City: Central Portugal
Top Things to do in Central Portugal
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What to do and see in Central Portugal, Portugal: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
1. Convento de Cristo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,164 reviews
Reviewed By Civls444
In order to see as much as possible of this extraordinary architectural and historical jewel you should allow a minimum of two hours. Just when you think you have explored every open room...wait! There is still more to see and marvel at. Don't be afraid to peek behind curtains and venture up small staircases.....
2. Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,063 reviews
This national shrine is the site where three young peasant shepherds spied a "lady brighter than the sun," which was, many believe, the first of six apparitions of the Virgin Mary in this region of Portugal.
Reviewed By 504marynam - Detroit, United States
It takes a full day trip from Lisbon to visit Fatima, Balthahal monastery, Bleeding host church at Santarem and Fatima. We were a group of 15 and we hired a 15 seater mini bus with a driver from the Mundo do Flamingo travel agency. Their charges are very, very reasonable - just 500 euros for 15 of us to visit these 3 sites. The driver was very friendly and engaging. Fatima was awesome. We saw the Lucia, Jacinto and Francisco's humble homes - very touching, we also got to personally meet Sr. Lucia's 99 year old niece. The Via Sacra - way of the cross garden is very calm and beautiful. The highlight of the trip was the candle light procession at 9.30 pm. Don't miss this event. Very beautiful to see Our Lady revered by some many from all over the world. When we reached back to our Lisbon hotel, it was almost 1.00 am! This place is worth visiting.
3. Igreja de Santa Maria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 423 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
Lovely church. On the outside, it's not that glamorous, but on the inside, it's very beautiful. The church was built in 1148 and rebuilt in the following centuries. It was built on the remains of a mosque which in turn was built on the ruins of a Visigothic temple. The current structure has a Renaissance style. Its interior is distinguished by a painted wooden ceiling and tiles from the 17th century. It was in this temple that the future King Afonso V, then 10 years old, married his cousin Isabel, who was 8 years old. Its surroundings are very picturesque with the square it presides over and the adjoining buildings. A must see in Obidos.
4. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Nazare
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 678 reviews
Reviewed By 478incon - Bruges, Belgium
Beautiful old church from the glory days of Portugal. Pay 1 Euro and visit the old chappel with corridir stil plastered with the Original azulejos. Don't mis it when you go to Nazaré
5. Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais
6. Basilica da Santissima Trindade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,147 reviews
Reviewed By LostALot22 - Chicago, United States
This church is huge. I was told that it seats 9000. It's across the square from the old church. It is more modern than the other church and very clean in design. I liked it.
7. Basilica de Nossa Senhora de Fatima
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By Temper43 - Panama City, Panama
I was so surprised and impressed with my visit to Fatima, the church in itself is impressive and huge, but the whole surroundings gives a lot of peace and respect for the beliefs of thousands of pilgrims.
8. Santa Maria de Belem Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 635 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This church is part of the Jeronimos Monastery and it is separate from the cloisters. It’s free to enter the church but will have to pay €10 for the cloisters. If you are wondering whether it’s worth doing both, I’d highly recommend visiting the cloisters also. They are very different and it is the cloisters that is the highlight. The church has some very interesting features but overall, it is rather gloomy and dark and does not prepare you at all for the magnificence of the cloisters and monastery grounds. What you’ll see in the church are the tombs of the explorer, Vasco da Gama who died in India in 1524, the poet, Luís de Camões (died 1580) and King Manuel I (died 1521). You’ll also see a very striking ceiling, spanning an extraordinarily wide central nave (30m). The ceiling is a single span with ornamental branch-like tracery vaults. Together, the vaults and the tall, slender trunk-like pillars that support the roof, create an overall effect that made me think of a forest. If you are visiting the cloisters, make sure to find the viewing area where you get a special vantage point, looking down over the interior of the church towards the altar. TIPS: * There are 2 lines. The longer line on the right is for free entry to the church and the left hand line is for the cloisters. Here’s the catch - a cloisters ticket, doesn't get you into the church. You’ll have to exit the monastery grounds and line up again. We arrived early and went to the cloisters first but this was a mistake. By the time we came out of the monastery, the church line had grown much longer. If you're there early, I'd recommend visiting the church first when the line is likely to be shortest. * Closed on Mondays
9. Igreja da Graca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
10. Capela de Sao Miguel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sided by the "Biblioteca Joanina" and by the "Torre da Cabra", in the "Paço das Escolas" of the "Universidade de Coimbra", stands the absolutely beautiful "Capela de São Miguel". The actual chapel, dating from the 16th century, replaces a collapsed chapel from the 12th century. Its construction was commissioned by King Dom Manuel I and characteristics of the Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque styles are present at its portal, windows, central nave, ceilings and arches. Check its main altar, paintings, gilded sculptureworks, tiles, carpets and the famous ancient organ! If you miss it, you will regret forever! Enjoy!
