You planned a stay near Lisbon, Portugal? Direction Sintra to visit the Palace of Pena, one of the seven Portuguese wonders.
The Pena Palace in Sintra is an architectural wonder: nestled at the top of its hill, it has an incredible view of all the surroundings. A 360° view of a green area and, the days of beautiful weather, Lisbon, Portuguese capital. If you have the opportunity to stop there, admire its colours and details, during a visit that is both inside and outside. In the heart of Pena Park, like a jewel in its green setting, the Palace is probably a must-see of Portuguese landscapes.
Discover how to visit the Palace of Pena in Sintra, a historical and cultural getaway a few blocks from the capital.
History of the Pena Palace
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The origin of the Pena Palace dates back to the 12th century, when it was still a chapel built to pay tribute to the Virgin Mary. In 1501, King Manuel 1 ordered that this chapel be transformed into a monastery. At the time far from the lisboet agitation, it is only 18 monks who occupy and maintain the place. Rare are high-ranking visitors. In the 18th century, the building suffered lightning and an earthquake that reduced it to the state of ruins.
Long forgotten after this incident, it was only in 1838 that King Ferdinand II was interested in it, bought the land and decided to build a summer residence in the royal family. It is the German architect Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege which will take care of the construction and restoration of the building, between 1842 and 1854. The influence of his many trips is felt in the architecture of the Palace, as it mixes many genres.
After a few family perpetia and the Republican Revolution of 1910, the Palace of Pena was bought by the State. The building is then recognized as a national monument and open to visitors.
Our tips to visit the Palace of Pena
What are the best times to visit the palace?
We can only advise you to visit the Palace of Pena at its opening . Groups and other tourists tend to be numerous from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Also, outside the summer period, the crowd is less dense, and it becomes easier to enjoy its visit to the palace.
Line 434 of the tourist bus from Sintra
This special line is dedicated to the monuments of Sintra and its surroundings. It will lead you to all points of interest in the city. Unlike a tourist bus that only passes in front of some attractions, or stops for a visit, line 434 makes a tour.
This circuit has stops to which you can go down, visit the monument, then go back to another bus on line 434. Transport tickets are purchased directly by the driver.
What to do during your visit to the Pena Palace?
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Visit the Pena Palace in Sintra is done first from outside. Admire its colorful facades and architectural blends. The result is fascinating and the eyes no longer know where to lay. The interior is obviously just as hypnotic, with a breathtaking architecture and many “salles d’apparat”.
But what should not be forgotten is, of course, . A huge forest estate spreading at the foot of the Palace of Pena that we highly recommend you. The trails you can take offer stunning views of the surroundings, with a very distant horizon line.
Good to know. : when buying your ticket for the Palace, the entrance to visit the Pena Park is included!
How much does a ticket cost to visit the Palace of Pena?
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The tickets you will buy to visit the Palace of Pena include an entrance to the surrounding park. If you can choose a ticket to visit only the park, it will not be possible for you to buy a ticket for the palace only. The hotel offers several rates:
- Youth (6-17 years old) : 12,50 €
- Adults (18-64 years) : 14 €
- Seniors (+65 years) : 12,50 €
- Family (2 adults + 2 youth) : 49 €
The entrance to the park only costs about half cheaper. Also, people with reduced mobility can benefit from a 70% discount in the price of their ticket. Regardless of the visitor’s disability, the accompanying person enjoys a free ticket.
Lisboa Card
The Lisboa Card is a cultural asset proposed by the city. This is a discount card applicable to many cultural visits to Lisbon and its region. Also available online, from 18 €, it is valid for a period of 24 to 72 hours and offers you free public transport.
How do I book a ticket for the palace online?
