Alcobaça is a charming little town located about 100km north of Lisbon and a perfect place to drop in on your way to Nazaré (15 km away) or Leira as you roam further north. It is mostly famous for the Monastery of Alcobaça but there is more to do in this little town.
Alcobaça is a lovely town to stroll through. There are the two rivers that meet: Alcoa and Baça. The town has created a walkway and park commemorating the love of Portugal’s Romeo and Juliet, Inês and Pedro, with thrones and a large heart.
Mosteiro de Alcobaça
Most people visit Alcobaça to see the Alcobaça Monastery. This incredible monastery was built in 1153 by Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, following a promise he made to the Cistercian Order if he were victorious in the Battle of Santarém. It is most known to hold the tombs of Inês and Pedro and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The architectural style of the monastery is predominantly Cistercian Gothic, and the monastery complex includes a church and a monastery building. The church is one of the largest and earliest examples of Gothic architecture in Portugal. The church’s facade is adorned with intricate sculptures and features a rose window. The interior is marked with imposing columns and vaulted ceilings that make the church a grand spectacle.
Kitchen
It took us a couple of hours to tour the entire monastery. My favorite part of the place (besides the tombs of Inês and Pedro) was the kitchen. The size of the oven and table itself were incredible! Plus, they had a pool with a built in water channel that diverted wild fish directly into the kitchen! Quite efficient!
Church
The church consists of a central nave and 2 side naves creating a cross. The incredible high ceilings and amazing arches display the grandeur of the church. At the end, in front of the alter stands the two tombs of Inês and Pedro, facing foot to foot so that when the world comes to an end, they will see each other first.
Medieval Cloister, Kings Room and Other Places
Although the church and kitchen are quite grand, you get a sense of the immensity of the monastery the more rooms you explore. Each one just as beautiful and yet sterile as the next. I enjoyed climbing the stairs and seeing the dormitories and getting a great view of the cloister.
What also makes this structure so fantastic is the details.
The cost of a ticket is €10 but you can get a private tour through Get your Guide for €25. If you are planning on visiting Batalha and the Convento de Cristo in Tomar, you can get a private tour for all three. A combined ticket for all three is €15.
Eating in Alcobaça
Make sure you visit the Atelier do Doce bakery. There are two, one in Alcobaça and another in Alfeizerão. We have only been to the one in Alfeizerão and can tell you it is our favorite! If you can, try the Bola de Berlin Tangerina. Try any of the bolas. They are the best!
The main square in front of the Monastery has many restaurants to choose from for drinks, lunch or dinner. We like Pratu’s which is just down an alley off the main drag. They have great vinho verde sangria!
Alocobaça is a small town with a big history and one of the best places to stop in if you are heading north or south. We had been wanting to visit since we first learned about Inês and Pedro and were not disappointed. As a matter of fact, since we moved here, we have been back just to visit the town several times.
If you love Monasteries, Portugal is a great place to visit. Next stop for us is Tomar to check out the Convent de Cristo and the castle of the Knights Templar!
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Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.