Amadora Car Hire

Guide to the Amadora

To really get the best of your Portugal holiday, Amadora is a must. It's not only unbelievably charming to explore with its candy-coloured barrios and old winding streets; it also provides a unique glimpse into Portugal's rich and vibrant past.

See How Portugal's Royals Lived

Easily one of the biggest highlights of Amadora is its nearby opulent palaces. Stroll the immaculate gardens, opulent coloured tiles and luxe bed chambers of Queluz National Palace, Dom Pedro of Braganza's summer escape. Meander around the neoclassical gem of the Palace of Ajuda; complete with stunning views over Lisbon, a Spanish Tapestry Hall, Chinese Room, epic Throne Room for King Luis and Queen Maria Pia and so much more. Or how about the long-forgotten hunting lodge that is the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira? The sprawling 17th-century garden, opulent dining hall and famous Sala das Batalhas make for a perfect afternoon adventure.

Explore Lisbon's Green Side

Just a quick 10-minute drive from Amadora you'll find the ever lush and leafy Parque Florestal de Monsanto or, Monsanto Forest Park. This sprawling green area is perfect for taking in stunning views of Lisbon and the surrounding area. You'll also be met with tons of hiking and cycling trails perfect for an active afternoon. The surrounding area of Monsanto Forest Park is also lovely for walking or enjoying a picnic.

Alternatively, there are plenty of scenic trails that lead along the coast perfect for meandering the afternoon away with a picnic or drink here and there. One highlight is certainly the Ponte 25 de Abril. The Pont 25 de Abril is an iconic suspension bridge connecting the main city of Lisbon to Almada. Often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Pont 25 de Abril is just as impressive. Also, just north of Amadora is the 18th-century Aquas Livres Aquaduct that still stands even after the horrific 1755 earthquake.

Eat Like a Local

Thanks to its location on the outskirts of Lisbon, Amadora is the perfect spot for foodies who like to eat as the locals do. Take your pick from the several tabernas and cantinhos to dine on some of the best Portuguese fares Lisbon can offer.

After all, Portugal is home to a whole host of unique foods from zesty tapas to rich churrasco to the ultra comforting francesinha. There's no better place to get to know Portugal's traditional food than in by eating as the locals do in a cosy hole in the wall restaurant.

Things to do in Amadora

Queluz National Palace

Easily the biggest highlight of any stay in Amadora is the Queluz National Palace. This opulent 18th-century palace functioned as a summer party pad for Dom Pedro of Braganza. Today it serves as one of the most cherished and impressive Rococo palaces and is famous for its sprawling gardens. The lush centuries-old gardens complete with a boating canal and azulejos covered walls warrant a visit to the palace alone. Still, there's much more to Queluz National Palace beyond that. Highlights of the palace include the stunning ceremonial facade from the cour d'honneur, the queen's opulent marquetry floored boudoir and of course, the ballroom.

Within the palace, you'll find a trifecta of baroque, rococo and neoclassical architecture that pulls all of the rich character and history of the palace together. One of the most impressive rooms is, of course, the Throne Room where the royals used to receive their guests. Strolling through the immaculate throne room feels like stepping back in time to the days of ladies in fantastic ball gowns and gentlemen decked out in grey wigs ready to party like it's 1799.

Jerónimos Monastery

Just a few minutes south of Amadora is the magnificent UNESCO-listed Jerónimos Monastery. Constructed right at the turn of the 15th century, this sprawling gothic masterpiece is a must-see on any Amadora stay. Head to the monastery's famous Church of Santa Maria where you'll be met with jaw-dropping ornate sculpture showing the true dedication to the Catholic church by the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome who once populated the monastery.

Like most monasteries, Jerónimos is so much more than a pretty face. In addition to being an important religious site, there are also many notable people buried within its walls. Among them are the famous Vasco da Gama's tomb, famed poet Luis de Camõs, King Manuel, King Sebastião and more poets such as Fernando Pessoa and Alexandre Herculano.

Necrópole de Carenque

Hands down the most impressive historical site to visit in Amadora is the Necrópole de Carenque. This ancient and mysterious archaeological site will have you scratching your head for days. Discovered in the 1930s, this ancient Neolithic site consisting of three well-preserved tombs dates back nearly 6,000 years.

