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The facade of the Mafra National Palace with the towers of the basilicaAlvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 3.0

What to do · Ericeira and Mafra

Mafra National Palace, basilica and library

18th-century palace, convent and basilica with a rococo library · 2 h · Closed on Tuesdays

Information
Duration
2 h
Season
All year, except Tuesday
Who it's for
History and architecture; with children, a short visit is better

A huge building, commissioned by John V in the 18th century: royal palace, Franciscan convent and basilica behind a single facade. Inside you tour the palace rooms, the convent infirmary and, at the end, the library, a rococo wooden gallery lined with old books.

The palace is open every day except Tuesday, from 9:30 to 17:30, with last entry at 16:30. The basilica is open daily from 9:30 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:30. They close on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May, Ascension Thursday (local holiday) and 25 December. With the Lisboa Card you get in free; check the ticket price at the ticket office.

As a familyWith teenagers

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The dining room of Esplanada Furnas with picture windows over the sea© Esplanada Furnas

Esplanada Furnas

Restaurant · Ericeira · €€€€

What to order: choose the fish of the day from the display case at the entrance and order some clams à Bulhão Pato to start.

The dining room of Onda D'Mar with views of the sea© Onda D'Mar by Furnas

Onda D'Mar by Furnas

Restaurant · Ericeira · €€€€

What to order: a seafood rice to share or the grilled fish.

To stay nearby

The Vila Galé Ericeira hotel above the beach, seen from the air© Vila GaléHotel

Vila Galé Ericeira

4 stars · Above the beach · 202 rooms · Pools, spa and kids' club

Why we like it: Four-star hotel on the beach, in the centre of Ericeira, with 202 rooms, 116 with sea views, pools, a spa and a kids' club.

Pitches at Ericeira Camping© Ericeira CampingCampsite

Ericeira Camping (Parque de Campismo de Mil Regos)

Bungalows and tipis · Pitches on a first-come basis · Animals accepted on pitches

Dogs welcome

Why we like it: Municipal campsite north of Ericeira with bungalows, tipis and unbookable pitches, close to the surf beaches and the centre.

From €7 / night View details

Itineraries

Features in these plans