Pena Palace

Updated on

Support my travel guide for free. Use my affiliate links

Same price for you = comission for me. Learn more

Basic info

Type of attraction

Park & Palace

Portuguese name

Palácio Nacional da Pena

Location

Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra

Website
Email
+351 219 237 300

Tab 2 content.

Tab 2 content.

How to visit

Prices

Palace of Pena + Park
Adult (18 to 64): 20,00€
Young (6 to 17): 18,00€
Senior (over 65): 18,00€
Family ticket (2A + 2Y): 65,00€

Prior booking is mandatory for visiting the Palace of Pena.

(Only) Park*
Adult (18 to 64): 10,00€
Young (6 to 17): 9,00€
Senior (over 65): 9,00€
Family ticket (2A + 2Y): 35,00€

*Includes:
Chalet & Garden of the Countess of Edla
Valley of Lakes & Little Birds Fountain
Temple of Columns, The Warrior Statue & The Queen’s Table

Free access
  • Children under 6
Opening times

Palace
9:30 am – 6:30 pm (daily)

Last Ticket: 5:30 pm & Last Admission: 6 pm

Park
9 am – 7 pm (daily)

Last Ticket & Last Admission: 6 pm

Closing days

December 24, 25, 31 & January 1

Location

Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra

Public transports

Lisbon > Sintra:
Train (CP) – Sintra Line

Sintra (train station) > Pena:
Bus 434

Tickets availability

Buy your ticket through this affiliated search box.

Same price for you = comission for me. Learn more

More details

  • Manueline Cloister: dates from around 1511. Displays both round and segmental arches. The walls surrounding the courtyard are decorated with geometric-patterned Hispano-Mudejar tiles.
  • Dining Room & Pantry: bears the Manueline vaulted ribbed ceiling from the old refectory of the convent. Features a central table and a pantry cupboard exhibiting porcelain dinner services (by Vista Alegre, Pickman and Limoges).
  • Bedroom of Ferdinand II: remarkable by its painted stucco in neo-Mudejar patterns – authored by Domingos Meira (1882).
  • Chambers of King Charles: paintings on fabric created by King Charles himself decorate the walls.
  • Great Hall: the largest recreation and common area in the palace. Gothic and luxurious details can be observed in the candle chandelier and the petroleum lamps.
  • Room of the Final Residents: features portraits of King Charles and his wife, Queen Amelia.
  • Chapel: the main altar retable was crafted by Nicolas de Chanterenne (1529-1532). The exquisite stained glass window was produced in Kellner’s glass workshop.
  • Valley of Lakes: five lakes linked by tiny cascades and arranged amidst a verdant valley.
  • Chalet & Garden of the Countess of Edla: an alpine-inspired chalet constructed between 1864 to 1869 by Ferdinand II and Elise Hensler, the Countess of Edla. It’s worth noting: the Staircase Atrium with its mural painting and the Ivy Room with its naturalistic plaster decorations. The garden displays a rich assortment of botanical specimens, such as camellias, rhododendrons and ferns.

12th century – There was a chapel in honor of Our Lady of Pena at this location.

16th century – King Manuel I commissioned the building of the Royal Monastery of Our Lady of Pena in the same place. Later it was given to the Hieronymite Order.

1755 – Lisbon earthquake almost completely destroyed the monastery.

1834 – Religious orders are abolished and the monastery is left abandoned.

1840s-1880s – Ferdinand II, known as the King-Artist, purchases the ostensibly in ruins Monastery of Saint Jerome along with the adjacent lands. In love with the place, he decides to build a palace and expand the prior building. The project is overseen by Baron Wilhelm L. von Eschwege.

1869 – Ferdinand marries Elisa Hensler, an opera singer and Countess of Edla. From their shared wish the Chalet of the Countess of Edla will be lifted in the Park of Pena.

1910 – The National Palace of Pena is officially recognized as a National Monument.

the surroundings

  • Moorish Castle (2,2 km)
  • Palace & Quinta da Regaleira (2,8 km)
  • Park & National Palace of Pena (4,2 km)
  • Park & Palace of Monserrate (5,4 km)
  • Restaurante do Palácio da Pena
    10:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Cafetaria do Palácio da Pena
    10 am – 6 pm
  • Café da Natália (1,9 km)
  • Meia Pipa Sintra (2,2 km)
  • Sintra Terrace (2,2 km)
  • Dona Maria (2,2 km)