Lisbon Palace and Castle Tours

The palaces and castles of the Portuguese capital are, without a doubt, one of the best things to see and do in Lisbon, whether you are interested in architecture, history or simply curious to discover their treasures, works of art and anecdotes.

Here you will find a list of the most interesting tours to visit the palaces and castles of Lisbon and nearby cities that belong to the region. Let's get started!

The Alfama district, of Arab origin, is where you will find the Castle of São Jorge, one of the most amazing castles in the city, and the 13th century Lisbon Cathedral, as well as the Jewish quarter and viewpoints with incredible views of the Tagus River. The :::link|text=best historical tours in Lisbon|element=sc-138-5402::: include a visit to this neighbourhood, as it is one of the oldest in the city.

Tours to see all there is to see and do in the Afama neighbourhood usually last about 3 hours and take place every day except Sundays. They involve no more than 15 people and are accompanied by a local expert guide who enriches the walk with comments on the history, curiosities and significance of the sites you see.

The walk takes you through the narrow cobbled streets of the neighbourhood to discover its most iconic buildings, such as the Lisbon Cathedral and St. George's Castle. You can see the interior of this Romanesque-style church, the oldest in the city, and discover the impressive architecture of the Castle, which also offers beautiful views of the Tagus River.

On the other hand, this neighbourhood is one of the best places to listen to Fado in Lisbon, as it is usually heard in restaurants and also in the streets, as it is common to find street musicians on the way up to St. George's Castle. If you are interested in learning more about this original expression of traditional Portuguese music, you can visit the Fado Museum, which is located in this neighbourhood.

Interesting facts

• Price: about 22 € for adults. Children under 12 years old participate for free.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include entry to St George's Castle.

A fun way to see some of Lisbon's main castles, palaces and churches is to book a private tuk tuk tour, where you can explore Lisbon in a different and fun vehicle. This is one of the best private tours in Lisbon, as you only share it with your fellow travellers and you can customise it to your liking.

You can then design a tour of the main castles and palaces in Lisbon that you want to see and present it to your guide/driver to make it happen. These tours are guided by local experts, who throughout the tour provide you with valuable information about the history of the city, its culture and tips on how to make the most of your trip.

They usually last between 3 and 4 hours and can take place every day at different times. They are most recommended in spring and summer in Lisbon, as the vehicles have open sides. Here is a list of the main castles, palaces and monuments that you can include in the itinerary:

• St. George's Castle: built in the 11th century and rebuilt after an earthquake, it is one of the most impressive castles in Lisbon. It is located on the top of a hill in the Arab quarter of Alfama.
• Jerónimos Monastery: resting place of kings and one of the most iconic monasteries in Lisbon. It is located in the Belém neighbourhood and was built in the 16th century.
• Belém Tower: from the 16th century, declared a World Heritage Site.
• Belém National Palace: the current residence of the Portuguese presidents, built in the 16th century.
• National Palace of Ajuda: from the 18th century, it has also been a royal residence. It houses the National Treasury Museum.
• National Pantheon: built in the 18th century, it is of Portuguese baroque style.
• Lisbon Cathedral: from the 13th century, it is the oldest cathedral in the city.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 50 to 232 € per person depending on the number of people on the tour.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: tuk tuk.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include entrance to the attractions.

A convenient way to get to know Lisbon' s castles, palaces and churches is to hire a private tour to do it alone with your fellow travellers. The advantage of these tours is that you have more freedom to customise it to your liking. In addition, some include entrance to the Jeronimos Monastery, an impressive building in the Portuguese Manueline Gothic style.

Built in the 15th century, the Monastery is a fundamental part of Portuguese culture, as it is the resting place of Kings Manuel I and John III of Portugal, as well as world-renowned personalities such as Vasco da Gama, among others.

These tours usually take place every day at different times, although it is not recommended that you do it on Mondays, as many monuments are closed. The tours are guided by local experts who provide you with information about everything that makes this city unique. They are ideal tours to get to know the best of Belém and Alfama, among other Lisbon neighbourhoods.

Another interesting monument you can visit is the Belém Tower, an old military construction that today is one of the most important lighthouses in the city. You can also visit interesting buildings such as the National Pantheon, the Lisbon Cathedral and the Ajuda Palace.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 50 to 232 € per person depending on the number of people on the tour.
• Duration: about 5 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: you can take a personalised tour to discover monuments such as the Monastery of St. Jerome, St. George's Castle, the Belém Tower and the Ajuda Palace, among others.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not include entry to all the monuments.

Another interesting option to get to know some of Lisbon's most iconic palaces and buildings is to take a bus tour with an expert guide, with which you can learn about the history and culture of the city, as well as the significance of the buildings you know. With these tours you can visit the Ajuda Palace, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, among others.

