Ajuda National Palace

The Ajuda National Palace is a neoclassical monument, collection of decorative arts, and an unfinished palace in the Belem district of Lisbon. The interior is richly furnished with tapestries, statues, chandeliers, artwork and extravagant furniture. Historically, the palace served as the official residence of the Portuguese royal family from the reign of King Louis I in the early 19th century until 1910, when Portugal became a republic. 
Today visitors can tour the impressive estate, complete with ornate ballroom, dining room, throne room, and winter garden. Open to the public as a museum since 1968, the rooms and hallways maintain their historic feel despite undergoing renovations. There are dozens of luxurious formal rooms to wander through, with the splendor of the 18th- and 19th-century decor apparent throughout. Visitors can get a sense of how Portuguese royalty lived at that time. In fact, the Portuguese government holds official functions in the palace to this day.

Practical Info

Ajuda National Palace is open Thursday to Tuesday from 10 am to 5:30 pm. It is closed on Wednesdays. Buses 60, 729, and 742 and tram 18 will take you there from the city center, and there is also a parking lot on site. Admission is €5 for adults, €2.50 for seniors and youth, and free for those under 14.