National Palace of Pena and Park: Tickets

National Palace of Pena & Park Tickets and Information

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• National Palace of Pena Address: Palacio Nacional de Pena, 2710-477, Sintra
• Opening Hours: Daily: 09:30 - 18:30

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Is the Park and National Palace of Pena worth visiting

• As one of the best selling tickets in the area, the visitors definitely think so!

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What You See At National Palace of Pena & Park

• The Palace
• The Grounds

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About National Palace of Pena & Park

The National Palace of Pena & Park or the 'Palácio Nacional da Pena' is a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sintra. The romanticist castle stands proudly on top of a hill in the mountains overlooking the town of Sintra and offers amazing views of the surrounding countryside and coastline.

The site dates back to the Middle Ages (12th century) when a chapel dedicated to 'Our Lady of Pena' was built there, with a monastery following in the 16th century under the instruction of King Manuel I.

The earthquake of 1755 sadly left the monastery in ruins and it was abandoned and remained like that until the 19th century, when King Ferdinand II of Portugal (known as King-Artist due to his artistic and cultural pursuits) acquired the ruins as well as the surrounding land in 1838 and commissioned a German architect by the name of 'Baron Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege' to design a palace that would be used as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family.

The result was a blend of architectural styles which incorporated Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline influences, which reflected the eclectic tastes of the Romantic era! One of the most striking features of the palace has got to be its vibrant colour scheme. The exterior walls are painted in shades of red, yellow, and ochre, which gives the palace a fairy-tale-like appearance, and then intricate decorative elements, such as turrets, battlements, and domes, cover the exterior, which further enhance its romantic charm!

The palace was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1995 under the category of "Cultural Landscape of Sintra".

You can explore the lavishly decorated rooms inside the palace, including:

• The King's and Queen's apartments
• The Arab Room
• The Music Room
• The Dining Room.

The interior of the castle feature ornate furnishings, intricate tilework, and elaborate stucco decorations, which show the opulence of 19th-century royal living!

The palace is surrounded by a vast park, known as the ‘Pena Park’. It was King Ferdinand II that created the extensive gardens. He introduced tree species from across the globe, which has made it into one of the most diverse parks and gardens in Portugal. The park covers around 85 hectares and features beautiful gardens, winding pathways, and exotic plant species from around the world. You can stroll through the forested areas, discover hidden grottos and waterfalls, and enjoy panoramic views from various viewpoints which are scattered throughout the grounds!

It's definitely worth exploring in our opinion. Make a day out of it!

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