The Pena Palace, Sintra
Traveling to Lisbon is worth it in many ways, especially when we talk about the chance to visit an incredible palace that looks like it came straight out of Disney, such as the Pena Palace. A day trip is perfect for exploring this and other tourist attractions in Sintra and the surrounding areas of Lisbon.
Full-Day Sintra Tour: Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril
Half-Day Sintra Tour: National Palace, Cascais and Cabo da Roca
Located in the town of Sintra, very close to Lisbon, the Pena Palace is an architectural masterpiece considered the first romantic palace in all of Europe and one of the major tourist destinations in Portugal.
It sits atop the lush hills of the villa with its unique architecture, adorned in bright colors and gracing the skyline of Sintra.
Impressive aerial view of the surroundings around the palace
Did you know that on a clear day, you can even see it from Lisbon? This castle gem, resembling a page torn from a fairy tale, is worth a visit if you take a tour to Sintra from Lisbon with tickets to Pena Palace included.
It is one of the most incredible places to see in Sintra and its surroundings, so we invite you to learn about its history, what’s inside, the famous garden that surrounds it, and how you can visit.
History of the Pena Palace
Before what we now know as the Pena Palace, specifically from the 12th century, the site was a medieval hermitage dedicated to Our Lady of Pena, until a monastery was built by order of King Manuel I, which was donated to the Order of Saint Jerome.
For centuries, Pena was a small place housing only 18 monks, until it was severely damaged by the great earthquake in Lisbon in the 18th century. Fortunately, the chapel suffered little damage, which amazed the then King of Portugal, King Ferdinand II.
It was then that the king decided to acquire the monastery and its surroundings to restore it. The initial plan was simply to convert it into a summer residence for the royal family, but his enthusiasm led him to decide to build a palace to expand the monastery.
Thus was born the imposing Pena Palace, built between 1842 and 1854 by the German architect Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege under the direction of the king himself.
The Pena Palace is one of the must-see historic sites to visit near Lisbon.
An Amazing Architectural Mixture
The incredible architectural style of the Pena Palace is a mix of several others, such as Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Renaissance, making it look like it came straight out of a fairy tale.
Its red and yellow façade, a large curved stone staircase, and some mythological creatures, domes, and turrets give it an almost magical feel.
All these details were the result of the extravagant tastes of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria II, who constantly intervened in the final appearance of the palace to make it as colorful, eclectic, extravagant, and artistic as it is today. It’s clear why it is one of the most important places to see in Sintra.
What to See at the National Palace of Pena
Millions of tourists flock to Sintra each year to visit the palace, officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Located at the top of a hill, it is widely known for its architectural features and its vast wooded park.
The highlights inside the Pena Palace include its rooms, which consist of the royal dining room, the noble hall, the bedrooms, a chapel, and a large kitchen. You’ll also see many oriental rugs, porcelain items, Portuguese teak furniture, and walls decorated with 16th-century Hispano-Arab tiles.
Now, a visit to the Pena Palace wouldn’t be complete without exploring its colorful terraces, from which you can get incredible views of the rest of the palace and the Sintra valley that will remain in your memory forever. On one of them, there’s even a restaurant serving the best of traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Pena Palace Gardens
And if the palace itself isn’t attractive enough, the garden surrounding it is one of the most beautiful in all of Europe. In addition to featuring around 2,000 species of exotic plants from around the world, as well as native Portuguese flora, it has several striking elements such as the Chalet of Countess d’Edla, the birds’ fountain, and the statue of King Ferdinand II.
Pena Palace Tickets
To get to the Pena Palace by car, you need to take the A5 motorway from Lisbon and then the A37, a trip that will take you about 45 minutes. However, keep in mind that the streets of Sintra are narrow, and there are only three parking lots nearby (which are free, by the way) but with limited space, so it’s advisable to arrive early.
The “palace + park” ticket, costing €14 for adults and €12.50 for children aged 6 to 17 and seniors over 65, will allow you to explore all corners of the palace, including the terraces and gardens. This visit can take between two to three hours, enough time to capture some photos and not miss any details.
As this is one of the most popular excursions from Lisbon, there are many tours that can make your visit an even more memorable experience. For example, a full day tour of Sintra not only takes you to see the palace but also the beautiful Cabo da Roca, the charming town of Cascais, and the stunning Guincho Beach.
Did you want to know more about this incredible city and its surroundings? From the picturesque medieval village of Óbidos to one of the largest pilgrimage sites in Europe: the sacred grounds of the Sanctuary of Fatima, there are countless things to do near Lisbon.
Discover all our English tours in Lisbon.
Full-Day Sintra Tour: Pena Palace, Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril
Half-Day Sintra Tour: National Palace, Cascais and Cabo da Roca