When European travelers think of palaces to visit, often places like the Palace of Versailles in France or maybe Schönbrunn Palace in Austria come to mind.
But, how about Belem Palace, Palace of the Dukes of Braganza or the Estoi Palace all located in Portugal? Well, you may want to add them to your list.
In fact, here are five amazing palaces for tourists to explore on their next adventure in Portugal.
Belém Palace
Let’s start with the most important palace in all of Portugal. Why is the Belém Palace so important? Because it is the official residence of the President of the Portuguese Republic.
The picturesque pink building on the banks of the Tagus river in Belém, it traces its history back to 1559. Reservations are required to tour the palace and can be booked in advance online. At only 5€, it’s also a great deal for travelers!
Palace of the Dukes of Braganza
Going back to the medieval times of knights and kings, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza in Guimarães was completed for Afonso de Barcelos in about 1420.
This one is one of my personal favorites in Portugal because of the many different architectural elements which add a real historical feel to this palace.
Not is only filled with old tapestries which add to the ambiance of the old palace, but is also includes a traditional palace chapel with a wooden ceiling and period stained glass windows.
Estoi Palace
Completely the opposite of the traditional medieval Palace of the Dukes of Braganza is the amazingly designed rococo-styled Estoi Palace in Faro.
This one is another of my favorites with its era pink marble looking exterior and interiors that remind me of the period palaces in both Versailles and Vienna.
It was built in 1782 and additions were last completed in 1909. Today, it is actually a palace you can stay in as it is a functioning hotel in the popular Portuguese hotspot of the Algarve.
Stock Exchange Palace
The Arabesque elements of Moorish Arabian Room in the Stock Exchange Palace in Porto makes it look like it should be found in Southern Spain cities like Seville or Granada instead.
It might seem pretty plain from the outside, but once travelers wander into the interior, they are guaranteed to be mesmerized. The interior, which is considered exotic by many, features geometric patterns of gold and tan with splashes of blue on the ceiling.
It’s…
Read full article: 5 Cool Palaces In Portugal You Must Visit At Least Once In Your Lifetime
The post “5 Cool Palaces In Portugal You Must Visit At Least Once In Your Lifetime” by Anthony Timmons was published on 07/31/2024 by www.travelinglifestyle.net