The palaces of Portugal that we must visit at least once in our lives are many and incredibly stunning, they are spread all over the national territory and are a unique opportunity to take a trip back in time through the national historical heritage.

There are so many and all so beautiful and stunning, these palaces of Portugal that choosing just a few to recommend a visit becomes a very difficult task. In order to cover the whole country, we selected two in each region: north, centre and south.

Choose the direction, north, centre or south of the country as your main destination and you cannot miss including in your trip a visit to these palaces of Portugal, symbols of our great history and examples of the rich Portuguese heritage.

Palaces of Portugal: northern region

Head to the northern capital to visit the famous Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) in the heart of the city and be dazzled by its treasures, especially the luxurious decoration of the fabulous Arab Room.

Even further north, in the district capital of Trás-os-Montes, reserve an afternoon of your trip to discover not only the interiors but also the impressive gardens of the Mateus Palace.

 Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) - Porto

With more than 180 years of existence, the Palácio da Bolsa is still today the headquarters of the Porto Trade Association and the place where the association carries on its activity. The building is of neoclassical style and began to be built in 1842 on the rubble of the fire of St. Francis Convent during the siege of Porto.

One of the jewels of the Stock Exchange Palace is its Arab Room which impresses with all its Moorish stylisation inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Spain but totally created and worked on by Portuguese artists.

The visits to the Palácio da Bolsa must be guided and last for thirty minutes. Book your visit here  and learn more about this Portuguese neoclassical example.

 Mateus Palace - Vila Real 

Comprising the main house where you will find rooms with a permanent exhibition, the fabulous gardens for which it is famous, the cellar and the chapel, the Palace of Mateus is considered one of the most representative monuments of the Baroque in Northern Portugal and one of the most emblematic in Europe having been classified as a national monument as early as 1910.

Its construction dates back to the 18th century and the project of this palace was presumably designed by Nicolau Nasoni.

Where to rent a car in the north?

Renting a car atGuerin can be a good option for your trip to the north and for your visits to the most beautiful palaces in Portugal. In Porto, look for the Guerin Station in the Industrial Area or if it is more convenient, the Porto Airport Station.

Palaces of Portugal: central region

Near Lisbon, located in Sintra, don't miss one of Portugal's most famous palaces: Pena Palace. 40 km north of Lisbon, we suggest you visit Mafra Palace, a grandiose building that has a life story and a promise from a king to his wife behind it.

Pena Palace - Sintra 

"Ana up there, the Sintra’s grat jewel."This is how one describes this fabulous monument, a unique example of Romanticism in Portugal that looks like something out of a fairy tale. The ever so characteristic mist of the Sintra Mountains that hangs over the Palace and envelops it in mystery and charm, is a detail that accentuates even more intensely the true character of this sacred place that you must not miss.

Pena Palace is surrounded by the Pena Park, which is well worth discovering in all its most hidden corners…

The Palace of Pena reserves for you a world of experiences and cultural programming that you should not miss. Discover them here.

Mafra Palace 

Once upon a time there was a king... called D. João V. João V, and because of a promise he made to his wife, Queen Maria Ana of Austria, that she would have a child, he ordered the construction of the grandiose Mafra Palace.

With this life story behind it that appeals to our emotions, we can only recommend a visit to Mafra Palace, also known as Mafra Convent. In fact, the building houses a palace and a convent, a garden and a tapada.

Where to rent a car in the centre?

Choose Guerin the perfect car for your visit to Portugal's most beautiful palaces in the centre region. Visit the Guerin Alfragide Station in Lisbon or the Cascais Station.

Palaces of Portugal: southern region

Both in Alentejo, one in Vila Viçosa and the other in Évora, with different architectural styles are an opportunity to travel in time and immerse yourself in the deep Alentejo plain that seems to have no end.

Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa 

With its Mannerist style and a façade some 110 metres long, entirely covered with marble from the region, this building belonging to the royal family of the House of Bragança was one of their most famous holiday residences in the whole country.

Take the opportunity to discover its great collection of works of art, from painting to furniture, and be dazzled by the Rooms of the Medusa, the Dukes and Hercules.

Palace of D. Manuel - Évora 

D. Afonso V had it built in the 15th century under the name of Paço Real de Évora. This palace is characterized by the hybrid style from Alentejo with strong Moorish influences from the Iberian Peninsula and a Manueline style decoration.

The Palace of D. Manuel lies within the public garden of Évora and is an opportunity to spend an afternoon immersed in the serenity of a public garden in the heart of the Alentejo.

Where to rent a car in the south?