Exploring Lisbon’s 3 Monarchs of History: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, & Pena Palace

Are you planning on traveling to the vibrant city of Lisbon? Then you have certainly heard of the three historic monarches in and around the city: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, and Pena Palace. These sites are amongst the most popular tourist attractions in Portugal due to their deep and varied history. In this guide, we will break down all the important information you will need to make the most of your Lisbon vacation.

Quinta da Regaleira

The Quinta da Regaleira Estate, located in Sintra and just a few kilometers from Lisbon, was established in the early 20th century by an Italian banker and politician named Antonio Carvalho Monteiro. This estate was carefully and meticulously planned out, with features such as a neo-manueline mansion, several gardens and caves to explore, yet today only remains privately owned as part of a preserved national monument.Visitors of the Quinta da Regaleira Estate will get to take a tour of this historic monument and appreciate its intricate detail when they enter the front gate. Here they will find some incredible highlights, such as a huge lake where guests can row around in a boat and experience its peacefulness. They will then move on to explore the estate’s enormous gardens which feature several themes, such as the Garden of Alleys with its mysteriously designed paths; the Labyrinth of Passageways which guest are encouraged to get lost in; and the Grotto Hill which has several grottos filled with sculptures. What makes this site even more interesting is its secret passageway leading to an underground chapel with spiral stairs. The chapel is said to be a replica of one built by the Templars several centuries ago for their initiation process and also includes symbols that are believed to pay homage to alchemy or another secret society or spiritual order.

Sintra

The city of Sintra is located a few kilometers from the capital of Lisbon, Portugal. It is known for being one of the most important historical sites in the country and is always full of visitors exploring its numerous gardens, palaces, fortresses and other historical monuments that are spread throughout.One of the most famous sites in Sintra is its old town which is surrounded by seven hills. It was also claimed by UNESCO as part of World Heritage Sites in 1995. Visitors can explore its narrow cobblestone streets and old palaces dating back centuries. Many suggest that Sintra will remind one of a fairytale land. Tourists can expect to also find many interesting gastronomic sites, such as cafes and restaurants serving traditional Portuguese cuisine as well as contemporary dishes from all corners of the world. Of course, if one is looking for a time capsule experience while visiting Sintra then they must plan on exploring at least one of its historical monuments like: The Pena Palace (which is the inspiration for Walt Disney’s sleeping beauty castle), the Castle of Moors (which is what remains from an 11th-century Moorish citadel), or Monserrate Palace (which was once an impressive luxury mansion).

Pena Palace

Pena Palace is perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks in Portugal, standing atop Serra de Sintra in the Sintra Mountains. This palace not only stands out for its beautiful architecture but also for its overlooking views of Porto from afar. The palace was built in 1839 by D. Ferdinand II who had a clear vision for his project. He invited German architect Ludwig von Eschwege who took over the project and created an exotic mixture of architectural styles such as Neo-Gothic and Neo-Manueline in an attempt to create something modern yet traditional. Pena Palace features eye-catching features including lively-colored exterior walls, vividly tiled domes, majestic courtyards and grandiose halls which visitors can explore inside the palace when they pay a visit there. Besides the architecture, Pena Palace also offers stunning viewpoints across Sintra and Porto’s Serra de Sintra mountain range which visitors can appreciate while exploring its gardens full of 250 species of trees and shrubs planted there originally by King Ferdinand himself.

Exploring all 3 Monarchs in 1 Go

If you’re looking to explore all three historic Monarchs in Lisbon in 1 go, then look no further than this tour offered by GetYourGuide! Visitors are offered a full-day tour of Lisbon’s three monarchs starting with a pick up from your hotel then touring all three sites with an experienced guide provided on board who will give you insights on each site’s history and interesting anecdotes about their pasts. Visitors will then spend several hours exploring each site with plenty of time to take pictures and go in depth with their explorations. This is an unparalleled and unique opportunity to check out all three iconic monuments in one day without having to worry about transport or wasting time considering where to go first or last. Plus the tour comes at a very competitive price that shouldn’t be surpassed if one wants peace of mind while exploring these historical sites plus an experienced tour guide who knows their stuff when it comes to Portuguese history! To sum it up, Lisbon’s three monuments that have been standing strong throughout time: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, & Pena Palace are amongst some of the most popular tourist attractions in Portugal due to their mesmerizing history and beauty. Exploring them with this tour offered by GetYourGuide gives you the unique opportunity to visit them all in one day hassle-free with someone knowledgeable about Lite’s rich history walking you through them for an unforgettable experience!