How difficult / steep is the walk from Sintra village to Quinta de Regaileira?
 

Greetings,

We are traveling from Lisbon to Sintra with a group of 18 (mostly age 65-80). We're going by a charter bus. However, the bus is too big to drive up to Quinta de Regaileira. I understand that driving in Sintra overall is nightmarish. Probably the bus has to drop us off at the National Palace of Sitnra.

The agency (we are arranging our Japanese speaking guide through) says that we'd need to hire a small minibus when we get to Sintra. Which means a hired big bus for the day Lisbon- Sintra // Sintra - Cabo da Roca - Lisbon (The day is too long to do on a small bus) AND a hired minibus in Sintra. That said, I'm not quite sure if hiring a minibus to get from Sintra to Quinta da Regaileira (and possibly Quinta de Regaileira to Sintra center) is the best use of our budget. Also, because of the one-way streets, driving to the restaurant (now rethinking my choice of Inncomum to something closer to the National Palace)

How difficult is the walk from Sintra (parking near National Palace of Sintra) to Quinta de Regaileira? Is it a steep street to walk to Quita? The ladies are older and (at least one of them) have a little more waking difficulties. I would gladly hire taxis form the National Palace of Sintra, but I am not sure if it's possible to catch (or book in advance) taxis for 18-20 people.

Thank you
Anna

According to google maps, it's 700m, mostly flat, 13min walk from the National Palace to Quinta de Regaileria. You can virtually walk the route on google maps street view.
I think that is too far to walk there & back for someone with difficulties, but for most it should not be. You'll know more about the capabilities & expectations of the group by then I'd expect.

You can contact Quinta directly to ask them about getting there by charter bus - contact info is at https://www.regaleira.pt/en

Are some/most more able/fit?

It looks like a wide range of ages -- perhaps the majority (the able bodied ones) could walk and you could use taxis for the hopefully few who are less able. I was on a river cruise last year (different country but applicable situation) -- one town was about a 15+ minute walk from the boat docks so the cruise director arranged for taxis for the maybe 12 or so passengers who had difficulties (out of 150-ish). Two others decided even with a taxi the excursions would be too strenuous. You may find some of your group will want to sit out some activities for the same reason.

Since your group has a range of ages and range of levels of mobility, I suggest pre-booking taxis for some while others take the walk. Or use tuk-tuks for some.
https://www.cooperativataxintra.pt/servicos-de-taxi
A complete visit to the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira really is tough for those who are very mobility challenged.

It's a moderately gentle incline. Anyone who doesn't need a walker/cane should be able to make it. Using Google Maps Street View is a good idea. I think the Scotturb 435 bus leaves from the train station, stops in the center of town, and then goes first to Quinta de Regaleira.

This is the current route, a very long loop, of the Scotturb 435 bus, "Villa Express Cuatro Palácios":

Sintra rail-Sintra Vila (town center)-Quinta da Regaleira-Palácio de Setais (a Tivoli luxury hotel)-Palácio de Monserrate-Colares-RibSintra-Montes Santos-Sintra rail.


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You could all take the bus up (one stop), at least.. then some can walk back while others call for taxis. The circulation system has been switched to one-way, I believe, hence you can't drive back down directly.

The mosaics at Quinta are also quite nice. The Palace has some interesting rooms, but the lines moved so slowly due to backups in the kitchen. It seems to be especially popular with tour groups.

I am not mobility challenged but there are going to steps and inclined paths all over Sintra and Lisbon.

The well can be viewed from the top, but it's also an inclined path to reach that.

I would not recommend walking to Quinta from Sintra with 18 people. The roads are narrow and I think that large of a crowd on the shoulder of the road would be quite dangerous. I would check out a minibus or taxis.

Thank you, everyone!

I'm kind of getting the feeling that it would be best to try and arrange some kind of transportation TO Quinta de Regaileira (Taxi or TukTuks...wrote to tuktuk company to ask the price). And then FROM Quinta walk back since the traffic is going in the other direction and taking the bus/taxi would mean about 30min of driving since we'd need to make a loop to get back to the village.

I've been warning everyone in the group that Portugal is hilly and difficult to walk!! My hope is that if the gardens Quinta de Regaileira turns out to be too much, some ladies can relax on the terrace of the cafe. And those who can -- would explore the gardens in more details.

I found a place closer than Inncommum for lunch -- Tacho Real (a bit worried about more steps leading to the restaurant...keep checking Google street view) but it's closer to the village center / National Palace, so maybe that is a good trade-off.

another idea, I was thinking of checking with the Horse carriage company. I know they do the Regailera route, I wonder if they could pick us up at the exit of Quinta de Regailera and drop off closer to Tacho Real. This way it seems we could kill two birds with one stone. Get about 40min ride /tour and get transported to the restaurant instead of walking/taking taxi/minibus etc. (RIght now the horse carriage ride 35min is scheduled for 14.30h after lunch) Not sure if a) the company still has enough horse carriages available earlier in the day and b) if they are allowed to pick up the group at the exit of Quinta de Regailera.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9eccd54dd2.png

The Red route, with pick up at Quinta de REgaileira and drop off near the restaurant Tacho Real (5min walk form the National Palace).

There are literally hundreds of people walking up to Quinta at any time. There is a sidewalk, you don't have to walk on any "shoulder".

I wonder if your main bus is allowed to drop off at the start of the one way road up to Quinta, where the bus stop is, vs at the National Palace. The route through town is probably more dangerous with traffic (foot and vehicle) than the road up to Quinta.

Perhaps the horses would work...but you might have to pay for two trips... drop off and pickup, so likely cheaper to find at least one minivan for the infirm.

I wonder if those who cannot walk up to Quinta will be able to see much of it, it isn't really "accessible". Maybe that's why more groups go to Pena.

Pena Palace does have a shuttle up to the top, from the entrance. It's a steep hill otherwise. And can be reached on the 434 bus.

Eh, I kinda agree that parts of it seem like a shoulder, and that it is pretty tight.

But I really agree with you on how much can people really see of Quinta if they have that many issues walking there? It's a lot of going up those trails to see the gardens, which are the reason for going. And what if half want to go down the well, and half stay up top? You can come out at 3 different places from the caves...

I know that you're well into the planning stages, but the Palacio de Monserrate is beautiful, and much less crowded. The gardens have hills, but the inclines are more gentle, and have ramps and not steps.

I wouldn't bother with Monerrate, there is hardly anything inside. If you have to change up plans, I'd switch to Pena. Once at the top it isn't steep. If you have people who can't do stairs, not too bad.