Major city · Portugal
Mafra
Spend a half‑day in Mafra to see the palace and a beach; add a quick walk in the park if you have extra time.
Mafra is a small town north of Lisbon, best known for the UNESCO‑listed Mafra National Palace. The sights are close together, so one day (or a half‑day if you’re based in Lisbon) is enough.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, occasional fog on coast)
- Airport
- LIS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Portugal ↗Portugal is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Portugal ↗Alfa Pendular and Intercidades trains assign seats: book Lisbon–Porto ahead in summer and on holiday weekends.
- Portugal ↗Many motorways, including the Algarve's A22, use electronic tolls only: ask the hire company for a transponder before you drive off.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mafra112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mafra, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Portugal-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU plans roam at home prices; others should check or buy an eSIM.Portugal-wide
- Tap waterSafe to drink from the tap everywhere; tap water in restaurants is on request.Portugal-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% for good service.Portugal-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Portugal-wide
- SafetyMafra is generally safe; stay aware of traffic on rural roads and keep valuables secure on beaches.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use cafés.Portugal-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire & ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Monday; small shops close at lunch and on Sunday.Portugal-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLIS Lisbon Portela Airport (Main international gateway, about 40 km (25 mi) south of Mafra; train or bus connections available.).LIS Lisbon Portela Airport (Main international gateway, about 25 mi (40 km) south of Mafra; train or bus connections available.).
- Getting aroundWalk between palace, park and town centre (10‑15 min).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LIS Lisbon Portela Airport (Main international gateway, about 40 km (25 mi) south of Mafra; train or bus connections available.)LIS Lisbon Portela Airport (Main international gateway, about 25 mi (40 km) south of Mafra; train or bus connections available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mafra: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk between palace, park and town centre (10‑15 min). Buses run to Ericeira and beaches; taxis are available but pricey.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ericeira surf beaches
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Bus from Mafra town centre, about 30 min
Popular surf spots; no entry fee.
Lisbon
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Train Linha do Oeste to Lisbon Rossio, ~40 min
Capital city for museums, dining.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casa Paço D'Ilhas
Heritage B&B, yoga and surf retreats, near the coast.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €30–45 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or guesthouse1 × 1 night × €55 | €55 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × €45 | €45 |
| Palace entry1 × €8 · check | €8 |
| Bus ticket Lisbon → Mafra1 × €4 · check | €4 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €11 |
| Trip total≈ €123 per person per day, bed included | €123≈ US$150 |
2026 estimate in euros; transport to/from Lisbon excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Pão de Mafra (bread) | €0.80–1.20 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Fradinhos cake | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bus ticket Lisbon → Mafracash only | €4.35 (≈ US$6) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Palace entry fee €8 (≈ US$10); check opening hours before you go.
- Bus tickets from Lisbon cost €4.35 (≈ US$6) cash only; no return tickets.
- Summer fog can reduce visibility on coastal roads.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire & ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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MafraMafra
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire & ambulance112
Embassy
US consulate in Lisbon; other embassies also in Lisbon.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lisbon → Mafra bus: about €4.35 (≈ US$6) cash, 1 h (check)
- Palace entry: €8 (≈ US$10) per adult (check)
Say or show
- Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (des-kuhl-pe)
- Obrigado — Thank you (ob-ree-goo-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (kwahn-too koos-tah)
- Onde é a casa de banho? — Where is the toilet? (ohn-deh eh ah kah-zah deh bah-nyoo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mafra. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, occasional fog on coast) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Mafra for a relaxed palace tour.
- Combine with Ericeira surf day for a coastal experience.
Sources
Ask about Mafra
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