As many reviewers have complained, you have to wait in line for an hour or so even though you have a timed or “skip the line” ticket. My wife and I arrived @ 9:55 and had to wait about 50 minutes to get inside. I had mistakenly believed that they opened @ 10:00. They actually open @ 9:30. The monastery was quite impressive from an architectural perspective. The wait didn’t seem as bad after I saw it. What irritated me is that you don’t get to see the church, aside from a bit of a glance as you’re walking out. If you want to see the monastery and the church, you have to stand in two separate long lines. The church line moves faster so the wait may not be as long. I don’t understand why they can’t sell a combined ticket that allows you to see both. Very frustrating that you effectively have to choose between the two sights.

The Jerónimos Monastery is a true architectural marvel in Lisbon! The intricate details of the Manueline style are awe-inspiring. The cloisters are a tranquil oasis, and the church’s grandeur leaves a lasting impression. Don’t forget to explore the nearby Belém Tower and try the famous Pastéis de Belém pastry nearby. A visit here is a journey through history and art.

We arrived in the morning around half an hour after opening time, however there were two massive queues, one for the monastery and the other for the church (which is free). We didn't realise that we had joined the church queue and that you aren't allowed to go from one to the other until it was too late - you have to queue again! The lack of information (and logic) is quite astounding! Also, without a Lisbon Card, you have to get your ticket for the monastery from the National Archaeology Museum, if you haven't booked ahead already. We had Lisbon Cards, however the "fast-track" promise is a myth - this only lets you walk through once you get inside without having to wait for a ticket, so you still have to queue to get into the building. My advice: wait until around 4pm onwards, this is when it is very quiet and you can just stroll straight in. Inside both the church and the monastery, it is very beautiful, so definitely worth going to visit both, but just be careful about the time of day you go.

A highlight of our 11 nights in Portugal. I had originally decided to NOT visit the Monastery due to stories about the long lines, regardless of whether one buys their ticket in advance or on arrival. However, we two made a spontaneous decision to go, buying tickets one day in advance for opening time (9:30am). We arrived at opening time (late Aug) and queued for 30 minutes before entering. By noon the line was three times longer and the sun was hot. It was well-worth the 30 minute wait, as the cloister is gorgeous.

Really enjoyed our visit which happened to be free on that day however as others say actually getting in is totally chaotic and there is absolutely no explanation that tickets are available across the wide road from a booth in the park! Not only that but the booth closes from 1-2pm, we got there as it was closing so had to go away … cue a lunchtime visit to Pastéis de Belém 🤣. Once we got the required free entry ticket we actually entered the cloisters vary quickly but to visit the church we had to rejoin the queue outside. Most definitely a must see place if you are ok with queuing in the heat with no shade… it lost a star for lack of info outside.

My husband and I visited this place while in Lisbon, but we only went into the church and decided not to see the Cloisters. Even though our Lisboa Cards covered the cost, the line was WAY TOO LONG, and we lost interest. I'm glad we didn't wait since later, on day tour, some people said they did wait and see that area and (in their opinion) it wasn't that amazing. The church is very pretty, though.

We bought tickets for the cloisters online the night before and got there around 9.30am. Facing the building, the queue on the left is for the cloisters, the queue on the right is for the church. We queued for the cloisters. It took an hour and a half queueing to get it. But, the cloisters are beautiful and personally I felt it was worth it. I learned that to see the church (which was free), I would then have had to join the queue for the church, which was also long. I had a peak into it as I headed to the cloisters, it looked interesting but there was no way I was going to queue any more. Advice, buy your tickets for the cloisters online in advance, bring water, an umbrella/hat for some shade and one of those walker poles that turns into a seat if you think you’ll need it. Standing for that long in the heat with be difficult for some. Note, if the cloisters/church is at your back, and you walk over to the little park and fountain, just beyond that you can find an underpass that will bring you out close to the sea and within walking distance of Torre de Belem which is worth a visit. Handy toilet tip, if cloisters is behind you and the fountain is in front of you, there’s a large building on your right, some art exhibitions etc. If you head towards its cafe there are free toilets there.

Really breathtaking. You're only allowed to do the upper and lower cloister so the visit is pretty quick however each section has been ornately carved with master craftmanship. We purchased tickets online and joined the line on the left. Ticket or no ticket you still have to wait with everyone else. Tickets can also be purchased across the road but the kiosk is covered by trees. We went to the cloister first and then exited and stood in line for the church. I was a little let down my the church but the cloister was worth it in my opinion. We didn't wait in line for too long. We then went down the road and walked for 5 minutes to buy the original pastel de natal. Don't miss that shop!

Beautiful space to visit and we were able to walk around at our leisure. I recommend buying tickets in advance, but we were there later in the afternoon and managed to buy tickets at the kiosk. We just had to wait some time in line to get in. Don't forget to line up again after (very short) to get into the chapel and at the end you'll see the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Afterwards, it's a short walk to Pasteis de Belem if you've worked up an appetite. In the fall, make sure you bring a waterproof jacket. We experienced showers several times while in line but there are people there waiting to sell you ponchos if you're desperate.

For us, it was a relaxed stroll around the upper and lower galleries. Each column has an unique caving and there were the occasional crudely carved icon that had the appearance of graffiti. A bas-relief of Donald Trump invades one panel. On a Sunday in November it is possible to arrive at 09:00, one half hour before opening, and be the 20th on line. At 10:30 the line stretches the length of the building. The misuse of Lisbon is reflected in the 12 or so must see edifices that become mobbed simply because they have been mobbed, or because they are across the street from food. This is one of them. “Nothing like travelling hundreds of miles to immerse yourself in art for the sole purpose of killing time between meals.” Cartoon by Sarah Kempa in The NewYorker October 27, 2023.