Palácio Nacional de Queluz

About the museum

Work on the Palácio de Queluz began in 1747 under the direction of the architect Mateus Vicente de Oliveira, to serve as a summer retreat for D. Pedro de Bragança, who later married his niece, the future Queen D. Maria I, and became king consort. It is one of the last great rococo buildings conceived in Europe and, despite its much smaller scale, is often compared to Versailles.

The architecture of Queluz reflects the taste of an era enriched by Brazilian gold, when many foreign artists and architects worked in Portugal. After the death of D. Pedro in 1786, the palace discreetly hosted Queen D. Maria. After the fire of the Real Barraca in 1794, it became the official residence of the prince regent D. João and his family, until they left for Brazil in 1807, following the French invasion.

The palace has been listed as a National Monument since 1910 and is now managed by Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua. The visit combines the interior halls, such as the Sala das Merendas, with the gardens, where the Jardim Pênsil, the Jardim de Malta and the Canal dos Azulejos are found.

Highlights

• Rococo halls, including the Sala das Merendas
• Jardim Pênsil and Jardim de Malta
• Canal dos Azulejos
• Botanical garden awarded the Europa Nostra prize in 2018
• Tactile three-dimensional model of the palace

Operated by

Parques de Sintra – Monte da Lua

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Portugal enter free on Sundays and national public holidays, on presentation of the Cartão de Cidadão or an identity document and proof of residence at a staffed ticket office.

Ticket prices for the palace and gardens: adult €13, young person (6–17 years) €10, senior (over 65) €10. Buying tickets for more than one site in the same purchase gives a discount (5% for 2 sites, 6% for 3, 7% for 4, 8% for 5 and 10% for 6). The Amigo dos Parques de Sintra card allows visits to the monuments as often as you like for one year. The ticket is valid only for the chosen date; the date can be changed until 18:00 the day before.

Accessibility

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

The interior of the palace is physically accessible, with ramps at the entrance and an enclosed lift platform for the café. The Jardim Pênsil has a gravel surface. There are manual wheelchairs and tow equipment available by reservation, an electric Hop On Hop Off vehicle that carries one wheelchair user, three reserved parking spaces by the entrance and a tactile three-dimensional model of the palace. The exterior basalt cobbled paving is uneven.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Parques de Sintra organises family activities for children aged 3 to 12 and birthday parties at various monuments.

Getting there & parking

By car: IC19 Lisbon–Sintra, Queluz-Palácio exit. GPS coordinates: 38°45′1.46″ N, 9°15′28.40″ W.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Palace shop (09:00–17:30, open access); café and restaurant of the Pavilhão Robillion, temporarily closed at the time of consultation.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The palace can be hired for events; Parques de Sintra publishes a 360° virtual tour of the spaces. The conditions are set out in the brochure and regulations on the company's website.

Plan your visit