Palacio Pena

Tucked away in the highest hilltop of Sintra, with incredible sweeping views of the surrounding treetop forest and beyond, Palacio Pena is one of the region's most sought-out sites in Sintra. A well-known presence of 19^th-century Romanticism and once a former monastery, the Palacio enchanted the Portuguese King Ferdinand II (1836-1885), a creative genius for his era, with its Moorish architecture. He passionately restored the palace to perfection as a gift to his second wife, Elise, Countess of Edla and a former opera singer. Visitors today are awe-struck by the distinguished landmark’s royal history, fairy-tale ambience, and vibrant, detailed façades. It takes almost an hour-and-a-half to view the palace, if you want to see everything from the original 16^th-century Moorish tiling in the original chapel to the delicately-preserved dining room, outdoor kitchen and countless bedrooms. Palacio Pena is best combined with the Convent of Capucho  for a half-day visit in Sintra.