This Christmas, Sintra proposes a new way of experiencing the mountains with special stage lighting at the Pena National Palace. This experience invites the public to discover the iconic monument from a new perspective: an intervention created exclusively for this edition, which highlights the romantic silhouette of the Palace and the visual connection with the mountains and the town of Sintra. The result is a luminous route that connects four emblematic monuments of Sintra, the National Palaces of Pena, Sintra, Queluz, and Quinta da Regualeira.
Sintra Mágica – Once upon a magical Christmas
“This magical moment at Palácio da Pena gives us a new enchantment over the Sintra mountains. This moment reveals the true spirit of Parques de Sintra: turning all experiences into shared moments, capable of uniting geographies, heritage and people. We want each visitor to take with them the feeling of enchantment, rediscovery and belonging to Palácio da Pena.”, points out João Sousa Rego, President of the Board of Directors of Parques de Sintra, in a statement.
Sintra Mágica – Once upon a magical Christmas
At the Parque da Pena Arena, just a few meters from the Palace, the festive atmosphere extends this experience, with a traditional carousel, street food options, ambient music and moments of entertainment for all ages. The space was designed as a complement to the nighttime experience, in a welcoming environment that invites you to celebrate the season.
Night visits will take place throughout the month of December, between 6pm and 9pm, with free entry to Parque da Pena, on the 4th and 5th, 11th and 12th, 13th, 18th and 19th, and also on the 20th, 26th and 27th. To facilitate access and ensure a comfortable and sustainable experience, a bus service will be available between the town of Sintra and Parque da Pena, with the last route leaving at 10:30 pm.
“The Enchanted Night of the Pen – The Visit of the Artist-King”
The Enchanted Night of Pena – The Visit of the Artist-King
Emidio Copeto
On the 13th and 20th of December, at 8:00 pm, there will be extra sessions of the immersive experience “A Noite Encantada da Pena – A Visita do Rei-Artista”, an unprecedented proposal at the Palácio Nacional da Pena that sold out quickly after its launch, confirming the public’s strong interest in this exclusive format.
Created by Parques de Sintra especially for the Sintra Mágica – Once Upon a Magical Christmas program, this experience recovers one of the most intimate and affectionate traditions of the 19th century royal family: the moment when D. Fernando II dressed in the clothes of Saint Nicholas to celebrate Christmas with his children, offering gifts and creating a night of fantasy in the romantic palace he designed.
The Enchanted Night of Pena – The Visit of the Artist-King
Emidio Copeto
This narrative and historical immersion experience is led by an assistant to Saint Nicholas, who guides the group through halls and rooms, among historical secrets and small period rituals, culminating in the reunion with D. Fernando II disguised as Saint Nicholas, played in an intimate and engaging way. The night ends with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies, served inside the palace, in a gesture designed to reinforce the welcoming and symbolic nature of the tradition.
The Enchanted Night of Pena – The Visit of the Artist-King
EMIDIO COPETO
“A Noite Encantada da Pena – A Visita do Rei-Artista” lasts 1h00 and includes the transfer between the main entrance to Parque da Pena and the Palace. Tickets for extra sessions are on sale online on the Parques de Sintra website for the price of €55. A family pack is also available (2 adults + 2 children up to 12 years old) for €120.