Your Travel Guide to Alcobaca, Portugal, and the Monastery, Alcobaca, Portugal

Nestled in the valleys of the rivers Alcoa and Baça, the city of Alcobaça is a quiet treasure in central Portugal, about 100 kilometers north of Lisbon. It’s best known for the magnificent Monastery of Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but this medieval town has much more to offer than its famous landmark. Between its wine and ceramics museums, tranquil riverside park, and irresistible pastry shops, Alcobaça rewards anyone who lingers long enough to explore beyond the monastery walls.

It’s an easy short drive from Nazaré or Batalha and a great place to pause as you roam along the Silver Coast. You can reach Alcobaça by public transport from Lisbon or Coimbra, and there’s usually free parking near the town center.

At the heart of the city of Alcobaça stands the Mosteiro de Alcobaça, one of the most remarkable religious monuments in Portuguese territory. It was founded in the 12th century by King Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, following a vow he made to the Cistercian Order after his decisive victory at the Battle of Santarém. The monastery marked the first expansion of the Order of Cistercians into the Iberian Peninsula and became their last abbey in Portugal. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).