Mateus Palace
Vila Real, Portugal
A baroque manor with a reflecting pool and box-hedge gardens, familiar from the label of Mateus rosé. Guided tours of the house; the gardens are the highlight.
The Palácio de Mateus near Vila Real in the Douro valley is a Baroque manor house, probably designed by the Italian-born architect Nicolau Nasoni. It was probably built between 1739 and 1743 and replaced a family house from the early 17th century. It is known from the label of Mateus Rosé. The garden has boxwood hedges, statues and a shady cypress tunnel. It was remodelled in the 1950s and 1960s and given a lake in which the house is reflected; in 1981 João Cutileiro's sculpture of a woman lying in the water was added.
The house can be visited on a guided tour; among other things you will see the library, with an early illustrated edition of Camões's “Lusiads”, and a collection of religious relics. Allow one to two hours. The palace is about 3.5 km east of Vila Real; city bus 1 runs from the centre and drops you roughly 250 m from the palace.
- Nearest town
- Vila Real, Portugal
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 41.2968, -7.7127
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
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Nearby
© Ray Swi-hymn · CC BY-SA 2.0Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura
© Sanjorgepinho · CC BY-SA 4.0Miradouro de Casal de Loivos
© Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SA 2.0Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
© Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SA 2.0Guimarães Castle and Old Town
Campsites nearby
- Parque de Campismo de Vila RealCampsite2 km from Mateus PalaceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Parque de Campismo NaturWaterParkCampsite7 km from Mateus Palace
- Parque de Campismo do Monte de São DomingosCampsite20 km from Mateus Palace
- Quinta da PadrelaMotorhome stopover22 km from Mateus PalaceMotorhomesDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-FiFree
- Parque de Campismo de Mondim de BastoCampsite23 km from Mateus PalaceTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping LamegoCampsite25 km from Mateus PalaceCaravansWaste disposal
All campsites in Portugal · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Mateus Palace?
Mateus Palace is in Vila Real, Portugal, at GPS 41.2968, -7.7127. It is about 16 km from Peso da Régua.
Can you camp near Mateus Palace?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Parque de Campismo de Vila Real, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 13 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Mateus Palace?
Mateus Palace is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Trás-os-Montes: Portugal’s remote north-east.
What is there to see near Mateus Palace?
Places worth a stop nearby: Miradouro de São Leonardo de Galafura (11 km), Miradouro de Casal de Loivos (18 km), Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (24 km) and Guimarães Castle and Old Town (51 km).
When is the best time to visit Mateus Palace?
The most pleasant months are usually April–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)