If you are visiting Lisbon, I would highly recommend spending a day in Sintra, Portugal. The Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is filled with beautiful palaces and castles. It is only an hour train ride or a thirty minute drive from Lisbon so it makes a perfect day trip! One of the most popular sites to visit in this park is Pena Palace. The Pena Palace is a colorful and beautiful castle located in the Sintra Mountains. It is absolutely beautiful and filled with so much history! I love all the bright and vibrant colors of red and yellow. It literally feels like you are in a fairy tale. It is one of the most iconic and visited landmarks in Portugal that draws tourists from around the world with its vivid colors, whimsical architecture, stunning hilltop location, and rich history. In this post, I’ll be sharing all the details on spending a day exploring Pena Palace in Portugal.
Check out the best things to do in Lisbon in my Lisbon Travel Guide!
History of Pena Palace
The land where the Pena Palace stands today has a history dating back to the Middle Ages. In the 8th century, during the Islamic rule of the Iberian Peninsula, a Moorish castle known as the Castle of the Moors was built on the hill. This location provided panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
During the Christian Reconquista in the 12th century, Portugal reclaimed the territory from the Moors. In the 19th century, King Ferdinand II of Portugal and his wife Queen Maria II embarked on a project to transform the old monastery into a romantic palace. The Romanticism movement with medieval and Gothic elements heavily influenced the design of the new palace.
The reconstruction of the Pena Palace began in 1839 under the supervision of Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, a German architect. The palace was designed to be a romantic getaway and a symbol of the monarchy’s connection to the past. The architectural style incorporates a blend of Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline influences, which created a whimsical and eclectic appearance.
The construction of the palace was completed in 1885, after the death of King Ferdinand II. However, Queen Maria II never had the chance to live in the palace. It ended up being used as a royal residence by subsequent Portuguese monarchs, including King Carlos I and Queen Amelia.
In 1910, the Portuguese monarchy fell and the country became a republic. The Pena Palace was declared a national monument. In 1911, it was opened to the public and visitors were able to explore the inside of the palace, see the architectural styles, wander through the gardens, and enjoy the incredible views.
In 1995, the Pena Palace, along with the cultural landscape of Sintra, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition acknowledged the significance of the palace and its surroundings as a unique and well-preserved example of 19th century Romanticism.
Today, the Pena Palace is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world.
You can read more about the history of Pena Palace here.
How to Get to Pena Palace
There are several transportation options to get to Pena Palace:
Train + Bus: Trains depart often from Lisbon’s Rossio Station and the ride takes about 40 minutes. Once you arrive at the Sintra train station, you can either take a taxi or a local bus to the palace. Taxis are readily available near the Sintra station and the ride to Pena Palace takes about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Scotturb bus #434, which connects the train station to several key attractions in Sintra, including Pena Palace. The bus stop for Pena Palace is located near Sintra’s historic center. From there, it’s a scenic ride through the Sintra hills to the entrance of Pena Palace.
Car: If you prefer more flexibility and convenience, you can rent a car in Lisbon and drive to Pena Palace. It takes about 40 minutes depending on traffic. Pena Palace has its own parking area. The walk from the parking lot to the palace is pretty short.
Tickets
You can purchase your Pena Palace tickets online through the official website or at the palace’s ticket office when you arrive. The entrance fee to enter the National Palace and Gardens is €20 at the door, but if you buy your ticket online in advanced, you get a 15% discount. This saves you time from waiting in a long line! You can buy your park ticket here!
Tickets include access to the Park, the Palace, and the Chalet of the Countess of Edla. The tickets have a timed entry. When purchasing your ticket to the Park and National Palace of Pena, you must choose the day and time slot you want to visit the Palace.
Please keep in mind that the time on your ticket corresponds to the time of entry in the Palace and not to the time of entry in the Park. The Palace is located inside the Park of Pena, which means after validating your ticket at the entrance of the park, you still have to walk to the Palace, which can take around 30 minutes. There is a small transfer available at the main entrance if you prefer. However, you need to purchase a ticket for this transport in advanced.
Combination Ticket: If you are planning to explore more of Sintra’s incredible sites, consider the option of purchasing a combination ticket. This ticket option includes entries to other attractions such as the Moorish Castle and the National Palace of Sintra.
When is the Best Time to visit the Pena Palace? Per their website, right now the best time to visit with fewer visitors is the afternoon. I recommend exploring the park in the morning and then visiting the Palace in the afternoon.
Tour
Pena Palace offers official guided tours where guides provide information about the palace’s history and architecture. These tours are offered in multiple languages. If you prefer to explore the palace at your own pace, you can also rent audio guides onsite. These audio guides provide informative commentary as you wander through the palace’s rooms and gardens.
