Santa Maria de Belem Church was part of our organized City Tour of Lisbon which more correctly should have been called Belem Tour as we spent almost all our time in that West Lisbon District. The Church is part of the larger Jerónimos Monastery, construction of which commenced in 1501 and went on for the next 100 years. Both are fronted by the Praça do Império Garden a formal garden with fountains at its centre. Entrance to the Church itself is free as are the gardens, although there is a charge to tour the Monastery. There is usually a line up of between 20 to 60 minutes to enter as the number of visitors inside is strictly controlled. This isn’t as bad as it sounds though as it provides ample time to truly admire the magnificent architecture of the place paying special attention to the ornate carvings and sculpture work at the doors. If you’re in a group it also allows one to quickly cross the street and get a brief view of the gardens themselves. From her it is almost possible to take in the entire Monastery which is quite large. One can also see the Padrão dos Descobrimentos or Monument to the Discoveries which lies almost directly to the south of the Monastery and gardens. Once inside the church small number of visitors allowed in works to your advantage as you can fully enjoy the elaborate and intricate details on the ceilings, the support columns and the altar as well as the carved panels on the walls. This is truly a photographer’s dream; however, flash photography is strictly prohibited so my DSLR remained slung on my back. Camera phones are acceptable though. Near the entrance are two tombs flanking the doors. To the south or the right as you enter is that of Luís de Camões (1527–1580). The poet and chronicler of the Age of Discoveries. Opposite him is the tomb of Vasco De Gama (1468- 1523) one the greatest of the Portugues explorers. As I said we visited as part of an organized tour, but it is quite easy to reach on ones own as there are several bus routes coming form the centre of Lisbon to the area.

A majestic and unmissable monument, a must-see in Lisbon! Impressive architecture. I still thought it was bigger.. I advise you to buy your tickets directly on the official website because the specialized apps impose a visit date whereas on the Portuguese website, the ticket is valid for almost 9 months :)

It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Lisbon, truly spectacular. We arrived when they were opening and had no queues. The cloister is truly wonderful, they look like lace embroidery but they are made of stone, truly splendid. The church is beautiful. The service staff are friendly, except for a few who are so arrogant and rude that they decide to prevent people from using the bathroom just out of a sense of power. How sad!

It was amazing to be observed from the outside. Amazing architecture, amazing design. However, inside was bit of a disappointment, as there was nothing interesting to see. Since the visit of the monastery was paid, but the church was free, I'd recommend to visit only the church.

Beautiful venue with rich history and incredible architecture. It is not for nothing that it is a world heritage site declared by Unesco. Keep in mind that tickets are purchased at a ticket office that is located in a square in front of the Monastery. When you finish the walk, don't forget to stop by to eat a pastel de nata at the Pasteis de Belém house, and watch the sunset at the Monument to the Discoveries. Both are located in the same area.

The Jerónimos Monastery has been classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1983. In the place where it stands today, it was the Church of Santa Maria de Belém, but in 1496 King D. Manuel I asked the Holy See for permission to build the monastery. The works that began in 1501 took almost 100 years to finish, as the best architects, masters and craftsmen of the time were chosen. The monks of the Order of Saint Jerome were chosen by D. Manuel I to occupy the Monastery, but they would have, among other functions, to pray for the king's soul and provide spiritual assistance to the navigators responsible for the discoveries. But in 1833 the Order of Saint Jerome was dissolved and the monastery was vacated. The facade of the Jerónimos Monastery is more than 300 meters long and its large, light walls were built with lioz limestone, a material from the region itself. The monastery is seen as the jewel of Manueline architecture, which mixes Gothic and Renaissance elements. Royal, Christian and naturalistic symbols are also placed on the sculptures. To visit the monastery you have to queue and tickets vary a lot from 12 euros, but can be purchased at a lower price through the Lisboa Card and entry is free for citizens residing in Portugal. The monument today is divided into three parts: the cloister, the Church of Santa Maria de Belém (free entry) and the National Archeology Museum, which is in the modern part. Vasco da Gama, Luís de Camões, D. Manuel I, D. João III and many members of the royal family are buried in the monastery.

Definitely very very beautiful and not to be missed but with some problems. Maybe because we had a very long queue to get in on a Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at a kiosk across the street (so it's better to have only one person go there to buy them while the others stand in line). Once inside the route is guided but then at the exit there is a bitter surprise: you have to get back in line to enter the adjacent church where entry is free! In short, hours of queuing practically useless. Wouldn't it have been simpler to let those leaving the monastery directly access the church? Bah...

Not allowed in the previous day due to pouring rain, we tried to make up for the omission the next day, with mixed feelings. The church of Santa Maria is just as gigantic as the national Pantheon. Its dimensions also seem to exceed all measure. Of course, the fact that Vasco da Gama, celebrated there as a hero among national heroes, is actually buried here has a unifying effect. However, the impression is becoming increasingly clear that it is not the basilica that determines and permanently shapes the visit to Belem, but the adjacent Monasterio. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you spend an extra euro to visit the sacristy. Gherardino

A truly amazing experience! The Jerónimos Monastery is simply stunning in every way. From its imposing architecture to its rich history, every corner of the monastery transports you to another time. We were amazed by the beauty of the stone details and the magnificence of its cloisters. Furthermore, the guided tour was informative and allowed us to learn a lot about monastic life and the cultural importance of this place. I would definitely recommend a visit to Jerónimos Monastery to anyone who is interested in the history and architecture of Portugal. An experience that we will not forget!

The monastery is really very beautiful, it has very, very beautiful architecture. The price is interesting for people aged 24/25 or less, because it comes to €12 for 2. Otherwise I find it a bit expensive, because if you don't make several photo stops, the tour can go quickly. The church is free.