Your first impression upon arrival at Jeronimos Monastery is the super long entry queue, despite your best effort to arrive a good 1 hour before opening time. This is unsurprising, since you're about to enter one of Lisbon's architectural gems which ranks amongst the finest monuments in Europe, so you can expect throngs of tourists wanting to step foot into this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed during the Age of Discovery in the 1500s, this monastery was not only home to the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome (also called the "Jeronimos"), but also served as a last refuge for sailors before their voyages. Nestled in the touristy Belem district, this prominent example of Gothic Manueline architecture style has been enchanting visitors for centuries, with its breathtakingly beautiful cloister and courtyard as well as its ornamental stonework and intricate facades that blends naturalistic elements with religious and royal symbols. We visited on a Sunday, and were disappointed that the cathedral was closed to visitors. So our visit was only confined to the cloister and courtyard, spending only about 30 minutes. At least this attraction was included in the Lisboa Card, so we didn't feel short-changed if we were to purchase a standalone ticket (€12). Despite the long queue, it's still a no-brainer to visit this attraction when visiting Lisbon as you do not want to regret missing out on this stunning symbol of Portugal's religious, cultural and historical heritage.

We really enjoyed our visit here, the architecture is beautiful you can stand for ages and keep noticing new things we loved looking at all the gargoyles and arches. Make for a lovely photo opportunity. It is a shame you don’t get to see much of the monastery for the ticket price really the cloisters and a couple of other rooms but I would still say to visit while you are in Lisbon as it’s beautiful. Prebook a ticket so that you don’t have to queue twice otherwise you will queue to buy a ticket and again to get in. You need to choose a date online and then a morning or afternoon ticket. After visiting you can also view the church next door for free but there was building work when we went so couldn’t see too much

Another must-see in Lisbon, and definitely worth the wait! The entrance fee might be a bit steep, but it’s free with the Lisboa Card, so I highly recommend getting one. The architecture is breathtaking, with perfect symmetry and beautifully sculpted arches and interiors. Worth noting that you can't enter the church on Sundays, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly! Also, if you have a Lisboa card, just get into the queue and validate your ticket just outside the entrance.

I went to the monastery in Belém after visiting the tower. I arrived on foot from the tower and I saw that there was a first entrance but it concerned another museum always part of the main structure of the monastery. Looking ahead instead I saw a very long line of people who were the ones who wanted to visit the church (free). I did not make the pass that includes some facilities to visit and I did not realize that the very long queue was for those who had booked the visit through this pass. The queue instead for those who wanted to visit the church exclusively for free was on the opposite side and was a much shorter queue that actually made us wait very little time to allow us to enter. The structure inside is beautiful of great impact is really special, of course we are not talking about cathedral churches like many others much more famous, but I liked it a lot. At the entrance, on the left side then the side of the passage to actually exit the church itself, you can see the tomb of Vasco de Gama. I absolutely suggest if you happen to Belém to pass

Honestly, the insane time to line up to enter the monastery was not worth the experience. That said, while the interior was beautiful and shows intricate architecture, it was pretty empty and hollow inside. Understandably, it was during the holiday season so it was extremely popular, so that's something to watch out for perhaps. Note there is a separate lineup for the church beside it. Better get your tickets in advance, and possibly lineup before your allotted timeslot! They release a morning or afternoon time window, allowing you to arrive and visit during those allotted times.

The monastery of the Jeromes is a mandatory point in the visit to Bethlehem. The first stop really is by your side, in the confectionery where you have to try the cupcakes that bear the name of the city. Regarding the monastery, its facade is very beautiful and its interior is also beautiful. But being in refurbishment, there is a large part that is closed and cannot be visited, including the church. The reality is that paying a ticket and standing in line for two hours to get in is not so worth it...

My husband and I came here around 10:30am on a Sunday and although we bought tickets online, it was still a 50 minute wait to get in. I recommend bringing a hat or umbrella, and water, in case you’re standing in the sun for awhile in line. Once inside, we thought it was very pretty, and so cool that Vasco de Gama’s tomb was there. I think it was worth the wait. Weekdays may not be as crowded. We took an Uber from Lisbon and got there in about 25-30 minutes.

This is one the gems of Lisbon and should be a stop on your visit. The imposing exterior is very beautiful, and the cloister is the main attraction. There are two levels in the cloister; you start at the second level before walking down to the first level. We found the carvings on the lower level to be more intricate and prettier. The church adjacent to the cloister is normally free to enter but was unfortunately closed for renovations during our visit. Tickets can be bought online for the cloister. There were signs pointing to a ticket office, but it was not adjacent to the entrance. For our November visit, the tickets had a wide 9:30 am-12:59 pm time window. When you arrive at the entrance, there are two lines. The line to the right is for groups while the one to the left is for individual visitors. Unfortunately, groups have priority and are let in at a much faster pace. Despite arriving 10 minutes before the 9:30am opening time, we had to wait at least 45 minutes even though there were at most 50 people ahead of us. Thankfully it was overcast and cool as I could imagine it being tough during the summer given there is no shade in the area. Once inside, you are free to spend as much time as you want. There is a men’s toilet on the second level not too far from where you enter the cloister, while a women’s toilet is on the first floor. Photography is allowed, though they did not allow camcorders.

Incredible cloister architecture! Purchased timed afternoon entry online the same day and arrived at 4 pm on a weekday after a visit to Belem Tower which also had no line for entry. We walked right into the monastery and spent about 45 minutes enjoying the serenity. The church section is now open with scaffolding and netting covering portions for restoration.

This beautiful monastery and cathedral is architecturally and historically very interesting. Constructed in the 1500s, it is primarily Manueline in style, but with a number of interesting Gothic and Renaissance features. It also features many beautiful and interesting examples of Portuguese tileworks. The central courtyard and cloisters, the royal tombs, and the tomb of Vasco de Gamma are main attractions. It is also the purported site of the invention of the ubiquitous pastel de nata (Portuguese egg tart), and while you cannot buy them on-site, the nearby shopping district along Rue de Belem to the East offers many bakeries where you can find them, including the Fabrica de Pasteis de Belem, which still makes the original recipe to this day. A word of caution: it is deceptively far away from the Torre de Belem and the Padrao dos Descrobrimentos monument, which look so nearby on the map. Certainly walking distance if you are fit, but not a pleasant walk on a hot day. The one downside to this attraction is that the admissions are not well organized: there is some confusion about which lineup gets you into which part of the monastery or church, signage is poor (or nonexistent), and the lineup along the South side of the building can be long and hot. While I rarely recommend tours, it may be worth considering for this site, both to ensure a smooth and comfortable admission and to learn more about the history and architecture.