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

The 18th-century Palácio Real de Queluz is the main sight in town.

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.

By train

There are several railway stations in town with Monte Abrão and Queluz-Belas being 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).

Additionally,

• 1 Queluz-Belas railway station (Estação Ferroviária de Queluz-Belas). (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Monte Abraão railway station (Estação Ferroviária de Monte Abraão). (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Massamá-Barcarena railway station (Estação Ferroviária de Massamá-Barcarena). (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 Mira Sintra-Meleças train station (Estação Ferroviária de Mira Sintra-Meleças). A park-and-ride station in the northern parts of the municipality, serves a limited number of intercity trains as well as regional ones. Of limited use to the average tourist. (updated Jul 2023)

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

Torre do Relógio (Palácio Nacional de Queluz).

• 1 Palace of Queluz (Palácio Nacional de Queluz), Largo Palácio de Queluz. 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. Entrance €10. (updated Jul 2023)

Do

• 1 Parque Urbano Felício Loureiro, Avenida Eng. Duarte Pacheco. (updated Feb 2021)
• 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

• 1 A Gália, ☏ +351 21 136 6677, agaliarestaurante@gmail.com. Tu–Su 12:00–22:30, closed M. Specializing in hamburgers and prego sandwiches. €8-12. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Ao Monte, Praceta Abraão 8, ☏ +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. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Restaurant d'El Rei, Largo Mouzinho de Albuquerque 1, ☏ +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. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Pousada Palácio de Queluz (formerly Pousada de Dona Maria I), Largo do Palácio Nacional, ☏ +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. (updated Jun 2021)