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Sintra, nestled amidst Portugal's enchanting landscapes, is a treasure trove of historical marvels and natural beauty. The allure of this UNESCO World Heritage site is not limited by mobility; it graciously extends its wonders to embrace visitors of all abilities. Let’s embark on an expedition through Sintra’s accessible paths, unveiling the wheelchair-friendly gems waiting to be discovered. The accessible palaces in Sintra are the National Palace of Sintra, the Castle of the Moors, Pena Palace, chalet of the Countless of Edla, palace and garden of Queluz and park and palace of Monserrate. In this article the accessibility all of these Sintra castles is explained in detail.
The contact information you need is provided at the end of this post.
Accessibility of Pena Palace in Sintra
Accessibility at Arrival
Upon arrival, accessible parking spaces cater to disabled visitors. Staff members, trained in basic Portuguese Sign Language, facilitate communication at the ticket office.
Exploring the Park
Manual, folding wheelchairs can be reserved for exploration. Assistance is available for maneuvering wheelchairs to the Palace transfer pick-up point if needed. However, the paid transport service platforms are temporarily unavailable.
Specialized Traction Equipment
Traction equipment, like the Swiss track, assists wheelchair users along pathways. Advance reservation is recommended. An alternative, steep route to the Palace entrance is available, albeit challenging and requiring assistance.
Autonomous Mobility Options
Electric-powered Hop-On-Hop-Off transport services allow wheelchair users to explore the park autonomously. Guided tours can accommodate specific needs upon reservation.
Palace of Pena Accessibility
Transport services conclude at the Palace base. A steep ramp spanning 90 meters with an 18% incline leads to the entrance. Traction equipment reservations ensure safe and independent passage.
Facility Accessibility
Manual wheelchairs, available upon reservation, facilitate accessibility within the Palace. Recently refurbished areas like the store, restaurant, and cafeteria are fully accessible. However, the interior of the Palace remains inaccessible due to stairways.
Distances within the Park
Different routes accommodate various mobility needs:
Entrance to the Park to Palace of Pena: Shortest route (non-inclusive due to stairs) - 380 meters, barrier-free route - 600 meters.
Entrance Gate to Chalet of the Countess of Edla: Inclusive route - 100 meters.
Entrance Gate to Stables: Inclusive route - 570 meters.
Accessibility of the Castle of the Moors in Sintra, Castelo dos Mouros
Arrival and Accessibility
Accessible parking spaces cater to disabled visitors upon arrival. Staff members, proficient in basic Portuguese Sign Language, assist visitors at the ticket office using this means of communication.
Enhancing Enjoyment
Reservations allow access to manual, folding wheelchairs. Additionally, new traction equipment, reservable in advance, ensures easier mobility along specific pathways, reducing effort and increasing speed.
Moorish Castle Exploration
The route within the Moorish Castle walls accommodates individuals with physical mobility restrictions. Traction equipment is recommended for sloping areas. Access to the Moorish Castle Church and specific exhibition spaces is facilitated by vertical lifting platforms, with guidance available from Parques de Sintra staff.
Monument Facilities
Facilities within the monument are designed with wheelchair visitors in mind. Visitors can access the store, cafeteria, and nearby WC facilities without hindrance.
Heights Access
A lifting platform facilitates access to the heights of the castle walls, allowing wheelchair users to enjoy panoramic views of Sintra and its surrounding hills.
Accessibility of Monserrate Palace and Garden
Accessible Arrivals
The Park of Monserrate offers designated car parking spaces for individuals with mobility restrictions. Staff members, trained in basic Portuguese Sign Language, are available at the ticket office to assist visitors.
Park Amenities
The recently renovated Picnic Park adjacent to the car park provides enhanced facilities for visitors.
Park Exploration
Reservations enable access to manual, folding wheelchairs. Moreover, new traction equipment, reservable in advance, guarantees smoother mobility along specified pathways, minimizing effort and increasing speed.
Equipment Availability and Recommendations
A limited number of mobility devices are available, hence prior reservations are strongly advised. Visitors without pre-reservations are subject to availability. Assembly time for visitor manual wheelchairs is approximately 20 minutes. Users have a 90-minute window for equipment use, with a 15-minute grace period before returning it.
Navigating the Park
A ramped route from the entranceway to the Palace exists, but it includes steeply sloping sections. We recommend attempting this route with an assistant for added safety.
