Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)

The single most jaw-dropping building in Lisbon, a vast Manueline monastery where the cloister alone justifies the trip. Everyone should go. The catch is the queue: lines hit two hours in summer, so book a timed ticket online. The adjoining church is free and worth a look on its own.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is Jerónimos Monastery closed on Mondays?

Yes, closed Mondays, plus Jan 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, June 13 and Dec 25. Last entry is 30 minutes before the 18:00 summer closing (17:30 in winter).

Is the Jerónimos Monastery church free?

Yes, the Church of Santa Maria, where Vasco da Gama and the poet Camões are entombed, is free and has its own entrance. The €18 ticket is for the cloister and upper gallery, which is the truly spectacular part.

What's the best time to visit Jerónimos Monastery?

Be there right at 09:30 opening or come after 15:00 when the morning tour groups thin out. Midday in July and August is the worst crush.

How long should I spend at Jerónimos Monastery?

Give the cloister and church about an hour to an hour and a half. Photographers and history buffs easily linger longer in that two-storey carved cloister.

How do I skip the Jerónimos Monastery line?

Buy a timed-entry ticket online in advance, which lets you use a separate faster queue instead of the general one that can run two hours in summer. A Lisboa Card also gives entry but you may still wait, so a booked time slot is the real time-saver.

Can I visit Jerónimos and Belém Tower on the same day?

Definitely, they're a pleasant 10-minute waterfront walk apart and are the two anchors of Belém. Pair them with the original pastéis de Belém bakery nearby for the classic day out.

How much are Jerónimos Monastery tickets?

Adults are €18, ages 13-24 and seniors 65+ pay €9, and children under 12 are free. The monastery church next door is free to enter separately.

Is the monastery worth it if I've seen a lot of churches?

Yes, this isn't a generic church, it's the pinnacle of Manueline architecture with maritime carvings unlike anything else. Even church-fatigued travelers tend to be floored by the cloister.

Nearby in Ask Lisbon

• BelémNeighborhood0.04 km · 1 min walk
• Museu da MarinhaMuseum0.25 km · 3 min walk
• Pastéis de BelémCafé0.29 km · 4 min walk
• Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)Attraction0.48 km · 6 min walk
• O FradeRestaurant0.62 km · 8 min walk