• Palácio Nacional e Jardins de Queluz - Palácio Nacional de Queluz

Museums and Palaces

The Palace of Queluz and its gardens stand as a remarkable example of late 18th-century Portuguese architecture.

Commissioned by Pedro III, the spouse of D. Maria I (1734-1816), and serving as a royal residence, this palace exemplifies the finest Portuguese architecture of the late 18th century.

It is further enhanced by a significant museum of decorative art, with collections primarily from the royal family, displayed in a fitting environment. Many rooms feature rocaille-style decorations, including the splendid Throne Room, adorned with mirrors and exquisite carved gilded woodwork.

The surrounding gardens are adorned with fountains and ornamental ponds, where water gracefully flows from mythological figures. The sculpture ensemble around the Neptune Basin is particularly noteworthy.

• Palácio Nacional de Mafra - Palácio Nacional e Convento de Mafra

Museums and Palaces

The grandeur of the monumental architectural design of the palace, convent, and basilica of Mafra reflects the opulence of King João V’s court (1707-1750). It was King João V who commissioned this landmark of the Portuguese Baroque era, designed by Frederico Ludovice, who drew inspiration from Italian architectural styles.

As the summer residence of the royal family, the Palace houses various collections featuring works by Portuguese, Italian, and French artists commissioned by the royal family, including Baroque paintings and sculptures, religious vestments and ornaments, and mural paintings by prominent Portuguese artists such as Cirilo Volkmar Machado and Domingos Sequeira.

The Basilica is home to a unique set of six organs, unparalleled worldwide, along with two carillons totaling 114 bells - 57 in each tower. Crafted in Antwerp in the 18th century, they are the largest of their kind globally.

The Rocaille Library is a must-see. Located in the eastern wing of the Convent of Mafra, the library is housed in an 83-meter main room, the longest in the complex. It is the most significant monastic-royal library of the 18th century in Portugal. Monks from the Convent of Arrábida organized approximately 40,000 volumes from the 18th and 19th centuries into a system that remains intact today. They compiled a catalog listing all books acquired up to 1819. This valuable collection includes 16th, 17th, and 18th-century books, many of which are rare, such as 22 foreign incunabula and 41 maps.

• Aldeia Museu José Franco - The José Franco Museum Village, José Franco Typical Village, Typical Village of the Sobreiro region, or simply Saloia Village. All these names refer to the small region of Sobreiro, between Ericeira and Mafra, home to one of the country’s most renowned museum villages.

The history of this small village traces back to the birth of potter José Franco in 1920. His father was a shoemaker, and his mother sold chinaware, peddling clayware door-to-door and at various fairs and local markets. As Sobreiro was a significant pottery center, José Franco was familiar with the trade from a young age. He left primary school to learn the craft from two local master potters and began working independently at 17. At that time, he restored his grandfather’s pottery studio, which had fallen into disuse.

In the early 1960s, José Franco pursued his dream of recreating an ethnographic village, capturing his childhood memories and honoring his homeland. His village featured two components: a replica of ancient workshops and stores, adorned with real objects, showcasing the customs and work activities intrinsic to his childhood and the rural life of the Mafra region. Additionally, the village included a play area for children, filled with miniature houses and inhabitants depicting activities of the time: farming, carpentry, windmills, chapels, grocery stores, wineries, peasantry, and even a reproduction of the fishing village of Ericeira and sea-related trades. In later years, the Village Museum was enhanced with a third area, walled like a castle, featuring a children’s park with agricultural implements for children to explore.

Today, this small world, crafted by José Franco’s hands (he passed away in 2009), attracts thousands of visitors annually. In addition to the museum’s figures dedicated to him, visitors can explore life-size replicas of castle walls, windmills, a children’s park, a small winery offering regional wines, and a bakery selling the famous bread with chouriço and other products. The José Franco Village is a testament to a lifetime dedicated to the refined traditional craft of pottery, showcasing the rich artisanal culture of Mafra Municipality.

• Ericeira Sup - Ericeira

Towns and Villages

Ericeira, a traditional fishing village, has experienced significant growth in the 20th century due to its popularity as a summer resort. Despite this development, it has retained its original charm and unique atmosphere.

Located 50 kilometers from Lisbon, in an easily accessible area, its beaches are bustling during the summer and are considered among the best in Europe for surfing. Ribeira d`Ilhas Beach, which hosts one of the World Surfing Championship contests annually, deserves special mention.

A visit to Ericeira also offers an excellent opportunity to savor the region’s specialty dishes of shellfish and fresh fish.

• Private transportation
• On-board WiFi
• Bottled water
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• TICKETS NOT INCLUDED

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.