About Queluz
Located in the Municipality of Sintra, and only 20 minutes from Lisbon, the Palácio Nacional de Queluz and its gorgeous gardens are one of the most remarkable examples of palatial architecture and landscaping in Portugal. Queluz National Palace reflects the environment and lifestyle of the Portuguese Royal Family in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, highlighting the many changes brought to the Royal Family and Portugal during those times.
Despite being far smaller, people often compare Queluz to Versailles in France. While visiting, I could totally see why some people would think that. The palace boasts a room that’s kind of a mini Hall of Mirrors, and the fountains on the gardens can be reminiscent of those in the gardens of Versailles. However, Queluz has its own unique beauty. There was so much detail within each of the many rooms we visited, including wood floors laid out in intricate patterns, rooms covered in tiles that told stories with its images, and the most stunning chandeliers, including some made of glass brought from Burano, Italy.
Work on the palace began in 1747, which was originally conceived as a summer retreat. Following the destruction of the Pálacio Nacional da Ajuda by a fire in 1794, Queluz became the official residence of the Royal Family in Portugal. Queluz also became the site where the Court would spend their leisure time, attending serenades, horse races, and firework displays. Today, Queluz serves as the headquarters for the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.
The palace remained continuously inhabited until the 1807 Napoleonic invasion when the Portuguese Royal Family fled to Brazil. In 1821, King João VI returned to Portugal, but the palace never returned to its former glory. Civil War shaped the next generation and brought an end to the period of royal residence in Queluz.
Queluz was classified as a National Monument in 1910. Parques de Sintra took over the management of the monument in 2012, and a year later it became a member of the European Royal Residences Network.
Queluz Gardens
The gardens of Queluz Palace are a beautiful mix of French-style symmetry and Portuguese charm. You’ll find neatly trimmed hedges, ornamental ponds, and fountains decorated with statues of gods and heroes, like the Neptune Fountain. Paths lined with marble figures lead through quiet terraces and tree-shaded walks, each corner showing something different. One highlight is the Canal dos Azulejos, a long tiled canal where the royal family once took boat rides.
These gardens offer a peaceful glimpse into royal life in the 18th century, and provide a lovely and expansive green space to spend an afternoon playing outside.
Opening Hours
The palace and gardens are open everyday from 9:30 until 18:30 (last entry is 18:00) from March 2nd to October 24th, and from 9:30 to 17:30 from October 25 to March 1st (last entry is 17:00). The palace is closed on January 1st, and December 25th. Check out ticket prices here. You can pay to visit the palace and gardens together, or just the gardens.
Getting There
Visiting the Palace of Queluz is easy and makes for a perfect half-day trip from Lisbon. The palace is located about 14 km west of the city centre, between Lisbon and Sintra.
By Train:
Take the Sintra Line (Linha de Sintra) from Lisbon’s Rossio Station and get off at Queluz-Belas Station. The journey takes around 15–20 minutes. From the station, it’s about a 10–15 minute walk to the palace.
By Car:
If you’re driving, take the A37/IC19 highway toward Sintra. The drive takes roughly 20 minutes, depending on traffic. There’s a parking lot outside the palace, and a larger one across the street from it.
By Uber/Taxi:
A taxi or Uber ride to Queluz is often fast and quite affordable—especially if you’re traveling with others.
Where To Eat
We made the mistake of not packing any snacks for our visit to Queluz, which resulted in very hungry kids by the time we reached the gardens. Unfortunately, there is no café on the palace grounds, so don’t be fooled by the signs pointing to one in the gardens because you won’t find it!
Since we weren’t able to get a snack at the palace, we ended up just grabbing lunch at a nearby restaurant after we completed our visit. We ate at this cafe, and had the most delicious tostas we’ve had in a while. If you are visiting Queluz and want to grab a yummy lunch that is also affordable, head there!
To learn more about our adventures in Portugal, visit this page. For all of our other travels, visit this page.
