Mafra

Transfers

Unlock the city of Lisbon with the flexible Lisbon Card. Enjoy unlimited travel on city transport, and free admission to 51 museums, historic buildings, and more. Benefit from discounts at a vast range of attractions, vouchers for different shops, and a handy guide that explains how to use the card. After exchanging your GetYourGuide voucher for the magnetic card, the Lisbon Card immediately provides 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour access to the public transport system. Eligible on the Carris metro, buses, trams, and cable railways, it also works on CP trains between Cais do Sodré and Cascais, and trains between Oriente, Rossio, and Sintra.   Enjoy free access to the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belem Tower, the National Tile Museum, the National Coach Museum, and others. Admire stunning palaces, including the Mafra National Palace and the Ajuda National Palace. Ride the famous Santa Justa Lift, and much more—all with one card.

First stop will be Azenhas do Mar, a scenic village on the coast built in the "Portuguese Soft Style". Continue along the coast, passing by steep cliffs and wild beaches. Arrive in Ericeira, a village known for its blue and white buildings, as well as its lively food scene. Enjoy free time to explore the village at your own pace and have lunch. After lunch, head to Jose Franco, a working village and open-air museum that showcases the traditional culture and handicrafts of the área. End your tour with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Mafra, a masterpiece from the eighteenth century and one of the most important buildings in the Portuguese Baroque style. The palace is home to 92 bells, 1200 rooms, and over 4,700 doors and windows. It also hosts the oldest library in Portugal with about 36,000 volumes. Enjoy a tour of the site with your dedicated guide, who will share interesting facts and stories about the monument.

Uncover the beauty and flavors of the countryside surrounding Sintra on this tour in a vintage car. Take some free time to explore the cobble stone streets in the seaside village of Ericeira.  Meet your guide at the Portela de Sintra train station and sit back and relax in a stylish classic car on the drive to a hidden waterfall in the mountains. Have some time to snap some pictures before heading to a rural village.  Sit down in a picturesque country village and breathe in delicious aromas. Immerse yourself in local cuisine while taking in views of the unique landscape.  See the sights along the main street of Mafra city and admire the “Convento de Mafra” palace. Make your way to the seaside village of Ericeira, a world surf reserve. Take some free time to walk in the center of the village before returning to you meeting point in Sintra.

This tour will take you to Mafra, where a world heritage famous convent-palace takes place. The National Palace of Mafra, a complex consisting of a Royal Palace, a Basilica and a Convent, was completed in 1735, by the will of King D. João V by virtue of a promise he had made on behalf of the descendants he would obtain from the queen. It was the residence of the royal family for a few years, until the king's death, but never ceased to be one of the court's favorite places. Mafra's greatest treasure is the library. Here are kept books that are unique and rare examples of knowledge produced between the 15th and 19th centuries. After visiting the palace, head to the coast and arrive at Ericeira, a pretty fishing village. Its connection to the sea is undeniable, which you can enjoy exploring its narrow streets located in the Historic Center that take us back to other times. The cliffs along the shores of Ericeira beach also give it a unique beauty, as do the fishermen's boats that bring the best and freshest fish to land that can be tasted in many of the village's restaurants. Onwards, you will travel towards the interior, to discover Queluz National Palace, not infrequently called the Portuguese Versailles. It is an 18th century palace and was built as a summer retreat. Among the various rooms and other divisions of the palace such as the throne room, music room, ambassador's room, D. Quixote's room, among others, it is here where you will find the most interesting and important historical gardens in Portugal, present the most significant set of statues by the British sculptor John Cheere, outside English territory, which gives it great importance in the international art scene.

Skip the hassle of Lisbon public transportation by hiring a private car and customizing a 10-12 hours tour. Relax in air-conditioned comfort in a private car. Travel with an experienced driver that knows the area well and get recommendations on where to shop and eat. Discover must-see sights like historical part of Lisbon, • Belem • Cristo Rei • Old town center & View Points • Sáo Jorge Castle. • Fishing Villàge Cascais • Costa de Caparica • Sintra • Pena Palace and Park • Moorish Castle • Quinta da Regaleira • Fátima, • Óbidos, • Nazaré, • Ericeira, • Mafra Palace • Batalha and many more... Check out the art scene or surf at the best hidden beaches. Eat and drink at all of the latest hot spots. Go anywhere on the Lisbon or other cities within (200km) you want to go and have your driver wait for you at every stop. Choose where you want to be dropped off at the end of your tour.

