When I think of Sintra, Portugal, the first place I think of is Pena Palace, and I am sure many others think the same. During our May 2024 trip we were able to visit Pena Palace and it was fabulous. We booked a private tour through Viator that included the Castle of the Moors, stopping for lunch, and also driving through Cascais. It was a lovely tour and we were able to customize it to our preferences.
As we approached, the colorful architecture of Pena Palace stood out against the lush green surroundings, making for fantastic photo opportunities. If you’re planning a trip to Sintra, I highly recommend including a tour of Pena Palace. You can click here to book this tour for a memorable and also informative experience in this enchanting destination.
Location
History of Pena Palace
In the 12th century AD, a chapel was built on the hill where the now National Palace of Pena is. This chapel was dedicated to the Lady of Pena after it is believed an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared. Around 1500, a monastery was erected here. Unfortunately, during the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon, the monastery was damaged beyond use.
In 1838, King Consort Ferdinand II decided to acquire the monastery and much of the land around it to build a summer palace for his family. Most of what you see of this grand castle was built between 1842 and 1847. This palace was not only grand but also unusual with quite elaborate details and designs. The country of Portugal purchased this castle in 1898 and Pena Palace became a national monument and museum. From then on, the Pena Palace was a popular tourist attraction. Many call Pena Palace, the most beautiful castle in Sintra, and also the most beautiful castle in all of Portugal. In 1995, Pena Palace became an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Approaching the Palace
When you first see the Pena Palace with its vibrant and eclectic colors, you can immediately tell that it will be a unique and memorable experience to visit. As you approach the palace, the details of the architecture of the castle come into view, which is amazing. Visitors have the option to either walk from the ticket station to the palace, taking in the beautiful surroundings along the way, or to opt for the convenience of a bus ride. During our visit, our knowledgeable guide recommended taking the bus, commenting on the amount of walking required to explore the expansive grounds of the palace itself. While we preferred to enjoy the scenic walk, we heeded her expert advice and took the short bus ride.
Outside Pena Palace
Once inside the entrance, the magnificence of the Palace was obvious. The grandeur of the architecture and the opulence of the decor was amazing. Although the lines were long, they really weren’t that bad as there is so much to see while just standing in line.
Views From Balconies, Doors, and Windows
The views from inside Pena Palace are truly breathtaking. As you gaze out from the palace’s windows, you can see not only the Pena Palace grounds, but the town of Sintra, Castle of the Moors, and also the picturesque Portuguese countryside. I
Inside the Palace
This palace is huge! There are so many interesting rooms and areas. I tried to choose the most interesting of the rooms and items we saw. From the beautifully designed ceilings to the exquisite artwork and wall coverings, everywhere you turn there is something awesome to be see. Each room has a story to tell, which adds interest to the tour. Pena Palace gave me vibes of the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina only even more elaborate than the Biltmore.
Conclusion
The National Pena Palace is truly a remarkable sight in Sintra, Portugal, with its vibrant colors and stunning architecture. Despite the splendor of the Pena Palace, I preferred the Castle of the Moors with its ancient walls and the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Sintra, in general, is a treasure trove of historical and cultural landmarks, but we decided we would just visit two of what we thought would be the most interesting. Opting for a private tour turned out to be a fantastic decision, as our guide provided valuable insights and was able to guide us efficiently through the palace. If you’re planning a visit to Sintra, I highly recommend considering a tour and you can click here to book one of the many tour options
Resources for Portugal
DC Top 10 Lisbon- The DC Top 10 Guides continue to be my favorite no matter where I travel. Reliable, easy too use and great format.
DC Top 10 Algarve Another great tour book which really helped us narrow down what we wanted to see in the Algarve.
National Geographic Spain/Portugal Map– GPS woorked well for us in Portugal but I always bring a map wherever I go. The National Geographic maps are durable and easy to follow.
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Check out my other Portugal Posts!
Exploring the Castle of the Moors, Portugal May 2024
Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, Portugal May 2024
Kayaking to Benagil Caves, Portugal, May 2024
Castle of Silves, Portugal May 2024
Cromlech of Almendres, Portugal May 2024
Evora Portugal and the Chapel of Bones, May 2024
Arraiolos Castle, Portugal May 2024
Knights of Templar, Portugal May 2024
Exploring Obidos, Portugal, May 2024
A Moliceiro Ride in Aveiro, Portugal, May 2024
The Gen-X Travels recommendations for hotels, restaurants, activities or tour companies are based on our own experiences unless noted. We are not sponsored by any business or company and all trips are at our expense. All photos are by myself or my husband unless otherwise noted. We are affiliates of some companies such as Amazon,Viator, and others which we do receive a small commission from, at no cost to you if you buy or book through one of our links.
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Lovely! Looks like you visited Pena Palace on a beautiful, blue sky day; I went when it was overcast and slightly drizzling, but regardless, the palace is a highlight of Sintra and worth a visit. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!
It was a lovely day but I am sure we would have enjoyed it no matter what the weather! Thanks for reading!
What a beautiful place. I have often heard of Sintra. Thanks for taking us there Lori. Allan
Sintra has so much more to see but we were short on time! Have a great weekend, Allan!! Lori
Wow, what a palace. Simply gorgeous. Been reading stories about locals in Greece and some other European destinations pushing back on tourism. Will that affect yur travels going forward?
I don’t think so. I do know, though that the Benagil caves we went to in Portugal last spring are now not allowing people to get out of the kayaks and explore into the cave. It’s to keep people off the beach. I guess we were there just in time to still be able to explore the cave and be on the beach! So I suppose more places like that will have restrictions. I have heard rumors that Greece will be limiting the amount of cruise ships even more than they already are in the future. I guess we will wait and see!
it’s such an incredible place. I think Pena was the highlight of my trip to Lisbon, I absolutely loved it 🙂
It was definitely lovely and worth the visit! Can you imagine living there!
Outstanding post!
Thank you!