A Complete Guide to Visiting Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon (2026)
I have been to Lisbon a few times over the years and one place I never had a chance to visit until my latest trip was the Jerónimos Monastery (and the Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem) in Belém. Also known as the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Belém, Jerónimos Monastery showcases the best of Portuguese architecture and is a must-visit for those heading to Portugal’s capital city.
In this guide, I will discuss everything you need to know before visiting Jerónimos Monastery, including how to get there, ticket prices, and answer a few FAQ to familiarize you with this iconic landmark.
Quick Lisbon Travel Guide
If you’re traveling to Lisbon at the last minute, be sure you have hotels and tours booked ahead of time. Below are some of my top picks:
🇵🇹 Top activities, tickets, and tours in Lisbon:
- Entrance ticket to the Jerónimos Monastery (discussed more below!)
- Pena Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca, & Cascais (best day trip from Lisbon)
- 24, 48, or 72-hour Lisbon Card (best value for money, includes the monastery)
🛌 Top places to stay in Lisbon:
- Casa Amora Studios (I have stayed here twice over the last 10 years; my favorite Lisbon neighborhood)
- Alecrim ao Chiado (beautiful boutique guesthouse in a historic building)
🚗 Planning to travel around Portugal independently? Find and compare the cheapest rental car rates here!
At the end of the guide, I also share a few places nearby that are worth visiting, including a tasty spot to stop for a pastel de nata!
If you have any questions or if there is anything you want to know before you visit Jerónimos Monastery, let me know in the comments. Alright… let’s dive right into things!
About Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)
The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Belém, or Jerónimos Monastery (as it’s better known), dates back to 1495 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and listed as a National Monument since 1907.
On-site, there is a large church, the Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem, and a cloister that was secularized in 1833. This is the most-visited heritage site in all of Portugal and essential for every Lisbon bucket list, in my opinion… even if you are not religious.
The complex sits at the mouth of the Tagus River, just a stone’s throw away from another iconic site, the Belém Tower. The monastery was built in the Manueline architectural style and it is the home of the tomb of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões (a poet during the Age of Discoveries).
At the complex is the Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem. Inside, you’ll see vaulted ceilings, an ornate altar, and some beautiful stained glass windows.
King Manuel I and Queen Maria’s tombs are found inside the church. It is free to visit the church if you are not planning a visit inside the cloisters (more about that below).
Over 2 million people visit Jerónimos Monastery each year (which is pretty impressive)!
How to Get to Jerónimos Monastery
Getting to Jerónimos Monastery is extremely easy! If you’re visiting the Belém Tower, this is a good chance to hit up two sites at the same time since they are close to each other. If you’re at Belém Tower, you can walk across the overpass around 15 minutes down the road to the monastery.
If you are coming from the city, you can go there by Uber (I paid around €6 one-way), which is probably the best option. If you want to take public transportation, you can also reach the monastery with Tram 15E (from Cais do Sodré or Praça da Figueira) or buses 714, 727, 728, 729, or 751. Just be sure to hop off at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
Jerónimos Monastery Practical Information
Before getting into visiting information, one thing I want to stress is that it is free to visit the Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem, but not the rest of the monastery.
And booking tickets to Jerónimos Monastery must be done ahead of time in the high season (but I would do it year-round just to be sure).
Before or after your timeslot for Jerónimos Monastery, you can stop into the Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem. There is a separate line for it (but you should just be able to walk right in).
All of the information I am discussing in this guide pertains to the ticketed part of Jerónimos Monastery, not the church.
Opening Hours & Seasonality
The Jerónimos Monastery is open year-round from Tuesday to Sunday (9:30am to 5:30pm, with the last entry at 5pm). It is closed on Mondays, January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, June 13, and December 25.
The Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and on Sundays and religious holidays from 2pm to 5pm. It is closed on Mondays.
Do be aware that the ticket office closes at 4:30pm if you are trying to obtain last-minute tickets (which I wouldn’t do in the first place, to be honest).
Entrance Tickets (& Waiting in Line)
The entrance ticket to Jerónimos Monastery is €18. You can book via GetYourGuide (the price is the same, making it a perfect option to bundle with other tours and tickets) or directly on their website. Here are all prices:
- Adult: €18
- Senior (65+): €9
- Children (13-24): €9
- Children (12 and younger): free
I tend to shun booking directly on landmark websites in southern Europe because the websites often look like they were built on Geocities, and I am never sure how secure they are, but Jerónimos Monastery has a nice site, and I ended up securely booking my tickets there.
You can switch the language to English (or keep it in Portuguese) and see the different time slots. If the slot is red, it means tickets are sold out. If it is orange, it means tickets are almost sold out. If it is green, there are plenty of tickets available.
