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Quinta Da Regaleira Private Full Day Tour

4.8/5
Duration

8 hours

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

8 People

Languages

English

Overview

Spend a day exploring the historic town of Sintra on a private tour from Lisbon that includes visiting the Quinta da Regaleira, a sumptuous palace that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the flexibility of a private guide as you follow winding, cobblestone streets to palaces, fountains, and religious landmarks with sweeping views of the Portuguese countryside. This 8-hour tour also includes a stop at Cabo da Roca and time in Cascais, with pickup and drop-off at Lisbon hotels.

Enter the Romanticist Pena Palace in the UNESCO-listed Cultural Landscape of Sintra

Highlights

  • Full-day private tour from Lisbon to Sintra
  • Explore the seaside resort of Cascais
  • Visit the westernmost point of continental Europe at the Cape of Roca
  • Experience unique atmosphere of the magnificent nature in gardens of Quinta da Regaleira

Bulk discount (by Percent)

Bulk discount adult
#Discount groupFrom adultTo adultValue
1222 50%
2333 63.397410749313500000000000000000%
3444 65.682620635543300000000000000000%
4555 69.407610827775600000000000000000%
5666 70.583235255655800000000000000000%
6777 71.422966989856000000000000000000%
7888 74.210474695959200000000000000000%

Itinerary

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Quinta da Regaleira
Quinta da Regaleira

The Quinta da Regaleira is a decorative 20th century residence that is situated in the town of Sintra. The grand house is split over five floors and has an ornate gothic façade, but the real attraction is to the rear with the enchanting gardens. The gardens of the Quinta da Regaleira were styled to represent ancient secret orders, with hidden tunnels and concealed symbolism.

Turret with Manueline symbols
Turret with Manueline symbols

The outside façade of the grand house is decorated with gothic turrets, carved gargoyles and other ornate features. Inside, the building spreads over five floors, but it’s very sparse in actual original details. The true wonder of the Quinta da Regaleira are the grounds, which cover 4 hectares and were inspired by the owner’s mystic ideologies. There are references to the Knights Templar, the Masons and dark alchemy, all hidden within the grounds. The well is the strangest feature, and symbolises the initiation ceremony for the Knights Templar. In the well there is a concealed passage that after descending 27 meters connects to a series of tunnels that run the length of the gardens.

The main facade of the palace
The main facade of the palace

The house was constructed in 1904 by the wealthy Portuguese businessman Carvalho Monteiro, which gave rise to the residence’s local name of “Palace of the Monteiro Millionaire”. The house was in construction for over 6 years, but on the death of Carvalho Monteiro, the house was purchased by Waldemar d’Orey. It stayed within the family until 1987, when it was bought by a Japanese business for private functions. Sintra local government reclaimed this important national monument it 1997 and opened it to the public in 1998.

Initiation Well
Initiation Well

The Initiation Wells (also called initiatic wells or inverted towers) are two wells on the property that better resemble underground towers lined with stairs. These wells never served as water sources. Instead, they were used for ceremonial purposes that included Tarot initiation rites. The tunnels described above connect these wells to one another, in addition to various caves and other monuments located around the park. Of the two wells, the larger one contains a 27-meter spiral staircase with several small landings. The spacing of these landings, combined with the number of steps in the stairs, are linked to Tarot mysticism. Other references may be to Freemasonry or Knights Templar rituals. The smaller well contains straight stairs that connect a series of ring-shaped floors to one another. This well is also called the 'Unfinished Well'.

The Labyrinthic Grotto
The Labyrinthic Grotto

The park also contains an extensive and enigmatic system of tunnels, which have multiple entry points that include: grottoes, the chapel, Waterfall Lake, and "Leda's Cave," which lies beneath the Regaleira Tower. The "Initiation Well" (see next section) connects to other tunnels via a series of underground walkways. Bodies of water can be found in several places in the park. Two artificial lakes and several fountains were added by Monteiro. One of the most interesting and extravagant among them is the Aquarium, built as if it were naturally embedded in a large boulder. It was once considered the most important naturalist property in Regaleira. However, the Aquarium is no longer used and is poorly maintained.

Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca

One of the most marvelous views in whole Portugal – the westernmost point of Continental Europe “Cabo da Roca”. We will pass through the wonderful Sintra National Park until arriving at Cabo da Roca, the most western point of continental Europe that was mentioned by our acclaimed Luís de Camões as the place "Where the earth ends and the sea begins." It is a place of natural beauty, with imposing cliffs of 150 meters high. A few centuries ago, there was a fort that played an important role in the defense of Lisbon and the third oldest lighthouse on the Portuguese coast is still here in operation. Here the landscape is breathtaking and absolute bliss for photography lovers.

Boca do Inferno
Boca do Inferno

The next stop is absolutely beautiful rock wall with a very dramatic name – Mouth of Hell (Boca do Inferno). This breathtaking chasm located on a cliff seashore close to Cascais will engage you with crashing waves. It is believed this place used to be a cave that over time and by the force of the sea relented and gave rise to the scenario as it is known today. Currently, Boca do Inferno is an open cavity, with a sort of arch where it enters the seawater. In days of rough waters it is possible to hear the sound of water hitting the rocks, such a unique sound that makes an analogy to the location´s name. Arriving at Boca do Inferno is possible to contemplate the beauty of the place from the top, however, there is also a path that leads to the other side of the “arc” of the cavity, where the water enters.

Cascais
Cascais

After viewing the landscape of Mouth of Hell we will stop at the fishing village –Cascais with its lovely harbor full of small fishing boats. This town in the 19th century became a favorite summer destination of the European aristocracy and noble families for its idyllic location and a pleasant climate. Stop in the elegant resort town of Cascais, a once quiet fishing village that was discovered by the European nobility for its idyllic setting, and became a favorite destination for the international jet set thereafter. Stroll along the harbor, before transferring back to Lisbon.

Included/Excluded

  • Hotel pick-up and drop off in Lisbon
  • Tour guide
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Personal and accident insurance.
  • Free time to explore at each stop.
  • Lunch

Durations

Full day (8 hours)

Tour's Location

Reviews

4.8/5
Excellent
Based on 8 reviews
Excellent
6
Very Good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Krikridudu
03/08/2020

"Visite Go2Lisbon-Tours

Une excursion exceptionnel un guide excellent Paulo. Plus que ravi endroit insolite. Petit resto sur la pause déjeuner réservé par notre guide resto typique, très abordable avec une authenticité du repas Portugais garantit. Si je retourne à Lisbonne s'en hésiter je réserve à nouveau une excursion en toute confiance."
Heiko667
03/08/2020

"Perfekter Tag

Danke Rui ... es war ein wunderschöner Tag ... wir haben sehr viel über Lissabon und Umgebung gelernt 👍👍👍"
Meike R
03/08/2020

"Super Tour und Guide!

Wir haben als Familie ( 6 Erwachsene) einen tollen Tag mit unserem Guide Filipe erlebt. Die Tour war das Highlight unserer Portugalreise. Filipe ist einer der nettesten und freundlichsten Guides mit einem sehr umfangreichen Fachwissen. Vielen Danke für den tollen Tag."
torstenramm
03/08/2020

"Kompetent, informativ und sicher

Unser Führer kam mit einem modernen, sauberen und sicherem Auto welches er sicher und souverän durch den Verkehr lenkte, dabei gab er viele interessante Informationen in sehr gutem Englisch weiter. Kurzum ein sehr gelungener Tag der sein Geld 100% wert war."
ara_que
30/07/2020

"Muy satisfecho

Mereció la pena reservar el tour privado. Nos recogieron y devolvieron en el hotel y no tuvimos que preocuparnos del transporte público ni aparcar."
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