The Pena Palace (more formally known as the National Palace of Pena) is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Sintra, a municipality in Portugal. The colorful Romanticist castle is found amidst the Sintra Mountains above the town proper.
Heading to Pena Palace and the nearby castles is generally very convenient as visitors can take the bus to head up and down the mountain. A one-way trip takes roughly around 10 minutes, but this can change depending on the volume of vehicles and travelers on the road.
Aside from riding the bus, there is another way to reach Pena Palace, and that's through hiking up the mountain. However, before deciding on this option, there are few things visitors must know.
What to Expect
The hike takes roughly an hour from the town proper, but this will vary depending on the pace and hiking experience of the traveler. While there are shops and restaurants along the way, these are all just around during the first couple of minutes of the hike. As you go up higher and higher, you'll only be surrounded by nature and your fellow hikers.
The hike is definitely not for those who are unprepared and inexperienced as there are some areas that are steep and slippery, especially right after rain. There are areas where hikers can rest and recuperate, but there aren't that many of them. There are, however, rocks along the way that are big and flat enough to be seated on.
Those who take this longer and more excrutiating route up to Pena Palace will be definitely be rewarded. Not only does the air you breathe smell fresher and crisper, you are also surrounded by lush trees and plants. You will likewise pass by a few attractions along the way, such as Villa Sassetti.
Why You Shouldn't Choose the Hike
If you are wearing clothing and footwear that's not suitable for an hour's hike up the Sintra Mountains, opt for the bus ride instead. If you also have existing health conditions that can make your hike more difficult, opt for the bus ride as well.
The hike up to Sintra is a very demanding one, and those not physically prepared to go through a hike that's roughly two miles (2.3 kilometers) uphill should think twice before going.
For Those Who Decide to Still Hike
For those who are willing to brave the challenging uphill climb, the experience is definitely rewarding once you reach Pena Palace. They say that is is the journey and not the destination that makes an experience worth having at times. In this case, both the journey and the destination make it all worth your while.
It is difficult not to appreciate the beauty of nature when you're surrounded by it everywhere you look. Even in your exhaustion, you'll find yourself appreciating the fresh, clean air you take in with every breath. The sights you'll come across along the way are a much welcomed respite during your journey, and they make for wonderful photos and memories to take with you.
Pena Palace, of course, is a sight to behold once you've completed your hike. You are allowed to tour inside and outside the palace, so make sure you've done the necessary arrangements for tickets before you get in line.
Once all is said and done, and you're back in town or in the train station, more than likely you'll find yourself looking up at where Pena Palace is. High up where it stands among the mountains, you'll be amazed that you were able to hike all the way up there.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
