Top Things to do in Mafra on A Day Trip From Lisbon
Mafra is a little town outside of Lisbon. It is also the home to an ornate palace built at the height of the Portuguese exploration era. These are the things to do in Mafra.
Plus, this is how to take a day trip to Mafra from Lisbon so you know how to work it into a trip!
Some of the links on the page are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase from one of the links, I earn money at no extra cost to you. I’ll only recommend brands I’ve used and love (or an alternative I would book myself). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I always pay for my own travel. I’ll be sure to let you know if that ever changes. If you choose to click through and purchase – thanks so much for the support!
A Brief History
I like to know a little bit about the places I’m visiting. Mostly I want to know why I’m visiting.
Construction started in the 18th century as a modest construction of a convent. While there is a convent as intended, the monument grew into something bigger. It is a palace with 600+ rooms, including an awe-inspiring library that remains one of the largest in Europe. The site includes a basilica with 6 organs! There are also gardens and hunting grounds.
The Portuguese kings pumped money from the conquests in Brazil into a ridiculous palace. Today the enormous palace remains surrounded by a tiny town.
Things to do in Mafra
Visit the Golden Palace of Mafra
Due to the wealth, the country was experiencing, what started as a modest construction became an over-the-top Palace Convent combination.
Mafra is an off-the-beaten-path UNESCO site but you can still spend plenty of time exploring it. As a bonus, you won’t have to battle many crowds.
Expect to spend 2-3 hours exploring the palace and basilica.
1. Library
The library won’t be the first room you see on your visit, but it is the most remarkable part of the palace.
The 88ft long room is two levels filled with beautiful books. The library is a dream. I wanted to live act a scene from Beauty and The Beast. It’s truly magical.
You won’t be able to walk along the bookshelves, but the room’s grandeur is still evident.
While you’re there, learn about the bats that inhabit the library to eat the insects that would damage the paper in the volumes.
This is the highlight of the visit, for sure.
2. Staterooms and General Palace
There are several unique staterooms in Mafra Palace. The different chambers are elaborate and are staged in a way they may have been used.
There are two wings of staterooms; The King’s Wing and The Queen’s Wing. The passageways, stag room, music room, and game room were some of the highlights.
The palace is a unique mix of rooms. The stag room was certainly memorable. The game room feels substantially more modern than I’d expected.
I enjoyed the contrast.
We were also able to walk through some of the staff hallways. It was a very upstairs-downstairs feel, and it was interesting to experience both in one tour.
3. Convent
The convent is connected to and tied to the palace. Your visit will take you through various parts of the convent. The infirmary and the kitchen were exciting parts of this section.
Visit the The Basilica
After you tour the palace, head over to the basilica.
Directions needed to be more explicit, but you exit the palace and turn toward the left. Go up the stairs in the middle of the building to find the basilica.
The Basilica of Our Lady and Saint Anthony of Mafra is filled with pink marble. Still, the most impressive part of the basilica is the 6 organs.
An organ concert here would be an experience!
Walk Around the Town of Mafra
The small main street of Mafra dead ends at the palace.
There are some shops, restaurants, and bakeries to enjoy a meal or a snack.
The town offers a very different feel than Lisbon or even Porto. So, take some time to walk around and see the little shops. You can even grab a pastry while you wander.
You don’t have to worry too much about getting lost in Mafra. The biggest landmark is the palace and it’s hard to miss.
What I Bring With Me
I’ve tried lots of travel backpacks and this one by Cotopaxi is my favorite.
My go-to day pack when I’m exploring cities.
My Nikon Z5 is my go-to camera. I love the 70-200mm lens for photographing wildlife.
My Eddie Bauer Rain Foil Jacket is a must.
Headphones – In-Ear by Bose
Headphones- over-ear by Beats – they don’t fall off my head or pinch my hair!
The only dietary card I’ll try (you get 10% off with my link)
Where to Eat in Mafra
If you’re not gluten-free, each city in Portugal seems to have a special pastry.
Check out O Fradinho! in Mafra to try the Fradinho pastry Mafra is known for.
If you’re celiac like me, I didn’t try eating in this little town.
It was close enough to Lisbon and the gluten-free restaurants there that I didn’t have to.
Check out Joao Da Vila Velha if you want to grab a meal and don’t have to be gluten-free. It’s a 15-minute walk from the palace.
Visit Logistics
Tickets to the Palace/Covent/Basilica are €6. There is no need to buy tickets early; the site isn’t a hugely popular tourist destination. The site is open from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm and is closed on Tuesdays.
Group tours will visit the palace at Mafra as it opens, so if you can visit in the afternoon, you’ll likely avoid the crowds.
We had fun with the attendants in the basilica because we were the only visitors!
Visiting after lunch, we were lucky enough to have the palace more or less to ourselves.
If you visit early wander around the city before lunch and then enter the palace after the tours are over.
Getting to Mafra from Lisbon for a Day Trip
Mafra is 39 km northwest of Lisbon near the Atlantic coast. One of the reasons a day trip to Mafra isn’t a draw for tourists is that no train connects it directly with Lisbon.
Good news if you’d like to explore without the crowds that flock to Sintra from Lisbon. Especially since, even with no train access, it is still easy to access.
Bus
Regular buses run from Lisbon’s Campo Grande Station to Ericeira, with a Mafra stop. Mafra (Palácio) is your stop! The 209 bus is the fastest at 30 minutes. The 2080 bus is much longer, so avoid that option. You’ll buy your ticket from the driver (about €4).
Rideshare
Uber is very economical, especially if you’re traveling with friends. Depending on the time of day, an Uber will cost about €20-€30. 3 to 4 people traveling together, or someone looking for extra flexibility, should look at rideshare apps.
Group Tour
If a bus/Uber isn’t your speed, several group tour options take you to Mafra and Ericeira on a day tour.
How Long do you need in Mafra?
A half day in Mafra is all you need for all of the things to do in Mafra.
It’s easy to visit after a half-day of exploring in Lisbon.
If you’re looking for a longer day, continue taking the bus out to Ericeira on the coast and come back to visit Mafra Palace on your way back.
Is Mafra worth visiting?
The little town of Mafra isn’t on top of the visit list for many people even though it definitely should be. The palace/basilica/convent at the royal palace in Mafra is breathtaking. The library is incredible and the six organs in the basilica are worth seeing. Mafra is an easy day or half-day trip from Lisbon. The town is still small so it probably isn’t worth staying overnight.
What to see in Mafra?
The biggest draw in Mafra, Portugal is the National Palace of Mafra. Visiting the palace includes the basilica and two wings of the palace.
Otherwise, the town is small and easy to wander around if you have time. Grab a coffee, pastry, or meal with a view of the imposing palace.
Where is Mafra?
Mafra is a small town 39 km northwest of Lisbon not far from the Atlantic coast.
