Quelez Palace is about a 20 minute walk from the train station. There are adequate signs pointing the way. The palace opens at 9 am, a rarity in Lisbon to open at such an early time and is much appreciated by this tourist. The site is not crowded at all. Quelez seems to still be off the beaten path. It was easy to find, easy to get in and very well organized to get around. The palace is nice but a stroll through the gardens are amazing. I am definitely glad I took half a day out to see this. Do not miss and put this on your must see list.

I think of this extravagant palace as Portugal's answer to Versailles. The design and the furnishings definitely have that French flavor. Many huge dramatic rooms, an interesting story of the short stays of various royals. Lavish decorations, painted ceilings, furniture. A great way to spend a few hours and it never seems to be crowded. Not easy to get to unless you arrive by cab.

I can see why people say it is Portugal's Versailles. We much preferred it's ornate interior and large gardens to the Pena Palace in Sintra. Plus it is less crowded and you can actually take in the splendour of the rooms. Information boards and interactive displays include English. It is 20 minutes on the train from Rossio station in Lisbon plus a 15 minute walk. At Queluz, facing in the direction of Sintra, go to the left side of the tracks. The palace is signed, virtually straight on but with a slight right. A big thank you to Joao (?), a security guard. He saved us a long wait by directing us to and helping us with a ticket machine inside. It was a Sunday and I believe locals get reduced admission at the ticket desk.

Three of us thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Queluz Palace today. We went to Pena and Regaleira Palaces in Sintra two days before. In contrast to the insane crowds of Pena Palace, we had Queluz Palace almost entirely to ourselves when we arrived around 1 pm via Uber from central Lisbon (an easy 25 minute, 16-17 euro Uber ride) to the front entrance gate. Queluz Palace was very ornate (not on the scale of Versailles though), with beautiful furnishings, gilt trimmed mirrors, elaborate ceilings, and numerous chandeliers made from handblown Venetian glass. There was one room decorated completely in hand painted tiles. Outside there are beautiful, formal, sculpted gardens in the French style, and there is a long, tiled set of walls behind the palace with a small stream of water running in between the two walls. After dealing with the crowds of Sintra and fellow tourists in Lisbon, we were extremely happy to stroll through the palace and grounds of Queluz at our leisure. It deserves the same attention as Pena Palace and Regeleirs Palace. Just lovely.

They nickname the National Palace of Queluz as the Portuguese Versailles. Queluz is half way between Lisbon and Sintra. Take the train. From the station, walk 10 minutes on the well marked streets. RE: the inside of the Palace, quickly go through the first few rooms, then the amazing stuff begins. Mirrors and mirrors in all shaped and sizes. RE: the outside gardens, allow at least one hour to get lost strolling the gardens. Water fountains are specular, the water canal is not only unique but beautifully tiled, the horse stables are open to view, the herb garden is a must. Note to staff: PLEASE put your cell phone in your pocket, don't look at movies with the volume on high or chat online. Please greet your visitors as they walk from room to room, maybe even tell your visitor about the importance of the room or even a special item displayed.

From the outside you would not expect the treasures within. Every room gets better and more beautiful than the last! Incredible interiors stunning and interesting furniture, art and items from the past. The gardens are also lovely. They are very formal with many exquisite statues. We preferred this place to the Sintra Pena Palace as it it was far more beautiful and not so busy.

I bought my ticket online and was the first one in. It was nice having thr place to myself especially for photos. Loved the Don Quixote room and Tile Corridor. After seeing the palace, I walked some of the grounds/garden. I purchased the audio but just read the info as I went. I liked this palace! Easy walk from train station (uphill partly going back.)

This palace is amazing, we were advised that it was better than anything at Sintra and less crowded. So it turned out, because the train from Lisbon was full and it seemed all were going to Sintra. At Queluz we virtually had the place to ourselves and the palace rooms are remarkable as were the gardens. Unless you get up at the crack of dawn to be first at Sintra don’t bother go to Queluz, and even if you go to Sintra catch Queluz on the way back to Lisbon.