Queluz National Palace Reviews: Why You Should Visit!

Often overshadowed by Sintra and Mafra’s more famous palaces, Queluz National Palace is one of Portugal’s most elegant and underappreciated historical sites. For Lisbon visitors looking for a royal experience without the crowds, Queluz National Palace should be high on your Lisbon attractions. Spend a few hours exploring the palace’s lavish interiors, extensive gardens, all while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. This guide combines our firsthand insights and reviews of Queluz National Palace with practical tips for planning your visit.

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A Brief History of Queluz National Palace

Dom Pedro of Braganza, who later became King Pedro III of Portugal, began construction of Queluz National Palace in 1747. Designed in the late Baroque and Rococo styles, this summer palace evolved into a full-time royal residence during the reign of Queen Maria I (Pedro’s wife and niece). The Portuguese royalty used Queluz as their preferred royal residence through 1807, when the royal family fled to Brazil due to the Napoleonic invasions. After an extensive fire in 1934, restoration of the palace began.

Today, the Queen Maria Pavilion wing of the palace is used as a residence for foreign dignitaries and visiting royalty. Queluz is now part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Parques de Sintra manages the property, including conservation and public access to this stunning Portuguese landmark. One of the things that we most appreciated was the insight into the lifestyle of Portugal’s 18th-century aristocracy. This was the perfect follow-up to our visit to Coimbra, where we took a deep dive into Portugal’s royal history.

Queluz National Palace Reviews: What We Loved Most

Queluz is often referred to as the “Portuguese Versailles.” The palace’s design blends late Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architecture. You’ll find intricate interiors and sprawling French-style formal gardens. The things that made Queluz National Palace stand out for us are its history, Rococo style, and extensive and varied gardens. While we enjoyed exploring the palace, we spent even more time wandering the gardens. Their peaceful ambiance would be the perfect spot to sit on one of the benches and relax.

We’d recommend visiting Queluz right after it opens in the morning. During our morning visit, there was a local school group touring the palace, which we could easily avoid. Beyond this, there were only 10-12 people total that we saw while exploring the palace and grounds.

Inside Queluz National Palace

Many reviews of Queluz National Palace highlight its ornate, gold-detailed rooms and the impressive variety of architectural styles. After recent visits to Sintra’s Pena Palace and Mafra National Palace, we’d argue that Queluz’ interiors are among the finest in Portugal. We were impressed by the multilingual panels throughout the palace, which provide helpful historical context, especially if you choose not to take a tour.

Pro tip: Be sure to check out the interactive touch screens, allowing you to get detailed information on almost any object in the room you are interested in. Click on the object and you’ll get a pop-up with the name and history of the item.

Throne Room (Sala do Trono)

The throne room wowed us with its ceiling frescoes, mirrored walls, and gold-leafed stucco. This grand ceremonial space reflects the grandeur of the royal court of Portugal.

Ambassadors Room (Sala dos Embaixadores)

The Ambassador’s Room contains long gallery of mirrors and chandeliers. The room used to receive visiting dignitaries, and definitely gives off regal vibes.

Pro tip: The Ambassador’s Room one of the best photo spots in the castle.

Music Room

Queluz’s Music Room is adorned with elegant details and historical instruments. This large hall was once used for concerts and recitals.

Lantern Room

The Lantern Room is flooded with light in comparison to most of the rooms in the palace. This room was used for evening gatherings and dances. With its dramatic glow and rich decorations, this is another excellent photo spot!

Azulejos Corridor

This beautiful passageway is lined with blue-and-white Portuguese tiles, which are also known as azulejos. These tiles depict both maritime scenes and everyday life. This quiet space connects various wings of the Queluz National Palace and acts as a transition between the various grand rooms.

Royal Apartments and Bedrooms

Get a more personal look at the lives of the Portuguese monarchy by visiting the royal apartments. Queen Maria I’s rooms are decorated with fine textiles, painted ceilings, and elegant furnishings. These reflect her refined taste and evolving style preferences, ranging from Rococo to early Neoclassicism. King Pedro III’s bedroom and study are simpler but still regal, showcasing polished wood furniture, personal artifacts, and period maps. Though beautifully decorated, we felt that these rooms were much more reasonably sized, as opposed to the vast ceremonial halls. This matched what we had read in the Queluz National Palace reviews about the royal apartments’ intimate, human-scale feel.

Chapel

Queluz National Palace’s Chapel is richly decorated with gold and marble religious art.

Pro tip: You can hold private events, and even get married in Queluz National Palace.

The Gardens of Queluz National Palace

Queluz’s formal French-style gardens are just as impressive, receiving consistently positive reviews for their layout, peacefulness, and unique features. We enjoyed wandering aimlessly around the gardens, seeing what we would stumble on next. We weren’t able to see the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, nor the D. Diogo de Bragança equestrian art library, both quite unique to Queluz.

Neptune’s Fountain

This centerpiece has mythological figures and detailed stonework. This area is perfect for photos, or simply sitting on one of the benches and enjoying the peace of the gardens.

Canal dos Azulejos

One of our favorite places in the Queluz gardens is the Canal dos azulejos. This is a long, narrow waterway lined with blue-and-white tile panels depicting scenes of royal leisure and hunting. Royals once paddled boats here!

After taking an azulejo tile making class in Lisbon, we have a greater appreciation for the time and energy that must have gone into hand painting each of these tiles.

Queluz Palace’s Formal Gardens & Maze

These gardens are quite reminiscent of the gardens in Versailles, with their trimmed hedges, marble statues, flowerbeds, and a hidden maze. We’d even consider returning, simply to enjoy an afternoon strolling in the gardens and exploring the many hidden corners.

How to Get to Queluz Palace from Lisbon

Admission to Queluz National Palace

Queluz National Palace welcomes visitors daily, with the palace open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and the gardens staying open until 6:30 PM. Check the Queluz Palace website to confirm hours and prices before visiting the palace.

Visitors can purchase tickets for the palace & gardens or the gardens only. For first time, visitors, we’d suggest visiting both the palace and gardens. Tickets for both the Palace and Gardens range from €13 for adults to €10 for youth and seniors. Gardens Only tickets range from €6 for adults to €4.50 for youth and seniors. Be sure to check out the family tickets for 2 adults + 2 youths at a discounted package rate. Children under 6 years old enjoy free admission. F

Pro tip: Online purchases made at least three days prior to the visit receive a 15% discount.

How Long to Spend at Queluz Palace

You’ll want to budget 2–2.5 hours to see both the interior rooms and gardens at a leisurely pace. This makes Queluz a perfect half-day trip from Lisbon, especially if you’re pairing it with another destination.

Where to Eat Near Queluz National Palace Lisbon

The Rebellion Pavilion Cafeteria at Queluz National Palace is temporarily closed. A few other nearby options to consider are:

• Cozinha Velha – Located in the former kitchens of the palace, this restaurant serves elegant Portuguese cuisine in a unique historical setting.
• A Gália – This family-run and family friendly steak and hamburger restaurant is just a short walk from the palace.

Where to Stay Near Queluz National Palace

Most stay in Lisbon and take a day trip to Queluz. For an immersive experience, consider staying at the Pousada Palácio de Queluz, a historic hotel housed in the former royal guard quarters across the street from the palace.

Alternatively, search for other nearby Lisbon accommodations below:.

Queluz National Palace Reviews: Final Thoughts

Queluz National Palace is a wonderful alternative to the busier palaces near Lisbon. With easy access from Lisbon, enjoy Queluz’s stunning and tranquil gardens and Rococo interiors.

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