Sintra Royal Palaces Day Trip from Lisbon: Queluz Palace, Pena Palace and Pena Park

Leave your Lisbon hotel and head northwest by bus to Queluz Palace in the UNESCO-listed town of Sintra. Known as the Portuguese Versailles, this 18th-century palace with its ornate gardens, statues and fountains was the last of the Europe’s rococo (late baroque) buildings. While exploring with your guide, admire its decorative art that adorns rooms like the elegant Throne Room and the Royal Bedroom with its distinctive domed ceiling.

If you selected the Tour plus Lunch option, stop for a meal at a restaurant in town. See the Itinerary for a sample menu. Alternatively, make use of a 1.5-hour break to eat at your own expense. Then, meet your guide to visit Pena Palace, a site that’s arguably the town’s most famous architectural icon. Created in the 1800s for King Ferdinand, the palace is similar in appearance to Bavaria’s Neuschwanstein Castle.
As you explore, your guide will point out ramparts and domes. Learn about the architectural styles of the building, and admire panoramic views of the forest from the windows.

After your tour of the building, head outside for a guided walk around the forest’s many paths and gardens. Finally, return to central Lisbon by bus.