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 surprising 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 district usually last around 3 hours and run every day except Sundays. No more than 15 people take part and you will be accompanied by an expert local guide who will enrich the tour with commentary on the history, curiosities and significance of the places 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 romantic-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 on the streets, where street musicians can usually be found on the way up to São Jorge 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 go free.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Transport: on foot.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include admission to St George's Castle.

A convenient way to discover 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 tailor 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 run every day at different times, although it is not recommended to take them on Mondays, as many monuments are closed. The tours are led by local experts who provide information about everything that makes this city unique. These tours are ideal for discovering the best of Belém and Alfama, among other neighbourhoods in Lisbon.

Another interesting monument you can visit is the Belém Tower, 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 the Ajuda Palace.

Useful information

• Price: from £45 to £200 per person depending on the number of travellers participating in the tour.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Transport: air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: you can take a personalised tour to discover monuments such as the Monastery of San Jerónimo, the Castle of San 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 tell you about the history and culture of the city and the significance of the buildings you see. These tours include the Ajuda Palace, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, among other sights.

These tours are for groups of around thirty people and take you 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 buy your ticket to the Belém Tower separately.

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 amazing palaces and castles are located in Sintra, about 30 minutes by car 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 discover them, you can join a full-day excursion to Sintra from Lisbon. These tours usually take place every day in the early morning 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 reception room, the green room and the great hall, as well as terraces and courtyards that offer beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Quinta da Regaleira 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 £86 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 will discover two of Portugal's most impressive palaces with a local guide, as well as exploring 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 and 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 stands out for its panoramic view of the city, making it an ideal outing 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; discover the camera obscura, where a detailed image of the city is projected through Da Vinci's periscope; stroll along the castle walls; and visit the museum.

Useful information

• Price: from £28 per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Drawbacks of this option: does not include transport to the castle.
• How to get there: the easiest way up is by using the Baixa and Castelo lifts, which are included when you buy the Lisboa Card. Buses and trams also go there.

A great 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 that will allow you to learn more about 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, 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 Room.

Next, you can visit the neoclassical Ajuda National Palace. Here 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 tickets for the monastery and the tower separately.

Useful information

• Price: from £63 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Means of transport: by vehicle and on foot.