Palácio da Pena
Sintra, Portugal
A red-and-yellow Romantic palace on a wooded hill. Parking is limited, so use the shuttle from Sintra.
The Palácio Nacional da Pena sits on a wooded peak above Sintra in Portugal. Lonely Planet describes it as a wacky confection of onion domes, Moorish keyhole gates, writhing stone snakes and crenellated towers in pinks and lemons.
A monastery, Nossa Senhora da Pena, stood here from 1503 and was damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha bought the ruins, in 1836 according to Fodor's. Lonely Planet says he commissioned the architect Ludwig von Eschwege in 1840; the palace was finished around 1860. Portugal's last monarchs used it as a summer residence. Inside you find Meissen porcelain and trompe l'œil murals; the park has hidden temples, grottoes and the Valley of the Lakes with black swans.
Practical: according to Lonely Planet a bus runs up from the entrance about every 15 minutes; on foot the climb takes 10 to 15 minutes. Opening hours and tickets are on parquesdesintra.pt; check beforehand.
- Nearest town
- Sintra, Portugal
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 38.7876, -9.3906
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- quinta 7 nomesCampsite7 km from Palácio da PenaWi-Fi
- Orbitur GuinchoCampsite10 km from Palácio da PenaTentsCaravans
- Area MafraMotorhome stopover17 km from Palácio da Pena · 7 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
- Lisboa CampingCampsite17 km from Palácio da PenaTentsCaravansWi-Fi
- Parque de Campismo INATEL da CaparicaCampsite20 km from Palácio da Pena
- Orbitur Costa da CaparicaCampsite20 km from Palácio da PenaTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Portugal · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Palácio da Pena?
Palácio da Pena is in Sintra, Portugal, at GPS 38.7876, -9.3906. It is about 10 km from Cascais.
Can you camp near Palácio da Pena?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Portela de Sintra, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Palácio da Pena?
Palácio da Pena is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lisbon to the Algarve along the Atlantic.
What is there to see near Palácio da Pena?
Places worth a stop nearby: Castle of the Moors (0 km), Quinta da Regaleira (1 km), Azenhas do Mar (9 km) and Cabo da Roca (9 km).
When is the best time to visit Palácio da Pena?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)