How to visit Pena Palace: Parking Issue and other important tips you should know before visiting

Visiting Pena Palace in Sintra can be a fantastic experience, but it’s not the easiest place to get to. Here’s what you need to know to make your visit smoother.

Is Pena Palace worth visiting

Before getting into the details of what you must know before visiting, yes, Pena Palace is not only the most famous palace to visit for its bright colors and its privileged location towering over the other Sintra castles and palaces and the pretty town.

The Pena Palace is a masterpiece of romantic architecture, rich in history and symbolism. It’s definitely worth visiting for the palace itself and the extensive garden that surrounds it. If you manage to get a guided tour, I would recommend joining it, as there is a lot to learn about its history and cultural significance.

My experience

Although I loved visiting the Pena Palace, if I had to choose between that and Quinta da Regaleira, I would definitely choose the latter, without a doubt. That is because I could book a guided tour with a local guide who shared fascinating information about the site’s history and legends. At Pena Palace, you can download the free audioguide on your phone, which is well done, but it’s not the same as having a real guide with whom you can interact and ask questions, obviously.

So, on my first time in Sintra, I only visited the Quinta de Regaleira and Moorish Castle, which are also worth visiting (it’s a short visit). It was the worst month to visit (August, please don’t go anywhere in Portugal in August)

On my second trip to Portugal in February, I found a surprisingly mild climate, and I managed to visit all the missing pieces, including the Pena Palace, Monserrate Palace, and Queluz. I talk about those in my post on the Sintra Castles (even if they are not castles, but still… 😜)

Getting to Pena Palace

The first thing you should know is that Pena Palace has two parking spaces nearby, but you cannot use them unless you have a special authorization, you are a taxi or Uber driver or local staff.

In fact, the road leading from Sintra’s historical center to Pena Palace is restricted to authorized vehicles only. Even though some people manage to drive up, it’s technically not allowed unless you have a special permit. So, what are your options?

Parking

If you are getting to Sintra by car, you need to find a parking space around the historical center and then reach the Pena Palace in one of the following ways

• Walk up to the palace (see details below).
• Take an Uber, as they have authorization to drive up.
• Use the public bus service that transports visitors to the entrance.

Getting to Pena Palace on foot

If you park in the historical center, Google Maps will tell you it’s a 38-minute walk up to the palace. But keep in mind:

• The walk is extremely steep.
• You’ll likely stop to take pictures and enjoy the views

So consider that it can take up to 1.5 hours, depending on your pace and how many photographs you want to take.

The walk is lovely, but if you can’t make it on time, you can consider doing it on the way down.

Getting to Pena Palace by Bus

There is a shuttle bus service that runs every 20 minutes and can pick you up at many different stops. It costs 13.50 Euro for a one-day hop-on-hop-off service, and you can use it as many times as you like. Two lines cover pretty much the most important landmarks in Sintra. You can buy your ticket online or at the Sintra Visitor Center. Below, you can read the brochure.

Getting to Pena Palace by Uber/taxi/Bolt

There is Uber, taxi, or Bolt service. The issue with them is traffic, especially in high season, July and August. Consider a 40-minute ride instead of 10.

Buying Tickets

• Pre-purchasing online: The ticket costs €27 when booked online and includes both the Palace and the park.
• Discounts: A 15% discount applies when booking in advance.
• Multiple ticket offices: There are three ticket offices, but the most convenient ones are at the main entrance or the Del Lago entrance. Avoid the one near the chalet as it’s farther away.

Timing and Entry Rules

Pena Palace has strict time slots for entry. When booking online, you must select a specific time slot and adhere to it. If you arrive late, you will forfeit your ticket.

You only have a 25-minute grace period, which starts at the palace’s entrance, not at the park’s. For example, if you book a 10:00 AM ticket, you must arrive at the palace’s entrance before 10:30 AM, as the next available slot starts at 10:30 AM.

Once you arrive at the main entrance, you will need to consider an additional 30-minute uphill walk. Alternatively, a shuttle bus is available, but it involves some waiting time.

You also need to consider the time factor to calculate your entry slot.

Exploring Pena Palace and Park

Once inside, you’ll find that Pena Park is like a maze. You can easily wander for hours, exploring the palace’s gardens, lakes, and viewpoints. Be prepared to spend around three hours in total for a complete visit, not counting the time needed to get there.

Entry Points

There are three entrances:

1. Main Entrance – most common and easiest to access, and closest to the Palace. From ther,e you can use a shuttle to the Palace entrance
2. Lakes Entrance (a good alternative)
3. Chalet Entrance (closed from 2 PM to 4 PM daily)

Important Notes

• If you only buy a palace ticket, it’s unclear how they control access to the park since they are connected.
• Some parking lots that existed years ago are no longer legal, and fines can be issued to those who park there illegally.
• Carry water, as vending machines are available but may not always be convenient.
• There is a restaurant, a cafeteria, and toilets inside the park and the Palace.

Nearby Attractions

If you want to visit other nearby attractions, consider starting with Pena Palace and then moving to the Moorish Castle (€10 entry fee).

The entrance to the Moorish Castle is located between the two entrances of the Pena Palace. The visit to the Moorish Castle doesn’t take much of your time. There is also a nice cafeteria at the entrance where you can chill in between visits. From the Moorish Castle, you can get amazing views.

The entrance to the Moorish Castle is inside Sintra Park, and you can walk through the park to get back to the Sintra Historical Center.

By planning, you can avoid confusion and enjoy your visit to one of Portugal’s most stunning landmarks!

Where to stay in Sintra

I will write a separate post with more detailed information about where to stay in Sintra but in short, I would recommend staying in the historical center if you get to Sintra by local transportation so that you can move around easily by bus.

However, if you are getting to Sintra by car and staying for a few days (which I recommend because it’s what I did) you should stay in Colares, a pretty town located between Sintra historical center and the seaside so that you are at an equal distance between the beautiful coastline and Sintra Castles and you will be able to visit everything without parking issues. Here are the hotels where I stayed.

In town – Quinta Los Lobos 10 minutes from Quinta da Regaleira Palace

In Colares – Casa Bolacha – 25 minutes drive from Sintra historical center- a beautiful one-bedroom apartment.

Brief History of Pena Palace and Its Significance

Pena Palace, perched on a hilltop in Sintra, is one of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks and a masterpiece of Romantic architecture. Originally, the site was a medieval monastery that suffered severe damage during the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In the 19th century, King Ferdinand II transformed the ruins into a whimsical palace blending Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Renaissance styles.

Completed in 1854, Pena Palace became the summer retreat of Portuguese royalty, reflecting their taste for art, culture, and extravagant design. The vivid colors, elaborate details, and fairytale-like towers make it one of the most striking palaces in Europe.

Today, the palace is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world. Its breathtaking location, panoramic views, and unique design symbolize Portugal’s rich history and architectural grandeur.