Office of Lisbon Studies

Office of Lisbon Studies – Beau-Séjour Palace

The Beau-Séjour Palace, on Estrada de Benfica, was built in 1849 as a summer residence on a former farming estate in the Ribeira de Alcântara valley, on the slope of Monsanto. Between 1887 and 1892 it underwent a decorative renovation in which the siblings Rafael, Columbano and Maria Augusta Bordalo Pinheiro took part, with ceiling panels, stained-glass windows and faience panels in the dining room. The building belongs to Lisbon City Council and is the headquarters of the Gabinete de Estudos Olisiponenses, a municipal service devoted to researching the history of the city, which houses an archive, researchers and temporary exhibitions. The palace and its surrounding garden can be discovered on guided visits, which present the historical and decorative context of the house and the dining-room features, including pieces since dispersed. Visits are by prior appointment, so it is advisable to contact the Gabinete before travelling. Rehabilitation works on the palace and garden have been announced, in 2024, to begin in 2026; it was not possible to confirm from an official source whether they are under way or how they affect access. According to the press, the visits are free of charge.

Located at: Gabinete de Estudos Olisiponenses
Address: Estrada de Benfica, 368, Lisboa
Opening hours: Visits by appointment (contact the Gabinete before visiting)
Coordinates: 38.74667778, -9.18278056
Buses: 716, 746, 754, 758, 768, 58B
Metro: Alto dos Moinhos (Blue), Laranjeiras (Blue)
Opened: 1849 (177 years)