Make a holiday rental home or cottage in the Mafra Area, Portugal your home away from home

Mafra is both a municipality and a town on Portugal’s west coast, which attracts visitors looking for a self-catering holiday due to the beautiful rural surroundings, despite only being around 25km from the capital of Lisbon. The region has much to offer visitors, who may opt for a trendy apartment in the ancient town of Mafra or a beachside villa in the idyllic seaside resort of Ericeira.

Things to do in Mafra Area, Portugal

Most visitors to the Mafra area are drawn by either the cultural delights of the town of Mafra or the tranquillity of the small fishing and seaside resort of Ericeira.

Along with the magnificent architecture on display, Mafra also offers many activities for visitors to participate in, including several golf courses, a tennis centre and several horse riding schools.

Ericeira is a well-known surf spot, which although not suitable for beginners, offers fantastic breaks for more experienced boarders. The small town also boasts a strong musical culture, and visitors can see the local philharmonic orchestra frequently throughout the year.

Places to visit on holiday in Mafra Area, Portugal

A ‘must do’ for anyone on a self-catering holiday in the Mafra area is a visit to the Mafra National Palace, a huge Baroque monument dating back to the 18th century. Once the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family, the palace is now open to for visitors to explore on a daily basis.

The huge hunting grounds which surround the palace, known as the Tapada Nacional de Mafra, are also worth a visit, and are home to many species of wildlife including deer, wild boar and wolves. Visitors are able to explore the area on foot or it is possible to hire bicycles or horses. A tourist train also operates around the grounds as an alternative for those who don’t fancy any of the other options. Visitors to the palace also have the chance to have a go at some traditional activities such as archery and hunting in the forest.

Weather in Mafra Area, Portugal

Summer is the best season for a self-catering holiday to the Mafra area, when the weather is hot and dry, although occasionally humid. Winter temperatures still remain fairly mild, averaging between 10°C and 15°C, although the proximity of the some of the Mafra region to Portugal’s coast results in cool sea breezes and relatively high levels of rainfall, which may make it seem cooler. During the winter a holiday villa in the town of Mafra, which is set away from the sea, may offer a more favourable climate.

Travel to Mafra Area, Portugal

The town of Mafra is only 30km from Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), and this is the easiest airport from which to access self-catering accommodation across the whole Mafra region. The airport receives international flights from many of the world’s major cities and is served by most of the UK’s budget airlines including easyJet, Flybe and BMI Baby.