Pena Palace, perched atop the lush hills of the Sintra Mountains, is a breathtaking masterpiece and one of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks. It attracts around two million visitors annually.
This enchanting castle is celebrated for its vibrant colors, eclectic architecture, and fairy-tale charm, seamlessly blending Romantic, Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline influences.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets to the Pena Palace.
Top Tickets
# Pena Palace tickets
# Pena Palace + Lisboa CardIt’s highly recommended to book your Pena Palace tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
Key takeaways
Its better to book tickets online to avoid long queues, especially during peak seasons. Children up to 5 years get free entry.
To avoid the crowd, visit when the Pena Palace opens at 9 am or after 3 pm. You get the best view from the top of the palace during the morning light and sunset hours.
Most visitors spend two hours exploring the palace and its surroundings. History and nature enthusiasts need at least four to five hours.
What’s ahead
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Things to know before booking tickets
You can buy Pena Palace tickets online or at the attraction.
Online tickets let you skip the lines, often at a lower price, while guaranteeing availability for your visit.
After the purchase, tickets are emailed to you, and you can enter by showing the e-ticket on your smartphone—no printouts needed.
Remember to bring your official IDs.
Pena Palace tickets
While most visitors prefer the standard entry ticket to Pena, you can also book Pena Palace tickets in combination with Castle of the Moors or Sintra Palace.
A combo ticket to Quinta da Regaleira and Pena is another option available.
The combos are available at a discount of 5 to 6%.
Pena Palace general admission tickets

Pena National Palace ticket includes entry to –
- Pena Palace
- The Park
- Chalet of the Countess of Edla
With this admission ticket, you can visit this stunning palace straight out of a fairy tale. This ticket also lets you explore the 500-acre gardens with exotic plant life, meandering streams, and hidden delights. Please note, this is not a timed ticket and is valid for a day.
Even though visitors five years and below don’t need to pay to enter, you must select a free ticket for them. Reduced tickets for children six to 18 and seniors 65 and above are available onsite.
Entrance to the Moorish Castle isn’t part of this ticket.
Transfer services to Pena
- There is a paid transfer service available for bringing guests from the park entrance to the palace. The service runs every 15 minutes.
- There’s a free hop-on hop-off transfer service available between the palace and the Chalet of the Countess of Edla. You can opt for this during checkout, show your entrance ticket and hop on!
Ticket prices
Adult (6+ years): €20
Infant (up to 5 years): Free
Save time and money!
Enjoy free admission to Lisbon’s top attractions including Pena Palace and discounts at various landmarks. Available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, the Lisbon Card provides unlimited free access to the public transport system.
Opening hours of Pena Palace
The Pena Palace is open from 9 am to 6.30 pm.
It is open for visitors daily, so whether it is the weekend or weekday, you can visit with your friends and family and explore the heritage of Lisbon.
The last entry is 30 minutes before closure.
How long does the tour take
A complete tour of Pena Palace takes around two hours.
The garden and lawn of the palace are so beautiful that visitors spend most of their time outside.
If you’re a history buff and love to spend time at heritage sites, you can surely devote more time to walking through the Pena National Palace and enjoying its royalty.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the National Palace of Pena is as soon as it opens at 9 am.
With the crowd yet to enter, you can easily get a parking spot and explore the palace more peacefully.
To reach the attraction before it gets crowded, get on the first transport that leaves the gate. Please note, the rush hours are generally between 10 am and 3 pm. Late afternoons tend to be less crowded.
If you prefer a peaceful experience, consider visiting during weekdays and avoid weekends and public holidays.
You should arrive by 9 am to enjoy a serene walk around Pena Palace Park. Early hours are quieter, offering a chance to explore its beauty without the crowds.
Is Pena Palace worth it?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, Pena Palace offers visitors not only a glimpse into Portugal’s regal history but also panoramic views stretching to the Atlantic Ocean on clear days. As you wander through its vibrant terraces and intricate interiors, you’ll uncover details that speak to its grandeur, from decorative tiles to the serene Chapel of Our Lady of Pena.