For the purchase of an online ticket for the Palace of Pena, visit the Sintra Park website or a site specializing in tours and activities. Virtual purchase will give you a 5% discount on your entire basket. Here are the tickets you will need to make your selection:
- Park and palace : young (11,88 €), adults (13,30 €), seniors (11,88€) and family (46,55 €)
- Park alone for young people, adults, seniors and families
- Transfer to Pena Palace (from the historic center, 3 €)
Are there guided tours of the Palace of Pena?
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Guided tours are organized daily for the Pena Palace. It is not necessary to reserve your place. These visits are offered in Portuguese, English and Spanish at a price of 5 € and take place at 14:30 for a duration of 90 minutes.
In April and between July and October, a morning visit is added at 10:30 a.m. It should be noted that during this period, the visit concerns the park and the exteriors of the Palace. The inner visit can be made at the end of the guided tour and it will be free. However, no worries, you can always book a guided tour for a minimum of 7 people at the time of your choice. For this, contact the Palace Office directly.
It is also possible for you to find and book a guided tour from a platform specializing in tours and activities that handle everything.
Are there visits combined with other monuments in Sintra?
You can visit the Pena Palace in Sintra and other local monuments. For example, the Château des Maures, which is only 350 metres away. It is quite possible to connect the two buildings with a short walk.
It is also common to find combined visits between the Pena Palace and the National Palace, which are two distinct entities.
If not, consult a site specializing in tours and activities, they will be able to offer you customized combined visits and according to your wishes.
Opening hours
The Palace of Pena is open to the visit daily except December 25 and January 1 for obvious reasons. Hours vary according to two seasons:
- From 25 March to 28 October : 9h45 – 19h00 (last entry at 18h15)
- From 29 October to 24 March : 10:00 – 8:00 pm (last entry at 7:00 pm)
How to get to the Pena Palace?
The Pena Palace is just 35 kilometres from Lisbon. To access it there are many ways because Sintra is – almost – a city of the lisboet suburbs.
By car
You can access the Palace in car rental since Lisbon for example, but you will have to be patient. The narrow streets and the tourist affluence make Sintra a city where travelling by car is not always obvious, depending on the time of day and year. We advise you to avoid the center and from any moment you head to a parking lot and then do the rest on foot.
By train
Sintra Station is only three kilometres from the Palace. The trains serve it very regularly, 6:00 to 1:00 , with a train all 30 minutes (every hour on Sunday). At the descent of your train, follow the path well indicated to the Palace!
Where to park near the Pena Palace in Sintra?
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The traffic in Sintra is often referred to as an infernal because its palace attracts tourists. Whether it’s a group of tourists who arrive in coaches, or classic tourists with a rental car, roads can sometimes be crowded. However, there are two parking spaces close to the Palace of Pena:
- Estacionamento Calçada da Pena : 200 m, parking fee.
- Estacionamento Largo São Pedro Penaferrim : 1.2 km, free parking which will ask you to walk a little, in the still green setting of the city of Sintra.
Otherwise, you can park in a parking lot near the train station, as line 434 of the local tourist bus drops you to the Palace of Pena.
To know : the historic center of the city is very popular, we advise you not to hire you to search for a parking. Prefer parking areas.
Where to stay near Pena Palace in Sintra?
The advantage, to choose to spend one or more nights in Sintra, is that you can avoid the tourist crowd once this part. Because Sintra is rather close to Lisbon, tourists often opt for the day-to-day visit only. What you can do quite well, since Lisbon is only 40 minutes away by car or 45 minutes by train. But, in reality, Sintra, as soon as she finds her calm, returns to a lovely little town, quiet and pleasant.
To accommodate you, we can only advise you to the historic centre, which requires a certain budget. Otherwise, do not hesitate to contact the inhabitant via Airbnb , opt for one hotels in Sintra or turn to one camping near Lisbon. Applied rates are not necessarily exorbitant and allow to stay nearby. The San Martinho district offers the most accommodation. It has its advantages: not far from the station or the Palace of Pena!
You're here to visit the Palace of Pena. Good getaway in the one that is surnamed “the garden of Portugal”!
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