Jerónimos Monastery
Jerónimos Monastery
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
King Manuel I funded the monastery with proceeds from the spice trade; the cloister's columns are carved with ropes, shells and nautical motifs. The church is free to enter, while the cloister requires a timed ticket; book online to avoid the queue. Vasco da Gama and the poet Luís de Camões are buried in the church. Tram 15 or the train to Belém gets you there; combine it with the Tower of Belém and the waterfront.
Ticket Price
Cloister EUR 12 (≈ USD 13); the church is free. Timed entry - book online.
Opening Hours
Tuesday-Sunday, roughly 9:30-18:00 in summer and 9:30-17:30 in winter, with last entry about 30 minutes before closing; closed Mondays and some religious holidays. The church is free, while the cloister needs a timed ticket.
Transportation
Tram 15 to Belém, or train to Belém station, then a 5-minute walk to the monastery.
Best Season
In Portugal, for Jerónimos Monastery, the best window is Apr-Jun or Sep-Oct; Jul-Aug is hot and busy.
Pro Tip: Book the first entry slot
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Book the first entry slot The monastery is popular and the cloister is the highlight. Book a timed ticket, arrive early, and allow time for the church.
Member-Only Tips
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Frequently Asked Questions3 questions
It is the Portuguese late-Gothic style of King Manuel I, full of maritime motifs such as ropes, anchors, shells and seaweed. The Jerónimos cloister is its most famous example.
Look for the two storeys of carved columns, each with different maritime and religious motifs, and the Manueline arches. Allow 45-60 minutes to walk slowly and look up.
Vasco da Gama, the navigator who opened the sea route to India, lies on the left of the western entrance; the poet Luís de Camões lies on the right. Both tombs are in the church porch.