Fodor's Expert Review Palácio Nacional da Ajuda

Built in 1802 as a royal residence, the last regal occupant (Queen Maria) died here in 1911. Today, the ornate neoclassical building functions as a museum. Visitors can take a peek at how Portuguese monarchs lived, as well as admire 18th- and 19th-century paintings, furniture, and tapestries. It is also used for official ceremonies and functions by the Presidency of the Republic, and one wing houses the government's culture department. It's a 20-minute walk up Calçada da Ajuda from the Museu Nacional dos Coches.