace?
Yes, there is parking at Monserrate Palace, right near the entrance. This made things much easier once we arrived.
We parked the car and walked straight towards the entrance, so although I found the drive stressful, parking itself wasn’t a problem.
Other things to know before going to Monseratte palace
Opening hours and tickets
The park is open from 9 am to 7 pm and the palace from 9:30 am to 6 pm, but the last ticket for the palace is sold at 5 pm and the last admission is at 5:30 pm.
This is important because the park stays open later than the palace.
We saw this happen during our visit. While we were inside taking our last photographs, we saw tourists trying to persuade the staff to let them in at around 5:45 pm.
They had bought their tickets earlier but had spent too long exploring the park before reaching the palace.
So, don’t leave the palace until the end of your visit. Check the official website for updated timings when you plan the visit
When we visited in 2025, an adult ticket cost around €12.
Monserrate also hosts special events, including music concerts, jazz performances and guided experiences. Check the official Parques de Sintra ticketing platform to see what is happening during your visit.
We didn’t book in advance in October. We bought our tickets at the entrance and walked straight in.
In summer, I’d book ahead if you know your travel date, simply to avoid unnecessary waiting.
Best time of the day to visit Monseratte Palace
The best time to visit Monserrate Palace is in the afternoon or late afternoon, when the palace is quieter and the softer light makes the gardens and architecture especially atmospheric.
We visited at around 3.30 pm in October, and the timing worked really well for us.
We explored the palace first and then wandered through the gardens as the afternoon progressed.
Because Monserrate is surrounded by so many trees, the softer late-afternoon light made the palace and gardens feel even more beautiful.
Do you need a guided tour?
No, you don’t need a guided tour to visit Monserrate Palace because the palace provides enough information for a normal visit.
There is a free Monserrate Maps tool, information boards around the park and an official Zoomguide audio guide if you want more detail.
I found this more than enough during our visit. What I loved most was the documentary screened inside one of the palace rooms.
We could sit down and learn about the people who lived here, how the palace was built and how it changed over the years.
Unless you’re particularly interested in learning every architectural or historical detail, I wouldn’t spend extra on a guided tour.
Just make sure you have a good internet connection on your cellphone if you want to use the digital map.
Is Monserrate Palace suitable for children?
Yes, Monserrate Palace is suitable for children, but I wouldn’t call it stroller friendly. The park trails are uneven, so using a stroller can be difficult.
Inside the palace, the marble floors, narrow passages and staircases to the upper floors make a stroller even less practical.
My son particularly loved watching the ducks and taking tiny steps along the park paths. Luckily, we left our stroller in the car and carried him instead.
It was honestly a bliss not having to manage a stroller while exploring Monserrate.
If you’re visiting with a toddler, I’d leave the stroller behind and take a baby carrier instead.
Is there a dress code?
No, there is no dress code at Monserrate Palace because it is a historic monument and visitor attraction, not a religious site or an active royal residence.
You can wear whatever you like.
I did find Monserrate cooler than other parts of Sintra because of all the trees.
I’d recommend wearing layers, especially if you’re visiting later in the afternoon.
And if you’re visiting mainly for photographs, you can dress up without worrying about covering your shoulders or knees.
The fascinating history of Monserrate Palace
Is there a café at Monserrate Palace?
Yes, there is a café at Monserrate Palace, so you can get food and drinks without leaving the estate.
It is called Monserrate’s Tea House and is located in the old stables. There are also toilets.
We didn’t eat there because I found it expensive. If you’re travelling with children, I’d personally carry some water and snacks with you.
Can you stay overnight at Monserrate Palace in Sintra?
No, you cannot stay overnight at Monserrate Palace because it is a historic monument and visitor attraction, not accommodation.
You’ll need to stay in Sintra, Colares or another nearby town.
History of Monseratte palace
The Monserrate Palace you see today was commissioned by Francis Cook, a wealthy British trader and art collector, in the 19th century. But the estate and buildings here are much older.
Interestingly, I learnt most of this history from the documentary screened inside Monserrate Palace.
It also features Richard Kingsbury, whose family was connected to the estate’s management and whose childhood memories give you a glimpse of what life here was like.
In 1540, Friar Gaspar Preto, a Portuguese friar and rector of Lisbon’s All Saints Hospital, had a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Monserrate built here.
The estate later passed through Portuguese hands before the 1755 Lisbon earthquake badly damaged it
The British then began reshaping the estate. In 1789, Gerard de Visme, a British trader, leased Monserrate and built a Neo-Gothic house here.
In 1794, William Beckford, an English writer, became the next tenant and continued developing the house and gardens.
Even after Beckford left, Monserrate continued attracting British visitors.
Lord Byron, the famous English Romantic poet, visited in 1809 and later mentioned Monserrate in his poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.
In 1863, Francis Cook bought the estate and commissioned the palace we know today, transforming the earlier building into a Romantic palace combining Gothic, Indian and Moorish influences.
Who owns Monserrate Palace today?
Monserrate Palace is owned by the Portuguese State and has been managed by Parques de Sintra since 2000.
The Portuguese government acquired the palace and estate in 1949, after which it became public heritage.
