About the tour
On this tour you will visit three beautiful and exquisite palaces where the Portuguese monarchy lived, and which are not far from Lisbon.
 

After leaving Lisbon, the tour begins with a stop in Queluz, around 12 kilometres from Lisbon, to visit the National Palace of Queluz, which was the royal residence of two generations of monarchs. Known as the ‘Portuguese Versailles’, this 18th century palace combines Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. It is the palatial monument most representative of courtly life in the second half of the 18th century and contains important collections of decorative arts, most of which came from the royal household. Originally conceived as a summer retreat for Pedro de Bragança, the palace stands out for its opulent interiors and stunning formal gardens. 

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Next we head up the Sintra mountain range to visit a fairytale palace, the Pena Palace is the ultimate expression of 19th century romanticism in Portugal. Built in two different periods, it served monks and then a king of Portugal, radically transforming the landscape of Sintra into what we know today. With its vibrant colours, eclectic architectural forms and panoramic views, it is considered a crowning jewel of the Sintra landscape.

Sintra was classified as a World Heritage Site under the category of ‘Cultural Landscape’ on 6 December 1995, during the 19th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Berlin.

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The journey continues to Mafra to visit the Royal Convent of Mafra, later renamed the National Palace of Mafra. This monumental Baroque and Neoclassical complex, begun in 1717, is an imposing work from the reign of King João V and the most important symbol of Baroque architecture in Portugal. It includes a royal palace, a basilica and one of the most important libraries in Europe. With around 1,200 rooms, it is a testimony to Portuguese architectural grandeur. 

Classified as a National Monument in 1910, it was a finalist for the Seven Wonders of Portugal in 2007 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having won the title in 2020.

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All the monuments can be visited from the inside, taking into account their closing times. If you don't want to go inside all of them, you can always take photos from the outside. This can alter the estimated time for the end of the tour.

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WARNING: Some monuments have a slot system for purchasing tickets, so we recommend buying them in advance to guarantee entry and avoid queues.
Most of the roads are one-way, so there may be some traffic that affects the time of the tour. On some occasions there may also be traffic restrictions, so the route may change at the last minute.