Queluz Palace, Mafra Monastery & Ericeira: 1-Day Tour

Mafra palace tour exploring 1,200 rooms, 4,700 doors, and 98 bells in a unique structure

A full-day tour from Queluz Palace through Mafra Monastery to Ericeira, with private transportation and a guide at each monument. The itinerary moves through three distinct sites (an 18th-century royal summer residence, a sprawling baroque complex that is Portugal's only national monument combining palace, basilica and convent, and a World Surfing Reserve fishing village) in a single eight-hour day. Guided tours of the monuments are included. Entrance tickets are booked separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. National Palace of Queluz1h 30m
2. Castle of the Moors1h 30m
3. National Palace of Mafra1h 30m

Visit palaces and coastal village

• Visit Queluz National Palace
• Explore Castle of the Moors
• Tour National Palace of Mafra
• Walk through Ericeira fishing village

The experience

The day starts at Queluz Palace, an 18th-century rococo and neoclassical residence built in 1747 as a summer retreat for the Portuguese royal family. The palace sits connected to its gardens: formal spaces and private rooms flowing into landscaped grounds that were designed as part of the leisure experience itself. After the 1794 fire destroyed the Ajuda Palace, Queluz became the official residence of Prince Regent João VI and his family until the royal household fled to Brazil in 1807 during the French invasion. A guide walks you through the rooms and their history before the group moves on.

Mafra National Palace occupies four hectares and contains 1,200 rooms, over 4,700 doors and windows, 156 staircases and 29 courtyards. Built in the 18th century from local lioz stone, it is the only Portuguese national monument that houses a royal palace, a basilica and a convent under one roof. The library holds more than 36,000 volumes. The basilica contains six historic organs and a bell set of 98 bells across two chimes. The scale alone (the building's footprint and the interlocking functions it was designed to serve) makes this stop distinct from the palace you visited that morning.

The tour ends in Ericeira, a fishing village on the coast that has become a World Surfing Reserve. Narrow winding streets lead down to the water. Cliffs frame the beaches and the Atlantic serves as a backdrop to the houses. Fishermen's boats dock in the harbor, and the village's restaurants source from the daily catch. The drive from Mafra takes you through the countryside and down to the sea, shifting the day's focus from interior palace rooms to the open coast.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• WiFi on board.
• guided tours of Queluz Palace, Mafra Monastery and the monuments at each stop.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to5h before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Sucesso e Dedicação

Is this one for you?Eight hours is long enough to move through three major sites without rushing the interiors, but short enough to fit into a single day without an overnight. If you want to see the palace rooms, the monastery complex and the coast in one outing, the fixed schedule and included guide at each stop mean you don't build the day yourself.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is inside the Queluz Palace that makes it different from other royal residences?

Queluz Palace connects its rococo and neoclassical rooms directly to formal gardens designed as part of the leisure experience itself. The palace served as a summer retreat, then became the official residence of Prince Regent João VI after a fire destroyed the Ajuda Palace in 1794, and remained the royal seat until the family fled to Brazil in 1807.

How many rooms does Mafra actually have, and what does it contain besides the palace?

Mafra National Palace holds 1,200 rooms across a single four-hectare structure that combines a royal palace, a basilica and a convent. It includes a library with over 36,000 volumes, a bell set of 98 bells, and six historic organs in the basilica.

Why is Ericeira included on this tour?

Ericeira is one of the few places in the world designated a World Surfing Reserve. The fishing village sits on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, with narrow streets leading to the harbor where boats dock daily, and restaurants serving fresh local fish.

How long does the full tour take, and what does that include?

The tour runs eight hours total, with private transportation between the three sites and a guide at each monument. Entrance tickets to the palaces and monastery are arranged separately at checkout.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility needs?

Yes. All areas and surfaces at the tour sites are wheelchair accessible, transportation is wheelchair accessible, and specialized infant seats are available if needed.