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Mafra National Palace

Mafra National Palace: Our most recommended tours and activities

Lisbon Card: 24, 48, or 72-Hour Pass

1. Lisbon Card: 24, 48, or 72-Hour Pass

Unlock the city of Lisbon with the flexible Lisbon Card. Enjoy unlimited travel on city transport, and free admission to 39 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. The Libson Card provides free entry to the following attractions: • Jerónimos Monastery / Monasterio de los Jerónimos• Pilar7 Bridge Experience / Experiencia Pilar 7 • LISBOA Story Centre• National Tile Museum / Museo Nacional del Azulejo   • National Coach Museum / Museo Nacional de Carruajes  • National Ancient Art Museum / Museo Nacional de Arte Antigua• Sintra Mitos e Lendas• Santa Justa Elevator / Ascensor de Santa Justa• Mafra National Palace / Palacio Nacional de Mafra• CARRIS• METRO• CP-Comboios de Portugal• FERTAGUS• National Pantheon / Panteón Nacional• Ajuda National Palace / Palacio Nacional de Ajuda• Chiado Museum - National Museum of Contemporary Art / Museo del Chiado Museo Nacional de Arte Contemporânea• National Ethnology Museum / Museo Nacional de Etnología      • National Costume Museum / Museo Nacional del Traje     • National Museum of Theatre and Dance / Museo Nacional del Teatro y de Danza  • National Archaeology Museum / Museo Nacional de Arqueología• National Music Museum Music / Museo Nacional de la Música• Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves Museum-Residence / Casa-Museo Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves• Republican National Guard Museum / Museo de la Guardia Nacional Republicana• Ceramics Museum - Sacavém / Museo de la Cerámica - Sacavém• Air Museum / Museo del Aire• Batalha Monastery / Monasterio de Batalha • Alcobaça Monastery / Monasterio de Alcobaça• Tomar Convent of Christ / Convento de Cristo - Tomar• Museum of Neo Realism - Vila Franca de Xira / Museo del Neo Realismo - Vila Franca de Xira• Museum of the work Michel Giacometti / Museo del Trabajo Michel Giacometti• Casa da Cerca - Museum of Contemporary Art - Almada / Casa da Cerca - Museu de Arte Contemporanea - Almada• Chapel of the Holy Spirit of the Mareantes - Sesimbra / Capilla del Espíritu Santo de los Mareantes - Sesimbra• Museum of Setúbal - Municipal Gallery / Museo de Setúbal - Galería Municipal• Rua Augusta Arch / Arco da Rua Augusta• Greenhouse / Invernadero Frío• Maritime Museum of Sesimbra / Museo Marítimo de Sesimbra• Museum Tesouro Real• CIRES – Roaz Interpretive Center of the Sado Estuary / CIRES - Centro Interpretativo del Roaz del Estuario del Sado• Royal Treasure Museum / Museu do Tesouro Real  The Libson Card also provides discounts on the following attractions:• Dom Fernando II e Glória ship – 20% discount• Biester Palace (Sintra) – 10% discount• Video mapping (Immersivus Lisboa – O Cubo) – 15% discount• SEOTours – 15% discount• Setubal Alive – 10% discount• MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology – 15% discount

From Lisbon: Coastal Villages and Mafra Palace Guided Tour

2. From Lisbon: Coastal Villages and Mafra Palace Guided Tour

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.

From Lisbon or Cascais: Mafra, Ericeira, and Queluz Day Tour

3. From Lisbon or Cascais: Mafra, Ericeira, and Queluz Day Tour

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.

Private Tour to Defensive Lines of Torres, Mafra & Ericeira

4. Private Tour to Defensive Lines of Torres, Mafra & Ericeira

After the second invasion of Portugal by Napoleon’s army in 1809, the British army, Portugal’s ally, led by Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) designed three defensive lines of 152 fortresses 40 km around Lisbon to prevent another invasion which eventually happened. This magnificent strategic work can be seen today in some sites and better understood in one of the six interpretation centers. Visit this mountainous green region to witness history. The third invasion of Portugal defeat is said to have led towards Waterloo’s finale by Napoleon. Next visit the majestic Mafra National Palace which was turned into the French headquarters, but mostly it is the largest baroque building in Portugal. Finish your day passing by the Zambujal Fortress heading towards Ericeira, the west coast pearl, famous for surfing, its picturesque town center with amazing views to the Atlantic. Optionally visit a local winery and taste Lisbon Region wines.

From Lisbon: Óbidos and Mafra Palace Private Tour

5. 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.

Lisbon: Wine Tasting Day Tour

6. Lisbon: Wine Tasting Day Tour

Pick up and head west to the magnificent Adega Mãe, about 40 minutes from Lisbon. Beginning the tour with a visit to the beautiful vineyards and learn about the different wine varieties spreading along the hills and it’s individual characteristics. Afterwards you are going to learn about the process of making the wine and the magic happens in the Temple room, where the wine rests in wood barrels. Last but not least you are going to taste five wines (Two red, Two white and one rosé) and be inebriated with it’s characteristics. After the first wine experience at the magnificent Adega Mae, and because is lunch time, lunch in a nearby typical portuguese restaurant, specialized in grilled sea food, for sure, it will be one of the best food experiences of your whole trip. (Prices between 10-20 €/pp). After lunch, we have a 30 minutes ride to the little village of Cheleiros, where we are going to visit our second winery of the day. Starting the visit with the history of the village and the importance of this wine project in this small community, after we continue with the wine process and finish at the barrels room. We finish with the tasting of 5 wines (3 reds and 2 whites), including the single variety Jampal, a unique grape in Portugal and in the world. The tasting is paired with home made bread and olive oil. We finish the visit with a little walk around the village and visiting the medieval bridge of Cheleiros, built upon an old roman bridge. Before return to Lisbon pass by the magnificent "Palacio Nacional de Mafra" is the biggest and more impressive baroque palace in Portugal, built by D. João V in the 18th century. An impressive sight, out of the touristic mainstream.

