Explore what's inside Alcobaca Monastery | Main highlights & attractions

The most famous attraction in the monastery is the Royal Tombs, where King Pedro I and his mistress Inês de Castro are buried. The tombs are side-by-side, and they are elaborately carved from white marble.

The Chapel of Saint Bernard is a small but beautiful chapel that was built in the 13th century. It is dedicated to the founder of the Cistercian order, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. The chapel has a simple and elegant design, with a vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows.

The Royal Pantheon is a 16th-century addition to the monastery that contains the tombs of several Portuguese kings and queens. It is a large and impressive space, with a high ceiling and ornate decoration.

Explore the Sacristy, a room filled with religious artefacts and ceremonial objects. This sacred space is a repository of faith and tradition, housing a treasure trove of religious relics, ornate vestments, and ceremonial vessels. It provides insight into the religious practices and rituals of the monastery, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the spiritual life that once thrived within its walls.

Portraits and memorabilia of Portuguese royalty adorn the walls of the Room of the Kings. This room was once used by the Portuguese kings when they visited the monastery. It is decorated with beautiful azulejo tiles

The Dormitory is a large room where the monks used to sleep. It is a simple and unadorned space, but it gives you a sense of the monastic life. The room offers a great way to envision the quiet hours of contemplation and prayer that filled these halls, as monks dedicated themselves to lives of devotion and service.

The Refectory is the room where the monks used to eat. It is a large and impressive space, with vaulted ceilings and Gothic windows. It served as a central gathering place for the monastery's community, where monks came together to nourish their bodies and spirits. Take a moment to appreciate the simple beauty of communal dining and the timeless rituals of shared meals.

This peaceful cloister was used by the monks for meditation and contemplation. It is a beautiful space, with a central garden and Gothic arches. Listen to the soothing sound of trickling water from the central fountain as you wander through the cloister's arcades, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

The Kitchen is one of the most interesting parts of the monastery. It is a large and well-preserved space, with a huge fireplace, water cisterns, and a complex system of pipes that brought water and fish from the nearby river. Explore the large hearths and massive cooking pots that were used to prepare meals for the monastery's inhabitants, offering a glimpse into the culinary practices of centuries past.

The Chapter House was the room where the monks met to discuss important matters. It is a large and impressive room, with a vaulted ceiling and Gothic windows. The Chapter House served as the heart of the monastery, where decisions were made, and community bonds were strengthened through shared purpose and collective action.