The surrounding parkland is equally captivating, with meandering paths, tranquil lakes, and hidden viewpoints. Whether you’re drawn by its architectural allure or the promise of stunning vistas, Pena Palace is a must-visit jewel in the heart of Sintra.
Must see highlights of Pena Palace
Eight aspects of this palace stand out, and we recommend you spend time exploring and understanding them.
Unique architecture
National Palace of Pena is a blend of Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, New-Romanesque, and Oriental styles such as Neo-Moorish and Indo-Gothic. The unification of different architectural styles makes the palace unique.
The Pena Park
Pena Park is the most different and significant part of the palace and is spread over 200 hectares of land. The park has many walking paths, secret paths, pavilions, lakes, ponds, and exotic trees like:
- Sequoias from America
- Gingkos from China
- Cryptomeria from Japan
- Ferns from Australia
- Succulents from Africa
- Ferns and tree ferns from Australia and New Zealand.
Dining Room
The dining room oak furniture is so royal and gorgeous that you’d feel like having dinner at the table. It contains a 16th-century vaulted ceiling with Manueline-style ribbing.
Chamber of King Carlos
Visit the chamber of King Carlos located on the lower floor of the Manueline cloister, which served as the leisure and workspace of the king. The fabric painting on walls by King Carlos depicts nymphs and fawns in the Park of Pena.
Palace Terraces
The Palaces terraces are the jewel in the crown that gives you a fantastic view of the Sintra. The Queen’s terrace, directly accessed from Queen Amélia’s private chambers, is the showstopper.
Keep an eye out for sundial and solar quadrant at the Queen’s terrace that distinguishes the Queen terrace from that of other terraces in the Palace.
Cloister
Visit the open-air cloister, where once the monks lived. The cloister has ancient Azulejo tiles embedded on the walls and blue-white marbles that elevate the beauty of the space.
The Chapel
The chapel of Our Lady of Pena looks as new as it was built in the 16th century. The chapel retains its gothic vaulted ceilings and azulejo tiles on the walls.
Bedroom of Ferdinand II
Step into the bedroom of Ferdinand II and taste the exoticism inspired by the Islamic heritage in Portuguese culture.
The decoration in painted plaster with a Neo-Mudéjar style, dating to 1882, and the work of Domingos Meira is worth looking at for hours.
FAQs about the Pena Palace
Here are some frequently asked questions about Pena Palace.
When was Pena Palace built?
The construction of Pena Palace began in the 19th century and was completed in 1854. Ferdinand II of Portugal commissioned it on the site of a former monastery.
What architectural styles are represented in Pena Palace?
Pena Palace blends architectural styles, including Romanticism, Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline. The diverse styles contribute to the palace’s unique and fairy-tale-like appearance.
Can I take photos inside the Pena Palace?
Photography is generally allowed in outdoor areas and gardens. However, there may be restrictions on photography inside certain rooms.
Is Pena Palace accessible to people with mobility issues?
The palace is situated on a hill, and while transportation options are available for those with mobility issues, not all areas are wheelchair accessible. Accessible paid transfer runs every 15 min between the park entrance and the palace.
Is it better to go to the Pena Palace in the morning or in the afternoon?
For a serene experience, you should plan plan to arrive around 9 am before the crowds roll in. Alternatively, afternoons around 3 pm are quieter too. Avoid the busiest hours between 10 am and 3 pm.
How to reach Pena Palace
Pena Palace is in São Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra, on the Portuguese Riviera.
Address: Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, Portugal. Get Directions
By Bus
Palacio da Pena is the closest bus stop, only 500 meters (one-third of a mile) from the Palace.
By Train
Sintra is the closest train station, located 3 km (almost 2 miles) from the palace.
You can take bus 434 from the Sintra Estação stop outside the train station to the Palacio da Pena stop.
You can walk the rest of the distance to the attraction in five minutes.
If you want an exotic experience, board a tuk-tuk from any bus or train station to Pena National Palace.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started!
There is sufficient parking space near the palace.