Mafra can! And we, so close by, have to take advantage of it. Just 45 minutes from Lisbon, there is plenty to visit, such as the Palace and Convent of Mafra, the Tapada and, of course, the beautiful towns of Mafra and Ericeira.
In Mafra we highlight the palace, of course, it’s a must-see! This baroque monument has more than 1,200 rooms and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
In this area you can also visit the José Franco Typical Village or enjoy the beaches and the world surfing reserve in Ericeira
Take a look at our itinerary and, as soon as possible, set off to discover a West made up of history and the sea.
Table Of Contents
National Palace and Convent of Mafra
Built by King João V in the 18th century, it is one of the most incredible Portuguese palaces and the most important Baroque monument in the country.
It consists of the Royal Palace, the Basilica and the Convent, a monumental complex with 1,200 rooms and 4,700 doors and windows.
Probably the most fascinating of all is the Library, one of the most beautiful and important in the world, which houses around 40,000 books on its shelves.
Also noteworthy are the six organs and the two carillons with 92 bells in the Basilica, which are also unique in the world.
Cerco Garden
Next to the Convent, this Versailles-inspired garden covers around eight hectares and has a typically Baroque layout.
There, you’ll find water mirrors, a century-old noria, leafy trees and the so-called Horta dos Frades, with plants used in medicinal products.
Don’t miss the Aromatic Garden, with 39 species of culinary medicinal plants.
St. Andrew’s Church
Although unknown to many, this church in the “Old Town” of Mafra holds centuries of history, or it wouldn’t have been built in the 14th century at the behest of King Dinis.
It is one of the most important examples of Gothic parish architecture in the Mafra and Ericeira region, but can only be visited by appointment (tel. 261 819 711).
Mafra National Hunting Grounds
Created in 1747 as a leisure and hunting park for King João V, it is the largest walled natural area in the country, covering 819 hectares.
As well as a wide variety of flora, it is also home to many free-roaming animals such as deer, wild boar, fallow deer, reptiles and birds.
An incredible place for a stroll, but also for group or family activities such as donkey rides, night visits and archery.
José Franco Typical Village
At first glance, this village is like any other. It has a castle, white houses with blue stripes, a mill and workshops. But it ‘s actually a recreation of a typical Portuguese village, built in the 1960s.
As a tribute to his land and his memories, the potter José Franco has reconstructed everything that characterizes a village, but in a smaller way. A curious and authentic space that delights kids and adults in the Mafra and Ericeira area.
Village of Mata Pequena
It’s a typical hillbilly village, located on the outskirts of Mafra and Ericeira and less than an hour from Lisbon.
Recovered for tourism, it is made up of a dozen little houses, all different, where you can relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the region.
It has a small farm with animals that the kids love.
Iberian Wolf Recovery Center
Created in 1987 by the Lobo Group, in Quinta da Murta (Gradil), it is a unique space in the country that takes in wolves that cannot live in freedom, victims of traps or mistreatment, for example.
Here, they can be in semi-natural conditions, in a fenced but large space of around 17 wooded hectares.
Beaches
With an enviable coastline of 11 kilometers, the municipality of Mafra has 13 beaches: Porto Barril, Calada, São Lourenço, Coxos, Ribeira d`Ilhas, Empa, Matadouro, São Sebastião, Algodio, Pescadores, Sul, Foz do Lizandro and São Julião.
All of them have clear, cold waters (it’s just hard to get in) and a swell that invites surfing and bodyboarding .
It’s no coincidence that the North American organization “Save The Waves Coalition” has classified Ericeira as a World Surfing Reserve.
Ericeira
Ericeira is famous for its beaches, but this fishing village has much more to offer.
The best starting point for any stroll is Praça da República, known to all as Largo do Jogo da Bola, where tourists and locals gather to relax on a terrace, store in the stores or visit the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve Interpretation Center.
A stone’s throw away is the beautiful building of the Jaime Lobo e Silva House of Culture, formerly the Ericeira Casino.
In the surrounding area, it’s worth visiting Praia dos Pescadores, Parque de Santa Marta, right on the seafront, the numerous churches scattered around the town (see attraction 10) and, of course, its restaurants, which specialize in seafood and fresh fish.
Churches in Ericeira
The faith of the town and its fishermen has taken shape in various religious temples, most notably the Church of São Pedro, located in the square of the same name, whose origins date back to the middle of the 15th century.
The Misericórdia Church in Ericeira and the Santa Marta Church are also part of this.
Smaller but equally beautiful are the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem and the Chapel ofSão Sebastião.
Map with places to visit in Mafra and Ericeira, and the list for your phone!
Esta é a Área Metropolitana de Lisboa que não sabias que existia