From Lisbon: Óbidos and Mafra Palace Private Tour

Step back in time and enjoy a private tour through streets of the walled town of Óbidos, the best-preserved "museum village" in Portugal. Also, visit the Palácio Nacional de Mafra, one of the biggest 18th-century baroque palaces in Europe.

Explore Óbidos, which was conquered by Portugal´s first king, D. Afonso Henriques, on January 11th, 1148. Since then, Óbidos continues to be part of Portugal’s history. Here you will visit the various highlights of the Fortified village of Óbidos. Walking inside the village also allows you to taste the Ginjinha and other local goods and crafts.

Discover the palace of Mafra. A magnificent building that was only possible due to the Brazilian gold that poured into the country, allowing King João V to carry out the building of the biggest baroque palaces from the 18th century.

Learn about its construction, which began on November 17, 1717, integrating four buildings in one: the palace, the convent, the basilica, and a library. The complex covers an area of almost four hectares (37.790 sqm2). It includes an incredible 1,200 rooms, more than 4,700 doors and windows, 156 stairways, and 29 inner yards and courtyards.

Walkthrough the longest corridor ever built in a palace (232 m long) that is made of limestone and marble from the Óbidos, Pêro Pinheiro, and Sintra regions. 

Go inside the library, one of the most important in Europe. The impressive library has an enormous variety of books, more than 30.000 volumes, from the XVth to the XVIIIth century.

Look up to see two massive towers flanking the palace. Next, see the basilica, a “centerpiece” of the facade having been designed by the German architect Johann Friedrich Ludwig, commissioned by D. João V.

Note that If you are visiting in July, Óbidos castle hosts a traditional ‘Medieval Market’. For two weeks the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of medieval Europe. Flowing banners and heraldic flags set the mood together with daily parades, hundreds of entertainers and stall workers dressed as traditional merchants, jugglers, jesters, wandering minstrels, soldiers, and more. There are also displays of jousting knights and armed combat.