Monastery of Jerónimos: Stories from Lisbon’s Glorious Past

The Monastery of Jerónimos is one of Lisbon's most iconic monuments. Its majestic white limestone walls, once a beacon for fierce navigators returning from perilous maritime explorations, are one of Europe's most spectacular architectural treasures.

On this tour through the monastery, you'll hear unknown stories behind this symbol of the Portuguese capital. You'll voyage across time to the Age of Discovery, and the glorious period when Portugal's vast maritime Empire extended from Brazil to the Far East.

The tour starts on the esplanade across from the main entrance and the Bell Tower, and ends outside the Ancient Refectory. Along the way, you'll experience the magic that brings nearly one million people to explore this magnificent historical site each year, making it one of the most visited monuments in Portugal.

You'll be guided by a true Lisboan, who will passionately share with you this exceptional monastery's history.

On this tour, you'll have a chance to:

• Explore the intricate details of the Church of Santa Maria de Belém
• Gaze upon the tomb of Luís Vaz de Camões, author of the Lusiads (an epic poem that has been likened to the Iliad)
• Explore the Royal Pantheon of the House of Avis
• Hear about the legend of King Sebastião and how his return from the grave is prophesied
• Visit the tomb of Vasco da Gama, the great Portuguese explorer which was the first European to reach India by sea in 1498 under the rule of King Manuel I
• Appreciate the beauty of the Monastery's Cloister, and learn about the many historical and cultural characters buried here

Allow around 75 minutes to complete this walking tour.

Please note that the Visit of the Jerónimos is composed of two separate parts.

The first part of the tour, which is completely free, will take you around the Church of Santa Maria de Belém. To access this Church, you have to follow the waiting line to the right when facing the main entrance.

The second part of the tour covers the Cloister of the Monastery of Jerónimos, which you will be able to access by following the waiting line to the left.

For the tour of the Cloister, you'll need to purchase an entry ticket. However, please note that the Ticket Office isn't located in the Monastery itself. To get to this Ticket Office, turn your back to the main entrance, and walk towards the main road. Go across the street, and then turn left once you get to the garden. You will find the Ticket Office of the Monastery of Jerónimos about 60 meters away. It is set in the booth with the silver walls.

Since the waiting line at this Ticket Office can often be rather long and time-consuming, we strongly recommend that you choose to purchase your tickets online.