Mafra Guided Tours

The most suitable means of transport necessary to move around the territory of Mafra is on foot or by bike. The historic part is relatively small, and it is highly recommended that you explore it by walking or bike riding. Local buses are also available, but they transport people to the main attraction sites of the town. If you want to travel around, rent a car to be able to go to the nearby beaches and villages. There are a lot of car parking facilities everywhere, and the roads are well-maintained and signposted.

Indeed, the exploration of Mafra does not require hiring a guide since most of the buildings and museums are self-explanatory and accompanied by workers who need to speak more English. As for the city itself, being well-signposted and most of the attractions being easily located, the trip's logistics should be fine. Nevertheless, guided tours include extra information, which enriches a place's knowing course of action. It is also possible to use audio guides and informational brochures to increase the efficiency of your stay. There are also many informative stands and welcoming people roaming the streets; they will assist if one gets lost.

The more significant part of the palaces, for instance, the Palacio Nacional de Mafra, will have an entrance fee. Therefore, there are certain days of the year when children and adults can enter for free: on national holidays or commemorative days. The best thing, however, is to consult and establish whether there are such days when you will be around to experience it. Some palaces also provide special discounts for groups like students, senior citizens or families. One should look for such offers so that your visit should not put a big hole in your pocket.

You should visit Mafra on weekdays, more so Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. There are always fewer people, and you can always rent the sights all by yourself. Weekends and public holidays are always much more crowded, especially during the summer and school breaks. It is also possible to avoid crowds and get acquainted with the culture and peculiarities of everyday life among the population if the visit is made on a weekday. The restaurants and cafés are not as complete, and fewer people are around; thus, one can feel the city.

Yes, Mafra is the place to visit for a day trip. Porto de Mos is a reasonably small town approximately 30 km from Lisbon, and there are always many options for getting there by car or public transport. Some of the main attractions that one can visit in Mafra include the Palacio Nacional de Mafra, the Tapada Nacional de Mafra, and the monastery, which are all within Mafra. They can easily be visited in a day. You can also try to wander around the villages and the agricultural fields nearby or go to nearby beaches if you have more time. You could opt to go to Mafra and have a full day’s tour with rich culture, excellent natural scenery and the relaxed environment of a coastal town.

However, Mafra has its fame related to the Palacio Nacional de Mafra, which is the baroque basilica, monastery and library. It also presents local markets that deserve the stop, traditional restaurants of Portuguese gastronomy, and beautiful views of nature. Mafra as a city is a historical and conceptual combination of history, culture, and nature and is a definite sight to see when in Portugal. Tapada Nacional de Mafra is a relatively large nature reserve where visitors can go hiking and cycling and also watch wildlife. It should also be noted that Mafra welcomes people who live there, and no visit to this region can cause disappointment. It always has a non-stressful and warm mood.