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Sites to See…Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha (Portugal)

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Located just under 2 hours north of Lisbon are two of Portugal’s magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha.

The Monastery of Alcobaça is the largest church in Portugal and one of the most impressive examples of Cistercian architecture in Europe. It was built between 1153-1223, around the same time as Portugal’s founding as a nation. The monastery was built by the country’s first king, D. Afonso Henrique, to commemorate the conquest that ended 500 years of Moorish rule. The striking interior of the Gothic structure contains five cloisters, seven dormitories, a library and a huge kitchen. Located in the monastery are the tombs of Portugal’s version of Romeo and Juliet, Prince Pedro I and his murdered mistress Inés de Castro, whose tragic love story played out in the gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas in Coimbra. Their beautifully carved tombs are placed facing one another in the transept.

About a half hour north of Alcobaça is the Monastery of Batalha, which was constructed over two centuries (1386-1533) and is a magnificent example of the Gothic and Manueline architectural styles. The monastery was built by King João I to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota. Located in the Founder’s Chapel are the tombs of the Aviz dynasty of Portuguese royals, including King João I, his English queen, Philippa of Lancaster, and their famous son, Prince Henry the Navigator, who initiated Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.

For more information on all of Portugal’s World Heritage Sites, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information on our Lisbon Day Trip that includes these sites, click here, and for information on all of our Lisbon & Lisbon Day Trip tours, click here.

Photo credit (top photo): © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved. / Photo of tomb of King Pedro I, Monastery of Alcobaça

Photo credit (bottom photo): © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved. / Photo of Monastery of Batalha

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Sites to See…Portugal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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ILC-blog-Sites-to-See-Portugals-UNESCO-World-Heritage-SitesPortugal has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with most of them located on the mainland and 3 located on the islands of Madeira and the Azores. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) administers the World Heritage Programme that designates and catalogs places that are of significant cultural or natural importance.

To help you plan your itinerary for your next trip to Portugal, the following is a list of the World Heritage Sites located in Portugal:

Lisbon and environs

  • Monastery dos Jerónimos and Tower of Belém (Lisbon) – for more information on Jerónimos, click here, for more information on Belém, click here
  • Cultural Landscape of Sintra – for more information, click here
  • Monastery of Alcobaça – for more information, click here
  • Monastery of Batalha – for more information, click here
  • Convent of Christ in Tomar – for more information, click here
  • University of Coimbra –  for more information, click here

Alentejo region

  • Historic Center of Évora – for more information, click here
  • Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications

Porto and environs

  • Historic Center of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar – for more information, click here
  • Historic Center of Guimarães – for more information, click here
  • Alto Douro Wine Region
  • Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde
  • Sanctuary of Bom Jesús do Monte in Braga – for more information, click here

Madeira and the Azores

  • Laurisilva of Madeira
  • Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores
  • Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (Azores)

For more information on Portugal’s World Heritage Sites, click here.

Photo Credit: © Posto de Turismo de Alcobaça (Tourism Office of Alcobaça). Photo of Monastery of Alcobaça

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Private Tours from Lisbon: Obidos, Nazare, Batalha and Fátima Tour – 9 Hours

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ILC-blog-Private-Tours-Lisbon-Day-Trip-Obidos-Nazare

Take a break from the sightseeing in Lisbon to explore the Centro Region of Portugal. On this 9 hour private tour you will explore the Portuguese countryside and visit a medieval village with a 12th C. castle, a fishing village, a 14th C. UNESCO World Heritage Site monastery, and one of the world’s most important religious pilgrimage sites.

You will be picked up at your hotel at 8:30am to begin your private tour. Your first stop will be the medieval village of Obidos, where you can step back in time while you walk down the cobblestone streets that are lined with whitewashed houses and charming shops. Along the way you can stop to taste the famous local cherry liqueur “ginjinha” that is served in a chocolate cup. You can also explore and climb the walls of the 12th C. Obidos castle that dominates the hilltop. Next stop on the tour is the picturesque fishing village of Nazare, where you can enjoy the ocean views and take a break for lunch. The route continues on to Batalha, where you will visit the stunning 14th C. Monastery of Batalha, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The last stop on the tour is Fátima, which is considered one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world. You will learn about the history of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary and visit the Shrine of Fátima, where you will have free time to pray or light a candle.

2021 Prices and other info:

  • Daily – start time at 8:30am

Tour price for 1-3 People in a Sedan

1-2 people 3 people
 $480 $510

Tour price for 4-7 People in a Minivan

4 people 5 people 6 people 7 people
 $545  $580  $620  $655

Prices available on request for 8-9 people

All tours

  • Price includes a tour with a licensed guide/driver and transportation for 9 hours
  • Price does not include entrance fees or lunch, which are paid by the client during the tour
  • Guide/driver will accompany clients inside of monuments
  • Vehicles are insured, as required by Portuguese law
  • Language available: English
  • Gratuities are not included and are at the discretion of the client
  • Prices are subject to change

Photo credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved / Photo of Obidos

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

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