The Monastery of Alcobaça, founded in 1153 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest and earliest Gothic buildings in Portugal, built by Cistercian monks along the Alcoa and Baça rivers. The church's soaring, austere nave -- among the tallest in the country -- reflects Cistercian architectural restraint, while the adjoining Kings' Room displays azulejo tile panels narrating the monastery's founding. The most famous interior feature is the pair of Gothic tombs of King Pedro I and Inês de Castro, placed foot-to-foot so that, according to legend, the couple would face each other on Judgment Day; the tombs are carved with detailed scenes from their lives. The vast monastic kitchen, with its enormous chimney and a stream once diverted through it to supply fresh fish, is another highlight showing the scale of the community that lived here. A visit takes about an hour to ninety minutes, covering the church, cloister, Kings' Room, and kitchen. Weekday mornings are quietest; the free Sunday morning window until 2PM draws more visitors. The monastery sits in the center of Alcobaça town, an easy stop between Nazaré and Batalha, and the plain limestone facade is best photographed from the square directly in front of the main entrance.
| Admission | Adult €6 single site; €15 combined ticket with Batalha and Convent of Christ (approx $7 / $17 USD) · Child Free under 12; free for all Sun/holidays until 2PM |
|---|---|
| Hours | Apr-Sep 9AM-7PM (last entry 6:30PM); Oct-Mar 9AM-6PM (last entry 5:30PM); closed Jan 1, Easter Sun, May 1, Aug 20, Dec 25 |
| Typical visit | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings |
| Getting there | Bus from Nazaré (approx 30 minutes) or Leiria; central Alcobaça town |
| Address | Praça 25 de Abril, 2460-018 Alcobaça, Portugal |
Weather through the year in Portugal
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Portugal.
Location
Praça 25 de Abril, 2460-018 Alcobaça, Portugal
39.5511, -8.9797 View on map
Highlights
- Gothic tombs of King Pedro I and Inês de Castro, placed foot-to-foot
- Soaring Cistercian nave, among the tallest Gothic interiors in Portugal
- Kings' Room with azulejo tile panels depicting the monastery's history
- Monumental monastic kitchen with its river-fed cooking system
- 13th-century cloister of Dom Dinis
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the busier Sunday free-entry window before 2PM
- Combine the ticket with Batalha and the Convent of Christ in Tomar for savings
- Look closely at the tomb carvings -- the narrative reliefs are easy to miss at a glance
- Pair the visit with a walk through Alcobaça's central town square just outside
- Check seasonal hours before visiting, since last entry time shifts between summer and winter
When to visit
Weekday mornings are calmest to visit.
Accessibility
Main routes through the church and Kings' Room are largely level, though the cloister and some side rooms have stepped thresholds that can be difficult for wheelchair users.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Mosteiro de Alcobaça take?
About one to one and a half hours covers the church, Kings' Room, cloister, and kitchen.
Is it worth visiting with kids?
Yes, the tragic love story behind the royal tombs and the huge kitchen tend to interest children as much as adults.
Is photography allowed inside the monastery?
Yes, photography is permitted throughout the church, cloister, and kitchen areas.