Best Way To Visit Peña Palace In Sintra, Portugal
One of the more colourful castles in the world and an iconic Landmark in Portugal is the Peña Palace in Sintra .
Summary Video :
Highly recommend adding this on to your itinerary of Portugal .
Location & Transportation
Sintra is located about an hour drive from Lisbon . Very straight forward to visit the Peña Palace from Lisbon .
Drive , take public transportation or even do Uber depending on your budget . If you drive sort out parking beforehand and get to Sintra early . There are rules about how to get to Sintra – check it out on their website .
Tickets
When we went we were able to buy at the gate – now you have to buy ahead of time and pick an entry time to the Palace . Again check the website and follow the rules .
Food & Gift Shop
The palace has a cafe and gift shop on site . In case you need a coffee , snack or meal .
When To Visit
Recommend booking a time slot for when it opens . Less crowded and you can visit more of the castle in peace .
What To See – Exterior
The exterior of the castle is stunning . Probably no other castle I have seen that is as colourful. Multiple view points you can see the exterior from :
1. The courtyards
2. From the gardens
3. From balconies and rooftop access
What To See – Design Features
The castle has a lot of interesting design elements . Some highlights :
1. Arches
2. Viewpoints
3. Moorish details
4. Chandeliers
5. Courtyards
What To See – Interior Rooms
The exterior of the castle gets all the attention however the interior is well preserved and worth spending some time on .
What To See – Garden
There is an extensive and incredible garden around Peña Palace . If you are not short on time – do spend time in the gardens.
Overall
The Peña Palace was one of the highlights of our entire Portugal trip . Highly recommend adding it to your Portugal Itinerary!