One victory, one promise, and one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Europe. This private tour tells the story of the Battle of Aljubarrota and the monastery King João I built to thank the Virgin for Portugal's independence. You will explore its royal tombs and the roofless Unfinished Chapels with a guide who brings the stones to life.
Tour includes
- Exclusive local guide and driver
- Comfortable private transport
- Wi-Fi and bottled water on board
- Insurance, taxes and driver expenses
A private tour shaped for you
Your day
Morning – the road north. We leave Lisbon and drive about 1h30 to Batalha, in central Portugal. On the way, your guide sets the scene: a young kingdom, a disputed crown, and a battle against Castile in 1385.
The monastery. The Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, we visit the Founder’s Chapel with the tombs of João I, Philippa of Lancaster and their children, including Henry the Navigator. We walk the Royal Cloister with its stone lacework, and the Chapter House, where two Portuguese soldiers guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Unfinished Chapels. The highlight for many: an octagonal chapel open to the sky, its Manueline portal carved so richly the builders never finished the roof.
Lunch and the battlefield. After lunch in the region, we can visit the site of the Battle of Aljubarrota to understand how a small army changed Portugal’s history.
Return. Back to Lisbon in the late afternoon.
Good to know
- Batalha is compact and mostly flat, suitable for all ages.
- This tour combines easily with Fátima, Alcobaça or Nazaré. Ask us.