Christmas at Pena

In December, a seemingly floating castle can be seen in the distance from our window. It is very far away, but the outline looks familiar — and still, at first it was hard to believe it was really it. Only after I saw reels с with the Christmas illumination did I take a closer look at where our windows face. And yes, my guess was confirmed — it is Pena Palace.

If it weren’t for the festive lighting, I would probably never have noticed that this fairytale palace can be seen from our window on especially clear days. It is truly very far away, and without the lights it simply disappears into the landscape.

Magic Night at Pena Park

In December, the park surrounding Pena Palace opens for evening walks as part of the “Magic Night at Pena Park” event. This is a rare opportunity to see one of Sintra’s most iconic landmarks after sunset, illuminated in a special festive way

It is important to understand that this is not an interior visit to the palace and does not include access to rooms or halls. During Magic Night at Pena Park, visitors can only enjoy an evening walk through the park grounds and around Pena Palace.

 Even on the way to the palace, this floating castle takes your breath away.

In December 2025, as part of the Sintra Mágica – Era uma vez um Natal mágico program, the special Christmas illumination of the palace façade can be seen on the following dates: December 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27, 2025.

Park entry is open from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and the park closes at approximately 10:00 pm.

Admission is free, and no tickets are required.

This is a large-scale evening event, and the park is likely to be crowded. Visitor flows move constantly along the paths, especially near the illuminated palace. Be prepared to walk among crowds and to adjust your pace to other groups. If you feel uncomfortable in large crowds or confined spaces, it is worth considering this in advance.

UPD - We visited the castle at 8:30 pm, and there was quite a long line for the bus on the way out. However, compared to how many people are here during the day, it really wasn’t much.
Police officers and GNR staff were on duty throughout the park. Visitors were spread out across the area, so there was no feeling of crowds. We managed to take shots with no people in them at all.
This is an amazing, magical walk. The soundtrack features Christmas music from Harry Potter films, Home Alone, and other well-known melodies. Pathways decorated with sparkling lights, a carousel, and Nutcrackers.
In short — a FAIRY TALE. I believe the organizers managed to create a festive atmosphere with elements of magic. It was a completely new experience, and it did not disappoint.

At this time of year, the park paths may be damp and slippery, especially after rain or on foggy evenings, so comfortable non-slip footwear is highly recommended.

UPD -  During the time we spent there, we saw people slipping and falling on the slippery paths several times. The weather was typical for a Portuguese winter: rain alternating with clear skies and fog. In just an hour and a half, the weather changed about ten times, so non-slip waterproof shoes are a must. A raincoat or umbrella, a windbreaker, and a hat will also come in handy. At the top, there were strong gusts of wind.

Sintra Mágica Program

Overall, Sintra turns into a true Christmas hub in December, with many events taking place as part of the Sintra Mágica  – Era uma vez um Natal mágico.

The Sintra Mágica program runs throughout December and into early January and includes:

•  video mapping shows on the façades of historic palaces,
• creative and themed activities for children and adults,
• musical concerts and performances,
• exhibitions and workshops,
• designer Christmas decorations in public spaces.

All of these events take place in central Sintra — on squares, in cultural venues, and around the main landmarks. Details are available on the Parques de Sintra website.

The Sintra Mágica program officially runs until early January (usually until January 6), with detailed schedules and dates published on sintramagica.pt

Illumination of the Pena Palace walls

How to get there

I have described the route to Pena Palace in detail in a separate article, but here I will focus specifically on how best to get there on the days of the “Magic Night at Pena Park” event.

By public transport:

From the center of Sintra, the tourist bus No. 434 runs to Pena Park. On event days, the municipality extends its operating hours — the last departure from the park is around 10:30 pm. It is best to check the current timetable and any route changes in official sources.

By car:

Access to the palace itself and parking nearby are very limited, especially in the evenings. Private vehicles are effectively restricted from entering the palace area. It is recommended to park in Sintra near the railway station or use official parking areas, then continue up to the park by bus No. 434, taxi, or on foot.

UPD - We had a fairly busy day and only managed to leave home at 7:40. The drive to Pena Park took about 50 minutes. We drove to the train station and managed to park in a small parking lot nearby. Parking is free in the evening.
There are several public parking lots — here and here.They are small, but in the evening there’s a chance to find a spot. From there, you need to walk to the bus stop — it’s just a few steps from the station exit.If everything is full, you can park a bit farther from the station and walk. Along the way, we noticed several parking areas in this neighborhood (check the satellite map — not all parking lots are marked).
Bus 434 runs every 10–20 minutes. The fare is €5 round trip. Don’t throw away the receipt the driver gives you — you’ll need the QR code on it for the return trip. If you have a Navigante pass, just show it to the driver and travel for free.
We entered Pena Park at 8:30 pm and spent about an hour and a half inside. We left around 10 pm — there were no lines, and the bus back to the station was half empty.
At the exit, taxi drivers were offering rides to the center of Sintra for the same price as the bus. This can be an option if you didn’t arrive by bus and need Uber services.
From my personal experience, it’s better to call a car yourself through an app. It offers a certain level of safety and helps avoid unpleasant surprises when settling the fare at the end of the ride.

View of the souvenir shop from the palace walls

Opening hours (December–January)

December 2025

• “Magic Night at Pena Park”: December 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27 — 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (park closes around 10:00 pm).
• At other times, the park and palace operate according to the standard winter schedule.
• Closed days: December 24–25 (Christmas), December 31 (New Year’s Eve).

January 2026

• The Sintra Mágica program officially covers December and part of January, but the main night walks at Pena Park take place only in December.
• In January, the park and palace return to their regular daytime visitor schedule, with access to interior rooms available by ticket.
• Closed day: January 1 (New Year’s Day).

Note: Be sure to check the opening hours of Sintra’s parks and palaces for your visit date, especially if you are purchasing tickets in advance. Access may be temporarily restricted due to weather conditions: in summer due to fire risk, or at any time of year due to heavy rain, strong winds, or severe weather.

Updates are usually published on the official Parques de Sintra website in the ticket-purchase section.

I hope this information was helpful and that you will have the chance to experience this winter fairytale in Portugal.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth going, my answer is YES, absolutely. It’s something you should see. Incredibly beautiful. I couldn’t stop filming this beauty.

This drone photo is taken from the official website