Quinta da Regaleira
Carrying Capacity Study
Introduction
Quinta da Regaleira, listed as a Property of Public Interest and located in the Cultural Landscape of Sintra (UNESCO World Heritage Site), is the second most visited attraction in Sintra, with an annual influx of more than 1 million visitors.
The carrying capacity study carried out for the Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, during 2023, aimed to assess the relationship between visitor flows, heritage conservation, and the quality of the tourist experience.
Project / Study
Quinta da Regaleira has experienced high annual growth rates in the number of visitors in recent years. On the one hand, this growth has resulted in a rise in international visibility and in revenue from visitor numbers; on the other hand, it has increased risks to visitor safety and comfort, to the quality of the visitor experience, and to the preservation of the monument.
For this reason, Fundação Cultursintra asked Conservation Practice to conduct a study on the monument's tourism carrying capacity, ensuring the preservation of its natural and built heritage while also guaranteeing its financial sustainability.
The work involved an in-depth survey of the tourist reality of Quinta da Regaleira, as well as visitor surveys and the quantification of various factors such as waiting times, average duration of the visit or the number of visitors at any given time in each place. The study led to a series of recommendations concerning visitor routes, facilities, accessibility, communication, and signage, all aimed at enhancing the quality and safety of the visit, as well as ensuring the monument's preservation.
Outcome
Following the study, timed entry slots were implemented to manage visitor admissions, along with the regulation of visiting routes to ensure a more fluid and balanced circulation throughout the site. These measures improved the overall visitor experience while contributing to the sustainable management of the Quinta da Regaleira.
