Experience the Magic of Christmas in Sintra: A Festive Celebration Awaits!

The Christmas Spirit in Sintra

Christmas is upon us, bringing with it everything that makes this festive season the most magical time of the year. In Sintra, the Christmas spirit has already taken over the parks and monuments, where tradition remains strong.

At Quintinha de Monserrate, preparations for the holiday season include baking bolo-rei and setting up decorations. Meanwhile, at the National Palace of Pena, a historical reconstitution of King D. Fernando II's Christmas tree allows visitors to step back into the 19th century.

To ensure everything is ready for the Christmas Eve dinner, planning ahead is essential. The event “A Quintinha prepara o Natal”, scheduled for December 7 and 21 at 10:30 AM, involves the whole family in preparations for the big celebration.

Participants are greeted by traditional Sintra characters and invited to engage in daily activities at the farm, as well as festive tasks like making bolo-rei. While the cake bakes, attendees will be challenged to create a Christmas decoration using natural elements to take home, along with a visit to the farm animals.

Tickets for this two-hour program are available exclusively on the Parque de Sintra website for €14 for adults and €12.50 for children aged 3 to 12, while participation is free for those under 3.

Today, a decorated tree is a Christmas staple, but this was not always the case. In Portugal, this custom began in the 19th century under the initiative of King D. Fernando II, who also commissioned the construction of the Pena Palace. From December 29 to January 6, visitors can view the historical reconstitution of D. Fernando II's Christmas tree in the Noble Hall of the palace, a project developed by the Parque de Sintra team since 2019.

During the 19th century, the Royal Family celebrated Christmas at the Palace of Necessidades around a decorated tree sourced from Pena Park, which D. Fernando II referred to as “the Pena pine”. According to an engraving of the monarch, it was a small pine adorned with simple decorations. The tree was set up on December 24 and decorated on Christmas Eve with small figures and fruits like apples, pears, and pomegranates.

The historical reconstitution of D. Fernando II's Christmas tree provides insight into the origins of this tradition in our country and offers a journey back in time. To see it, simply purchase a ticket for the visit to the National Park and Palace of Pena, or take advantage of free entry for residents on Sundays and holidays. Like other parks and monuments managed by Parque de Sintra, it is open every day, except on December 24 and 25, the afternoon of December 31 (from 1 PM), and January 1.