Palácio de Monserrate

About the museum

A chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Monserrate once stood on the site; it was built in 1540 by the cleric Gaspar Preto, when the land belonged to the Hospital de Todos-os-Santos in Lisbon. The estate later passed through several hands and became uninhabitable after the earthquake of 1755.

In 1790 the English merchant Gerard de Visme leased the property and built the first palace, in neo-Gothic style. In 1793 the writer William Beckford leased the estate and invested mainly in improving the gardens. After decades of neglect, in 1856 the English millionaire Francis Cook bought Monserrate. The present palace was designed by the architect James Knowles, while the gardens were worked on by landscape designers and botanists, among them William Stockdale and William Nevill.

The palace has been listed as a Property of Public Interest since 1978 and, like the park, is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is now managed by Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua.

Highlights

• Neo-Gothic palace designed by James Knowles
• Romantic park with gardens worked on by botanists and landscape designers
• Monserrate tea house in the former stables
• Dogs are welcome in the park

Operated by

Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Portugal enter free on Sundays and national public holidays, on presentation of the Cartão de Cidadão or an identity document and proof of residence at a staffed ticket office.

Prices: adult €12, young person (6–17 years) €10, senior (over 65) €10. The ticket gives access to the park and the palace. Buying tickets for more than one site in the same purchase gives a discount (5% for 2 sites, 6% for 3, 7% for 4, 8% for 5 and 10% for 6). The Amigo dos Parques de Sintra card allows visits to the monuments as often as you like for one year. The ticket is valid only for the chosen date; the date can be changed until 18:00 the day before.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The palace is entered by a ramp and the whole ground floor can be visited; there is no access to the 2nd floor or the kitchen for people with reduced mobility. The ramped route between the entrance and the palace has very steep sections, so a companion is recommended. Manual wheelchairs and tow equipment are available by reservation, along with two reserved parking spaces, accessible toilets and a tactile three-dimensional model of the palace.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Parques de Sintra organises family activities for children aged 3 to 12 and birthday parties. Near the car park there is a picnic area accessible to all.

Getting there & parking

The park is on the road linking the centre of Sintra with Colares (EN375). GPS coordinates: 38°47′30″ N, 9°25′09″ W.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Casa de Chá de Monserrate (10:00–17:30), housed in the former stables, with café and restaurant; accessible shop.

Events & venue rental

Parques de Sintra makes 24 spaces in various monuments available for events; the conditions are set out in the brochure and regulations on the company's website.

Plan your visit