The palace is situated in the eastern part of the Park of Pena, which one has to pass through to reach the steep ramp built by the Baron of Eschwege that provides access to the castle-like building. The palace itself is composed of two wings: the former Manueline monastery of the Order of St. Jerome and the wing built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II. These wings are ringed by a third architectural structure that is a fantastical version of an imaginary castle, whose walls one can walk around and which comprises battlements, watchtowers, an entrance tunnel and even a drawbridge. In 1838, King Ferdinand II acquired the former Hieronymite monastery of Our Lady of Pena, which was built by King Manuel I in 1511 on the top of the hill above Sintra and had been left unoccupied since 1834 when the religious orders were suppressed in Portugal. The monastery consisted of the cloister and its outbuildings, the chapel, the sacristy and the bell tower, which today form the northern section of the Palace of Pena, or the Old Palace as it is known. King Ferdinand began by making repairs to the former monastery, which, according to the historical sources of that time, was in very bad condition. He refurbished the whole of the upper floor, replacing the fourteen cells used by the monks with larger-sized rooms and covering them with the vaulted ceilings that can still be seen today. In roughly 1843, the king decided to enlarge the palace by building a new wing (the New Palace) with even larger rooms (the Great Hall is a good example of this), ending in a circular tower next to the new kitchens. The building work was directed by the Baron of Eschwege. The 1994 repair works restored the original colors of the Palace’s exterior: pink for the former monastery and ochre for the New Palace. In transforming a former monastery into a castle-like residence, King Ferdinand showed that he was heavily influenced by German romanticism, and that he probably found his inspiration in the Stolzenfels and Rheinstein castles on the banks of the Rhine, as well as Babelsberg Palace in Potsdam. These building works at the Palace of Pena ended in the mid-1860s, although further work was also undertaken at later dates for the decoration of the interiors. King Ferdinand also ordered the Park of Pena to be planted in the Palace’s surrounding areas in the style of the romantic gardens of that time, with winding paths, pavilions and stone benches placed at different points along its routes, as well as trees and other plants originating from the four corners of the earth. In this way, the king took advantage of the mild and damp climate of the Sintra hills to create an entirely new and exotic park with over five hundred different species of trees. The Palace of Pena was designated a National Monument in 1910 and forms part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, which has been classified by UNESCO as World Heritage since 1995.

Join the 28 million visitors from 182 countries that have visited the Oceanario in Lisbon since it opened in 1998, making it one of the most popular things to do in Lisbon. Located on the grounds of the Expo 98 site, it is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. Your entrance ticket allows you access to all permanent and temporary exhibitions. Celebrate life on earth through stunning displays of more than 8,000 creatures from 500 species and learn about the complexity of the world’s oceans. Divided into 4 separate bodies of water - representing the North Atlantic, Antarctic, Temperate Pacific, and Tropical Indian Ocean - large acrylic panels cleverly divide each from a central aquarium to create the impression that all living creatures roam in one single mass of salt water!

Get entrance tickets to Jerónimos monastery, a national monument classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located near the city of Lisbon. Learn about how King Manuel I commissioned the monastery in 1496 to honor the Infante for his devotion to Our Lady and faith in St. Jerome. Once inside, marvel at the Manueline or Portuguese Late Gothic architecture. Discover how the monastery of St. Mary of Belém was donated to the monks of the Order of St. Jerome. For this reason, it is commonly known as the Jerónimos Monastery. In 1833, when the order was dissolved, the monastery was used as a school and orphanage until 1940. In the 19th century, the church became the monument for local heroes and poets such as Luís de Camões and Vasco da Gama. Come and discover what is not simply a notable work of architecture, but also an important part of Portuguese identity and culture.

