Plan your visit

Everything you need to plan a smooth visit to the Park and National Palace of Pena,  which ticket to pick, how to get there, and how to time your day so you never miss your palace entry slot.

Which ticket should I choose?

First visit to Pena? Take the Palace + Park ticket. The richly furnished state rooms and the panoramic terraces are what make Pena unique,  the Park-only ticket is best if you have already been inside, or if you mainly want to hike the grounds and see the palace from the outside.

Getting to Sintra from Lisbon

By train (recommended). The CP Sintra line runs frequently from Rossio station in central Lisbon (about 40 minutes to Sintra), with departures also from Oriente and Entrecampos. No seat reservation is needed, just tap in with a Navegante card or contactless bank card. Check departure times on cp.pt for your travel day.

By car. Take the IC19 from Lisbon (or the EN9 via the A5 from Cascais). Important: private vehicles are not allowed on the roads leading up to the monument itself. Park at one of the peripheral car parks around Sintra town and continue by bus, taxi or on foot.

From Sintra station to Pena

Bus 434. The Scotturb 434 tourist loop connects Sintra train station, the historic centre, the Moorish Castle and Pena. It is the simplest option for most visitors. Check the current timetable on scotturb.com, the road up the hill gets busy mid-morning, so allow extra time.

On foot. Two signposted walking routes climb through the woods to the park entrances: the Santa Maria route (about 1.8 km, roughly 1 hour uphill from São Pedro de Sintra) and the route past Vila Sassetti from the historic centre (about 1 hour). Both are steep but shaded and very scenic — a great option if you enjoy walking and want to skip the bus.

Taxi or ride-hailing. Taxis and app-based rides can drop you directly at the park entrance.

Two park entrances. You can enter the Park of Pena through either gate:

• Main Entrance — GPS: 38° 47′ 16.45″ N, 9° 23′ 15.35″ W (closest to the palace, bus 434 stop)
• Lakes Entrance — GPS: 38° 47′ 21.4″ N, 9° 23′ 31.9″ W (lower entrance, by the Valley of the Lakes)

Timing your visit — don’t miss your slot

This is the single most important thing to plan. For Palace + Park tickets, your time slot is your entry time at the palace door, at the top of the park,  not at the park gate. Entry is only permitted at your reserved time: if you arrive late, you will not be admitted and the ticket cannot be refunded.

Work backwards from your palace slot:

• 30–40 minutes: uphill walk from the park entrance to the palace
• 15–30 minutes: bus 434 or taxi from Sintra station, plus possible queues
• 40 minutes: train from Lisbon Rossio to Sintra

Example: for an 11:30 palace slot, aim to be on a train from Rossio by 9:40 at the latest, earlier in peak season.

Best time of day. Pena is busiest between 10:00 and 15:00, when tour groups arrive. For a quieter visit, book the first slots of the morning (the palace opens at 9:30) or come in the afternoon, which is currently the least crowded part of the day. Remember the park stays open until 19:00, so an afternoon palace slot still leaves time to explore the grounds.

How long to plan. Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at Pena: around 40 minutes inside the palace, 30 minutes on the terraces, plus time in the park. Add the walk between the park gate and the palace. If you also want to reach the Cruz Alta viewpoint or the Chalet of the Countess of Edla, plan half a day.

Good to know

• Weather changes fast. Pena sits at the top of the Sintra hills and is often cooler, windier and mistier than Lisbon, bring a layer even in summer.
• Wear proper shoes. Paths in the park are steep and can be uneven or slippery.
• Food and water are limited on site. Options exist but queues can be long in season, carry water.
• Best photo spot. The Cruz Alta (High Cross), the highest point of the Sintra hills, offers the classic postcard view of the palace above the treetops.
• Opening hours. Park: 9:00–19:00 (last ticket 18:00). Palace: 9:30–18:30 (last ticket 17:30, last admission 18:00).

More questions

Can I change the date of my ticket?
Tickets are issued for a specific date and, for the palace, a specific time slot. They cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase, so double-check your details before confirming. See our Legal & Policies page for full conditions.

Is Pena Palace accessible for visitors with reduced mobility?
The park paths are steep and the palace has stairs and narrow passages, which makes access difficult for wheelchair users. For detailed accessibility information, check the official operator’s accessibility page before booking.

Are dogs allowed?
Assistance dogs are allowed. For pets, rules are set by the venue operator – check the official conditions before your visit, as animals are generally not admitted inside the palace.

Ready to book? Choose your date and time slot here ,morning slots sell out days in advance in peak season (April–October).