Palácio Nacional da Ajuda

About the museum

The Palácio Nacional da Ajuda was begun in 1795 to replace the Real Barraca, the wooden palace that King D. José I had erected at Ajuda after the earthquake of 1755. The design was changed in 1802 to a neoclassical style, by the architects Francisco Xavier Fabri and José da Costa e Silva. The building was inhabited with several interruptions and was left unfinished. It became the royal residence of King D. Luís I, who settled there permanently from 1861.

With the establishment of the Republic in 1910, the palace was closed and, from 1968, its interior became a museum, with a collection of furniture, goldsmith's work, silverware and jewellery. Between 2018 and 2020 the finishing works on the west wing took place, completing the unfinished palace, where a strongroom was installed for the Portuguese Crown Jewels.

The palace-museum's mission is the study, conservation, restoration and dissemination of the collections of the Royal Household, while maintaining the authenticity of the interiors. It aims to become a European reference museum as a former royal residence. It is managed by Museus e Monumentos de Portugal and shares the building with the Biblioteca da Ajuda and the Museu do Tesouro Real.

Highlights

• 19th-century royal interiors kept as the residence of D. Luís I
• Collections of furniture, goldsmith's work, silverware and jewellery
• Neoclassical façade and vestibule with 47 statues
• Portuguese Crown Jewels in the Museu do Tesouro Real, in the same building
• Biblioteca da Ajuda

Operated by

Museus e Monumentos de Portugal

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Portugal have free access on 52 days a year of their choice, to 37 museums, monuments and palaces, on presentation of the Cartão de Cidadão or a document showing their NIF (tax number).

Free admission also for unemployed residents of the European Union, teachers and higher-education students on study visits, heritage and museum professionals on duty, members of ICOM, ICOMOS and APOM, veterans and members of friends' groups. Discounts cannot be combined. Price list in force since 1 January 2025.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Lifting ramp for access to the museum, lift to the upper floor and two wheelchairs available to the public. The route is essentially on foot and involves going up and down two staircases, but a lift is always available. Accessible toilet for wheelchair users on the first floor of the Escadaria do Cortejo.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The palace has a baby-changing facility. The education service organises activities for schools and families.

Getting there & parking

GPS coordinates: 38.70775 N, 9.19778 W.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Lockers and cloakroom for belongings; palace shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The palace has a dedicated page on venue hire.

Plan your visit