Queluz National Palace Lisbon – Tickets and Guide
Queluz National Palace Lisbon – Tickets and Guide
Tourist Information for Visiting Queluz National Palace Lisbon
Queluz National Palace Lisbon is a former Royal Palace famous in Portugal for being one of the last Rococo designed buildings, and one of the most popular attractions in the city.
Situated just outside Lisbon, the Palace gives tourists a glimpse into the lifestyle of Portuguese royalty in the 18th century.
Queluz National Palace & Gardens General Information |
|
Location | Largo Palácio de Queluz, 2745-191 Queluz, Portugal. The nearest train station is Queluz-Belas, a short walk from the palace. |
Opening Times | Winter Season (October to March): 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, |
Entry and Tickets | Entry tickets are available online with prices starting from €13 (Book Tickets Online) |
Queluz National Palace Tickets |
How to buy tickets to Queluz National Palace & GardensGeneral entry to Queluz National Palace and Gardens starts from €13 and tickets can be purchased online (Book Tickets Online) Book Entry Ticket: |
What to see in Queluz National Palace Lisbon
I would say it takes roughly half a day to visit Queluz National Palace Lisbon (including travel from central Lisbon) and it may be sensible to include alongside a visit to Sintra (similar location).
Vastly different to the National Palace Ajuda in both style and atmosphere, Queluz National Palace is definitely worth a visit and I highly recommend fitting it into your itinerary when in Lisbon.
Apart from the stunning architecture and beautiful gardens (in the summer sun these look incredible) here is a selection of some things to check out when visiting Queluz National Palace:
Music Room
This room has more of a Neoclassical architecture than the rest of the Palace and was used to host large concerts back in the day (check out the original golden grand piano in the corner of the room).
Make sure to look up at the ceiling which has a unique ribbed design with intricate wood detailing and huge golden chandeliers that really add a touch of royalty to the room.
The Chapel
The chapel within the palace is one of the building’s oldest structures, with a large domed ceiling and tucked away in an alcove in the main section of the house.
The chapel has been built with finest of materials with carved wood, marble, and details painted in gold, red and green.
The Gardens
The gardens of Queluz National Palace are probably the most famous in Lisbon and really make the entrance to the Palace worth it.
If you’re lucky to visit on a sunny day you’re in for a treat and it’s a photographer’s paradise – it’s awlays immaculate and the design seems to be centred around the morning sun.
The gardens are filled with perfectly manicured plants, hand carved statues that blend multiple architectural styles (my favourite being the two sphinxes that guard the main temple), and water features such as the fountains and mini ponds.
History of Queluz National Palace Lisbon
Queluz National Palace Lisbon, also referred to as the Portuguese Versailles, is one of the last great Rococo buildings to be designed in Europe representing the late Portuguese Baroque style.
The palace was originally built as a hunting lodge for Dom Pedro of Braganza in the 18th century, who was the younger brother of King João V. However, when Dom Pedro became the consort to his niece, Queen Maria I, the structure was expanded into a palace.
The gardens of the palace, designed in a French style, are as significant as the building itself, hosting a variety of unique Portuguese plant species alongside water features, statues and tiles.
In 1934 the Palace suffered significant damage from a fire, but has since been rebuilt to reflect the historic style of the Palace. Today, Queluz National Palace Lisbon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lisbon, as well as being used for official government (and sometimes Royal) ceremonies.
Queluz National Palace Lisbon Location and How to Get There
The Queluz National Palace is located just outside the centre of Lisbon (around 12km), in the district of Quelez next to Sintra, making it less convenient to visit alongside Lisbon’s top attractions, but easy to access via public transport.
You can easily get to the Queluz National Palace by taking the train from Rossio Station. The closest station is Quelez (about a 20 minute train ride), which is then just a 5 minute walk to the palace.
With regards to buses, you can take the direct bus (Vimeca bus – route 101), and get off directly at the Palace. However, I would recommend choosing the train over the bus, as it is a lot shorter (by 20 minutes) and the station you catch the bus from (Collegio Militar) isn’t in central Lisbon.
More on Visit-Lisbon
City Pass Deals
