Palácio Nacional da Ajuda
- Visit: 105 min
- from EUR 15
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About
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GualdimG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
Why go
- Preserved interiors of the home of Portugal’s kings.
- Portuguese crown jewels in the Royal Treasure Museum, hosted here since 2022.
- The Blue Room’s tapestries designed by Francisco de Goya.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:15Show all
Don't miss
- Blue Room tapestriesSpain gave these tapestries as a 1785 wedding gift to Prince João and Carlota Joaquina.Blue Room
- Surviving furnishings from the wooden palaceSome furnishings that survived the fire are displayed in the palace museum.Palace museum
- Winter GardenAn interior vestibule was converted into the Winter Garden.Winter Garden
- Sala dos ArcheirosCompleted by Joaquim Machado de Castro and his pupils.Sala dos Archeiros
- Sala VerdeThe future King Carlos was born here on 28 September 1863.Sala Verde1863
Know before you go
- Maintenance, conservation work and official events can cause unscheduled closures.
- Personal photography is allowed. Flash, selfie sticks, tripods and other stabilisers are prohibited.
- Video recording requires prior authorisation.
- Palace staff may not be photographed.
- Eating and smoking are prohibited along the visit route.
- Groups of more than 20 people must book in advance.
- A guide may lead up to 30 visitors.
- Groups exceeding 10 visitors per guide must use radio guides indoors.
What's inside
- Queen Maria Pia and architect Possidónio da Silva shaped most interiors during Luís I’s reign.
- The east and south wings contain museum exhibitions; the north wing has the Ajuda Library and a temporary exhibition gallery.
- A vestibule leads through a monumental staircase and rounded arches.
- The museum displays furniture, silverwork and jewellery.
- The palace includes the king’s studio.
Tips for your visit
- The main entrance is on the eastern side at Largo da Ajuda.
- The palace stands at the top of Calçada da Ajuda, which connects Ajuda with Belém.
- Allow about 1 hour and 45 minutes for a visit.
- Parking near Largo da Torre is about a two-minute walk away.
- Ask the room volunteers about the palace’s stories and details.
- On some visits, chandeliers are lit as they were in the former royal residence.
Interesting facts3
-
The palace is a Portuguese national monument.
Palácio Nacional da Ajuda - Wikipedia -
The original plans were reduced to about one-third of their intended scale.
Palace of Ajuda - Wikipedia (part 2) -
1768
Lisbon’s first botanical garden was established around the palace in 1768 by order of Sebastião José.
Palácio Nacional da Ajuda - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
After the 1755 earthquake, a temporary wooden royal residence was built on Ajuda hill. Designed to resist earthquakes without masonry, it covered more area than the present palace. A fire destroyed it in 1794.
- 9 Nov 1795The first stone of the new palace was laid.
- 1826Infanta Isabel Maria moved in as regent for Queen Maria II, beginning a period of royal residence.
- 1833Liberal forces entered Lisbon and work stopped, leaving the reduced project unfinished.
- 1861Luís I made the palace his permanent residence.
- 16 Apr 1862Luís and Maria Pia moved in together as the formal royal residents.
Show all
- 1938The palace opened as a museum.
- 20 Aug 1968It opened to the public after a period of restricted access.
- 1974A fire damaged much of the north wing and destroyed 500 paintings, including a self-portrait by Rembrandt.
Photo spots
- Sala VerdeThe room where Infante Carlos was born in 1863.Sala Verde On the map
- Dining room musicians’ galleryA gallery above the dining room where musicians could accompany meals.Dining room On the map
- Ceiling frescoA fresco depicting an allegory of the birth of King D. João VI.Ceiling On the map
Sources: Palace of Ajuda - Wikipedia · Palace of Ajuda - Wikipedia (part 2) · Palace of Ajuda - Wikipedia (part 3) · Welcome | Palácio Nacional da Ajuda · Visite | Palácio Nacional da Ajuda · Quintas-feiras no Palácio: visitas com os volun… · Palácio Nacional da Ajuda - Wikipedia · Schloss Ajuda - Wikipedia · Palais national d'Ajuda - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Website
- palacioajuda.gov.pt/
- Phone
- 351213637095
Questions and answers
Who continued living at Palácio Nacional da Ajuda after Luís I’s death?
Queen Maria Pia remained there with Infante Afonso.
What are Palácio Nacional da Ajuda’s opening hours?
Daily, 10:00–17:15.
Why was Palácio Nacional da Ajuda built here?
It replaced a wooden royal residence erected after the 1755 earthquake.
What happened at Palácio Nacional da Ajuda after it ceased to be a royal residence?
It was used for official ceremonies, banquets and receptions.
What is the literary connection of Palácio Nacional da Ajuda’s library?
The library gave its name to the Cancioneiro da Ajuda.
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