Mafra Palace: The Baroque Giant Near Lisbon

The Mafra National Palace is one of the largest baroque buildings in Europe: a vast palace, basilica and convent built with Brazilian gold in the 18th century. It has one of the world’s most beautiful libraries, where a colony of bats protects the books. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and an easy trip from Lisbon, often combined with Ericeira.

Quick answer: Mafra is about 40 minutes north of Lisbon by car or bus, and 15 minutes from Ericeira. Allow 2 hours for the palace rooms, the basilica and the library. Tickets cost around €15. Combine it with lunch by the sea in Ericeira. See Ericeira and Mafra tours.

About the palace

King João V built Mafra in the 18th century, fulfilling a vow for the birth of an heir and showing off the wealth flowing from Brazil. Its façade stretches for over 200 metres, and it housed a royal palace, a basilica and a Franciscan monastery.

What to see

• The library: a long, luminous rococo hall with tens of thousands of leather-bound books. Bats come out at night to eat the insects that would damage them.
• The basilica: marble, statues and six historic organs.
• The carillons: two towers with huge sets of bells.
• The royal apartments: long corridors, the king’s and queen’s wings, and the hunting room decorated with antlers.
• The convent: the monks’ infirmary, kitchen and cells.
• Tapada de Mafra: the former royal hunting park nearby, with walking trails and deer.

Combine with

• Ericeira: the surf and seafood town. See Ericeira and where to stay in Ericeira.
• Sintra: about 25 minutes away. See visiting Sintra.

Tips

• Library access: it’s viewed from the doorway, but the view is stunning.
• Opening days: check before you go, as many national monuments close one day a week.

More: palaces in Portugal, UNESCO sites in Portugal and the best day trips from Lisbon.

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