Things to do in Peniche

Obidos, north of Lisbon, was once ruled by the Moors and ancient Rome, leaving behind many historical buildings. In the 12th century, the king at the time gave it to the queen because he loved it. After that, Obidos became a town inherited by successive queens. The Santa Maria Church in the town is the holy place where the king and queen got married. The cobblestone road spirals up and leads us to the city gate. The beautiful white-bottomed blue-flowered painted tiles are very eye-catching. Climb up the walls around the castle and you can see far away. The main street is full of souvenir shops, restaurants, and stalls selling Ginja. This brandy produced in Obidos is cherry wine served in chocolate cups. It costs 1 euro a cup. It has a strong fruity flavor and is mellow and delicious. Obidos is very popular with tourists because of its beautiful scenery.

Amazing place for kids.

Definitely worth the visit. It is beautiful. Try to get there later in the afternoon so the clouds will clear and you get to see far.

There were no security checks at Pena Palace, so you could bring a selfie stick in—unfortunately, I didn't know that beforehand. The main gate leads to the gardens. Then you have to climb the hill to reach Pena Palace at the top; there are electric carts available for seniors. The time you queue to enter the castle at the top of Pena Palace is based on your reservation time; it takes about half an hour from the gate to the castle. We didn't know this beforehand and were quite late, but they still let us in. Pena Palace is so brightly colored, like a castle from a fairy tale. Pena Palace (Palácio da Pena) – located on a hilltop in Sintra near Lisbon, is a masterpiece of 19th-century European Romantic architecture and one of Portugal's most photogenic landmarks. I. Background: From Monastery Ruins to Royal Summer Palace * Origin: A small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena was built on the hilltop in the 12th century. In the early 16th century, King Manuel I ordered the construction of a monastery on the site. * Disaster: The 1755 Lisbon earthquake almost completely destroyed the monastery; only the chapel survived. * Rebirth: In 1838, Ferdinand II ("King of Arts"), husband of Queen Maria II, purchased the ruins and surrounding land, commissioning the German architect Baron von Eschweg to rebuild the summer palace on the original site. Construction took place between 1842 and 1854. * Status: Predating Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany by about 30 years, it is one of the earliest Romantic palaces in Europe. II. Architecture: A "Hodgepodge" of Four Styles The most captivating aspect of Pena Palace is its blend of Gothic, Manueline, Moorish, and Renaissance styles. The exterior walls are predominantly bright yellow and burgundy, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere when shrouded in mist. * Old Wing: The remains of a 16th-century monastery, including a chapel and cloisters, with a predominantly old rose color scheme. * New Wing: A 19th-century expansion, including the main hall and a circular tower, with a predominantly ochre color scheme. State offices are concentrated here. * **Iconic Gate:** The Triton Gate, with its half-human, half-fish sculpture of Neptune and blue-and-white tiles, is the most iconic feature of Pena Palace. * **Penaeus Sanctuary Chapel:** Located at the heart of the complex, dedicated to Our Lady of Pena, its altar and vaulted ceiling are the palace's most sacred and historically significant parts. III. Must-See Highlights * **Red and Yellow Exterior:** The pale yellow towers, wine-red domes, and blue-and-white tiled arcades create Pena Palace's most classic image. * **Royal Rooms:** The Swan Hall, the Royal Bedroom, and the colorful tiled arcades retain their 19th-century original appearance, exquisitely retro. * **Mounttop Terrace:** Overlooking the town of Sintra and the Moorish Castle, with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean on clear days. * **Penaeus Park:** Spanning approximately 200 hectares, it boasts over 500 species of trees from around the world, making it one of the most diverse gardens in Europe. Interestingly, the castle's collection includes a piece of porcelain belonging to an elderly Chinese couple, reflecting their yearning for the mysterious East during the Age of Exploration.