Historic landmarks
Main monuments, best viewpoints, and what’s worth your time in Penela.
Private Transfers in Penela — Airport & Day Trips
Private and reliable transfers in Penela – airport, hotel, business travel and day trips across Portugal.
Explore the best of Penela
Penela is a destination in Portugal, about 192 km from Lisbon Airport.
Weather
16°C
Overcast
Lisbon time 21:29 • 16 Oct 2026
Nearest airport
OPO
172 km
Porto Airport (OPO) · 172 km
Region
—
Portugal
Population
5,440
Residents
Overview
Plan your visit: the sights of Penela, what to eat and where to stay.
Landmarks · Cuisine · Hotels
Hotels & stays
Book the right stay in Penela: best areas, smart picks, and options for every budget.
Penela Castle
A medieval castle built on a huge rock above the village, with the church of Santa Eufémia inside its walls.
Old village
Quiet streets of whitewashed houses below the castle, with the parish church and small squares.
Roman villa of Rabaçal
A 4th-century Roman country house with mosaic floors, with an interpretation centre in the village of Rabaçal.
Ferraria de São João
A schist village in the hills, surrounded by cork oaks, with walking trails and a peaceful atmosphere.
Senhora do Monte dolmen
A prehistoric dolmen built into a small chapel, a rare mix of ancient and Christian sacred places.
Roast kid
Kid roasted in a wood oven with garlic, white wine and potatoes, a Sunday dish of the hills.
Chanfana
Goat slowly stewed in red wine with garlic and bay leaf in a black clay pot, the great dish of the hills around Coimbra.
Rabaçal cheese
A protected-origin cheese of sheep's and goat's milk from the Sicó hills, firm and slightly spicy.
Penela travel guide & FAQ
Penela travel guide
Penela is a small village in the limestone Sicó hills, 25 minutes south of Coimbra, watched over by a castle built on a huge rock. Around it lie quiet farmland, olive groves and a Roman villa, and the hills produce one of Portugal's best cheeses, the Rabaçal.
What to see
Climb to the castle, with the church of Santa Eufémia inside the walls and views over the hills. Wander through the old village below. Visit the Roman villa of Rabaçal, a 4th-century country house with fine mosaics and a small museum. Drive into the hills to Ferraria de São João, a schist village surrounded by cork oaks, and see the dolmen built into the chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte.
What to eat
Taste the protected-origin Rabaçal cheese, made with sheep's and goat's milk. Order chanfana or roast kid from the hills.
Nearby
Condeixa-a-Nova and Conímbriga are 15 minutes away, Coimbra 25 minutes and Lousã 25 minutes.
Getting there
Penela is about 150 km from Porto Airport. GoToo drives you door to door at a fixed price per vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers, so you can book with confidence.
The remains of a 4th-century Roman country house with mosaic floors, with a museum in the village of Rabaçal.
A protected-origin cheese of sheep's and goat's milk from the Sicó hills, firm and slightly spicy.
Rabaçal cheese, chanfana and roast kid.
GoToo runs private transfers, about 150 km, at a fixed price per vehicle.
Map of Penela
Highlights
- 25 minutes from Coimbra
- Sicó hills
- Near Conímbriga
- About 150 km from Porto Airport by private transfer
Private transfers in Penela
- ✓ Fixed price · no surprises
- ✓ Up to 90 min airport waiting included
- ✓ Professional licensed driver
Getting to Penela
Penela sits about 172 km from Porto Airport, roughly 145 minutes by road. Public transport often means changes and waiting, and may leave you a walk from where you want to be. A private transfer takes you door-to-door, with a fixed price and no connections — from €131 from Porto Airport.