On June 25, 2024, I had a tourist day with a dear friend. We decided to visit the Frontier Palace, in Lisbon, and then have lunch at LX Factory and it was a great break from the routine in the middle of the week while our kids were at school. Highly recommend!
Where is the Fronteira Palace?
The Palácio da Fronteira, also known as the Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira, is located in Lisbon, Portugal. More specifically, it is located in the parish of São Domingos de Benfica, near the Monsanto Forest Park. This palace is known for its beautiful gardens, tiles, and luxurious interiors.
How to get to the Palace
From my home in Cascais, it took me less than 30 minutes to drive along the A5 motorway, but below I will explain how you can get there if you are in Lisbon.
By Metro and Bus
- Subway:
- Take the Blue Line (Linha Azul) of the subway and get off at the station Zoo.
- Bus:
- From Jardim Zoológico station, take the bus No. 770 towards “Rato” and get off at the “Palácio da Fronteira” stop.
By Train
Sete Rios station is located about 20 minutes' walk from Palácio Fronteira and is connected to the metro network.
By Car
- Use a GPS or navigation app and enter “Palácio Fronteira, Lisbon” as your destination.
- The exact address is: Lisbon, Portugal.
- Parking may be limited, so it's a good idea to check the availability of nearby parking.
By Taxi or Transportation Apps (Uber, Bolt, etc.)
- Simply enter “Palácio Fronteira” as your destination in the app of your choice.
- This option can be convenient, especially if you are in an area where public transportation is less accessible.
On Foot
- If you are staying in a nearby location, such as the Lisbon Zoo, you might consider walking to the palace. It is a pleasant walk and you will be able to enjoy the surrounding area.
A summary of the history of the Palace
Palácio da Fronteira was built in 1670 by D. João de Mascarenhas, the first Marquis of Fronteira. Originally designed as a hunting lodge, the palace soon became the main residence of the Mascarenhas family, especially after the destruction of their original home by the 1755 earthquake. This palace is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture and decoration in Portugal, standing out for its beautiful tiles, stucco and lush gardens.
During the 18th century, the palace was enlarged and decorated with the help of renowned artists of the time, reflecting the taste and wealth of the Portuguese nobility. The tiles that adorn the walls and fountains in the gardens are particularly notable, depicting mythological, hunting and battle scenes, as well as portraits of the Mascarenhas family. These decorative elements not only beautify the palace, but also serve as a visual chronicle of the family's history and aspirations.
Today, the Palácio da Fronteira is one of Lisbon's most charming tourist attractions, open to the public for guided tours. The property is still managed by descendants of the Mascarenhas family., preserving its rich history and heritage. The palace and its gardens offer a unique insight into Portuguese aristocratic life in centuries past, keeping alive the memory of its original splendor.
Our tour
We read on the official website – see here – all visits had to be guided, so we ended up choosing the best time for us and the language was English. We parked the car in front of the palace, bought our tickets for 15 euros each and at the scheduled time, the tour began. Our guide was a Portuguese gentleman with a strong British accent who spoke too quickly for my liking, but I was able to understand most of what he said.
I found it interesting that the Mascarenhas family still lives on the first floor of the palace and the visit takes place on the second floor and in the gardens. Unfortunately, it was not possible to take photos inside, but I really liked the rooms, especially the library and the main hall where important events take place throughout the year. The decoration has a certain good taste, but in some places I found too much, he knows?
The garden is very pleasant, a harmonious combination of art, history and nature. I loved seeing the solitary black swan swimming in the green water and the rose garden nearby.
It was a nice surprise!
Some photos of the Palace
Other Palaces in Lisbon and surroundings
- Our visit to the National Palace of Sintra
- Getting to know the Monserrate Park and Palace
- An afternoon at the Queluz Palace, in Sintra
- 2 days in Sintra
- 1 day in Mafra
- 1 day in Sintra
- 7 days in Portugal (Lisbon, Estremadura and Ribatejo)
