Pena Palace

Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena) is a breathtaking, colourful Romanticist castle located in São Pedro de Penaferrim. Perched high on a hill in the Serra de Sintra, it overlooks the charming town below and stands as one of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks.

The easiest way to reach the palace is by taking bus 434, which runs frequently from Sintra town and stops at all of the area’s main tourist attractions. This designated tourist bus connects Sintra’s palaces and castles, and at €11.50 it’s the most affordable and straightforward option for getting to Pena Palace. The ticket also gives you access to all Sintra buses for 24 hours, which is great value—just keep in mind that demand for this route is extremely high, especially during the summer months.You can also drive to the palace, but be prepared for narrow, winding roads up the Serra de Sintra and the challenge of navigating Sintra’s traffic‑free historic centre. For most visitors, the bus is by far the less stressful choice.

You can also reach the palace by taxi or Tuk Tuk, though both options are considerably more expensive than taking bus 434.

Another way to reach the castle is on foot via the Caminho de Santa Maria, a steep path that winds steadily uphill. The walk takes around an hour and can be challenging in the summer heat, but the reward is worth it—along the way, you’ll enjoy beautiful viewpoints and a much quieter, more atmospheric approach to the castle.
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Since it was only a few days after New Year’s Eve, we assumed Portugal’s most popular tourist attraction would be relatively quiet. How wrong we were. The moment we stepped off bus 434, it became clear that this place draws crowds all year round.Thankfully, buying tickets was effortless. Entrance passes are purchased at automated terminals where you simply choose your preferred entry time, make the payment, and wait a moment for the tickets to print. It’s quick, straightforward, and saves you from queuing at a counter.

After having our tickets handed over at the gate, we walked slowly up the hill where we reached the gates of the Palace. Here we joined the queue to enter the castle.  Thirty minutes later, we were allowed to enter the palace.

The site where the Pena Palace is located used to be a medieval chapel dedicated to our lady of Pena until the king ordered the built of a monastery.
The great Lisbon earthquake destroyed most of the monastery with exception of the chapel. During this time, Portugal's king Ferdinand 2 acquired the ruined monastery and its surroundings and started the built of the Pena Palace as we know it today.

The main purpose of the Palace was to serve as a summer residence for the king. After his dead, his second wife Elisa Hensler sold the palace to king Luis. In 1889, it was purchased by the Portuguese state and was later classified as a national monument.

The grandeur of the palace is evident in every room. From lavishly decorated walls and ceilings to the ornate furnishings, no expense was spared in creating a residence designed to impress.

Yet it’s the exterior that truly steals the show. With its striking blue azulejos and bold yellow‑and‑red colour scheme, the palace blends an eclectic mix of architectural styles into one unforgettable silhouette.

While walking through the vast Palace, we admired the chapel, the Royal Dining room, the kitchen and many other rooms. Each of these rooms is decorated with elaborate stucos, painted walls in trompe-l'oeil and stunning tiles,....   

The area surrounding the palace is just as captivating. Pena Park stretches across more than 200 hectares of forested, uneven terrain, filled with plant species from North America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. As you follow the winding paths downhill, you’ll come across small mountain streams, tranquil ponds, and hidden corners that feel worlds away from the busy palace above.

Among the park’s botanical highlights are towering sequoias, elegant magnolias, and ancient ginkgo trees. One of the most enchanting spots is the fern garden, home to an impressive collection of ferns and tree ferns—an absolute must‑see for nature lovers.

Sintra is one of those rare places where nature, history, and imagination collide. From the vibrant towers of Pena Palace to the lush, otherworldly forests of Pena Park, every corner feels like stepping into a fairytale. The journey itself—whether by vintage tram, scenic footpath, or winding mountain road—adds to the sense of adventure.
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What makes Sintra truly special is the contrast: grand palaces perched on dramatic hilltops, quiet forest trails lined with exotic trees, and sweeping views that stretch all the way to the Atlantic. ​