There are the following timeslots available (with the mornings being the most popular times):
- 9:30am-10:30am
- 10:30am-11:30am
- 11:30am-12:30pm
- 12:30pm-1:30pm
- 1:30pm-2:30pm
- 2:30pm-3:30pm
- 3:30pm-5pm
The timeslots do not mean you only have an hour to see the monastery; it is simply an entry time and you can stay as long as you want inside.
However, there is not an overwhelming amount to see, so I think one hour is plenty unless you are extremely into monasteries.
Once you arrive, you will see two lines: one to the monastery and one to the church. The monastery lines form according to the entrance times, so keep an eye out for that, or just ask someone in line which timeslot they are lining up for.
I would arrive around 30 minutes early just to ensure you get in on time. There are 350-375 tickets available for each timeslot.
Taking a Tour of the Monastery
If you want to take a tour of the monastery, I think it is best to book that ahead of time. This option takes you on a guided tour of the Jerónimos Monastery and includes your ticket. You will also head over to the Monument to the Discoveries across the street. It is 2 hours long and will meet at the Praça do Império Garden right in front of the monastery.
If you are not overly into monasteries and religious history, you will be fine with a simple ticket. There are signs and information throughout the cloisters, so you know what you’re looking at. Click here to check guided tour rates and availability.
Dress Code
There was no posted dress code at the Jerónimos Monastery and given that it is not currently active, I don’t suppose I missed something. Just be sure to wear good walking shoes and if it is rainy on the day that you visit, be careful with your steps as there is a lot of marble around.
Accessibility Information
There are wheelchairs at the entrance to the monastery. You will need to ask them, however (I confirmed this with the ticket office when I visited). Do know that you will only be able to visit the lower level of the monastery and not the second floor.
I didn’t see too much on the second floor aside from views over the gardens, so I don’t think this will hinder your experience too much!
There is also an accessible bathroom at the monastery close to the exit area.
What to Visit Near Jerónimos Monastery
If you are looking for some cool places to visit near the Jerónimos Monastery, I recommend visiting the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and some of the museums lining the river.
Not too far away is also LX Factory, a repurposed industrial factory and area where you’ll find colorful shops, food, and more.
When you’re standing in line, you will inevitably see people with blue and white boxes that say Pastéis de Belém on them. This is the original pastel de nata place in Lisbon and has been making them since 1837 (with an ancient recipe from the monks at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos).
The shop is super close to the monastery and I definitely suggest going there before or after your visit. Or, you can have someone in your group run over there so you have a snack to enjoy while waiting in line.
Pastéis de Belém is just to the right of the monastery on a cute street and it WILL have a line out the door. However, there are two entrances: a table service line and a fast track line.
Get into the fast track and it will be the quickest food experience of your life. They take card or cash and each pastel de nata is €1.60 (or you can get a full pack of 6 for €9.60). They come out hot and delicious.
Jerónimos Monastery FAQ
Can you visit the Church of Saint Mary of Bethlehem without a ticket?
Yes! You can visit during its opening hours (10:30am to 5:30pm), and there is a separate entrance line for it. While you will need to move through that line, the queue never really stood still and I was able to enter right away, even at a busy time.
Can you use a Lisbon Card to visit Jerónimos Monastery?
Yes, you can use your Lisbon Card for free entrance to Jerónimos Monastery. There is a separate line for Lisbon Card holders that you will see once you arrive at the Lisbon landmark. Just get in line there and wait for access.
The Lisbon Card also grants you access to 51 other sites around Lisbon. It is an insane value for money. Purchasers can book a 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour card. You can check Lisbon Card rates and availability here.
What is the official website for Jerónimos Monastery?
There are tons of scammy websites out there claiming to be the Jerónimos Monastery. Do not click on these (they are simply sites built to accrue affiliate sales).
The official Jerónimos Monastery website is here, and the official place to purchase tickets is here. You can also follow their official account on Facebook.
If you are struggling to access the official website and online ticket sales point, you can also book an official ticket for the same price at GetYourGuide. I work with them, and they are a trusted partner, so you should not have any issues obtaining a ticket there.
Where to Stay in Belém
Belém is a nice area to stay, but I am not sure I would recommend it if you want to visit other places around Lisbon. But if Belém is your goal, here are a few recommended places to stay in Belém and near Jerónimos Monastery:
- Palácio do Governador – Lisbon Hotel & Spa (a 5-star luxury stay in Belém)
- Genonimo Guesthouse Belém (has a terrace and garden as well as A/C)
Do you have any questions about visiting Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
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