Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is Portugal’s most visited monument: a vast royal monastery begun in 1501–02 under King Manuel I, with a two-storey carved cloister and a church holding the tombs of Vasco da Gama and the poet Luís de Camões. The cloister costs €18 and opens Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30–17:30 (as of October 2026). The church has its own hours. Buy tickets online, because they often sell out, and allow 1½–2 hours.
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Tickets and tours for Jerónimos Monastery
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Why Jerónimos matters
Belém (Restelo, as it was then called) was the harbour where Portugal’s great voyages began. Vasco da Gama’s crew kept vigil in a small chapel here on the eve of sailing for India on 7 July 1497, and Pedro Álvares Cabral left from the same shore for Brazil in 1500. King Manuel I gave the site to the Order of Saint Jerome (the Hieronymites) to build a new monastery, and the foundation stone was laid on 6 January, the feast of the Epiphany, in 1501 or 1502.
The first master builder was Diogo de Boytac, who set out the church and much of the cloister. João de Castilho took over from 1517 and carved the rich south portal, with Saint Michael above and Our Lady of Belém at the centre. The French sculptor Nicolau Chanterene made the west portal, with portraits of Manuel I and Queen Maria. Almost everything is built in lioz, a pale local limestone full of fossils.
The result is the masterpiece of the Manueline style. The monastery has been a national monument since 1907 and, with Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. After the religious orders were dissolved in 1833–34, the Casa Pia orphanage occupied the buildings until 1940. Today the west wing houses the Maritime Museum and the central wing the National Archaeology Museum.
What you’ll see
The cloister (ticketed) is the highlight: a square of two vaulted storeys with chamfered corners and dense stone carving. Boytac built the lower level; João de Castilho and Diogo de Torralva completed the upper one in 1540–41. On the ground floor, look for the tomb of the poet Fernando Pessoa, carved with lines from his heteronyms. Off the cloister are the former refectory, with an 18th-century tile dado telling the story of Joseph in Egypt, and the Chapter House, which holds the tomb of the historian Alexandre Herculano. Along one side, twelve doors once led to confessionals shared with the church.
The church of Santa Maria de Belém is still a working parish church. Its single, wide nave is held up by slender carved columns under a ribbed vault. Under the upper choir, just inside the entrance, are the neo-Manueline tombs of Luís de Camões (right) and Vasco da Gama (left), installed for the Camões tercentenary in 1880. At the far end, the marble high chapel holds the tombs of Manuel I and his queen and of John III and Catherine of Austria, all resting on carved elephants. The side chapels of the transept hold the tombs of King Sebastian and Cardinal-King Henry.
How to visit
Hours and prices from the official Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower website, as of October 2026:
- Cloister: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30–17:30, last entry 17:00. The ticket kiosk in front of the monument closes at 16:30.
- Church: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30–17:00; Sundays and religious holidays, 14:00–17:00.
- Closed: Mondays, 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 13 June and 25 December. As a State venue, the monastery can also close for official events.
- Tickets: €18. Half price for over-65s, ages 13–24 and the family ticket (one or more adults with a child, sold only at the kiosk). Free for children up to 12, for residents of Portugal under “Acesso 52”, and for visitors with a certified disability of 60% or more plus one companion.
- Booking: the official site advises buying online in advance because tickets often sell out and can’t be bought on the day. Lisboa Card holders get free entry but must book a date and time with their card number.
- No audio guides. Amateur photography is fine without tripods, selfie sticks or flash.
How long to allow and when to go
Give the cloister and church about 1½–2 hours, longer if you add the Maritime or Archaeology museums (separate tickets). Belém is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon, so book an early slot or come later in the afternoon, before the 17:00 last entry. Check the church hours if you want to see Vasco da Gama’s tomb: on Sunday mornings only the cloister is open.
Accessibility
The official site says the ground floor of the cloister and the church are fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. The upper floor of the cloister is not accessible by wheelchair. Wheelchairs and portable stools are available, and there are adapted toilets on the ground floor.
Getting there
Tram 15E runs from Praça da Figueira and Cais do Sodré along the river and stops right outside at “Mosteiro Jerónimos”. Cascais-line trains from Cais do Sodré stop at Belém station, a short walk away. Belém is about 6 km west of downtown, so allow extra time when traffic is heavy.
Combine it with
Belém Tower is about 1 km away along the riverside gardens. Buy both tickets at the same kiosk, but remember the tower needs its own time slot. Pastéis de Belém, the custard-tart bakery, is a few minutes’ walk east. MAAT and the Coach Museum are also close. Back in the centre, the São Jorge Castle is open on Mondays, when Jerónimos is shut. More ideas are in our Lisbon travel guide.
Jerónimos Monastery FAQ
How much is the Jerónimos Monastery ticket?
€18 for adults as of October 2026, half price for over-65s and ages 13–24, and free for children up to 12. The ticket is for the cloister; the church keeps its own visiting hours.
Is Jerónimos Monastery closed on Mondays?
Yes. It is also closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 13 June and 25 December.
Where is Vasco da Gama’s tomb?
In the church, just inside the main entrance under the upper choir, on the left, facing the tomb of the poet Luís de Camões on the right.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, ideally. The official site says tickets often sell out and can’t then be bought on the day. Lisboa Card holders must also book a time with their card number.
How long does a visit take?
About 1½–2 hours for the cloister and church, or half a day if you add Belém Tower and a pastel de nata.
Is the monastery accessible for wheelchair users?
The church and the cloister’s ground floor are fully accessible; the cloister’s upper floor is not. Wheelchairs and folding stools can be borrowed.