The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora is a 17th-century monastery in Lisbon, Portugal, built on the site of a crusader camp from the 1147 Siege of Lisbon.
This guide was updated in July 2026. You can book through GetYourGuide to plan your visit with confidence.
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora quick facts
| Address | Largo de São Vicente, 1100-472 Lisboa |
| Opening hours | Summer hours 10am–7pm (last admission 6pm) |
| Admission | Adult €8 · Senior (65+) €6 · Youth (under 25) €4 · Children under 12 free |
| Nearest transit | Tram 28E or Santa Apolónia metro station |
| Typical visit duration | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
Why book Monastery of São Vicente de Fora tickets?
- 🏛️ A royal pantheon: nearly the entire Braganza dynasty, Portugal’s last and largest royal house, is buried here.
- 🎟️ Skip the queue: book ahead and head straight up to one of Lisbon’s lesser-known rooftop viewpoints.
- 🌿 Baroque tiles everywhere: two cloisters are completely coated in 18th-century glazed tile panels.
- 📜 Founded after a crusade: built where crusader forces camped during the 1147 Siege of Lisbon.
- 💰 Free on the first Sunday of the month: a welcome saving for Portugal residents with proof of address.
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora opening hours
The monastery’s most recently updated pages agree on the schedule below, though one older page on the same site lists a different summer start date.
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| Summer (1 June to 31 October) | 10am–7pm (last admission 6pm) |
| Winter (1 November to 31 May) | 10am–6pm (last admission 5pm) |
The monastery is closed on 1 January, Good Friday, Easter Day, 1 May, and 24, 25, and 31 December.
5 great things to do in Lisbon 🇵🇹
- 🏰 Combine nearby highlights on a small group tour – to Sintra, Pena Palace and Cascais.
- 🍷 Eat your way through lesser-visited neighbourhoods – on a food and wine tour.
- 🛺 Get a local’s eye view of Lisbon – on a tuk-tuk tour.
- 🥐 Take a bakery masterclass – and make your own pastel de nata.
- ⛵ Enjoy wine at sunset – on a river sailing cruise.
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora ticket prices
These prices have held steady since a price adjustment in January 2024.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | €8.00 |
| Lisboa Card holders | €6.00 |
| Senior (over 65) | €6.00 |
| Youth (under 25) | €4.00 |
| Children under 12 | Free |
| Guided tour add-on | Ticket + €4.00 |
Admission is also free for priests and consecrated persons, visitors with a disability of 60% or more, and Portugal residents on the first Sunday of each month, all on presentation of proof. Booking in advance through GetYourGuide is a simple way to skip the ticket desk during busy periods.
How to get there
By tram: Tram 28E, one of Lisbon’s classic historic routes, stops close to the monastery entrance.
By metro: Santa Apolónia or Martim Moniz stations are both within walking distance.
By bus: Route 734 serves the area, except on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
By train: Santa Apolónia Railway Station is the nearest stop for regional and intercity trains.
Parking
Parking is available at the Largo de São Vicente Park, right by the monastery, or at Campo de Santa Clara Park nearby. The Campo de Santa Clara option isn’t available on Tuesdays and Saturdays, when the square hosts Lisbon’s Feira da Ladra flea market.
How long to spend at the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour moving through the church, cloisters, pantheons, and rooftop viewpoint.
Accessibility
The monastery doesn’t publish a formal accessibility statement. As a centuries-old building, it includes several staircases, including the climb to the rooftop viewpoint, so visitors with mobility concerns should contact the monastery directly before planning a visit. Large bags and bulky objects must be left at reception, and animals aren’t permitted inside except guide dogs.
What to see inside the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
The Cistern. Dating back to the 12th century, this is the main surviving trace of the original medieval monastery founded by King Afonso I.
The Cloisters. Two cloisters south of the church are entirely coated in Baroque glazed tile panels depicting secular scenes inspired by French engravings.
The Royal Pantheon. Established by King João IV, this pantheon holds the tombs of nearly every member of the House of Braganza, Portugal’s last and largest royal dynasty.
The Sacristy. Considered the monastery’s showpiece, this room is decorated with 18th-century inlaid marble in floral patterns; excavations beneath it uncovered tombs thought to belong to crusaders who fought alongside King Afonso I.
The Panoramic View. From the rooftop of the church, a 360-degree view takes in the city and the river Tagus, often described as one of Lisbon’s secret viewpoints.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Confirm which season applies | The site’s own pages disagree on when summer hours begin, so check before relying on either date. |
| Time it with the flea market | Campo de Santa Clara hosts the Feira da Ladra flea market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, which also affects nearby parking. |
| Climb to the rooftop | The 360-degree viewpoint is one of Lisbon’s lesser-known panoramas. |
| Travel light | Large bags and bulky objects must be left at reception before entering. |
| Check the first Sunday of the month | Portugal residents can enter free with proof of address on that day. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the current opening hours? | Currently 10am to 7pm, based on the site’s most recently updated pages, though one older page still lists a July start date for summer. |
| How much does admission cost? | €8 standard, with discounts for seniors, youth, and Lisboa Card holders, and free entry for children under 12. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | No formal statement is published; the historic building includes several staircases. |
| Can children visit unaccompanied? | No, anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult throughout the visit. |
| Should I book in advance? | Not essential, but advance booking is recommended during busy periods. |
Things to do nearby
The Feira da Ladra is Lisbon’s famous flea market, held right outside the monastery on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The National Pantheon, housed in the dome of Santa Engrácia church, is just a few minutes’ walk away.
Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood, spreads out below the monastery with narrow streets and fado bars.
The Castelo de São Jorge overlooks the city from a nearby hilltop, a short walk or tram ride away.
The Santa Apolónia waterfront offers riverside views and easy onward transport links.
What to visit tomorrow
These are other major monasteries within reach of Lisbon, several of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon. A grand Manueline-style monastery in Belém, in the same city, built to mark Portugal’s age of maritime discovery.
Mafra National Palace and Convent, Mafra. A vast Baroque palace-convent complex, about 45 minutes’ drive from Lisbon.
Monastery of Alcobaça, Alcobaça. A medieval Cistercian monastery and UNESCO World Heritage Site, around 1.5 hours’ drive away.
Batalha Monastery, Batalha. A Gothic masterpiece built to commemorate a 14th-century battle victory, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from Lisbon.
Convento de Cristo, Tomar. A former Templar stronghold turned monastery, about 2 hours’ drive from Lisbon.
More Lisbon travel
Other Lisbon travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Visiting Museu Coleção Berardo, Lisbon: practical guide for first-time visitors.
- Discovering the gorgeous tile art in Lisbon.
- A practical guide to visiting Lisbon’s Beer Museum.
- Top tips for visiting the Oceanário de Lisboa.
- A guide to Lisbon Cathedral ticket prices and visitor info.
