Palácio da Pena

If there's a palace to visit near Lisbon, then it's definitely Palácio da Pena! I visited Pena last summer and was immediately amazed by its aesthetic. It is definitely unlike any other palace I've had the opportunity to see. Its bright colors are something that makes it stand out not only from the rest of Sintra's palaces and castles, but from palaces in the whole world.

Palácio da Pena is located in Sintra, a city just about a half hour train ride from Lisbon. The palace itself is situated on a hill, so be ready for a bit of hiking, but when you get there, it's really worth it. Pena is actually a UNESCO heritage site so that's another reason why you should go and visit it. As the title says, the palace truly looks as if it's been plucked out of a fairytale. It seems magical to say the least. The architecture of the palace is inspired by various different styles, such as the Arabic or Islamic style, being this the reason for its unique appearance. Its colorful turrets scraping the sky are a delight to look at and you can just about imagine a king and queen resting inside them after a hot summer's day, as the palace was actually the royal summer residence. And when you see it on a nice sunny day as pictured below, it really gets the appearance of a summer residence. However, many say that the palace looks at its best when the fog rolls over Sintra's hills, creating a mystical and eerie atmosphere.

There is also quite a large park surrounding the palace. I unfortunately did not get to see it, but I hear it is definitely worth walking around and getting lost in it.

The interior of the palace has been preserved quite well. It still resonates the time when the Portuguese royal family lived here. There are many gold elements throughout the palace and many ornate details, and everything is really worth seeing. I especially liked all of the preserved copper kitchenware displayed in the palace kitchen, it's a wonderful sight to take in. Of course, there are also element of the traditional Portuguese tiles, azulejos, which make for a really exquisite mixture of styles.

The ticket for the palace and the park costs 14€, but if you want to visit it along with Palácio da Sintra or some other sights you can combine them and get a better deal. A two-way train ticket from Lisbon to Sintra costs 4. 30€, which is a great price. From the Sintra train station you have to take a bus to get to the sights, including Pena. There is a ticket office, under the name Scotturb, just opposite the train station where you can get bus tickets (there are different types of tickets) and a timetable. Also, when you arrive in Sintra, or when you are heading back to Lisbon, it is worth paying a visit to Café Saudade, which is just about a fifteen-minute walk away from the train station. It is lovely little café serving delicious pastries.

To conclude, if you like palaces, architecture, history and culture in general, you will definitely love Palácio da Pena. It is like no other castle and should not be missed on any visit to Lisbon.