Monastery of Alcobaça
Monastery of Alcobaça
4.5
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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Restaurants
63 within 3 miles
Attractions
34 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Jeff KPittsburgh, Pennsylvania2,236 contributionsWorthwhileI didn’t think that this monastery was as impressive as the Geronimos Monastery but I was glad that I stopped. My only complaint is that parking is limited. The lot was full when we arrived but a spot eventually opened up. I consider it a worthwhile stop if you’re in the area.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten September 20, 2023
- EC13091Ellicott City, Maryland1,549 contributionsOne of the finest monasteries in Europe.This is one of the best medieval monasteries we have seen in Europe. We liked its Cistercian understated elegance and its lovely lines. While admission to the church is free (we saw a wedding there: wow, it was amazing) you should buy a ticket for the whole complex. The tour is available by QR code for an explanation I. Portuguese and English. We found this very helpful. Worth a detour.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 5, 2023
- Maple LeopardSeattle, Washington339 contributionsJaw dropping beauty at this UNESCO world heritage site!This is the most amazing historical site you will ever set eyes on! Jaw dropping beauty & ornate details the mind can't even fathom! The tour of this monastery was beyond my wildest dreams ! Be transported back centuries into the history & culture of Portugal ! A MUST SEE gem & bucket- list experience!Visited November 2023Traveled on businessWritten November 10, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,346 reviews
Excellent
1,509
Very good
674
Average
123
Poor
30
Terrible
10
Bernard Larkin
London, UK1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Friends
I visited Alcobaca monastery today 9th September 9:30am as a wheelchair user and had to wait over 20 minutes at the disabled entrance as my wife argued with various members of staff to open the door. By the time they agreed to allow me access the other members of my group had finished the tour which ment that my wife and I missed most of the viewing. If they do not want disabled people to enter they should advertise the fact.
Review by
Bernard Larkin
Review by
Bernard Larkin
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK7,287 contributions
Apr 2022
AN interesting place to look around. We were lucky to have a guide to tell us about the history of it being made by the first king of Portugal. It has gardens inside the cloisters and some of the typical Portuguese blue tile pictures along the walls.
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EC13091
Ellicott City, MD1,549 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This is one of the best medieval monasteries we have seen in Europe. We liked its Cistercian understated elegance and its lovely lines. While admission to the church is free (we saw a wedding there: wow, it was amazing) you should buy a ticket for the whole complex. The tour is available by QR code for an explanation I. Portuguese and English. We found this very helpful. Worth a detour.
Written October 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
454lindylou
Central Portugal, Portugal928 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
This Monastery is beautiful. It has recently been refurbished on the outside and a hotel built within the monastery walls. The imposing building overlooks the square where you can sit and have coffee and cake or lunch/dinner in one of the nearby restaurants.
Written May 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_how2hope
Penang Island, Malaysia24 contributions
Jun 2022
I certainly never expected the monastery to be so big...for a reasonable six euros we spent well over an hour wandering through the different rooms - all well signposted and explained. We were blown away by the magnificence of the construction.
The highlight for me were the tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro, the "Romeo and Juliet" of 14th century Portuguese history.
Highly recommended.
The highlight for me were the tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro, the "Romeo and Juliet" of 14th century Portuguese history.
Highly recommended.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin S
Pontypridd, UK6,890 contributions
Jun 2021
The frontage is somewhat similar to Queloz National Palace, a huge building with a centrepiece church and a large plain plaza outside with pavement cafes facing it. The church has a very imposing interior. No lavish painted ceilings or paintings hanging on the walls, just immense pillars supporting the narrow main church and narrow sides. So it is artistically understated but a very impressive structure. Of note were the decorated tombs of Pedro I and and his mistress, Inês de Castro.
The monastery is very large with many rooms, none with period furniture but nevertheless evocative of an austere atmosphere. Pleasant cloistered slightly unkempt gardens. An interesting place to visit.
The monastery is very large with many rooms, none with period furniture but nevertheless evocative of an austere atmosphere. Pleasant cloistered slightly unkempt gardens. An interesting place to visit.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jules060617
Lausanne, Switzerland1,481 contributions
Sep 2022
The Monastery of Alcobaca is not to be missed, especially as it can easily be combined with Batalha and then on to Fatima and Tomar. It is a peaceful setting where the monks found solitude and belief behind high walls and in the largest church in Portugal and one of the highest Cistercian churches anywhere. Apart from the pure lines of the nave, the two highlights are the delightful Cloister of Silence and the spectacularly carved tombs of King Pedro I and his love Dona Ines de Castro. Despite damage by invading Napoleonic French troops, both tombs remain remarkable and are worth the visit alone. Take time for a meal or a drink in the square.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole S
Boston, MA84 contributions
Sep 2022
Beautiful building to see. We spent about an hour and a half here, which included taking lots of pictures and visiting the gift shop. Note there is no audio guide, and if the parking lot in front is full, there is plenty of street parking. The tombs are quite ornate and beautiful, and we would consider this high on the list of things to see for someone visiting Portugal. This was stop #2 for us that day, as we visited Tomar first and Batalha after this.
Written October 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobbyBR
Atlanta, GA214 contributions
Aug 2022
At the center of town, one of the grandest monasteries I've ever seen. The center piece to me was the incredible kitchen with the state of the art oven and sinks and tables. floor to ceiling tiles.
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmarilisVos
Jabbeke, Belgium2,481 contributions
Sep 2022
We visited this place September 24th. There is a small parking lot next to the building. In the afternoon this parking lot was full. We had to park on the street. An information board in Portuguese and English is provided in each room. Most rooms are not furnished. The King's Hall and the tombs of King Pedro and the love of his life Dona Ines de Castro are the highlights of this visit.
Written November 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A quick visit will be an hour.
Written September 10, 2019
In 20 years are they going to say the complete opposite like how eating over 2 or 3 eggs per week was going to kill us? Now eggs are considered not so bad for us as once reported! Same with many, many studies! What should we believe and when? Whatever we do seems to be toxic or not at 20 year repeated studies! The whole world is toxic in certain levels at some time!!! Tells us that most things are based on some group mostly worried about money other than actual honest truth! Happy vaping to those smart enough to keep researching with a "grain of salt"! One way or the other we are going to die eventually! So pick your poison! Our polluted air is going to be our demise if not something else! Who takes much stock in these ever changing statistics anymore? You live and you die eventually from something. Concerning our eternal life in the next life is the most important part of this existence in my book! Seems like that is of the utmost importance by comparison!!!
Written August 31, 2016
Eggs ???
Thought this was for q & a trip advisor questions
Why put up this rubbish
Written September 1, 2016
elenibruno
Itapema, SC
quero ir de onibus de nazare para o mosteiro de alcobaça , é possível?
Written June 6, 2016
Is there a free parking infront fo the monestary?
Written June 21, 2015
Not a big parking lot. During busy days THERE might be a problem. Parking is also for shops and restaurants.
Written September 10, 2019
I plan to visit Alcobaca on the way from Obidos to Batalha.
Is it possible to let my 27" travel baggage at information center or any other place?
If it's possible, it will save time and money of my journey.
Thanks a lot.
Written May 18, 2015
It is hardly possible to leave your travelbag anywhere nowadays.
Written September 10, 2019
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