Commissioned in the 1840s by King Ferdinand II on the ruins of a hilltop monastery, this palace is a deliberately theatrical mashup of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Renaissance styles, painted in bold red and yellow. It was one of the first Romanticist palaces in Europe and set the template for the fantasy-castle look Sintra is known for. The surrounding Pena Park adds another few hundred acres of forest paths, ponds, and follies if there's time.
Perched atop a forested peak in the Sintra Mountains, Pena Palace is a 19th-century Romanticist palace commissioned by King Ferdinand II on the ruins of a medieval monastery. Its exterior mixes Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Renaissance styles in bold red and yellow paintwork, with domes, battlements, and a triton-guarded archway visible from the surrounding Pena Park. Inside, visitors move through restored royal apartments, including the king's rooms, the chapel with its Renaissance alabaster altarpiece, and the kitchen, decorated largely as the royal family left it in the early 20th century. A full visit covering both the palace interior and the surrounding 200-hectare park, with its lakes, exotic trees, and follies, typically takes 2 to 3 hours combined, or closer to 1 hour for the palace alone. The terraces around the palace's yellow and red facades give the widest photo angles, and the High Cross viewpoint in the park offers a panorama over the palace with the Atlantic coast visible on clear days. Crowds build steadily through the morning and peak from mid-morning through early afternoon, particularly on summer weekends and when tour groups arrive from Lisbon.
| Admission | Adult €14 ($15.10) park only; €20 ($21.60) park + palace · Child Free under 6; €8 ($8.65) ages 6–17 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 09:30–19:00 (June–September); 10:00–18:00 (October–May); last entry 1 hour before closing |
| Typical visit | 2–3 hours |
| Best time | Weekdays before 10AM; arrive on the first train from Lisbon (departs Rossio 07:20) |
| Getting there | Train from Lisbon Rossio station to Sintra (40 min, €2.30/$2.50); then Bus 434 to Pena Palace (€3.90/$4.20) |
| Address | Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra |
Location
Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra
38.7877, -9.3901 View on map
Highlights
- Romanticist palace facades in vivid red, yellow, and ochre with Manueline and Moorish-revival details
- Restored royal apartments furnished as left by the royal family in the early 1900s
- 200-hectare Pena Park with lakes, exotic trees, and the High Cross viewpoint
- Panoramic terraces overlooking the Sintra hills and, on clear days, the Atlantic
- Renaissance alabaster altarpiece in the palace chapel
Tips for visiting
- Book timed-entry tickets online in advance; palace entry is capped and sells out on peak days
- Take the first Lisbon-Sintra train and the 434 bus to arrive before 10am tour groups
- Palace-only tickets exclude the park; combined tickets are needed to see both
- A shuttle-bus stop within the park cuts the uphill walk to the palace gate
- Comfortable shoes are essential for the park's sloped, sometimes uneven paths
When to visit
Arrive on the first Sintra-bound train and head straight up before 10am; afternoons, especially summer weekends, bring the heaviest tour-group and coach traffic.
Accessibility
A shuttle bus runs from the park entrance close to the palace gate, and the main terraces are relatively level, but the palace's upper floors and towers are reached by stairs with no elevator access.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Pena Palace take?
Budget 1 hour for the palace interior alone, or 2 to 3 hours to also explore Pena Park.
Is Pena Palace worth it for kids?
Yes, the colorful facades, towers, and park with lakes and winding trails generally appeal to children.
Is photography allowed inside Pena Palace?
Photography without flash is allowed in most interior rooms, though a few areas restrict photos to protect furnishings.