Heading just outside of Lisbon make your first stop at Queluz National Palace and Gardens. Known as little Versailles, enjoy the opportunity to explore French style garden and a cell room of a troubled queen. Continuing northwest of Lisbon reach Ericeira, a small fishing town nowadays very famous because of the surf culture. There are only 3 surfing reserves in the world and one of them it's Ericeira. Relax and unwind as you explore the town and the coastline. Finish your tour with a stop at Mafra, a small town built in front of an 18th century Convent. This monument is also a church, a palace, a library and a garden. Discover the many charms of this impressive and unforgettable place before heading back to Lisbon.

Explore three of the main fortifications of Wellington's Defensive Lines – Alhandra Fort and Memorial, Zambujal Fort in Mafra, and St. Vincent Fort in Torres Vedras – on a tour from Lisbon. Get a general context of the Lines of Torres Vedras and the Peninsular War in Portugal with audiovisual aids, photos, videos, brochures, models, and books at the interpretation centers at some forts. Next, head to Mafra to visit the basilica and convent in the baroque complex of the Mafra National Palace. Learn how it was built with gold brought from Brazil in the 18th century. This palace was the last residence of King João VI before becoming the headquarters of the French army.

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.

Take the road to Mafra, a historic town known for the impressive Royal Palace and Convent of Mafra (closed on Tuesdays). This colossal architectural complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire its beautiful library with over 36,000 books dating back several centuries. The library is known for its unique Rococo style and the famous colonies of bats that protect the books from insects. Drive all the way to Ericeira, a charming coastal town and a popular surfing destination. Ericeira offers scenic coastal walks along the cliffs, providing panoramic views of the sandy beaches. Ericeira is internationally recognized as one of the best surfing destinations in Europe. Be amazed inside and outside the National Palace of Queluz, a masterpiece of 18th-century portuguese architecture. The palace served as a royal residence for various monarchs. Walk through its opulent rooms, see intricate tilework, and luxurious furnishings. Once outside, feel the atmosphere of the extensive gardens featuring fountains, statues, geometric patterns, and ornate pavilions, providing a serene and picturesque setting.

"Queluz Palace (optional visit) Visit the Queluz Palace, the "Portuguese Versailles," featuring three architectural styles: Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical. Explore the French-style gardens adorned with fountains by English artists, Italian statues, and a magnificent 18th-century tiled canal (swimming pool). It was the official residence of King John VI. Here, you can visit the room where King Pedro I of Brazil was born and passed away." Sintra is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary places in Portugal. Its microclimate makes this small town on the mountain slope and by the Atlantic Ocean a must-see attraction for visitors, who come to admire its famous castles or simply enjoy the traditional sweets and food. Don't forget to explore the local shops with their unique offerings. The historic center is a great place to sample the famous travesseiros and queijadas at the Piriquita pastry shop and wander through the streets of Portugal's most romantic town. Visit one of the palaces: the National Palace of Sintra, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, or Monserrate Palace (optional). If you'd like to have lunch, your guide can provide recommendations for restaurants in the Sintra area. Some popular options include Incomum, Metamorphosis, and Tascantiga, all of which offer a range of delicious Portuguese cuisine. Just let your guide know your preferences, and they'll be happy to suggest a restaurant that suits your tastes and budget. The Palácio Nacional de Mafra is the most imposing palace in Portugal, built in the 18th century by King John V, the wealthiest king in Europe at the time. The gold from the Minas Gerais region in Brazil, then a Portuguese colony, financed the construction of this enormous palace, which features the King's and Queen's quarters at each end, separated by a distance of 232 meters. Highlights of the palace's Baroque interior include the library, hospital, convent, and basilica, adorned with Italian sculptures and marble. The palace complex also includes the Cerco Garden and the Mafra National Hunting Park, offering visitors a comprehensive experience of Portugal's rich cultural heritage. Ericeira, located on the western coast of Portugal, is a charming seaside town with a rich history and culture. Known as the surfing capital of Europe, it boasts forty beaches with excellent conditions for surfers and was declared a World Surfing Reserve. Ericeira was also a popular summer retreat for Lisbon families in the 1940s and 1950s, and it continues to attract tourists and surfers from around the world. Visitors can enjoy the town's cobblestoned streets, cultural heritage, and nearby attractions, as well as its delicious seafood and surf culture.