Alcobaça

With a Heritage Route combo admission ticket, combine a trip to the Alcobaça Monastery with visits to Batalha and the Convent of Christ in Tomar for a reduced price. Alternatively, take the hassle out of planning—plus benefit from a guide and round-trip transportation from Lisbon or Coimbra—by opting for a group or private excursion, which typically include stops at one or all the following: Fátima, Óbidos, and Nazaré. Once there, learn more about the monastery during a guided tour or kid-friendly interactive workshop.

• Travelers with children won’t want to miss the kid-friendly workshops offered at the Alcobaça Monastery.

• Discounted entry is available to students, people with disabilities, and family groups.

• Entry is free for a limited time on Sundays to Portugal residents and children aged 12 and below.

• Maximize your time in the region with a Heritage Route ticket and enjoy reduced-price access to Alcobaça Monastery, Batalha Monastery, and the Convent of Christ.

• Both general and themed tours are offered at the Alcabaça Monastery.

• Ramps are available for select ground-floor attractions, although the Alcobaça Monastery is not fully wheelchair accessible.

Situated just 75 miles (121 kilometers) from Lisbon and 66 miles (107 kilometers) from Coimbra, Alcobaça Monastery is a popular day trip from both cities that’s most easily accessed via private vehicle. However, travelers looking to avoid the hassle of driving in Portugal can opt for tours that include round-trip transportation.

Except for Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Labor Day (May 1), and Easter Sunday, Alcobaça Monastery is open year-round from the morning until the late afternoon. Between April and September, the monastery has slightly longer hours, although last admission is always 30-minutes prior to close. To avoid the worst of the tour group crowds, visit in the morning.

While the Alcobaça Monastery is considered the earliest example of Gothic architecture in Portugal, there are far older Portuguese buildings for history buffs to discover. In Lisbon, one of the oldest cities in the world, the Sé Cathedral dates back to the 12th century, while Porto is home to the 14th-century Beco dos Redemoinhos Residence (Casa do Beco dos Redemoinhos).