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Sites to See…Mafra National Palace, Lisbon (Portugal)

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The National Palace of Mafra is located about 30 minutes outside of Lisbon. Commissioned in the 18th C. by King João V, the large structure occupies over 4 hectares (10 acres) of land and consists of the Royal Palace and Royal Convent. It is considered the most important Baroque monument in Portugal, and in 2019 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The magnificent building is constructed of limestone and marble from the local region and has over 1,200 rooms, 156 stairways, 29 inner yards and courtyards, and a 232 meter gallery that links the north and south turrets, making it the longest palatial corridor in Europe. The palace was used as a secondary residence for the royal family, and it was visited frequently by royalty who enjoyed hunting in the nearby game preserve.

King João V funded the construction of the palace and his support of the arts with the gold coming in from the colonization of Brazil. The king filled the Royal Convent with sculptures and paintings by great Italian and Portuguese masters. One of the highlights of the palace is the Rococo library located on the 2nd floor. It is is considered one of the grandest libraries in Europe, with over 36,000 leather-bound volumes. The king’s son, José I, created the Mafra School of Sculpture that was responsible for the altarpieces in the basilica and the famous bust of King João V in the palace. The last king of Portugal, Manuel II, spent his last night in the palace before leaving for exile in England on October 5, 1910.

For more information on Mafra Palace, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide, if you want to visit Mafra as a day trip from Lisbon. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information on our Lisbon Day Trip that includes Mafra Palace, click here, and for information on all of our Lisbon & Lisbon Day Trip tours, click here.

Photo credit: Joaquim Alves Gaspar (CC BY-SA 3.0) / Photo of National Palace of Mafra

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

On the Menu…Restaurant Seen Lisboa, Lisbon (Portugal)

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Seen Restaurant & Bar, located on the top floor of the 5-star Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel, is not your run of the mill hotel restaurant. The very aptly named restaurant is both the place to be “seen” in Lisbon, as well as one of the hottest “scenes” in this buzzing cosmopolitan city. The Lisbon restaurant is actually a twin of the Seen restaurant located at the top of the Tivoli Mofarrej in São Paulo, Brazil.

From the moment you step off the elevator you will feel the vibe of Seen, starting with the sleek Art Deco design of the 360° bar and the panoramic views of the city that can be seen from the bar and the main dining room. Brazilian bartender Lucas Jaques has revitalized classic cocktails on the bar menu he designed. Guests can enjoy their cocktails while listening to the chill music that is curated by the resident DJ.

There is more to Seen than just a cool vibe, a hip crowd and great drinks. Seen is all about the food, and it is the latest addition to the highly acclaimed and expanding restaurant empire of chef Olivier da Costa. Seen’s menu is inspired by local ingredients and authentic Portuguese and Brazilian gastronomy, and you will find Waygu-style beef, fish and seafood from the Portuguese coast, and typically Brazilian ingredients. For those who love traditional Japanese food there is also a Sushi Bar that offers a contemporary twist on Japanese cuisine, along with a wide range of sakes to pair with your meal. Chef Olivier brought in Thalles Boniatti dos Santos, a Brazilian chef with traditional Japanese training, to create the sushi menu at Seen.

  • Hotel Tivoli Avenida da Liberdade
    Avenida da Liberdade, 185, 9th floor
  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • Phone: 210 965 775
  • Website: Seen Lisboa

Photo credit: Restaurant Seen Lisboa

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

On the Menu…Restaurante A Gina, Lisbon (Portugal)

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Restaurante A Gina is a true hidden gem in Lisbon, both literally and figuratively. It is located in an area just off the Avenida Liberdade behind the Hotel Lisboa Plaza that is filled with vacant theaters. In the early 1900s the area, known as Parque Meyer, was booming and filled with theatergoers, intellectuals, and the political elite of the city.

While most of the theaters are now vacant, the one place that remains open and continues to attract a crowd is Restaurante A Gina. This unassuming restaurant draws locals and visitors with its authentic Portuguese home cooking in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. From the moment you sit down, you will feel like you are having dinner at Gina’s house. The restaurant is very much a family affair, with Gina in the kitchen, her son waiting tables, and her granddaughter helping inside.

A Gina is a favorite among locals who come to enjoy the traditional grilled meats and fish dishes, including baked cod. You will likely be surrounded by local families who come to enjoy the types of dishes that remind them of the meals their parents and grandparents used to make at home. The portions are quite generous, and the service is friendly and attentive.

  • Avenida da Liberdade | Parque Mayer
  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • Phone: +351 (21) 342 0296
  • Website: Restaurante A Gina

Photo credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.