A place close to Lisbon taken out of a fairy tale. How Pena Palace in Sintra took me back to my childhood dreams

A place close to Lisbon taken out of a fairy tale. How Pena Palace in Sintra took me back to my childhood dreams 1 cover
Do you recall your childhood dreams about being a prince or a princess, sitting on a throne in a huge, colorful palace? A palace on top of a hill, from which you could see all your kingdom? Do you remember imagining your days spent on calm strolls around royal gardens full of exotic plants? These were pleasant dreams. I came back to them as soon as I saw Pena Palace in Sintra. Colorful, on top of the hill, surrounded by a garden full of exotic plants. Apparently, it seems that in XIX century young Ferdinand II of Portugal had the same dreams. The only difference was that he actually was a prince 🙂

Ferdinand when he’s already become a king of Portugal decided to build a palace on ruins of a medieval monastery destroyed in a tragic Lisbon earthquake in 1755. The palace was to become a summer residence for him and his wife, Queen Maria II. The royal family personally planned the symbolic decorations of the palace. I must say – they had a great imagination. And an amazing taste.

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Trip to Sintra: Pena Palace
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Trip to Sintra: Pena Palace

Pena Palace is definitely the most beautiful one I have ever seen. It surprises with the unusual combination of colors and decorations. Part of the palace is covered with traditional Portughese decorative tiles – azulejos. With a bit of imagination, it’s easy to move to the magical world of childhood stories and fairy-tales.

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Trip to Sintra: Pena Palace
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Trip to Sintra: Pena Palace
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Trip to Sintra: Pena Palace

You can also find Queen Maria’s stone throne and admire the palace from her favorite spot. I even got a scepter! The view was stunning indeed, but the throne seemed a bit hard and cold for my noble, royal behind…

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Trip to Sintra: Queen Maria’s throne
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Trip to Sintra: a view from Queen Maria’s throne

Do not miss this place when you are in Lisbon. You can reach Sintra from there directly by train, it takes 40 minutes. From the railway station in Sintra to the palace gardens you can either take one of numerous mean of transports (buses, tuk-tuks) or go there on foot. As ambitious tourists, we decided to walk. Let me warn you – it’s quite a  long walk up the hill, but it’s a good warm-up 🙂 We bought an entrance to the park and palace’s terraces, we didn’t go inside the palace (did I mention already that majority of palaces’ interiors look the same for me?). It cost 10,50 EUR.

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Trip to Sintra: Pena Palace
Childhood dreams may seem naïve and surreal after years pass. Our dreams change with age and experience we gather. I don’t dream about a palace or being a princess anymore, not even about Prince Charming on a white horse. It’s enough for me to see places where other princesses lived with their princes. This way I make my current dream come true. About becoming rich. Enriching my personality. 🙂

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4 thoughts on “A place close to Lisbon taken out of a fairy tale. How Pena Palace in Sintra took me back to my childhood dreams”

  • Reply Holiday in Portugal. Why is Sagres a perfect destination? August 13, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    […] You may also like: Biking trip in Algarve. Exploring Portugal on two wheels Two days in Lisbon – photostory A place close to Lisbon taken out of a fairy tale. How Pena Palace in Sintra toom me back to my chil… […]

  • Reply Who else wants to feel the magic of Bryce Canyon? April 6, 2017 at 10:20 am

    […] Bryce Canyon I felt like I’m 7 years old again. I felt the same kind of magic like in Pena Palace in Sintra, Potrugal. Like my imaginary great dane appeared next to me again. Like I rode my black horse Arrow towards […]

  • Reply What to do for two days in Lisbon? Photostory. April 23, 2017 at 2:40 pm

    […] Yes, but for sure not as the only destination in Portugal. While being in the capital take a trip to Sintra – it may take you to the world from your childhood dreams! Anyway, in Portugal nature is […]

  • Reply Biking trip in Algarve. Exploring Portugal on two wheels. October 16, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    […] You may also like these posts: Photostory: two days in Lisbon. Is it worth going there? At the end of the world – why Sagres is a perfect holiday destination in Portugal A place close to Lisbon taken out of a fairy-tale. How Pena Palace in Sintra took me back to my chil… […]

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