3 Best Sights in Estremadura and the Ribatejo, Portugal

About 3 km (2 miles) south of Batalha's world-renowned monastery, the Battle of Aljubarrota Interpretation Center is a project of the foundation of the same name, created to preserve and enhance understanding of the history surrounding the São Jorge battlefield. The main focus of the exhibition area (with labels in English) is on the 1385 military engagement that—with the crucial aid of English longbowmen—conclusively established Portugal's sovereignty, but it also documents conflicts with Spain from the early Middle Ages through the early 15th century. Audio guides in various languages are available for €3; these are free for the engaging multimedia show offered at 11:30 am and at 1:30, 3, and 4 pm; you may also book a guided tour in English in advance, including on Wednesday, when the center itself is closed. If you plan on visiting both the center and battlefield, set aside an hour and a half.

Housed in a former Augustinian monastery, Leiria's main museum presents the city's development from pre-Roman times through the construction of the castle and the planting of the region's vast pine forests at the behest of medieval kings. Among the most prized items is the "Lapedo child"—a skeleton from the early Upper Paleolithic, excavated locally in 1998, which has fueled debate about the origins of modern humans. Your ticket includes a free audio guide in English. A free nearby offshoot of the museum, the Moinho do Papel, is a beautifully restored watermill where you can see cereals being ground and paper made the traditional way.

In the 16th-century Convento de Graça, the Municipal Museum has exhibits about the city's historical fortifications, as well as interesting archaeological finds from the castle grounds and all over the region. Audio guides to the city and to the Lines of Torres Vedras are available.