Buçaco Palace & Forest

Known for:

hiking, nature, history, architecture

Time needed:

half a day

From Lisbon:

2 hours by car

From Porto:

1.5 hours by car

Must do:

wander through the forest, get a coffee at the Buçaco Palace

Visit nearby:

Coimbra

Fun fact(s):

Buçaco is now the Iberian Peninsula’s first Therapeutic Forest, and one of only four in the world

About

Hidden in the hills near Luso and Coimbra, Buçaco feels like something from a fairy tale. The centuries-old forest was protected by Carmelite monks, who built a monastery, chapels and hermitages among the trees. In the middle of the forest stands a neo-Manueline fairytale palace, built between 1888 and 1907 as a royal retreat. It was soon converted into a hotel, and still welcomes guests today.

The surrounding forest is just as spectacular: giant sequoias, ponds, chapels, fountains and hidden paths make it easy to spend hours exploring. The monks also created a network of trails and religious buildings throughout the forest, many of which can still be visited today.

In 2026, Buçaco was named the Iberian Peninsula’s first Therapeutic Forest, and one of only four in the world.