The 9 Palace Gardens and Grounds in Portugal We Would Buy a Ticket For

1.National Palace and Gardens Skip-the-Line Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,144 reviews · 1 day · from $15Our pick

Spend a day exploring Sintra’s National Palace, Portugal’s best-preserved medieval royal palace. Your ticket gives direct entry and access to a free audio guide in Portuguese, English, Spanish, or French. Look for Manueline details, Mudejar tiles, water courtyards, the Heraldic Room, chapel, kitchen, and a new audiovisual route about 14 palace figures.

“I wasn't sure which of the two palaces in Sintra to visit, so we chose the National Palace for the cheaper price. It was a wonderful experience, especially the unexpected and breathtaking Heraldic Room, and the Chapel. The online guide was excellent and very informative.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Sintra & Cascais Day Tour with Pena Palace Entry and Gardens Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 962 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $92Top rated

Travel from Lisbon in a small air-conditioned minivan to Pena Palace, its steep gardens, Sintra village, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais. English-speaking guides such as Nuno, Joanna, Simon, and Oriana are praised for clear stories and personal help. Hotel, port, or airport pickup may be available, though some addresses use a nearby meeting point.

“Oriana was amazing! We had the best day seeing the Pena Palace, lunch near the ocean, Cabo da Roca, and Cascais. Incredible tour and top marks for our guide/driver.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Queluz National Palace & Gardens Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 447 reviews · 1 day · from $7Best value

Visit Queluz National Palace and its formal gardens for one day with a fast-track ticket and free Zoomguide audio guide in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French. See the Throne Room, Pedro IV’s Don Quixote bedroom, royal kitchens, fountains, and an azulejo-lined canal. The palace sits outside Lisbon, so plan your transport separately.

“Such a beautiful experience, the gardens were amazing as well as the architecture!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Funchal: Monte Palace Tropical Gardens Tuk Tuk Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 185 reviews · 3 hours · from $58

Travel from central Funchal into Madeira’s steep hills in a private tuk tuk, stopping at viewpoints and a beautiful church before exploring Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. Guides such as Virgílio, Carla, Andrea, and Moisés share local history and practical tips. Garden admission is extra, and the ride can be bumpy.

“The Gardens were beautiful! Our guide gave us a little tour of the city along the way and gave us some recommendations on where to eat and grab a drink!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Queluz: National Palace and Gardens E-Ticket & Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 1 hour · from $16

Visit Queluz National Palace and Gardens with a $16 adult e-ticket and optional English audio guide on your phone. Walk at your own pace through royal rooms, the Chapel, Medallions Lake, Don Quixote Room, Grand Cascade, and formal gardens. Download the app before arriving, and bring headphones and a charged smartphone.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Monte Palace Tropical Garden tour with Cable Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 44 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $72

You’ll ride one way by cable car from Funchal toward Monte, then explore Monte Palace Tropical Garden with a guide. Expect exotic plants, ponds, oriental-style sections, fountains, grottoes, and city views. Hotel pickup is available from selected Funchal, Caniço, and Ponta de Garajau hotels. The wicker toboggan ride costs extra.

“Fantastic beautiful tropical place although the trip was quite rushed with the tour guide rushing around her part.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.National Palace and Gardens of Queluz: E-ticket with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · from $21

Visit the National Palace and Gardens of Queluz at your own pace with a mobile ticket and self-guided audio tour. Hear short stories about the Music Room, Picnic Room, and Monkey Lakes while exploring one of Europe’s last major rococo palaces. Download the app and content before arrival.

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Bussaco Palace, Gardens & Forest | Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $134

Travel from Coimbra to Luso and Bussaco with a private guide, stopping to fill your bottle at Luso’s famous fountain before exploring Bussaco Palace, gardens, battle sites, and the Carmelite sacred woods. Sarah may guide your visit, sharing context about Bussaco, Coimbra, and Portugal. Choose a morning or afternoon departure.

“Sarah was EXCELLENT!! She knew so much about not only the history of Bussaco, but the history of Coimbra AND Portugal. What an amazing experience!! I would recommend her to my friends and family. Such a special treat to have her as our guide!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Madeira: Botanical, Monte Palace, and Palheiro Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours

Travel by open-air tuk-tuk from Funchal to Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Madeira Botanical Garden, and Palheiro Gardens. Your local guide explains Madeira’s plants, garden history, and Blandy family wine legacy. The four-hour private tour suits up to three people, though entrance fees are extra and the schedule is tight for all three gardens.

Check availability →Read our full review