Discover Queluz: Palace Gardens, Equestrian Art and Culture

Queluz combines royal architecture, artfully designed gardens and a vibrant equestrian tradition. At its heart is the Palácio Nacional de Queluz with its gardens and Museum of Decorative Arts. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Queluz can therefore focus their stay entirely on culture, garden design and special insights into Portuguese history.

Palace Gardens of Water, Art and Rococo

The Jardim Botânico of the Palácio Nacional de Queluz was created between 1769 and 1780. One of its striking features is the Canal dos Azulejos, which is 115 metres long and crosses the gardens from north to south. The Ribeira do Jamor flows through the canal. Its tile panels depict seaports and varied landscapes based on engravings; at the same time, the Canal dos Azulejos is considered one of the early examples of polychrome tilework in the Rococo style.

The gardens also feature fountains and ornamental ponds with mythological figures. The Cascata Grande exemplifies the combination of art and nature that characterises the Rococo garden. Pineapples were even cultivated in the botanical garden during the reign of D. Pedro III. For your stay, this means that architecture, water features and garden details alternate between the palace interiors and the grounds, allowing different interests to be easily combined in a shared visit.

Historic Rooms and Equestrian Art

The Palácio Nacional de Queluz combines Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. The chapel was completed in 1752 to a design by Mateus Vicente de Oliveira and is one of the oldest rooms in the palace. Its main altarpiece depicts Nossa Senhora da Conceição, the patron saint of Queluz, and was created by André Gonçalves. Current admission to the Palácio Nacional e Jardins de Queluz also includes a visit to the chapel.

The palace’s Museum of Decorative Arts preserves collections that mostly belonged to the royal family. This historical focus is complemented by the Biblioteca de Arte Equestre D. Diogo de Bragança, VIII Marquês de Marialva. It is the only national library dedicated exclusively to equestrian art. Around 2,000 publications on equestrian art, as well as prints, paintings and objects, can be consulted there.

The Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre is based in the gardens of the Palácio Nacional de Queluz and is considered part of Portugal’s national heritage. It follows the example of the Picaria Real, the riding academy of the Portuguese court in the 18th and early 19th centuries; it keeps some of its horses in the gardens of the Palácio de Queluz. However, regular public performances take place at the Picadeiro Henrique Calado on Calçada da Ajuda in Lisbon. This distinction is important when planning your day.

More Cultural Sites and Active Breaks

There are also historical points of interest outside the palace. The Casa da Ópera in Queluz dates from 1778. The Palacete Pombal, also known as the Palacete dos Condes de Almeida Araújo, is classified as a national monument. The building, constructed in the Neoclassical style, was commissioned by the second Marquis of Pombal, D. Henrique José de Carvalho e Melo, to accompany the royal family, which settled in the Palace of Queluz after the fire at the Real Barraca da Ajuda. The Torre do Relógio was built during one of the final construction phases of the Palácio de Queluz under the reign of D. Maria I. Since 1995, it has housed the Pousada D. Maria I from the Pousadas de Portugal network.

For exercise, there are two completed sections of Queluz’s cycling and pedestrian network near the CREL and the Cidade Desportiva in Queluz. In the riverside area of Parque Urbano Felício Loureiro, the grounds also include a sculpture by José Pedro Croft made of bossed limestone. Depending on your preferred pace of travel, you can complement your stay with active walks or a dedicated cultural route without losing focus on the palace and gardens.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

The Palácio Nacional e Jardins de Queluz can be reached by CP via the Linha de Sintra. Get off at Queluz-Belas or Monte Abraão stations; both are about 1 kilometre from the palace. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether a location with access to the railway line would be helpful for your individual plans. The cultural routes of the Sintra municipal authorities, including the Roteiro Patrimonial de Queluz, can be visited independently. Those who prefer a guided tour can take one on weekdays by prior registration for groups of at least 10 people. Concerts and official events continue to be held in the Sala do Trono.

For further research, you can also visit Belas, Almargem Do Bispo, Agualva, Mira-Sintra, Colares, Sintra, Terrugem and Algueirão.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Sintra.