I took advantage of the fact that my son was at a birthday party in Alcântara and spent 2 hours visiting the Ajuda National Palace so I wouldn't have to go back to Cascais. He was in my bucketlist a long time ago and it was really nice to be able to visit him in my own time without having to pay attention to the kids.
I had a nice surprise, as I was able to get in without paying anything thanks to new free entry regime in Museums and Monuments that came into force last year. I presented my document, said my NIF and the guy gave me the ticket right away.
A little bit of history
The Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, located in Lisbon, began construction in 1795 as the residence of the Portuguese royal family after the 1755 earthquake that destroyed the Palácio da Ribeira. Initially conceived as a temporary wooden structure, called the “Real Barraca”, it was later transformed into a permanent building in the neoclassical style. Its construction, however, was marked by interruptions due to political and economic crises, including the Napoleonic Invasions and the transfer of the court to Brazil. Despite being planned as a grand palace, it was never fully completed.
Throughout the 19th century, the palace served as the official residence of the Portuguese monarchy, hosting important events and the daily life of the royal family. After the establishment of the Republic in 1910, it became a museum and cultural space, preserving a rich collection of furniture, decorative art and historical artifacts. Today, it is one of Lisbon's main cultural attractions, standing out for its architectural beauty and historical relevance.
My visit
I didn't have a guide to tell me about the details of the palace, but I ended up reading the explanations of the rooms and understanding their functions. I found everything very well preserved and I especially liked the staircase, the Throne Room and the Grand Dining Room. You can find out more about these and other spaces on the Palace's official website.
I thought I would be able to stroll through the garden to enjoy the sunny day, but unfortunately there is no garden in this Palace, which I thought was a great shame. I spent about 1h30 strolling around the interiors and then went to rest in the car and pick up my son.
If you want to take a guided tour, you can contact the Palace and they will give you the contact details of a company that does this by appointment.
Some photos
Want to see more palaces in Portugal?
See the links below:
Getting to know the Fronteira Palace, in Lisbon
Our visit to the National Palace of Sintra
Getting to know the Monserrate Park and Palace
An afternoon at the Queluz Palace, in Sintra
4 days in Estremoz, Vila Viçosa, Elvas, Evoramonte and Arraiolos – Ducal Palace
