Unmissable Lisbon: Uncover These 4 Magical Palaces
While most people immediately think of Palacio de Pena when they think of palaces in and around Lisbon, there are several (less grandiose, but remarkable in their own right) palaces throughout the city that are well worth visiting. These ornate buildings are filled with history, stunning architecture, and design.
Some of the most beautiful gardens in the city are found on the grounds of these stunning palaces. The gardens can also be visited on their own, but I highly recommend visiting the palaces as well for the full experiences.
As a bonus, many of them remain hidden gems and are a great way to avoid crowds. They are also a great way to spend a rainy, cold, or excessively hot day.
Garden and Palacio do Marqueses de Fronteira
💶5€ for Garden, 13€ Garden + Palace
🗺️Largo São Domingos de Benfica nº 1 – 1500-554 Lisboa Portugal
🕰️Mon - Fri 10a - 4p, Sat - Sat 10a - 1p
🌐https://fronteira-alorna.pt/en/home/
Located in the hushed suburb of Benfica, about a 20-minute taxi ride from the city center, this 17th-century palace—and 18th-century addition—was built for Dom João Mascarenhas, 1st Marquis of Fronteira. The statuary-filled garden, with its tiled benches and fountain, is another splendorous reason to visit. The Gallery of Kings, featuring a collection of busts that pays homage to Portuguese kings past, is especially majestic. - Conde Nast Travel
This remains one of my favorite places I visited in Lisbon. The perfectly manicured grounds, tiles, art, and overall feel of the garden make this hidden gem one of my highest recommended destinations in Lisbon.
Though a bit remotely located, I had no issue getting an Uber pick up.
Palácio Nacional da Ajuda
💶5€
🕰️10a - 6p daily (closed Thursday)
🗺️Largo da Ajuda1349-021 Lisboa
The Ajuda National Palace is a neoclassical building from the first half of the 19th century. It became a royal residence on king Luís I accession to the throne and it remained as such until the end of the Monarchy (1910). It still holds its decorative artworks in place in a lively and truthful to its origins display.
Stepping in to Palácio Nacional da Ajuda is like stepping in to a movie scene. It is a beautiful arranged space that literally sparkles. This is a great stop on the way to Belem.
Jardín Botánico de Ajuda
🗺️Calçada da Ajuda, 1300-011 Lisboa, Portugal
🕰️Sun-Fri 10a-5p, Sat 10a-6p
💶2 €
The only issue I had with this incredible garden is that is closed an hour after I got there. I could have spent all day in this stunning, perfectly manicured garden. Filled with stunning flowers, greenery, and beautiful statues, Calcada da Ajuda is well worth a visit.
Located between Palácio Nacional da Ajuda and Belem, this is a perfect place to explore between sites.
National Palace and Garden of Queluz (Palácio de Queluz)
🗺️Largo Palácio de Queluz, 2745-191 Queluz
🕰️Daily 9a-6p
💶10€
Located about halfway between Lisbon and Sintra, this stunning palace, with equally beautiful gardens, is often overlooked by tourists, but it well worth a visit. While a visit to this 18th Century Palace could be done in about an hour, I spent several wandering both the palace and immaculate gardens, which host beautiful fountains, greenery, flowers. and walkways. It is certainly with it’s own trip, or stopping at on your way to or from a visit to Sintra.
Advance tickets are available at a slight discount and do allow for visitors to skip the line, though there was not a line and very few visitors when I went, which is a stark and welcome difference from the sites and attractions of Sintra.
The National Palace and Garden of Queluz can be reached from Lisbon via train from Rossio station to Queluz-Belas (with about a 10 minute walk from station to the site). It is also accessible via 15 minutes drive (or Uber).
*The Palace of Queluz is also one of the most accessible sites to visit for anyone with differing abilities or mobility concerns.
Monteiro-Mor Palace
Museu Nacional do Traje e da Moda
🗺️Largo Júlio Castilho 1600-483, Lisboa
🕰️Daily 10a-1p, 3p-6p
💶5€
🌐For more information and events
Home of the Museu Nacional do Traje e da Moda (Museum of Fashion and Desing), Monteiro-Mor Palace is a true hidden gem in Lisbon. A bit outside the city center, but easily accessible by public transit or taxi, this beautiful palace is worth visiting on its own, but the exhibits and gardens make it that much more magical.
Entrance to the gardens is 2€
