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.

Escape noisy Lisbon on a visit to nearby sites of natural and architectural beauty. See Sintra's historic center, Pena, Cascais, and more on this day excursion. On this full-day tour, start off with a walk-in Pena Park. Feel like royalty in Pena Palace while your guide explains its history. Marvel at the views of the surrounding landscape and the Atlantic Ocean. Next visit Sintra's historical center. Enjoy lunch or visit the National Palace. Continue on with a drive through the Sintra Mountains. Stop at the great cliffs at Roca Cape, which are the westernmost point of continental Europe. The last stop of the tour is the stylish town of Cascais, where you can take a relaxing walk along the bay before heading back to Lisbon.

Embark on a day tour from the bustling city of Lisbon to the charming and picturesque towns of Sintra and Cascais. Discover the history, architecture, and scenic beauty, showcasing the best of what these two destinations have to offer. Start with pickup from your hotel in Lisbon and travel by an air-conditioned, 8-seat vehicle to the stunning Pena Palace located in Sintra. Perched on a rock overlooking the coastline, marvel at this extravagant palace with Moorish and Manueline motifs and panoramic views of the surrounding woods. Next, head to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Capture the beauty of the rugged coastline and receive a souvenir certificate inscribed with the words "Where the Land Ends and the Sea Begins" by the Portuguese poet, Camões. Travel past some of the most stunning beaches in Cascais, including Praia do Guincho, renowned for its scenic beauty. En route to Cascais, you'll have the chance to explore the mysterious "Devil's Mouth" cave, formed by the crashing of the waves on the rocky bluff. Finally, visit the elegant resort town of Cascais. Once a quiet fishing village, Cascais was discovered by the European nobility for its idyllic setting and has since become a popular destination for travelers. Stroll along the harbor and take in the chic atmosphere before heading back to Lisbon.

Discover the sights and sounds of Portugal on a 4-day package tour from Madrid, crossing the scenic region of Extremedura en route to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. Learn about the Spanish conqusitadors at Trujillo, and the Portuguese Age of Discoveries in Belem. See old trams on the streets of Alfama, and learn about the apperance of the Virgin Mary in Fatima. Accommodation will be at a 4-star hotel in central Lisbon, with optional evening activities and day tours for your pleasure. Day 1: Madrid - Trujillo - Lisbon Depart Madrid at 08:00 and drive through the scenic Extremadura region of Spain, stopping in historic Trujillo to discover a city enriched by the Spanish conquistadors. You will have time to wander the city center to see stunning medieval and Renaissance buildings, such as the main Plaza Mayor, where an equestrian statue of Francisco Pizarro stands guard. Continue across the border to Portugal, and check in to the 4-star Hotel Lutecia on arrival in Lisbon. Situated at the mouth of the River Tagus, the Portuguese capital is a delight to explore at night. You can join an optional fado show to experience the typically melancholic folk songs of Portugal, or relax on your own at leisure. Day 2: Lisbon Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood. Marvel at the medieval Castle of São Jorge, overlooking the Alfama from its hilltop location, and see old trams trundling down the cobblestone streets. Continue to Belem, dominated by the fortress Tower of Belem and ornate Monastery of Los Jeronimos. The afternoon is free to explore at leisure, or take an optional excursion to the fairytale palaces of Sintra, and the glorious beaches and resorts of the Estoril Coast and Cascais. Day 3: Lisbon - Fatima - Lisbon Today you will visit one of the most important sites of pilgrimage in Portugal on a day trip to Fatima. Learn the story of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to 3 shepherd children as they tended their flock in the Cova da Iria. You will be free to explore sites such as the Sanctuary of Fátima and Chapel of the Apparitions. See the mosaics and stained glass windows of the Basilica, and enjoy some quiet time in the Holy Trinity Church. Return to Lisbon for your overnight stay. Day 4: Lisbon - Caceres - Madrid Depart Lisbon and re-cross the border with Spain en route to Madrid. Stop at the historic walled city of Caceres, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 for its beautiful mix of Roman, Moorish, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Discover some of the 30 remaining Islamic towers, and glorious Renaissance palaces, as you wander the narrow streets at leisure. Continue to Madrid for the end of tour services.

1st - You will be pedaling throughout the fishing village’s cobble streets and classy surroundings, catching sight of the best white sanded beaches! Cycle past the coastline and feel the Atlantic breeze, the stunning Boat Marina, the iconic scent of the former fish market and don’t worry about feeling tired or pedaling too much, the ebikes are ready to assist! Center Beaches (lot’s of them) Boat Marina Secret Museum Boca do Inferno Fish-bay 2nd - Sit back and enjoy the ride, while we navigate inside the mountain, past stunning beaches and breathtaking views! Get your batteries charges with a 100% local lunch, at a traditional Portuguese restaurant at a unique picturesque village Off-track, off-grid routes, non-touristic stops, and the most western point of Europe! Guincho Dunes and beach Cabo da Roca Local Restaurant Sintra/Cascais Natural Park 3rd - Our fairy tale-home: Sintra! Glaze upon its unique monuments and eccentric properties lost inside its stunning natural immensity and visit it’s a most precious gem: Pena Palace (princess palace crowning the mountain)! Pena Palace Sintra Histórical Center Local Winery Non-touristic viewpoints Don't miss out on the "must see places near Lisboa" but be unique doing it!

An amazing day in Sintra that includes the highlights of the city and the surrounding coastal and rural area. Travel along the centenary tram line toward your first stop, the rural village of Colares. Visit one of the country's oldest wine cellars and learn about Portugal's ancient winemaking traditions.(n/a on Sundays) Continue along the coast toward your next stop, a whitewashed village located on top of the cliffs where you can take in views of the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Afterward, stop at some more breathtaking beaches along the coastline before stopping for lunch at a traditional restaurant in Sintra (not included). After lunch, head to the westernmost point of Continental Europe, Cabo da Roca, before heading to the fairytale Pena Palace where you can create your own fairytale. (ticket not included) Finally, the choice is yours of where to get dropped off. You can head to the train station, or finish the tour at Quinta da Regaleira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Join this mystical and romantic tour and go back in time to visit the ancient village of Sintra. You'll walk through historical roads whilst observing the surrounding vegetation, which is bound to provide you with a relaxing sensation. Sintra is one of the most romantic villages in Portugal, and whilst there you will learn of the role that it had for the Portuguese monarchy. You'll also discover famous myths surrounding Pena Palace, exactly what sits inside the Seteais Palace, and why there is a labyrinth in Quinta da Regaleira. You will visit the famous Sintra Mountain and the Pena Park and Palace, with plenty of time for you to explore the grounds. Get ready to experience Sintra from a different perspective, as your local charismatic guide reveals interesting facts about the ancient village.

If you ever dreamed about fairy tale places, the Pena Palace is quite possibly the closest you'll ever be to find one. • Its location and the whole environment around it makes the Pena Palace one of the most unique palaces in the world. If Sintra is known as Lord Byron's Glorious Eden, the Pena Palace is the golden pinnacle on the top of the Eden. • In this tour our focus is to show you the history and the stories of the Pena Palace and what was the plan behind it when its owner, Fernando of SaxeCoburgo-Gota, bought the ruins of a former monastery and transformed that into a fancy residence. • The ticket is included, the transport from Lisbon also, the guide will be with you the whole time and he promises you that you will be overwhelmed from the start until the end of the visit. Do you want to bet?!