Additional Services
Guided tours can accommodate special visitor needs when indicated during reservations. The refurbished cafeteria, store, and accessible WC facilities cater to disabled individuals.
Palace of Monserrate Access
Manual, folding wheelchairs can be reserved for access within the Palace. The Palace entrance, accessible via a ramp, allows visitors access to the ground floor. However, the second floor and kitchen are inaccessible to persons with mobility restrictions.
Interior Features
Within the Palace, a three-dimensional scale model offers tactile exploration of the building's layout. Accessible WCs are available inside the Palace.
Distances within the Park
Different routes vary in accessibility:
Entrance to the Park to Palace of Monserrate: Shortest route (with stairways) - 260 meters, recommended route for persons with mobility restrictions - 360 meters.
Accessibility of the National Palace of Sintra
Arriving and Accessibility
For wheelchair users, contacting beforehand ensures vehicle access to the most suitable entranceway. The majority of staff are trained in Portuguese Sign Language, facilitating communication at ticket offices.
National Palace of Sintra
Reservation options include manual wheelchairs with traction chassis for visitors with mobility difficulties. The main entrance, featuring multiple flights of stairs, is inaccessible for those with mobility restrictions. Access via the Palace kitchen is recommended, with available traction equipment to counter slopes and irregular cobbled surfaces.
Specific Room Access
Ramps can be arranged in the kitchen for access to the Manueline Room upon request. Reservations ensure ramp placement for visits to the Archers’ Room and Swan Room, with an approximate waiting time of 15-20 minutes without prior booking.
Navigating the Palace
Connections between rooms involve specialized equipment like stair climbers, operated by Parques de Sintra staff, facilitating safe passage over steps up to 20 cm in height. Stainless steel permanent ramps link the Central Patio to the Lion’s Patio.
Facilities and Garden Access
Accessible retail outlets and toilet facilities are available within the monument. Lifting platforms aid movement from the Lion’s Patio to the Preta Garden, providing access to Sintra's views. However, gravel pathways in the Preta Garden may impede ease of movement.
Departure and Accessibility Limits
Departure utilizes the stair climber due to steps along the visitor route. The majority of the Palace remains inaccessible to persons with mobility restrictions, yet an accessible area of around 1,820 m2 is available.
Interactive Elements
Within the Palace, a three-dimensional scale model offers tactile engagement for visitors to comprehend the building’s structure and layout.
Accessibility of the Queluz Palace in Sintra
Arrival and Accessibility
The Palace of Queluz offers reserved parking for individuals with disabilities, marked by vertical signs near the entrance. The cobblestone surface around the entrance might pose minor challenges but doesn't impede autonomous mobility.
Communication and Assistance
Staff, trained in basic Portuguese Sign Language, facilitate communication at the ticket office. Ramps allow independent access to the ticket office.
Wheelchair Access and Amenities
Reservations enable access to manual, folding wheelchairs. Additionally, a three-dimensional model inside the Palace allows visitors to explore and touch the building’s structure.
Accessibility Within the Palace
The interior of the Palace is fully accessible, including access to upper gardens like the Hanging Garden and Malta Garden via ramps.
Traction Equipment and Reservations
Traction equipment suitable for most manual wheelchairs can be reserved, reducing effort and enhancing mobility. Visitors without reservations are subject to availability, with a 90-minute usage window and a 15-minute grace period for equipment return.
Usage of Traction Vehicle
The traction vehicle is limited to use outside the Palace due to museum content protection concerns. It facilitates mobility over gravel surfaces.
Specialized Guided Tours
Guided tours can accommodate special visitor needs if indicated during reservation.
Accessibility of Chalet of Countess of Edla in Sintra
Upon Arrival
Reserved wheelchair traction devices can be arranged with prior reservation. Visitors without pre-reservations are subject to availability of these devices.
Chalet Ticket Office
A manual wheelchair is available at the Chalet ticket office upon reservation. Access to the ticket office area is facilitated by a ramp, with accessible toilets nearby.
Garden of the Countess of Edla
The garden offers various spots for relaxation and contemplation.
Chalet of the Countess of Edla
Accessibility on the ground floor is ensured via a ramp, with a disabled-friendly WC available inside. Guided tours can accommodate special visitor needs upon reservation.
Access Limitations
Regrettably, the second floor of the Chalet is not accessible to individuals with mobility restrictions.
*For contact information of the palaces for pre-reservations consult this page.
*To explore guided tours in Sintra consult this page.