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Visiting the Batalha Monastery (Portugal) – Tips + 26 Photos + Video

Last updated on February 27, 2018 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The Batalha Monastery in Portugal is considered one of the country's architectural masterpieces and has been listed on the Unesco world Heritage. Its Gothic style and Manueline influence decors are worth a visit. Here is my guide to help you plan your visit.

Monastery of Batalha Monastery Portugal Travel Guide
Quick Navigation
Monastery of Batalha in Video
Approaching the Batalha Monastery Portugal
Map and Facts of Batalha Monastery Portugal
Church of Batalha Monastery
Founder's Chapel at Batalha Monastery
Royal Cloister of King Joao I
Cloister of King Afonso V
Unfinished Chapels at Monastery of Batlaha
View of Batalha Monastery
INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Batalha Monastery Portugal

Navigate back to the complete Travel Portugal Guide

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Monastery of Batalha in Video

Let's start with a short video, to give you an idea of what it looks like to visit the Monastery of Batalha Portugal.

I am sharing many photos of the different sections of the monastery after the planning tips section.


INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Batalha Monastery Portugal

How to get to Batalha Monastery Portugal

  • In the town of Batalha, North of Lisbon
  • Lisbon to Batalha - 1h40 drive
  • Obidos to Batalha - 45 min drive
  • Part of the loop with the Alcobaca Monastery and the Convento de Cristo Tomar

This location with its GPS coordinates and planning info is included in the eBook - Road Trip Guide Portugal 

Small Mainland Portugal Algarve ebook cover

Batalha, along with many other beautiful places, is included in my eBook: The Road Trip Guide - Portugal.

It is a practical tool to plan your trip with maps, photos, planning tips, GPS coordinates...

Learn More

Visiting the Monastery of Batalha

  • Batalha Monastery Opening Hours : 9am to 5:30pm (Oct to Mar) - 9am to 6:30pm (Apr to Sept) - Closed on some public holidays
  • Batalha Monastery prices - 6€ entrance ticket
  • Keep your ticket with you as you need it 3 times: to access the Founder's Chapel, the cloisters and the unfinished chapels
  • Plan 2 hours to tour all the sections, more if you get the audio guide
  • Easy walking, not many steps 

Day trip from Lisbon

Batalha is a fantastic places to visit on a day trip from Lisbon: 

  • If you don't want to drive, you can join small group tours combining other great historical places in the region - check out the program and book
  • Or you can book a private tour for more flexibility

Approaching the Batalha Monastery Portugal

From the outside, you approach the Monastery from a large walking square. Signs can be found outside with some explanation about the Monastery.

Monastery of Batalha Portugal

The entrance is via the church. The front door is impressive with a lot of sculptures and carvings.

Monastery of Batalha Portugal 2
Monastery of Batalha Portugal 3

Every single piece of sculpture is detailed and symbolic. I could have spent a full hour just on the façade but I had to move on... lol

Monastery of Batalha Portugal 4

Map and Facts of Batalha Monastery Portugal

Before I lead you inside the famous building, here are a few facts about the monastery:

  • The monastery of Batalha (Mosteiro da Batalha) is also called Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria
  • Its name means Monastery of the Battle because it was built to represents the victory of the Portuguese troops at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385
  • Built in the 14th century and modified through to the 16th century
  • Its original Gothic styled evolve to incorporate the Manueline art (as you will see in the magnificent Royal Cloister)
  • Added to the Unesco World heritage list in 1983, it is one of the most visited monuments in Portugal

Below is the map of the things to do in the Batalha monastery, the different sections to visit: You enter via the nave of the church, you can visit the 2 square cloisters and the round unfinished chapels.

Map Batalha Monastery Portugal

Church of Batalha Monastery

You first enter via the church. Entrance to this section is free. You can purchase your tickets inside.

The church is quite narrow, which makes it look even taller (32.4 meter in height vs 22m in width). It is not heavily decorated. It remains simple with beautiful carvings and elegant stained glass windows.

