Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon

05/10/2026

The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the most beautiful buildings in Portugal. It stands in the Belém district of Lisbon, near the Tagus River. King Manuel I ordered it to be built around 1501, and it was paid for with money from the rich spice trade with Asia. The monastery is the best example of the Manueline style, a Portuguese style with very rich stone decoration inspired by the sea and the voyages of discovery. It was home to monks of the Order of Saint Jerome for centuries. Since 1983 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the nearby Belém Tower.

What to See

The long white stone façade is very impressive, with a richly carved main door full of statues. Inside the Church of Santa Maria, tall thin columns rise like palm trees to the stone roof. Here you can see the tomb of the explorer Vasco da Gama, who found the sea route to India, and the tomb of the great Portuguese poet Luís de Camões. The highlight of the visit is the cloister, a large square courtyard with two floors of arches, all covered in delicate stone carvings. Next to the monastery are the Maritime Museum and the National Archaeology Museum.

How to Get There and Practical Information

The monastery is in Belém, about 6 kilometres west of central Lisbon. You can get there by tram 15, by bus or by train from Cais do Sodré. Entry to the church is free, but there is an entrance fee for the cloister. The monastery is closed on Mondays. It is one of the most visited places in Lisbon and the queues can be long, so it is best to arrive early or buy a ticket online. Nearby you can also visit the Belém Tower and try the famous custard tarts at the old bakery of Pastéis de Belém.