Make a holiday rental farmhouse or self-catering villa in Mafra, Portugal your home away from home

Nestled on the west coast of Portugal, 40km north of Lisbon is the small town of Mafra. This unassuming town has a charming, welcoming atmosphere and is well situated to explore the Costa do Estoril and Costa de Prata regions of Portugal.

Things to do on holiday in Mafra, Portugal

The primary tourist attraction in the town is the Mafra National Palace (Palácio de Mafra). The Baroque palace is filled with extravagant rooms that were once royal apartments, a monastery, a library, a hospital, and a royal basilica. The two bell towers contain the world’s largest collection of bells and can be heard miles away when they ring on Sundays. There are guided tours of the Mafra Palace, which allow visitors to learn about the history and culture of the town. Attached to the palace is a wildlife park that was once a royal hunting ground. Other attractions in the town include the Nature Centre for the Preservation of the Iberian Wolf, as well as a museum that contains a collection of antique horse-drawn carriages.

Mafra’s central location provides visitors with plenty of things to do on holiday. For visitors who enjoy outdoor activities there are numerous hiking trails that offer the possibility to explore the coastal region on foot, or on horseback. At the port village of Ericeira visitors to self-catering homes in Mafra can enjoy the catch of day at restaurants that offer traditional Portuguese gastronomy. There are also beaches nearby, including Ribeira d'Ilhas Beach and Praia da Vigia where visitors to villas in Mafra can enjoy sun bathing, swimming, water skiing, surfing and scuba diving. Further south you’ll find the fashionable Estoril-Cascais beaches.

Places to visit on holiday in Mafra, Portugal

The bustling city of Lisbon is only a short drive away from Mafra accommodation, and is a great day trip destination. The beautiful and mixed architecture of the Hieronymites Monastery, Belem tower and St. George's Castle will impress visitors. Other attractions include the Chiado shopping district, Praça do Comércio plaza and the Gulbenkian Museum.

Sintra is located 25km away from Mafra and is well worth a visit just for the spectacular surroundings. The area is a UNESCO world heritage site and contains remains of a Moorish Castle and the 19th century Pena Palace. There are walking trails that take visitors through the picturesque woods to the Moorish Castle.

Weather in Mafra, Portugal

Villas in Mafra enjoy a mild Mediterranean climate. The town is sunny throughout the year. Summer temperatures can reach 36°C in the hottest months, but the Gulf Stream brings relief from the extreme heat. Winters are wet and cool with temperatures around 15°C. Most rain falls between October and April.

Flights to Mafra, Portugal

Reaching villas in Mafra has never been easier. Lisbon Airport (LIS) is conveniently located only 40km away from Mafra accommodation. EasyJet, BMIbaby, TAP and British Airways offer direct flights to Lisbon from Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and London airports. There are hourly buses to Mafra that depart from Lisbon’s Campo Grande bus terminal. Visitors can also hire a car and enjoy the short drive to holiday rentals in Mafra.