If you are looking for a hidden gem near Lisbon, then you should definitely visit the Palácio Nacional de Mafra! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this palace is one of Europe’s largest palaces, with an area of about 38,000m2. This baroque beauty is just a half hour drive from Lisbon and it’s so worth the visit! As an added bonus, you are almost guaranteed a crowd-free visit.
Getting There
Mafra Palace is a quick 30-minute drive from Lisbon. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry, you can still easily reach the palace using public transit! The most common route is by bus: take the Mafrense bus (lines 209 or 213) from Campo Grande terminal in Lisbon. The journey takes about 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic. You can purchase tickets on board or via a Viva Viagem card. While there’s no direct train to Mafra, you can take a rideshare, which takes around 40 minutes via the A8 and A21 highways. Whether by bus or car, it’s a scenic and worthwhile day trip from Lisbon.
A Brief History of Mafra Palace
The Palácio Nacional de Mafra is near Lisbon, located about 30 kilometers northwest of the capital. It is one of Portugal’s most magnificent Baroque monuments. King João V commissioned it in 1717 to honor a vow he made if his marriage produced heirs. Funded largely by the wealth flowing in from Brazilian gold, the project quickly expanded from a modest monastery to an immense complex that includes a royal palace, basilica, convent, and library. Completed over several decades, the palace showcases the grandeur of absolute monarchy and the influence of Italian and German baroque styles in Portugal. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a glimpse into 18th-century opulence and architectural ambition.
Highlights
Visiting the Palácio Nacional de Mafra takes about 2 hours. Both times we made sure to feed our kids a snack so they’d be powered for the visit. There is so much to see inside it! These were the highlights from our visits to the Palace:
The Royal Palace itself – Lavishly decorated rooms, grand halls, and the king’s and queen’s apartments reflect the grandeur of 18th-century royalty.
The Basilica – A baroque masterpiece with twin bell towers, ornate chapels, and six historical pipe organs still used in concerts!
The Library – One of the most beautiful in Europe, housing over 36,000 rare books and guarded by resident bats to protect the collection from insects. This was our son’s favorite part of the palace!
Europe’s Longest Corridor – Stretching over 232 meters, this corridor runs the entire length of the building and connects the king’s and queen’s chambers—perfect for dramatic royal pacing!
The Trophy Room – A unique and somewhat eerie space filled with deer antlers and hunting trophies, offering insight into the royal family’s outdoor pursuits.
After The Visit
Both times we’ve visited Mafra we’ve made sure to get some delicious treats from Fradinho. This pasteleria is right across the street from he palace and it offers a scrumptious selection of baked goods!
If you have time, you could combine a trip to Palácio Nacional de Mafra with a visit to the beach town of Ericeira, which is only 20-30 minutes away.
To learn more about our Portuguese adventures, check out this page.