Experience St.George Castle at your own pace with a skip-the-line e-ticket and a fascinating self-guided audio tour on your smartphone. Receive your instructions by email, download the app, the entrance tickets, and the audio tour on your phone, prior to your visit, and travel back in time to experience the glory of one of Lisbon’s main attractions, the magnificent St. George Castle. Put on your headphones and discover the breathtaking Arco do Castelo, the Castle’s entrance, and the Castle’s breathtaking monuments and treasures through the power of storytelling and learn historical information and uncommon stories and anecdotes for this spectacular attraction of Lisbon. Tour’s content is the result of in-depth research, squeezed into brief original stories that will make your visit both engaging and informative. The audio tour can be used repeatedly and anytime, before or after your visit. This is an unmissable opportunity to gain valuable insights into one of Lisbon’s main and most well-known attractions, the Castle of St. George and relate to your surroundings in an entirely original way.

Enjoy a Fado in Chiado performance and discover the soul of Lisbon. The musical form of fado was adopted as a part of Portuguese culture and is now a symbol of the nation, with a particularly strong tradition in the historic districts of Lisbon. Enjoy a performance featuring a male and a female singer, accompanied by two musicians playing classical and a Portuguese guitar. Admire images of unique must-see locations in Lisbon as your watch the performance. It is said that fado combines nostalgia, Portuguese pride, and hope, in a musical style epitomized by Amália Rodrigues. Due to its cultural importance and unique style, this musical form was declared part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The Fado in Chiado performance takes place in the center of Lisbon. Experience the live show and then take advantage of the night to discover more of the city.

Reserve your entrance ticket to the iconic Belém Tower located on the shores of Lisbon. Discover more about the fascinating history of this defensive construction, and enjoy fantastic views of the Belém district. Upon arrival, access the tower which was built in 1515 at the mouth of the River Tagus. Climb the narrow stairs to the top floor to get a panoramic view of the historic Belém district and its monuments to the "Age of Discoveries." Learn more about the golden age of Portugal's travels in search of new worlds. Discover how the strategic monument served as a gateway to the city in the past.

The Castle of the Moors was classified as a National Monument in 1910 and it also forms part of the Sintra Cultural Landscape classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1995. It soars 412 m above sea level and looms high above the surrounding forest.  The 10th-century Moorish castle’s dizzying ramparts stretch across the mountain ridges and past moss-clad boulders the size of small buses. The best walking route here from Sintra-Vila is not along the main road but the quicker, partly off-road route via Rua Marechal Saldanha. The steep trail is around 2 km, but quiet and rewarding.  Once you reach the castle, the views over Sintra’s palace-dotted hill, across to the glittering Atlantic are breathtaking. Along the walkways, you can admire the unique landscape that in the foreground features Sintra town and its town hall, the Palace of Pena and the hills. In the background, admire the extensive plain running northwards and the Atlantic Ocean.

In the heart of Downtown Lisbon, discover the spirit of Portugal through the unique voices of fantastic fado signers. Enjoy an intimate fado show without the use of microphones with a small audience. Listen as two fadistas (singers), one classic guitarist, and a Portuguese guitarist perform a selection of treasured songs. As you enjoy the performance, sip on a class of port wine, included with your entry ticket.

Explore the history of the city and the science of earthquakes with this entry ticket for the "Quake - Lisbon Earthquake Centre." Discover with access to 2 earthquake simulators, a 4D immersive experience, and 10 thematic rooms with information 4 languages. Travel into the past while staying safe and sound and find out how the 1755 earthquake forever changed the face of the city and shook the old continent. When walking through the streets of Lisbon today, the story of the Great Earthquake is lurking in every corner. Uncover how this even affected the orthogonal plan of downtown, the proximity to the water, and how it reverberates in popular culture today. Learn what happened to the vibrant medieval streets and see what reconstruction plans for the city were on the table. Explore the historical, philosophical and scientific impact that the earthquake had on Europe in the Age of Enlightenment.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon or morning at Sao Jorge Castle with these convenient skip-the-line tickets. Learn about the history of Lisbon's most popular monument that stretches back into the 10th century. Meet your GetYourGuide representative directly in front of the castle for a 15-minute introduction to the monument before picking up your tickets. These allow you access to the castle's interior and will give you plenty of time to explore. Enjoy the visit at your own pace - admire the ancient architecture, and discover the castle's permanent exhibition, showcasing the many 11th century objects found in the Moorish quarter's archaeological site, and take in a 360-degree view of the city and the Tagus River from one of the highest hills in Lisbon.