Sintra’s Palacio da Pena is one of Portugal’s most magical sites, attracting visitors from around the world. Since the monument is so popular, this can often mean queuing for some time, or large crowds within the palace itself. Avoid the crowds and visit Pena Palace while it is closed to the public, feeling like royalty as you explore the colorful palace and incredible views over the rolling green hills of Sintra, all the way to the sea.  Once inside, your expert guide will share the secrets of Palacio da Pena, from its humble beginnings as a chapel, expansion into a monastery, later nearly destroyed by the earthquake of 1755, and finally converted into a stunning summer residence for the Portuguese royal family in the mid-19th century. Allow yourself to be transported to the past, to the days when princes and princesses roamed the halls, feeling as if you are among them in this truly magical experience of visiting the palace while it is closed to the public.