Monastery of La Rábida
The Monastery of La Rábida is the 14th–15th-century Franciscan friary near Palos de la Frontera where Christopher Columbus stayed while planning his 1492 voyage to the Americas.
About Monastery of La Rábida
The Monastery of Santa María de La Rábida stands on a low hill where the Tinto and Odiel rivers meet, in the municipality of Palos de la Frontera. Built in the 14th and 15th centuries for the Franciscans, it sheltered Christopher Columbus several times before 1492, and he returned in March 1493 after his first voyage. Martín Alonso Pinzón, captain of the Pinta, is buried here. It became Spain's third national monument in 1856.
The visit begins in the Gothic-Mudéjar church, home to a 13th-century alabaster Virgin. Next come rooms painted around 1930 by Daniel Vázquez Díaz with scenes of the voyages, then the Mudéjar cloister, whose upper gallery keeps traces of old wall paintings. The chapter house and a hall with the flags of the American nations complete the route.
Tickets cost €4, or €3 for pensioners and students; a family ticket for two adults and their under-18s is €8, and under-5s go free. They are sold at the door until 17:30, with no booking, and audio guides come in six languages. Allow an hour. The ground floor is mostly level, but the upper gallery has stairs. There is a car park nearby.
It opens Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:00 and closes on Mondays and over Christmas. Mass is said daily. Spring and autumn suit a combined visit with the nearby ship replicas.
Monastery of La Rábida in pictures
What you’ll find
- Audio guideAudio guide (10:00–18:00)Buy
- Car parkParkingFree
- ExhibitionExhibition visit (€3–€4, 10:00–18:00)Ticket
- Monument visitSelf-guided visit (€3–€4, 10:00–18:00)Ticket
- Religious servicesMassFree
Nearby places to visit
The Martín Alonso Pinzón House Museum (4 km) in Palos de la Frontera was the family home of the Pinzón brothers, captains of the Pinta and the Niña on Columbus's voyage. Across the estuary, Playa de Punta Umbría (5 km) is the town beach of a resort begun by Rio Tinto Company managers, and Playa de los Enebrales (7 km) is a natural Atlantic beach bordering protected dunes, junipers and pine woods. To the south-east, Playa de Mazagón (10 km) is a wide band of fine golden sand running towards Doñana. Golfers can play Bellavista Golf Club (11 km) in Aljaraque, Andalucía's oldest club, founded in 1916 on Rio Tinto land.
Monastery of La Rábida at a glance
Location
Metropolitana de Huelva, Huelva
Town
Palos de la Frontera
Address
Paraje de La Rábida s/n, 21819 Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 (ticket sales until 17:30). Closed Mondays, 24, 25 and 31 December, 1, 5 and 6 January.
Prices
Adults €4; pensioners and students €3; families (2 adults with under-18s) €8; under-5s free
Checked 1 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
Website
monasteriodelarabida.com
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Monastery of La Rábida, nearest first.