These are tours for groups of around thirty people in which you travel around the city aboard an air-conditioned bus. They take place every day, except Mondays, and usually in the morning.

One of the most beautiful palaces in Lisbon that you can see on this tour is the neoclassical National Palace of Ajuda, which served as a royal residence for about two centuries. Today, it is home to the National Library, the Ministry of Culture and the Royal Treasury Museum, and a site for official ceremonies. It is a good idea to buy a ticket to the Royal Treasury Museum, as it will allow you to explore the collection of jewellery and other valuable pieces that belonged to Portuguese royalty.

As for the Jerónimos Monastery, it is an iconic Lisbon palace built in the 15th century, and the resting place of King Manuel I, John III of Portugal and Vasco da Gama, among others. These tours also usually include a visit to the Belém Tower, a 5-storey building overlooking the Tagus River, built in the 16th century. There you can explore the Governor's and King's chambers and the chapel. Not all tours include it, so you will probably have to buy the entrance to the Belém Tower on your own.

Facts and Figures

• Price: from €59 for adults and about €20 for children aged 5-10. Children under 5 are free.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned bus.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include entrance to the monuments.

Some of Portugal's most amazing palaces and castles are located in Sintra, about 30 minutes' drive from Lisbon. These are the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, two castles that will take you back in time. It is undoubtedly one of the best tours to do from Lisbon.

To visit them, you can join a full-day excursion to Sintra from Lisbon. They usually take place every day in the early morning and you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will introduce you to the highlights of Sintra and both palaces. They usually include skip-the-line entry to both buildings and are conducted in small groups.

Joining these tours is one of the best ways to visit the Pena Palace, considered one of Portugal's greatest examples of Romanesque architecture and which served as a royal residence. Its history dates back to the 12th century, although it was rebuilt after an earthquake. With your ticket you can visit the kings' rooms, the visiting room, the green room and the great hall, as well as terraces and courtyards that will give you a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings.

Quinta da Regaleira is an early 20th century palace that looks like something out of a fairy tale. You cannot miss the Initiatory Well, one of the main postcards of the palace, where you can see the Cross of the Knights Templar engraved on the floor. Also not to be missed are the Percursos subterráneos, a system of caves excavated under the gardens, as well as the church of the Santísima Trinidad and the gardens.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 96 € for those over 6 years old. Children under 5 years old participate free of charge.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: by vehicle and on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to see two of Portugal's most impressive palaces with a local guide, as well as explore the town of Sintra.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour includes climbing stairs and slopes to reach the castles.

If you prefer to spend a few hours getting to know St. George's Castle, you can book a guided tour with an expert and discover all the details of this monument. The castle is located on top of the hill of the same name, in the Afama district of Lisbon. It was built in the mid-11th century by the Muslims, and later passed into Portuguese hands. It has been a military fortress, royal palace, prison, and was restored after an earthquake.

These guided tours usually last about 2 hours, and you are accompanied by an expert guide who tells you about the history, construction and highlights of the castle. They are conducted in small groups every weekday morning or afternoon. Please note that many tours are conducted in English or Portuguese, so it is important to check that it is conducted in a language you know.

The castle is noted for its panoramic view of the city, so it is an ideal place to enjoy the outdoors in Lisbon. You can also explore the archaeological site, where you can learn about the history of the region since the Iron Age; see the camera obscura, where a detailed image of the city is projected in Da Vinci's periscope; walk along the castle walls; and visit its museum.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 31 ¤ per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include transport to the castle.
• How to get there: the easiest way up is using the Baixa and do Castelo lifts, which are included when you buy the Lisbon Card. Buses and trams are also available.

A great way to see both the Ajuda National Palace and the Queluz Palace is to join a full-day guided tour, which also allows you to see some of Lisbon's main attractions. The Queluz Palace is a sumptuous baroque-style royal palace built in the mid-18th century, while the Ajuda Palace is renowned for the works of art and treasures it houses.

Tours to visit both palaces usually last around 8 hours and start early in the morning. They are conducted in small groups with a local expert guide who will tell you about the history, culture and anecdotes that will allow you to learn more about the palaces and other sites you visit.

The tour usually starts with a visit to the Queluz Palace, one of the best things to see in Sintra. There you can admire its pastel façade, gardens, water fountains and even a tiled canal that used to be filled with water for boating. You can also explore luxurious rooms such as the King's Chamber, the Throne Room and the Tiled Hall.

Then you can visit the neoclassical National Palace of Ajuda. Here you will find the Royal Treasury Museum, which contains an important collection of jewellery and valuables of Portuguese royalty. These tours also often include visits to other Lisbon attractions, such as the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, although you may have to book entry to the Monastery and Tower separately.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 73 € per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: by car and on foot.