We recommend partnering a visit to this site with a stroll through the National Archaeological Museum near the picturesque Belém Tower. The museum holds countless artefacts recovered from the tombs and makes for a full circle afternoon. Once you've explored the Necrópole de Carenque and seen all there is to see at the National Archaeological Museum, be sure to hop over to the Belém Tower. This 16th-century fortification is one of Lisbon's most iconic sites and a longstanding symbol of Portuguese exploration.

Eating out in the Amadora

When it comes to delicious food in Amadora, you certainly arent' lacking on options. Thanks to its out-of-city-centre location you're left with incredible local joints that are far from the kitschy tourist traps of Hard Rock Cafes and the golden arches.

Excellent local cuisine

From cosy tucked away cantinhos to bustling churrascarias, you'll have plenty to see and taste in Amadora. One of the most popular spots to experience a true churrasco style meal is Churrasquieria A Rotunda of Candido dos Reis. Tucked away on a nondescript street, this local gem is famous for its traditional Portuguese fare and mouth-watering churrasco picks. It is also one of the few restaurants open for lunch, making it a perfect intro to start your day exploring the city.

Another popular spot to get your Portuguese food fix is none other than Maria Azeitona. This Amadora favourite off of Alfredi Keil is about as charming and cosy as it gets. From their classic veal croquettes, shrimp in alhinho, stewed gizzards and mussel gratin, there are plenty of classic tapas to provide an authentic dining experience. Don't forget a few glasses of wine, either.

Lastly, you absolutely cannot leave Amadora without a meal at Restaurante Cafetara Os Magalhães. This classic Portuguese diner is famous for their sky-high francesinha. For the uninitiated, a francesinha is a traditional Portuguese sandwich stacked with cured ham, roast meat, and chipolata sausage stuck between thick slabs of white toast. That's not all, either, is then smothered in thick tomato sauce and melted cheese. Simply put, its an experience and one that can best be had at Restaurante Cafetara Os Magalhães.

Transport in Amadora

Amadora is extremely walkable if you wish to stay within the municipality. However, it is recommended to rent a car or opt for public transport for ease of getting around to several nearby sites.

Airports

The nearest airport to access Amadora is Lisbon's main hub, Lisbon Portela Airport. Located just 13 km from Amadora, it is easily accessible once you've landed in Lisbon Portela Airport. Upon arrival, Enjoy has any vehicle you might need to make your holiday convenient.

For public transport, simply hop on the 705 > Linha de Sintra line.

Buses

Amadora is very well connected via bus with over 40 connections to the centre of Lisbon every day. The journey connecting Amadora and Lisbon is done via the 107 Vimeca bus and lasts approximately 30 minutes with the first departure just after 8 am and the last departure at 23:06.

One popular bus-linked destination is Cascais which can be reached via the 455 bus and lasts approximately 2 hours at just 3 euro. It begins with a train from Amadora to Rio de Mouro then a bus connection to Avenida Sintra Estrada Jumbo. This popular beach destination is renowned for its seafood, stunning coastal views making for an ideal add on to your Amadora itinerary.

Trains

Trains are an excellent source of transportation to see the best of Amadora and the surrounding area efficiently.

In addition to constant go-between from Amadora to central Lisbon, the rest of the surrounding area is extremely accessible. For example, Queluz can be reached in under 20 minutes and Sintra in under an hour. Both routes are via the Linha de Sintra route operated by Comboios de Portugal. You'll find their prices are fair with the journey to Sintra coming in at just under 2 euro. Additionally, they offer passes perfect for exploring Amadora, Lisbon, Sintra and more at your leisure.

Driving tips for Amadora

Drive on the right-hand side of the road in Amadora. The speed limits are 120 km/h on the motorway, 100 km/h (60 mph) on expressways, 90 km/h (50mph) on other roads and 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas. Other driving tips to note include:

All drivers need to carry a current international driving licence, passport, insurance documents, MOT certificate (necessary if the car is more than three years old), and car hire documents. Speed traps are common, so don't be tempted to speed. Drink-driving is strictly prohibited in Portugal, and using your phone while driving is illegal, so don't do either of them!