Queluz is a Portuguese city in Sintra municipality in Greater Lisbon, Estremadura, and home to one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in Europe: the Queluz National Palace. It is famed as the home of Queluz National Palace, as well as notable institutions like the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.
Understand
Queluz (kih-LOOSH, /kɨ.ˈɫuʃ/) had over 100,000 inhabitants in 2021.
Get in
To get here by road, follow the IC 19 from Lisbon to Sintra, which passes by Queluz.
There are 3 train stations in town: Monte Abrão, Barcarena-Massamá and Queluz-Belas. Monte Abrão and Queluz-Belas are the most useful ones for travellers. They're on the Lisbon-Sintra route and are served by trains every 15 minutes or so. When you're coming in from Lisbon, catch a train from Rossio station (15 min, €1.20)
There are also frequent bus lines operated by Vimeca. They connect Queluz to Lisbon, Oeiras, Amadora, Carcavelos and other destinations in the region.
Get around
It's about a 15-minute walk from either of the recommended train stations to the palace.
See
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- Palácio Nacional de Queluz, Largo do Palácio, 38.750446°, -9.258224°. Although smaller in size, this 18th-century castle is sometimes called the Portuguese Versailles, for its extravagant designs and detailed decorations, both on the outside and on the inside. This pleasure palace of the Portuguese Royal Family is considered a prime piece of Rococo architecture and has been thoroughly restored. €8.50
Do
- Parque Urbano Felício Loureiro, Avenida Eng. Duarte Pacheco, 38.7549°, -9.259°. 2021-02-19
- Between July and August is a free fair outside the D. Maria Pousada that recreates the golden age of the Queluz National Palace. The Seventeenth Fair recreates the reign of Queen Mary I of Portugal, and transports visitors back into a period where artisans and merchants produced arts and crafts. Choral concerts are also common to Sunday afternoons at Queluz National Palace, owing to the three choirs in the city.
Buy
- The Monte Abraão Fair (held every Saturday in the Rua Cidade Desportiva) is the biggest in Queluz, allowing the sale of clothes, handicrafts, fruits and vegetables, flowers and implements.
Eat
- A Gália, 38.7524°, -9.2578°, +351 21 136 6677, agaliarestaurante@gmail.com. Tu–Su 12:00–22:30, closed M. Specializing in hamburgers and prego sandwiches. €8-12 2021-06-24
- Ao Monte, Praceta Abraão 8, 38.7586°, -9.2648°, +351 21 439 1411, omonte.geral1@gmail.com. M–Th 12:00–23:00, F Sa 12:00–00:00, Su 12:00–17:00. Portuguese cuisine. €7-20 2021-06-24
- Restaurant d'El Rei, Largo Mouzinho de Albuquerque 1, 38.752°, -9.2578°, +351 21 435 0674, geral@del-rei.com. M–Sa 12:00–15:30 & 19:00–22:30, Su 12:00–15:30. Simple Portuguese cooking. €10-20 2021-06-24
Drink
Sleep
- Pousada Palácio de Queluz (formerly Pousada de Dona Maria I), Largo do Palácio Nacional, 38.7508°, -9.2576°, +351 21 435 6158, recepcao.dmaria@pestana.com. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 11:00. Four-star, 26-room pousada (historic hotel). The building was used by the Royal Guard of the palace next door. It originates around the same time as the palace, but the design of its tower is rather Baroque in style than Rococo. The hotel has meeting rooms available. The hotel is home to the Cozinha Velha Restaurant. €89-136 2021-06-24