Queluz and Mafra Palaces Private Tour

Queluz and Mafra Palaces Tour Itinerary

Hotel pick up
Palace of Queluz
Palace of Mafra
Ericeira fishing town (free time for lunch - own expense)
Hotel drop off

Royal Palaces from Lisbon
Queluz, Mafra and Ericeira

Lisbon hotel pick up

Depart from your hotel in Lisbon and travel out to Queluz in your air-conditioned vehicle with free wi-fi for a full-day trip from the countryside to the coast, led by an expert guide.

Queluz Palace, a summer royal residence

One of the most harmonious examples of the link between landscape and palatial architecture in Portugal.
Initially designed as a summer residence, became the royal family’s preferred place for leisure and their permanent residence from 1794 until their departure to Brazil in 1807, as a result of the French invasions. Enjoy a stroll through its beautifully landscaped formal gardens.

Mafra Palace: Visit with guide and ticket

Next, hop back in your vehicle and continue onward to the Palace of Mafra. Taste a "fradinho", a typical pastry from the region, before immersing yourself in the 18th-century Portugal.

This Baroque architectural complex, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, encompasses a Royal Palace, a Basilica and a Convent - kindly note that the basilica is closed for restoration work in 2025, which is expected to last one to two years.

The Palace of Mafra boasts important collections of sculptures, paintings, two carillons, historic organs, an 18th-century hospital and an important 18th-century library with around 36.000 volumes.

Ericeira fishing town

Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch in a local restaurant (own expense) and then stroll around the town.
Set your feet on the same beach from which the last king of Portugal, Manuel II, sailed into exile in England.

Lisbon hotel drop off

Now it’s time to board the van back to your hotel in Lisbon.

More about Mafra Palace
Queluz and Mafra Palaces Day Tour

The Mafra Palace is the most important Portuguese Baroque monument

The Royal Building of Mafra, with an area of 38,000m2 (409,028ft²), is one of the largest monuments in Europe. It has important collections of Italian sculpture, Italian and Portuguese painting, vestments, as well as an imposing library, two carillons, six historic organs and an 18th century infirmary. The best that Europe had to offer came here! The finest materials, from Belgium to Ireland, Brazilian woods and Portuguese stones.

It represents one of the most magnificent works carried out by King John V, who had exceptional cultural and economic conditions that allowed him to stand out among other European monarchies.

Mafra houses the largest collection of Italian Baroque statues outside Italy

There were sculptors in Italy who spent their entire lives sculping for the Portuguese Court. Many also worked on important Italian monuments, such as the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain).

In total, 58 statues. All in Carrara marble, perfect and without veins, carved in a single block, as specified by the king.

In the Mafra palace, the last king of Portugal slept his last night as king

Regularly visited by kings, who came to hunt in the game reserve, it was here that the last king of Portugal - Manuel II - spent the last night in the kingdom (1910), before his departure for exile.

Mafra Library: the best, the newest, the rarest

The Mafra Palace also houses one of the most important libraries in the world. The best in science and arts of its time. King John V sent emissaries throughout Europe to acquire the best. Loans were not allowed without the king's personal authorization.
Proving its importance, the Pope authorized here books banned by the Inquisition; from social policy, Kabbalah, or religious texts - like a very rare edition of the Quran commented by hand by Martin Luther, from the 16th century.

In total, there are 36,000 volumes that researchers can still consult. And some only exist here.

Mafra Palace is World Heritage Site

The Royal Building of Mafra – Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Hunting Park (Tapada) - was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. The royal residential complex is one of the most important in Europe, considering not only its size and constructive accuracy, but also some integrated pieces such as the Carillons and the Organs of the Basilica, musical sets of exceptional relevance in the world.