Top 10 most visited monuments in Portugal

Portugal is a country full of history and culture, reflected in its monuments that attract millions of visitors every year. From imposing monasteries and convents to breathtaking palaces, each of these places tells a part of Portuguese history, attracting not only tourists but also scholars and architecture enthusiasts from all over the world.

By ranking the 10 most visited monuments, from least visited to most visited, this list not only highlights the beauty and historical importance of each site but also reflects the preferences and trends of visitors to Portugal.

These sites demonstrate the cultural and historical richness of Portugal and are also essential to understanding the evolution of European architecture and the importance of the country in various historical periods.

Here are the top 10 according to idealista:

10th - Conímbriga Monographic Museum

The Conímbriga Monographic Museum, located in the town of Condeixa-a-Nova, is one of the most important archaeological museums in Portugal. Opened in 1962, the museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the archaeological remains of the ancient Roman city of Conímbriga, one of the largest and best preserved in the country.

Conímbriga was an important Roman city, inhabited since the 9th century BC and reaching its peak during the Roman occupation, between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD.

Among the permanent exhibitions, the magnificent mosaics that adorned the homes of Conímbriga's wealthiest inhabitants stand out, as well as the sculptures of deities and mythological figures that once adorned the city's public and private buildings.

The Museum is not only a centre for the conservation of historical heritage, but also a space for education and awareness-raising, where visitors of all ages can learn about the history and importance of the Roman heritage in Portugal. In addition to the exhibitions, the museum organises educational activities, workshops and guided tours.

9th - National Pantheon

The National Pantheon, also known as the Church of Santa Engrácia, is a monument of significant historical and cultural importance located in Lisbon. Construction began in the 16th century, and the church was converted into a pantheon in the 20th century and serves as the final resting place for some of Portugal's most prominent figures, such as Amália Rodrigues and Eusébio da Silva Ferreira.

8th - Pena Palace

The Pena Palace, located at the top of the Sintra Mountains, is one of the main expressions of 19th-century Romanticism in Portugal. This monument is a true symbol of creativity and eccentricity, with a mix of architectural styles including neo-Gothic, neo-Manueline, neo-Islamic and neo-Renaissance. Its construction was ordered by D. Fernando II, the artist-king, who transformed an old ruin into a palace that looks like something out of a fairy tale.

In addition to its fascinating architecture, the Pena Palace stands out for its privileged location, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The interior of the palace is also decorated with impressive richness, with murals, tiles and period furniture that tell stories of Portuguese royalty.

7th - Mafra Palace

The Mafra National Palace, located in the town of Mafra, is one of the most imposing and emblematic Baroque monuments in Portugal. Built in the 18th century by order of King João V, thanks to the riches from Brazil, this grand architectural complex includes a royal palace, a basilica and a convent.

The palace is famous for having one of the most beautiful and oldest libraries in Europe, which houses an invaluable collection of around 36 thousand volumes, covering various areas of knowledge such as theology, philosophy, medicine and the arts. The library is also known for housing a colony of bats that, curiously, help to preserve the books by eating the insects that could damage the manuscripts.

In addition to this space, the Mafra Palace stands out for its set of two carillons and six historic organs in the basilica, as well as for its sculptures, paintings and tapestries.

6th - Monastery of Alcobaça

The Alcobaça Monastery, founded in the 12th century by the Cistercian Order, is one of the largest and oldest Gothic abbeys in Portugal. This monument is famous not only for its imposing Gothic architecture, but also for the love story between Pedro I and Inês de Castro, whose tombs are located inside the monastery.

Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Alcobaça Monastery stands out for its impressive size and the purity of its architectural style. The monastery is also known for its monumental kitchen, the Sala dos Reis and the Cloister of Silence, each with its own beauty and historical significance.

5th - National Tile Museum

The National Tile Museum, located in Lisbon, is one of the most unique and important museums in Portugal, dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of the art of tile. Housed in the former Convent of Madre de Deus, founded in 1509, this museum houses a vast collection that covers the history of tile in Portugal from the 15th century to the present day.

The collection includes rare and unique examples that demonstrate the technical and artistic evolution of tile, with highlights including tile panels that depict Portuguese historical and cultural scenes. The museum not only offers an in-depth insight into ceramic art and its impact on Portuguese culture, but also hosts temporary exhibitions that explore contemporary connections with this traditional art form.

4th - Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ, located in Tomar, was originally built as a Templar fortress in the 12th century and later transformed into a convent of the Order of Christ. Its architecture is a stunning fusion of Gothic, Renaissance, Manueline and Baroque styles, reflecting the various phases of its construction and expansion over the centuries.

One of the most notable features of the Convent of Christ is its Chapter Window, a magnificent example of the Manueline style, symbolizing the Age of Discoveries. The convent is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by thousands of people seeking to explore its rich architectural and historical heritage. In addition, the Convent of Christ played a crucial role in the religious and political history of Portugal, being associated with historical figures such as Prince Henry the Navigator, who was governor of the Order of Christ.

3rd - Batalha Monastery

The Batalha Monastery, officially known as the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, located in the town of Batalha, was built to commemorate the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, a pivotal event that secured Portugal's independence from Castile. Construction of the monastery was begun by King John I and continued for several generations.

The Batalha Monastery is notable for its imperfect chapels that were never completed and are today considered some of the finest examples of flamboyant Gothic architecture in Portugal. The monastery is also famous for its royal cloister and the Founder's Chapel, where the tombs of John I and Philippa of Lancaster, emblematic figures in Portuguese history, lie. Classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Batalha Monastery is not only a historical monument, but also a place of profound cultural and spiritual significance.

2nd - Belém Tower

Built between 1514 and 1520 during the reign of King Manuel I, the Belém Tower was originally used to defend the Tagus River. Today, it is admired for its Manueline-style architecture with Moorish and Oriental influences.

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Belém Tower stands out not only for its architectural beauty, but also for the role it played in Portuguese maritime history.

1st - Jerónimos Monastery

The Jerónimos Monastery, located in Belém, Lisbon, is one of the jewels of Manueline architecture and one of Portugal's most emblematic monuments. This monument was built in the 16th century, during the reign of King Manuel I, as a celebration of the Discoveries, particularly after Vasco da Gama returned from India. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts visitors from all over the world due to its historical richness and architectural beauty.

In addition to its impressive façade and vast cloister, the Jerónimos Monastery houses the tombs of Portuguese historical figures, including Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões.