6 Best Palace and Castle Tours in Lisbon

The palaces and castles of the Portuguese capital are undoubtedly 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 discover the palaces and castles of Lisbon and nearby towns in the region. Let's get started!

The Alfama neighbourhood, of Arab origin, is home to São Jorge Castle, one of the most impressive in the city, and the 13th-century Lisbon Cathedral, as well as the Jewish quarter and viewpoints with incredible views of the Tagus River. Historical tours of Lisbon include a visit to this neighbourhood, as it is one of the oldest in the city.

Tours to see everything there is to see and do in the Alfama neighbourhood usually last about 3 hours and run every day except Sundays. No more than 15 people take part and they are accompanied by an expert local guide who enriches the tour with comments on the history, curiosities and significance of the sites you visit.

The walk takes you through the narrow cobbled streets of the neighbourhood to discover its most iconic buildings, such as Lisbon Cathedral and St. George's Castle. You can explore 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.

This neighbourhood is also one of the best places to listen to Fado in Lisbon, as it can often be heard in restaurants and also in the streets, where street musicians can usually be found on the way up to St. George's Castle. If you are interested in learning more about this unique form of traditional Portuguese music, you can visit the Fado Museum, located in this neighbourhood.

Useful information

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

A convenient way to see Lisbon's castles, palaces and churches is to book a private tour just for you and your travel companions. The advantage of these tours is that you have more freedom to customise them to your liking. In addition, some include admission to the Jerónimos 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, and world-renowned figures such as Vasco da Gama, among others.

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

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

Useful information

• Price: from €50 to €232 per person depending on the number of travellers participating in the tour.
• Duration: approximately 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 São Jerónimo, the Castle of São Jorge, the Tower of Belém and the Ajuda Palace, among others.
• Disadvantages of this option: admission to all monuments is not included.

Another interesting option for discovering some of Lisbon's most iconic palaces and buildings is to take a bus tour with an expert guide, who will teach you about the history and culture of the city, as well as the significance of the buildings you see. These tours will take you to 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 in an air-conditioned bus. They run every day except Mondays, usually in the morning.

One of the most beautiful palaces in Lisbon that you can visit on this tour is the neoclassical Ajuda National Palace, which served as a royal residence for around two centuries. Today, it houses the National Library, the Ministry of Culture and the Royal Treasury Museum, and is a venue 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 jewels and other valuable items that belonged to the Portuguese royalty.

As for the Jerónimos Monastery, it is an iconic palace in Lisbon 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 with views of 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 this, so you may have to purchase your own ticket to the Belém Tower.

Useful information

• Price: from €59 for adults and around €20 for children aged 5 to 10. Children under 5 participate free of charge.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Transport: air-conditioned bus.
• Disadvantages of this option: admission to monuments is not included.

Some of Portugal's most stunning palaces and castles are located in Sintra, about a 30-minute drive from Lisbon. These are the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, two castles that will transport you back in time. This 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. These tours usually take place early in the morning every day and are accompanied by an expert guide who will show you the highlights of Sintra and both palaces. They usually include skip-the-line tickets 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 the finest examples of Romantic architecture in Portugal 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 offer beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area.

As for Quinta da Regaleira, it is an early 20th-century palace that looks like something out of a fairy tale. Don't miss the Initiation Well, one of the palace's main attractions, where you can see the Cross of the Knights Templar engraved on the floor. Also worth seeing are the underground passages, a system of caves dug under the gardens, as well as the Church of the Holy Trinity and the gardens.

Useful information

• Price: from €96 for adults over 6 years old. Children under 5 years old participate free of charge.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Transport: by vehicle and on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you can visit 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 exploring São Jorge Castle, you can book a guided tour with an expert and discover all the details of this monument. The castle is located at the 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, a royal palace, a prison, and was restored after an earthquake.

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

The castle is notable for its panoramic view of the city, making it 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; visit the camera obscura, where a detailed image of the city is projected onto Da Vinci's periscope; stroll along the castle walls; and visit its museum.

Useful information

• Price: from €31 per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Disadvantages of this option: transport to the castle is not included.
• How to get there: the easiest way up is to use the Baixa and Castelo lifts, which are included when you purchase the Lisboa Card. Buses and trams also go there.

A very interesting way to see both the Ajuda National Palace and the Queluz Palace is to join a full-day guided tour, which will also allow 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 an expert local guide who will tell you about the history, culture and anecdotes throughout the tour, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the palaces and other sites you visit.

The tour usually begins with a visit to the Palace of Queluz, one of the best things to see in Sintra. There you can admire its pastel-coloured façade, gardens, 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 Tile Room.

Then, you can visit the neoclassical Ajuda National Palace. There you will find the Royal Treasury Museum, which contains an important collection of jewellery and valuable objects belonging to the Portuguese royal family. These tours also usually include visits to other attractions in Lisbon, such as the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery, although you will probably have to book your ticket to the Monastery and the Tower separately.

Useful information

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