Pena Palace

Pena Palace featuring heritage elements
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This exuberant construction, a former royal retreat set high in the hills of Sintra, features a colorful assortment of turreted towers and domes.

An icon of the region, the striking orange-and-yellow Pena Palace stands out amid the lush forest-covered Sintra Mountains. Inspect the eclectic architecture and ostentatious interior of this former royal summer retreat and stroll through the pretty surrounding park, where you’ll find temples and other follies hidden among the trees and flowers.

Learn about the history of the palace during a tour of the site. Commissioned by the art-loving Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and constructed in the second half of the 19th century, the palace was probably inspired by the more fantastical constructions of Germany, the homeland of the architect, Baron Eschwege. The result was a truly eclectic creation that borrows from different architectural styles, ranging from Arabian to Victorian.

Admire the unusual appearance of the exterior, which features bulbous onion domes and Moorish-style horseshoe arches and openings. Other highlights are the carved stone snakes around the entrance to the palace.

Take a tour of the lavish interior, which is decorated with an array of furnishings and artworks. Look for pieces of Meissen porcelain and other precious ornaments. Placards inside the house provide more information about the palace.

As you tour the palace, try to imagine what life would have been like for Portugal’s last royals. They used the palace as a summer vacation spot before fleeing the country after Portugal was declared a republic in 1910.

Follow the paths winding around Pena Park. Because of the park’s elevated position, the views around the surrounding hills are fantastic. Of particular note is the lookout point at Cruz Alta, a 16th-century stone cross located 1,782 feet (543 meters) above sea level.

Pena Palace is set at one of the most elevated spots in the Sintra Mountains at an elevation of about 1,560 feet (480 meters). Walk from the historic center of Sintra only if you are prepared for a strenuous uphill hike. For an easier route up, take a bus from Sintra’s train station. The palace is open daily. Purchase a ticket to gain entry.

As Janelas Verdes Inn, a Lisbon Heritage Collection
TURIM Ibéria Hotel
TURIM Terreiro do Paço Hotel
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Pena Palace

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
267
" "5 - Excellent 58.04347826086956%
4 - Good
162
" "4 - Good 35.21739130434783%
3 - Okay
21
" "3 - Okay 4.565217391304348%
2 - Disappointing
5
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0869565217391304%
1 - Terrible
5
" "1 - Terrible 1.0869565217391304%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
10 Feb 2020

We went as a day trip with one of the Expedia "Things to Do" - had a great day visiting the Pena Palace, the town of Sintra and stops at a couple of coastal locations on the way back to Lisbon. The Palace is spectacular, but be prepared to do a bit of walking, lots of slopes (small shuttle bus is available within the site but infrequent from what I could see) - views are amazing from the top and you'll be blown away by the architecture - probably as close to a Disney castle as you could get :)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Oct 2019

Need a full day to enjoy it. Lots of steep walking!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
18 Oct 2019

Definitely take a tuk tuk or jeep up to the palace from Sintra village and take another back as it is at least a 1 hour walk and then there is the walking around the palace and grounds.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Sep 2019

Good tour but unfortunately the area was clouded in mist until we were leaving. Still worthwhile going to see the town and both palaces

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
20 Sep 2019

Expect a day of queuing

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
16 Sep 2019

Involved very long queues for everything. Apart from spectacular views, palace itself was disappointing

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