We will begin by exploring Pena Palace from the outside, taking time to appreciate its extraordinary architecture and the many references to different historical styles that make it such a distinctive Romantic creation. I will share the stories behind the palace and its construction, as well as some of the details that are easy to miss when simply arriving for the interior visit.

We will then turn our attention to what I consider one of the true highlights of Pena: its extraordinary park. Created at the same time as the palace, the park was carefully designed to combine the Romantic fascination with nature, exoticism and the picturesque. We will explore its spectacular vistas, the Tree Fern Valley, the Valley of the Lakes and its small architectural features, discovering how they were designed to create a journey of surprise and wonder.

Having worked at Pena as a heritage educator for 10 years, I will share a more in-depth perspective on this remarkable place and why there is so much more to Pena than its famous interiors.

We will not visit the palace interiors, allowing us to avoid the queues and dedicate more time to experiencing the palace and park as a whole.

The number of monuments we visit will depend on how busy Sintra is, how much time we have and, most importantly, what interests you. Rather than following a fixed itinerary, we can decide together which monument or monuments make the most sense for you on the day, or you can let me know your preferences in advance. I will explain the options and help you choose, whether you prefer to focus on one place in depth or see more than one at a quicker pace.

National Palace of Sintra – My preferred choice, and the oldest palace in Portugal. Its extraordinary interiors bring together centuries of history, with remarkable collections of tiles, richly decorated rooms, unique architectural details and the famous royal kitchens beneath its two monumental chimneys.

Chalet Biester – A recently opened and still relatively quiet alternative. This late-19th-century chalet has beautifully decorated interiors inspired by mystery, symbolism and the natural world, surrounded by an atmospheric garden. It is a wonderful choice if you would like to discover something less known and away from the crowds.

Quinta da Regaleira – An extraordinary estate of palace, gardens, grottoes, tunnels and symbolic spaces, created at the end of the 19th century. It is one of Sintra’s most fascinating places, although it can become very crowded, so we can take that into consideration when deciding what to visit.