Church of Batalha Monastery Portugal 1
Church of Batalha Monastery Portugal 2
Church of Batalha Monastery Portugal 3
Church of Batalha Monastery Portugal 4

Founder's Chapel at Batalha Monastery

At the end of the nave you can visit the Founder's chapel. It was built in the 15th century as a pantheon of King Joao I and the Avis Dynasty.

Originally, it had a pyramidal roof. But It collapsed​ during the Earthquake of 1755.

In the center is the Tomb of King Joao I and his wife, who reigned during the 14 and 15th centuries)

Founder chapel Mosteiro da Batalha 1
Founder chapel Mosteiro da Batalha 2

Don't forget to look up to discover the octagon roof.

Founder chapel Mosteiro da Batalha 3

Royal Cloister of King Joao I

I found the Royal Cloister the best part of the visit. I spent quite some times admiring the corridors and the play of light through the carvings.

It was built between 1386 and 1515, and as you can see finished in the Manueline style.

Cloister King Joao Batalha Monastery 1
Cloister King Joao Batalha Monastery 2
Cloister King Joao Batalha Monastery 3

Around the cloister you can visit the chapterhouse with the Tombs of 2 unknown soldiers protected by military personnel. I decided not to photograph. The stained glass window inside dates back to 1508.

Cloister King Joao Batalha Monastery 5

Many architects have participated over the years. New technics were implemented. 

The Basin (Lavabo in Portuguese) was an element of the hydraulic systems. It was located near the entrance to the refectory for people to wash hands.

Cloister King Joao Batalha Monastery 4

Cloister of King Afonso V

Next stop is another square cloister. The contrast is very surprising.

This cloister was built during the reign of King Afonso V (15th century). It is visually very simple and representative of the austere gothic style.

Cloister King Afonso Monastery of Sant Mary of the Victory 1
Cloister King Afonso Monastery of Sant Mary of the Victory 2
Cloister King Afonso Monastery of Sant Mary of the Victory 3
Cloister King Afonso Monastery of Sant Mary of the Victory 4

Unfinished Chapels at Monastery of Batlaha

One of the most famous places at the Batalha Monastery are the unfinished chapels (Capelas Imperfeitas in Portuguese).

They were commissionned by King Duarte in the 15th century for his pantheon. King Koao III (16th century) tried to finish the chapels too.

Unfinished chapels Batalha Monastery Portugal 1

You have to get outside from the Cloister to reenter the building on the other side. As you can see on the photo below, to the left the towers are not supporting any roof... hence the 'unfinished'...

Unfinished chapels Batalha Monastery Portugal 2
Unfinished chapels Batalha Monastery Portugal 3

Once again we discovered a lot of very detailed carvings all around.

Unfinished chapels Batalha Monastery Portugal 4
Unfinished chapels Batalha Monastery Portugal 5

The Batalha Monastery can be enjoyed as a day trip from Lisbon or a day trip from Porto.


View of Batalha Monastery

From the hotel I stayed in, Hotel Casa do Outeiro, some rooms have a balcony and a view over the Batalha Monastery and its church. A really magnificent view!

View over Batalha Monastery

Accommodation in Batalha

Batalha is a great place to stay for the night, especially if you are doing the 3 monasteries. Having a break is good.

  • My choice: I stayed at the Hotel Casa de Outerio, a modern hotel with great views of the monastery from some rooms. See my review in my Portugal accommodation article or check prices and availability now
  • Location, location, location: Hotel Mestre Afonso Domingues is facing the monastery with great views from the restaurant area. Check prices and availability.
  • Luxury: Hotel Villa Batalha, a bit further away from the monastery, but with spa and golf, for those who love a little extra... Check prices and Availability
  • Family: All hotels above have family rooms (2 adults, 2 children) - but if you want your own space, Refugio da Ti Maria is a house with character you can rent not far from the center of Batalha. Check Availability and latest prices

Want to see more of PORTUGAL?

Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Portugal Destination Guide.

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Portugal Travel Guide - Portugal destinations

Fascinating, isn't it?

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