Many tour companies in Lisbon also offer day trips to Sintra. If you are interested in taking a small group tour and avoiding the stress of planning a day to Sintra, Portugal on your own – check out this full day tour that includes hotel pick-up from Lisbon and stops at Pena Palace, Sintra National Palace, Cabo da Roca, Boca do Inferno, and Centro Historico de Cascais. Please note that entrance fees are not included in this tour.
Things to See at Pena Palace
Pena Palace
Interior of the Palace: Explore the decorated rooms of Pena Palace. Some of the highlights you can see include the Arab Room, the Queen’s Terrace, the Dining Room and the impressive Noble Room.
The Chapel: Check out the Pena Chapel. Even though it is small, there are beautiful intricate details throughout the chapel to see.
The Clock Tower: Climb up the clock tower for incredible views of the Palace and the park.
The Arches Yard: This is an open courtyard surrounded by arched walkways.
The Terraces: The palace grounds are filled with terraces where you get panoramic views of Pena Park, the Sintra Mountains, and you can even see the Atlantic Ocean on a clear day.
Pena Park
Pena Park is a forested area surrounding Pena Palace. It’s known for its lush greenery and scenic viewpoints. The park was originally part of the grounds surrounding the Moorish Castle. In the 19th century, King Ferdinand II of Portugal and Queen Maria II embarked on a project to transform the area into a romantic landscape to complement the construction of Pena Palace. The park was designed in the style of an English garden with winding paths, tranquil lakes, and beautiful landscaped gardens.
Within Pena Park, you can explore a variety of attractions. Here are some of the things you can see:
Queen’s Fern Garden: This garden is located on the palace grounds where you can wander through the winding paths and greenery. The pathways in the garden are bordered by ferns of different shapes, sizes, and textures. The garden is home to a wide variety of ferns, ranging from delicate maidenhair ferns to robust tree ferns. This is a perfect spot for a relaxing and leisurely stroll. From the garden, you can even see beautiful views of Pena Palace and the Sintra Mountains.
Valley of the Lakes: This is a beautiful area within Pena Park that is home to several picturesque lakes. You can explore the scenic trails around the lake and check out the views of the lakes from various points within the valley. They also have designated picnic areas with tables and benches where you can relax and eat.
Forest Trails: Explore the scenic trails that wind through the forest surrounding Pena Palace. You can find trails of different skill levels from a leisurely walk to a more challenging hike. These trails wind through the park’s forests where you can discover hidden gems and enjoy the scenic views.
The High Cross: Hike up to the Cruz Alta Viewpoint (High Cross). This is the highest point in the park where you will get breathtaking views. To reach the High Cross, there is a designated trail that you can follow that will lead you to the summit. It is somewhat of a challenging hike but the views are worth it!
Chalet and Countess of Edla’s Garden
Chalet of the Countess of Edla: Visit the chalet, a charming cottage in the park. It was once the residence of King Ferdinand II and his second wife, Elise Hensler, who was granted the title of the Countess of Edla. The chalet resembles the chalets that you see in the alpine ski resorts of Switzerland. The interior of the cottage is filled with beautiful details.
Countess of Edla’s Garden: Explore the secluded gardens surrounding the chalet where you will get to see a mix of exotic plants. The garden has a collection of over 200 species of plants. You will also find glasshouses, an aviary, stables, and a vegetable garden.
More Things to do in Sintra
If you have more time, I highly recommend checking out the town of Sintra and its historic sites. Here are more things you can do in Sintra:
- Visit the National Palace of Sintra: This palace is rich in history and one of the best preserved medieval royal palaces in Portugal.
- Wander through the historic center: Take a stroll through the charming streets of Sintra’s historic center. You can check out the colorful buildings, quaint shops and local cafes.
- Explore Quinta da Regaleira: This is a magical estate with lush gardens, underground tunnels, and the iconic Initiation Well. The well is a a cool spiral staircase.
- Marvel at the Moorish Castle: You can explore the castle’s walls, towers, and enjoy the panoramic views of the town.
- Visit the Park and Palace of Monserrate: This is a 19th century estate known for its eclectic architecture and stunning gardens.
- Discover the Toy Museum: For a unique experience, visit the Musu do Brinquedo (Toy Museum) that showcases a huge collection of toys from different eras and countries.
Check out more of my Portugal blog posts below:
Best Day Trip Itinerary from Lisbon to Porto
The Top Best Places to Visit in Algarve
The Perfect Four Day Itinerary in Lisbon
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