Why visit / Interesting facts:
- One of Europe's most stunning palaces
- UNESCO World Heritage site
- One of Portugal's most visited monuments
Time required: 120 minutes
Web site: http://www.parquesdesint...
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Apr 1 - Sept 15: | 9:45am - 7pm |
| Oct 16 - Mar 31: | 10am - 6pm |
| January 1 and Dec. 25: | Closed |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| Apr 1 - Sept 15: | 12 € |
| Oct 16 - Mar 31: | 9 € |
| Park: | 6 € |
Public transport:
- Bus nr.434: Palacio da Pena stop
Address: São Pedro de Penaferrim, 2710 Sintra
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: szeke
Things you need to know:
- Sintra is a fairytale town 35 km (22 mi) from Lisbon to the west. The town is home to Pena National Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- The name Sintra comes from 'Cynthia', the Roman goddess of the moon. In Roman time it was a place of moon worshiping. The Moors also liked it and built a hilltop castle
- Later the town became the royal family's favorite summer retreat. Many aristorcrats moved here and built lavish palaces and mansions in the town
- On top of the hill above Sintra stands Pena National Palace, a fairytail-like Romanticist palace. King Ferdinand built it in the 19th century as a summer residence
- The palace features everything a fairytale castle needs: drawbridge, turrets, ramparts, battlements, domes, gargoyles; all washed in an array of pastel colors
- The castle displays a number of styles: Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Islamic and Neo-Renaissance. The interior is richly decorated in late Victorian and Edwardian styles
- Pena Park surrounding the palace features ponds, fountains, statues, lovely walks and a number of exotic plants from former Portuguese colonies
What to do there:
- After arriving to Sintra go to the Scotturb Terminal (opposite the train station) and pick up the timetables
- Take the bus 434 to Palacio de Pena bus stop (if you have to wait for the bus, use the time to walk around in the old town)
- From the bus station take a walk (15 min uphill) or take the minitram (2 EUR) to the Palace
- Admire the Palace from outside and inside
- Explore the extravagant interior: rich ornaments, paintings, and priceless porcelain
- Other highlights include the spacious ballroom, the marvelous "Arab Room", and an impressive 16th-century chapel altarpiece
- Enjoy the amazing view from the rooftops and the towers
- Take a walk in the mystical Pena Park (5 EUR) filled with a variety of trees and exotic plants
Tips & Insights:
- If you already have a Lisboa card you can use it to get to Sintra for free. Once in Sintra the cheapest way of getting around is buying a bus pass that offers unlimited travel on Scotturb buses in Sintra and in Cascais. The pass (called Bilhete do Circuito da Pena) costs 4.8 EUR
- If you don't have a Lisboa card buy a combined day pass in Lisbon. It will give you access to trains (from/to Lisbon) and buses (unlimited travel on Scotturb buses in Sintra and in Cascais). The day pass costs 12 EUR
- It is not allowed to take photos inside the palace
- Print at home and take with you the this table presenting the opening hours and entrance fees
- If you are planning to visit other attractions consider buying a combined ticket with the Castelo dos Mouros or Palácio e Parque de Monserrate or Convento dos Capuchos
