Jerónimos Monastery is Lisbon’s grandest example of Manueline architecture, commissioned to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s return from his sea route to India. Its ornate limestone facade is carved with maritime motifs, ropes, and coral, celebrating Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
Inside, the highlights are the two-story Chapter House, the Refectory Hall, and the Tomb of Vasco da Gama, which sits just inside the main entrance in the Church of Santa Maria. The cloisters, added over 16 years, are considered one of the finest examples of Manueline stonework anywhere in Portugal.
Most visitors need 2 to 3 hours to see the monastery properly. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with last entry at 5 p.m., closed Mondays; going early on a weekday or after 4:30 p.m. avoids the longest queues.