The municipal district of Alcobaça comes with many interesting and historically beautiful places. First one that comes to mind is obviously the Alcobaça Monastery. It is a grand complex and one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Portugal. This church was built by King Afonso Henriques in 1153 to be an example of power and ruling after Christianity started dominating in central Portugal. The monastery reflects hard and difficult lives on monks in that era but has true artistic beauty inside of it. The tombs of King Pedro and his wife are absolutely the biggest highlight when visiting Alcobaça. The church is free to visit, including the tombs, but for an entrance fee, you can get an audio guide and a visit to the adjoining rooms.
The name Alcobaça comes from the two rivers surrounding the place, Rio Alcoa and Rio Baca. There were more than 900 monks housed in the monastery! You can also visit the breathtaking Castle Alcobaça and the National Wine Museum. The monastery is protected by UNESCO and it's part of its World Heritage. Alcobaça is not very big but it has so many things to offer which makes it a perfect stop in between bigger cities in Portugal. You won't have a lot of time but enough to see all the highlights and the experience you get is so unique and unforgettable, especially if you are a fan of historical places and curious of how the monks lived their lives.
Most of the tours stop in Alcobaça and give you just enough time to enjoy everything there. When you combine it with seeing the grand Lisbon, Fatima and its Sanctuaries, and the medieval village that is Obidos, it just gives you an experience as if you're in an episode of Game of Thrones. Bring your camera and make sure you take pictures to have this experience memorized for the rest of your life.