Lisbon to Alcobaca, Batalha, and Tomar: Private day trip

History and Cistercian beauty fill Alcobaca’s cloisters, kitchens, and carved marble tombs. In Alcobaca, love and loss endure in the carved stone. Visit the Mosteiro de Alcobaca, a Cistercian monastery and Portugal’s oldest Gothic church. Inside, the tombs of Pedro and Ines - lovers separated in life, united in death - lie face to face. Stroll through the vast Refectory and see the medieval kitchen’s ingenious water system. Then, find a moment of calm in the Cloisters of Silence, where time stills beneath the arches. Before leaving, try the legendary monk sweets at Pastelaria Alcoa - centuries of confectionery devotion in every bite.

Gothic beauty and royal tombs await in Batalha’s sky-high masterpiece of stone and silence. Stone tells a story in Batalha, where faith, art, and national pride rise in symmetry. Begin at the Mosteiro da Batalha, a UNESCO World Heritage marvel where flying buttresses and intricate carvings reach heavenward. Step into the Cloisters of King Joao I, where light dances through lace-like stone. Don’t miss the hauntingly beautiful Capelas Imperfeitas - roofless, majestic, and open to the sky. End with a taste of local tradition: try Cavacas or Brisa do Lis from a nearby cafe, with a view of this timeless Portuguese monument.

Visit Tomar, a quiet and lushly green city overlooked by a historic fortress. Explore the magnificent Convento de Cristo, a UNESCO-recognized treasure built by the Knights Templar. See the famous Manueline window and the Charola rotunda, then enjoy a peaceful walk through the green labyrinth of the Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes. In the Old Town’s Praca da Republica, you can wander through elegant arcades and tiny local shops. Cap off your visit with a glass of Ginjinha at a riverside cafe or a stroll along the castle walls for sweeping views over the tiled rooftops.

Catch glimpses of the chalk mastiff and deep ravines of this stunning protected park.

Spend a few minutes taking pictures of this remarkably preserved medevial castle that dominates Obidos’ skyline.