Mafra Convent, Queluz Palace & Ericeira Tour from Lisbon

7. Mafra Convent, Queluz Palace & Ericeira Tour from Lisbon

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.

Lisbon: Royal Palaces Tour

8. Lisbon: Royal Palaces Tour

Explore the Royal Palaces in Lisbon and their surroundings, which are filled with stories, myths, and legends. See wonderful monuments during an amazing day of sightseeing. Start at the National Palace of Queluz. Then head to the Park and National Palace of Pena in the Sintra Municipality. Finally, end at the Palacio Nacional de Mafra.

From Lisbon: Obidos, Mafra & The Silver Coast Private Trip

9. From Lisbon: Obidos, Mafra & The Silver Coast Private Trip

After being picked up from your accommodation, it is an hours drive, roof down, up the motorway to the stunning town of Orbidos. Admire the views from the motorway and as we approach down the hill. You will get an opportunity to spend about 2 hours here, exploring the narrow streets, shops and cafes, take in the views from the city walls, drink Ginjinha de Óbidos (sour cherry brandy) or coffee if you like!! Once you have finished exploring you can either remain here for lunch or head to the coast and the gorgeous town of Foz do Arelho. You can lunch at one of the shoreline cafes, whilst admiring the views across the sand to the lagoon in one direction and the Atlantic Ocean in the other. Take a walk along the beach, spend time soaking up the sun, the time is yours. When you have had enough it is back in the car and onto Mafia with it's stunning palace.. You will be amazed at it's size and beauty as we approach Mafra. Be stunned as we approach the palace. Here you will get about 2 hours to explore the palace in all it's glory. When your legs can take no more, it's time for a coffee before returning to your accommodation either by motorway (Lisbon) or the coastal road (Cascais/Sintra).

Mafra, Ericeira Private Tour from Lisbon

10. Mafra, Ericeira Private Tour from Lisbon

Your private full-day tour is designed to take you on a journey of history, beauty and indulgence as you explore the best of Mafra and its surroundings. The tour begins with a convenient pick-up from your Lisbon accommodation, after which you will embark on a drive to Mafra to visit the magnificent Mafra National Palace. This grand palace-monastery was built by King João V in 1717 to celebrate the birth of his first child, and is considered one of the most stunning architectural masterpieces in the world. On your tour, you will marvel at the palace's grand details, including over 5000 doorways, 2500 windows, 880 rooms, 154 grand staircases, 29 courtyards and 330 monks' cells. You will also have the chance to admire the palace's stunning library, which is considered one of Europe's finest, housing over 40,000 rare volumes, including the earliest edition of Homer in Greek, a trilingual bible from the early 16th century, and a first edition of Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões. After your tour of the Mafra National Palace, you will travel to the nearby Olaria Típica João Franco (Typical Village of José Franco). This miniature working village showcases the traditional culture and handicrafts of the region, crafted using traditional techniques by renowned Portuguese potter and sculptor José Silos Franco. This is a fascinating and surreal experience, depicting the true story of the region and arousing the curiosity of travelers of all ages. You will also have the opportunity to taste traditional bread with sausage (pão com chouriço) and buy handmade pottery from the on-site shop. After your visit to Olaria Típica João Franco, you will travel to the charming fishing village of Ericeira. This authentic fisherman town is famous for its history, cliffs, sandy beaches, surfing, fresh seafood and fresh fish. Here, you will take a leisurely stroll and taste the local gastronomy, getting a glimpse into the rich history of the town. It is the perfect place for a fresh fish lunch and a chance to admire the beauty of the region. In conclusion, this full-day tour is a unique opportunity to experience the best of Mafra and its surroundings, combining history, culture, architecture, food, and natural beauty.

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What people are saying about Mafra National Palace

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 4,750 reviews

Hello, so concerning the lisbon card, I hesitated a little at first; but after thinking it over quickly, I thought it might be worth it. Well yes and I will detail: first use on Thursday AM we took transport 5 times and visited Sé (1€ reduction): Friday we took transport 10 times and included visit of the elevator, tower of belem, monastery coach museum and pillar 7 (full day): on Saturday we took transport 6 times and included a visit to the arc de triomphe (half day dedicated to almada and christ where nothing is included you have to pay for everything): the Sunday after the fireworks we took a transport to the airport. All in all, the 72-hour card costs €44 and without it we would have had it for €70: We made the most of transport to make chip jumps and save time - We still had half a day left to use it if we weren't supposed to leave early on Sunday

The pick up was very easy! I was able to pick up my Lisboa cards at the airport right outside of baggage claim. This is an amazing tool to get around Lisbon (free transit on metro, busses, and some outbound trains like the ones that goes to Sintra). Perfect tourist card and I cannot recommend enough

I got this card at noon on Saturday, and used it until the next day at noon time and it was the best choice to make as I can enjoy many famous destinations in Lisboa and use the transportation (including the famous Tram 28) to those destinations with no charge.

Good to get around Lisbon, most museums were closed for the holidays but the pas scan still be used for other things.

We have taken out the 48-hour one and we have paid it off almost the first day.