Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira
Largo São Domingos de Benfica 1, Lisbon, Portugal, 1500-554
Famous for its landscaped gardens and exquisite traditional Portuguese tiles known as azulejos, the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira (Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira) is one of the country’s best-preserved estates. Still privately owned, the 17th-century mansion has been passed down through generations of Portuguese aristocrats.
The Basics
Inside Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira, grandiose crystal chandeliers hang from intricate, frescoed ceilings. The palace is famous for its collection of Portuguese tiles, especially those in the Hall of Battles, which depict scenes of war. The exterior is home to lovely gardens, complete with neatly cut hedges, ponds, fountains, and statues of religious figures and Portuguese royalty. Visitors can roam the gardens freely, but can only enter the private home on a guided tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira offers great insight into the history of Portuguese architecture and aristocracy.
Fronteira Palace is ideal for travelers interested in art history and architecture.
A relatively rural location means the palace is usually uncrowded.
You can book a tour and ticket in advance online.
How to Get There
From central Lisbon, you can take the metro’s Red or Green Line to Sete Rios railway station and walk the remaining 1 mile (1.6 kilometer) to the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira. If you want to avoid the long walk, the easiest way to reach the palace is by taxi.
When to Get There
Guided tours of the palace interior are offered every 30 minutes from 10:30am to 12pm Monday through Saturday. The gardens are open Monday through Friday from 10:30am to 5pm (closed during lunch hour) and close at 1pm on Saturdays. During the winter months (October–May), the gardens are open 11am to 5pm.
The Sistine Chapel of Tilework
The Hall of the Battles—hailed as the Sistine Chapel of Tilework—and the gardens of Fronteira Palace feature some of the country’s finest azulejo art. If you appreciate the unique aesthetic of azulejos, you can admire more at the National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo) in Lisbon, where tiles date all the way back to the 15th century.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!