Artisanal Tea Production Workshop

How was “Afternoon Tea” once prepared?

Did you know that in the Park of Pena, more precisely at the Tea Hill, there are still 28 surviving Camellia sinensis specimens from the original 19th-century plantation? These historic plants will form the basis of the Artisanal Tea Production Workshop, a unique initiative that offers participants the opportunity to discover how this much-loved beverage was produced at the time when King Ferdinand II envisioned this special place.

Developed in partnership with Chá Camélia, the initiative aims to showcase the history, landscape and botanical value of a singular site within Sintra’s natural heritage. Throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to harvest tea leaves, follow the various stages of the artisanal production process, take part in the rolling of the leaves, and taste the first green tea produced from the historic Pena plants. The final drying process will take place in a dehydrator and will continue until the following morning.

The experience also includes a light lunch served outdoors near the Abegoaria, accompanied by iced tea and kombucha from Chá Camélia.

Through this initiative, new life is given to an almost forgotten chapter in the landscape of the Park of Pena: the existence, in Sintra, of a historic tea plantation, bearing witness to the scientific, romantic and cosmopolitan vision that shaped this place in the 19th century.

A Singular Place

The Tea Hill preserves 28 surviving specimens from the original 19th-century plantation, which is believed to have once included more than 100 tea plants. Their presence in the Park of Pena is linked to the landscape transformation initiated by King Ferdinand II from 1839 onwards, which turned this area into a living laboratory for the acclimatisation of exotic, ornamental and forest species.

This area covers approximately 4.98 hectares within the Park of Pena. The site unfolds through a network of paths that gradually follow the granite escarpments, culminating in a viewpoint situated at around 450 metres above sea level — the third highest point in the Park of Pena, after the High Cross and the Palace itself. The historic Camellia sinensis specimens benefit from particularly favourable conditions on this southern slope of the Park of Pena: high humidity, shelter from northern and maritime winds, good sun exposure, acidic and fertile soils, as well as proximity to water systems essential for the development of this species.

More Information

• Location: Park of Pena
• Date: 4 June 2026
• Time: 09:00am
• Duration: 8 hours
• Meeting point: Lakes Gatekeeper’s House.
• Accessibility: This activity is not accessible to people with reduced mobility
• Lunch: Picnic in the Park of Pena. If you have allergies or follow a vegan diet, please send this information to info@parquesdesintra.pt
• Additional information: Comfortable footwear and suitable clothing are recommended. Access to the monument is by public transport. Please plan your journey in advance in order to arrive at the monument at your desired time. The activity may be subject to changes due to weather conditions. The ticket does not include admission to the Palace of Pena.