Pena Palace
The majestic Pena Palace boasts 19th century Romanticism architectural style and a wonderful view of both Sintra and Lisbon from the top. Book National Palace of Pena tickets for delightful guided tours with timed entry, round-trip return transfers, and combo options.
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Tickets for the palace have a designated 30-minute entry time (Parque da Pena has no time restrictions). During peak season, to limit the number of visitors to the palace, popular time slots sell out, so it's highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance.
In the Palace's stateroom, photography is strictly forbidden. On the terraces, however, you are free to snap as many pictures as you want. Take advantage of Pena Palace's photo op, the Arch Courtyard. Allocate 40 minutes for the palace's staterooms and interior, and an additional 30 minutes for the terraces.
Plan to be at Pena Palace as soon as it opens in the morning to avoid the throng and grab that perfect Instagram photo. You can also visit in the evening when the crowds are less, but if you want to take advantage of natural light—the holy grail of Instagram photos—then you should go in the morning.
Missing your time slot means denial of entry to the palace and terraces due to legal visitor limits. When booking, ensure you can make it on time, factoring in travel to the palace and Sintra if visiting early.
After passing the entrance queue, expect a 15 to 20-minute uphill walk (officially documented as 30 minutes) to reach the palace. Arriving early and positioning near the front of your time slot queue minimizes entry wait times. The alternative is to wait for a shuttle that operates at regular intervals.
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About National Palace of Pena
Where historic castles dot the Atlantic coastline, sits the magical Pena Palace. Perched atop a Sintra hill, this 19th-century 'fairytale fortress' blends Romantic, Manueline, and Moorish styles. Once a Portuguese royal summer retreat, its lavish interiors reflect regal luxury.
Ferdinand II's artistic touch graced Pena Palace with a unique color scheme—red for the original monastery and yellow for the extension. The palace's blend of bright hues and Islamic influences harmoniously coexists with medieval European accents.
Easily visible from Sintra town, Pena Palace boasts yellow minarets and rich parapets. Delve into the "purple wing" within to discover intriguing interior spaces.
In homage to his second wife, the Countess of Edla, Ferdinand II constructed the Chalet of the Countess of Edla—a double-story building seamlessly blending with its urban surroundings.
The Pena Palace has many intriguing interior elements. The Telephone room, Indian room, Arab room, and 14 monk cells with vaulted ceilings that became royal chambers, the chapel's stained glass window of Vasco da Gama kneeling before the monarch are beautifully stationed inside.
Ferdinand planned the Pena Palace park to be exploratory. Within the park's 85 hectares (210 acres), its intriguing curving walkways lead to attractions including the Valley of Lakes, Grotto of the Monk, and Queen's Fern Valley.
Why visit National Palace of Pena?
Highlights
Ornate Stuccos
The interior of Pena Palace features ornate stuccos, multi-patterned columns, Moorish-arched ceilings, and much of the original monastery’s chapel. Many rooms inside Pena Palace are painted in trompe-l’oeil which is an amazing painting method that gives the illusion of depth and layering while only using paint.
The Queen’s terrace
The Queen’s terrace of Pena Palace is an exquisite place for any visitor - affording majestic views across the palace, Sintra Valley, and Moorish Castle. In front of the Queen’s terrace, you can see the High Cross, which is located at the highest point of the Sintra mountain range. There is a vast view from this terrace ranging from the ocean in the distance on one side and Lisbon looking eastwards.
Chapel
The Chapel of Our Lady of Pena in Pena Palace is one of the few remaining original structures from the former monastery. Parts of the original monastery were destroyed in an earthquake, leading to the construction of the present Pena Palace. The chapel is surprisingly small and its centerpiece is usually the altar.
King Carlos’ office
The Office of King Carlos served as his place of work and leisure and adjoined the king’s bedroom. On the walls, there are paintings on fabric by King Carlos himself, depicting nymphs and fawns in the Park of Pena. The paintings may have been left unfinished due to the 1908 regicide that saw the assassination of both King Carlos and his eldest son.
Watchtowers
Pena Palace is comprised of two wings: one built over a former monastery (painted pink) and a new one (painted yellow). The palace is ringed by storybook watchtowers, battlements, and even a drawbridge. The watchtowers are of various shapes and provide stunning views of Sintra from the second-highest vantage point on Sintra Hill. The palace was elected one of the seven wonders de Portugal on 7 July 2007.
Manueline Cloisters
The Manueline Cloister is a point of interest within Pena Palace. Visitors access the interiors of Pena Palace along a route that was reserved for the Royal Family up until 1910 and also corresponds to the entranceway of monks into the monastery prior to 1834. Ferdinand II redesigned this entrance to establish a double staircase with parallel flights. The cloister is one of many elements preserved from the remains of the Hieronymite convent including the dining room, sacristy, and Manueline-Renaissance chapel.
The Courtyard of Arches
The Courtyard of Arches is a terrace located within Pena Palace. It is named after its arches that provide a view of a vast landscape looking out over the Atlantic Ocean and the Sintra Hills1. From this vantage point, visitors may also view the Park of Pena, planted by Ferdinand who transformed the rough landscape of the hills into a romantic park with trees brought in from all over the world.
Royal dining room
The Royal Dining Room is a grand room where the royal family would dine. It features ornate decorations and furnishings that give you a sense of what it was like to dine like royalty. The room is adorned with beautiful paintings and tapestries that add to its grandeur. The table is set with fine china and silverware, giving you an idea of the lavish meals that were served here.
Staterooms
Inside Pena Palace, you will pass through various staterooms that served as the summer residence for the royal family. Some of these staterooms include a royal dining room, noble room, bedrooms and a chapel. There are also some large assembly rooms inside such as Sala de Visitas, Salão Nobre and the King’s Chambers. The interior of Pena Palace is impressive with many staterooms styled with fine examples of grand 19th-century furniture
Plan your visit
Main gate
The main entrance is located at the bottom of the hill, and it is the most accessible for those who are driving or taking the bus. There is a parking lot and bus stop nearby, and the walk from the entrance to the palace is only about 10 minutes.
Park gate
The park entrance is located at the top of the hill. This entrance is more challenging to reach, as it requires a walk or hike of about 30 minutes. However, it is also the most scenic entrance, as it offers stunning views of the palace and the surrounding mountains.
There are three gift shops on the grounds of Pena Palace: the Loja da Cerca, the Loja do Terraço da Lua, and the Loja da Rainha. The gift shops sell a variety of souvenirs, including books, postcards, t-shirts, and jewelry.
Indulge in delectable traditional Portuguese cuisine at the restaurant situated within the palace itself.
Convenient restroom facilities are provided for visitors within the Pena Palace complex.
There is a limited amount of parking available at the palace entrance. There is also a paid parking lot located a short walk from the palace.
Pena Palace is wheelchair accessible to a certain degree. There is a ramp leading up to the palace entrance, but it is long and steep, so assistance may be necessary. There is also a paid transfer running every 15 minutes between the park entrance and the palace, which is wheelchair accessible. Visitors with reduced mobility have a discount when booking this transfer.
Service animals are allowed inside Pena Palace. The palace is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive experience for all visitors, including those with disabilities.
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