About
Pena Palace, known in Portuguese as Palácio da Pena, stands on a hilltop above the town of Sintra in Portugal. Its address is Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, and the palace is reached by road up the Sintra mountains, where it rises above the surrounding forest.
The palace was built in the 19th century as a summer residence for the Portuguese royal family. It is a romantic building with a fairy-tale appearance, and it brings together several architectural styles in one complex, so that each part of the exterior seems to hold a different idea. For many visitors, the look of the palace against the green hills is the first reason to make the climb.
What a visit offers
- The palace itself, set high on the mountain and visible from many points in Sintra
- Exotic gardens around the building, which give the walk up and through the grounds much of its character
- Views over the wooded hills and the town below
Pena Palace is best approached as a half-day outing. Because it sits on a steep site, allow time for the climb and for walking through the grounds, and wear comfortable shoes. Visitors who want details on tickets, opening times or access should contact the palace directly by telephone at +351 219 237 300.
Around Sintra
Pena Palace is one of several places to see in Sintra, a hillside town whose woods, palaces and gardens make it a natural base for a day or more of exploring. Many visitors combine a trip to the palace with time in the town itself, where the older streets and the surrounding landscape make a relaxed contrast to the grounds on the mountain.
