# Arrábida Convent, by arranged visit

What to do en Serra da Arrábida · Serra da Arrábida

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/things-to-do/arrabida-convent · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Duración: 1 h
- Temporada: All year; guided visits on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Para quién: Those interested in history and silence

A Franciscan convent from 1542 on the southern slope of the Arrábida, above Portinho. Only with a guided visit booked through the Fundação Oriente.

What it is
The convent of Nossa Senhora da Arrábida is a Franciscan complex spread across the southern slope of the mountains, above Portinho and facing the sea. It was founded in 1542 by Friar Martinho de Santa Maria, a Castilian Franciscan, on land granted to him by João de Lencastre, first Duke of Aveiro. The first four friars lived for two years in cells dug into the rock, beside the Memória chapel, before the convent was built.
After the dissolution of the religious orders in 1834 the place suffered looting and abandonment. The House of Palmela bought it in 1863 and in 1990 it passed to the Fundação Oriente, which preserves it and organises the visits. It is not an open-door monument: you can only enter with a guided visit and a reservation.
What you see
The complex has two parts, at different heights:

The Convento Novo, halfway up the slope: the main building where the community lived, with Portinho bay at your feet.
The Convento Velho, at the top of the mountains: four chapels, a group of small huts with the mysteries of the Passion and some cells opened in the rock. It is the oldest and most austere part, and is reached on foot through the scrub.

What impresses is the scale: tiny cells designed for a life of poverty and silence, in one of the most open landscapes on the Portuguese coast.
How it is visited
Visits are guided, in Portuguese or English, and normally take place on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. There are two historical itineraries: one through the Convento Novo, suitable for all ages, and another through the Convento Velho, for over-12s, which is scheduled on specific dates. The Fundação Oriente advertised visits to the Convento Velho on Saturday 12 December 2026 and, in 2027, on Saturdays 16 January, 20 February, 6 March, 10 April and 29 May and Sunday 27 June. It also organises themed visits, exploration games and workshops for families.
The foundation does not publish the times or the price of each visit on its website. Check the visit programme at foriente.pt and book by phone (+351 213 585 200) or by email (info@foriente.pt) in advance, because places are few.
How long
Allow about an hour for the visit to the Convento Novo. The one to the Convento Velho needs more time and legs, because of the climb through the scrub. The foundation does not publish the durations: confirm them when booking.
How to get there
The convent is on the ER 379-1, the high road of the mountains, between Setúbal and Azeitão, above Portinho da Arrábida. You get there by car; confirm the meeting point and where to leave the car when booking. There is no public transport that stops at the door.
In summer, the road down to the beaches is restricted from 7:00 to 20:00 from the Pinheiro junction, but the high road stays open.
Who it is for
For those looking for history, silence and landscape rather than a museum. The visit to the Convento Novo works with older children, especially the workshops for families that the foundation organises; the one to the Convento Velho is only from age 12. There are stairs, uneven floors and slopes: it is not wheelchair accessible.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Web: https://www.foriente.pt/a-fundacao/convento-arrabida/convento-visitas
- Coordenadas: 38.4855, -8.9895

## Cerca de aquí

- [The high road of the Serra da Arrábida](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/things-to-do/arrabida-ridge-road), a 502 m
- [Arrábida beaches, from Figueirinha to Galapinhos and Portinho](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/things-to-do/arrabida-beaches), a 1.8 km
- [EcoParque Prof. José Fernando Gonçalves](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/where-to-stay/ecoparque-do-outao), a 5.3 km
- [Coasteering at Boca de Tamboril](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/things-to-do/arrabida-coasteering), a 8.4 km
- [Tasca da Fatinha](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/where-to-eat/tasca-da-fatinha), a 8.8 km
- [Kayaking beneath the cliffs of Sesimbra and Portinho](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/things-to-do/arrabida-sea-kayak), a 9.6 km
- [Sado dolphins and the Arrábida coast by boat](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/things-to-do/sado-dolphins), a 10.7 km
- [Pousada Castelo Palmela](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida/where-to-stay/pousada-castelo-palmela), a 11.9 km

## Consejos

### Book weeks ahead
Visits are few and in small groups. Write to the foundation as soon as you have the date.

### Wear hiking shoes
For the Convento Velho you climb on dirt and stone paths. Even in the Novo there are steps and ramps.

### Combine it with the beach
If you visit in spring or autumn, go down afterwards to Portinho, which at those times can be reached by car.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Can you visit the Arrábida convent without a reservation?
No. You can only enter with a guided visit run by the Fundação Oriente, which must be booked beforehand.

### Which days are there visits?
Normally Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Convento Velho ones are on specific dates that the foundation announces on its website.

### Can children go?
Yes to the Convento Novo one, suitable for all ages. The Convento Velho one is for over-12s.

Destino: [Serra da Arrábida](https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/arrabida.md)