National Palace of Pena

★★★★★

We visited Pena Palace in November and were very impressed by its rich history. The palace was built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II on the ruins of a former monastery that had been damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. It later became a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family. The thick stone walls, towers, and old gates show how the site changed over time from a religious place into a royal palace.

Inside, many of the rooms are preserved as they were when the royal family lived there, with original furniture and decorations. Walking through the corridors and along the historic walls really makes you feel connected to the past. The palace mixes different styles like Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance, which makes it very unique.

November was a great time to visit because it was quieter and more enjoyable. The ticket price is a bit expensive, but the history, architecture, and views make it worth it. A beautiful and unforgettable historic place.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Palácio da Pena is truly a remarkable place and a very unique example of Manueline-inspired architecture blended with Romanticism. The decorative details, colors, and intricate stonework make it stand out in a way that feels almost theatrical, yet deeply historical at the same time.

It’s impressive to think that this palace was still in use by Portuguese royalty just about 100 years ago — walking through its rooms gives you a real sense of how recent that history actually is.

Because of its elevated location above Sintra, the views are breathtaking. On a clear day, you can see vast landscapes stretching all the way toward the ocean. Definitely a special and memorable place to visit.

A really beautiful palace just like the ones in fairy tales. Strongly recommend to buy tickets are month in advance. Make sure you arrive at least half an hour before your booked time slot at the Palace gates and not the park gates. Its 20 minutes walk from the park gates to the palace gates. People with mobility issues can prebook a bus service from the park gates to the palace gates. The palace looks more beautiful on a bright sunny day. The architecture and design are absolutely stunning. There is a cafe on site and a super expensive souvenir shop. It can get really crowded inside the palace but don't feel pressurised to move on quickly dut to the crowd behind, take your own time and enjoy the amazing architecture. After visiting the palace do visit the park and other places nearby.

We loved this place! We walked from the Sintra train station for about 1 hour between the Sintra park which was amazing. The climbing is not so hard, stairs or just trails, everything is moist and green so you have no reason to be scared of this. You should consider that by the entrance of the park is about 35 minutes of walk to the Pena palace (in some areas of the park wasn't internet but the signs are very good for orientation). Clean air, shadow and views of the park should compensate the hike!

Definitely worth visiting! If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend taking the hike up — the walk itself is part of the experience and offers beautiful views along the way.

Tickets can be purchased at several points along the route (there are three ticket spots on the way) as well as right before the entrance. You can choose to buy a ticket just to explore the surrounding park and enjoy the views, or purchase full access to go inside the palace.

We decided to admire it from the outside, and it was absolutely stunning even without entering. The architecture, the colors, and the breathtaking scenery all around make this place truly magical. A memorable experience and definitely a highlight of the trip.