Nestled atop Ajuda hill in Lisbon, the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda is a beautiful neoclassical palace that tells a fascinating story. After the devastating 1755 earthquake and tsunami, the royal family first lived in a temporary wooden structure here. In 1796, construction began on a grand stone palace. The palace was originally designed in Baroque‑Rococo style, it was later reshaped into the elegant neoclassical form.
Over many decades, construction paused and resumed—interrupted by the Napoleonic invasions and political instability—finally transforming in the mid‑1800s into the official royal residence under King Luís I and Queen Maria Pia. In this era, different architects added lavish interiors like the Throne Room and music salons. The music room was a favorite of ours!
Today, the palace is preserved as a museum. It showcases authentic 19th‑century rooms filled with fine art, and decorative pieces. Nowadays, parts of the palace, such as the grandiose dining salon, are still used for state ceremonies by the Portuguese government.
The palace is open Thursday to Tuesday from 10:00 until 18:00 (last entry is around 17:15). The palace is closed on January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, June 13th, and December 25th. Tickets for adults cost €15. Children under 12 are free, and so are residents of Portugal.
As my husband pointed out, there’s something really cool about being able to see the more private areas of a palace. Back when the royalty lived here, nobody was allowed to tour the kind and queen’s chambers, os it is truly special to get such a closeup look of it all!
Getting There
We drove to the palace and found it super easy to park right outside it. Fortunately, there are many other ways to reach the palace without a car.
- Tram: Take tram 18E to the “Ajuda” stop—just a short, scenic walk uphill to the palace.
- Bus: Lines 729, 732, 742, 760 stop nearby (“Ajuda” or “Palácio Nacional da Ajuda”), with only a 4–5-minute stroll to the palace
- Train: From Cais do Sodré, take a train to Belém (around 7 min), then walk up Calçada da Ajuda to reach the palace in about 15 minutes.
This palace offers a trip into Portugal’s royal past. Its elegant halls and ornate rooms echo centuries of history—definitely worth a visit! Like with many of the other lesser-known sites in Lisbon, this palace wasn’t crowded when we visited, which is always a plus!
Jardim Botânico da Ajuda
After visiting the palace, take a short walk over to the beautiful Botanical Garden of Ajuda. This peaceful garden, created in 1768, is the oldest in Portugal and was originally designed to teach botany to royal students. Today, it offers lovely terraces, exotic plants from around the world, and sweeping views of the Tagus River. This garden is a perfect spot to relax after your tour of the palace.
After you are finished visiting the palace and the gardens, take a stroll in the lovely neighborhood of Ajuda. You’ll thank me for it later!
To learn more about our adventures in Portugal, visit this page. For all of our other travels, visit this page.
