How about visiting the Belém district in Lisbon, Portugal?

I’ll give you some tips on places to see and go so that you can have a splendid time wandering around this interesting and full-of-life district.

Belém district is, in fact, one of the most beautiful and calm places nearby Lisbon with iconic tourist attractions and delicacies to be eaten (this later I’ll talk about it more ahead).

Let’s begin our itinerary:

1) Belém Tower/ Torre de Belém

This is an impressive 35 meters high Manueline-style fortification that was used to protect the city of Lisbon from harbor attacks from the sea. It’s a Unesco Heritage Site with five floors that lead to a terrace at the top in which you’ll get astonishing sights of the river as well as the Belém district. You should buy the ticket in advance to skip the queue, but if you’ve bought the Lisbon card this is for free. A must-see!

2) Monument to the Discoveries/ Padrão dos Descobrimentos

This monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries in which you can find the Portuguese explorers that helped establish Portugal as the most powerful seafaring nation in the world.

It’s a 9 meters monument that has 32 historical figures and at the peak, you can find Henry, the Navigator holding a model of a carrack.

Don’t forget to go inside and climb up to the viewing platform that offers a panoramic view of the Tagus River and the Belém district. Awesome sight!

3) Jerónimos Monastery/ Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

 It’s an impressive Portuguese gothic Manueline Monastery that signals Portugal’s power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. It’s classified as a Unesco World Heritage Monument that was built to celebrate the success of Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India. Inside you’ll find the tomb of Luís de Camões, King Sebastião, and Vasco da Gama as well as some magnificent cloisters. Surrounding the monastery there’s a beautiful garden and attached there’s the Church of Santa that you can visit for free. You can’t miss this beautiful place and it’s for free with the Lisbon card!

4) Belém Cultural Center/ Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB)

It’s one of the most popular places in Lisbon, near the riverfront and surrounded by cafés and gardens. It hosts the Berardo Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art which has more than 900 works on display from the 20th century up to nowadays (artists like Picasso, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, Marcel Duchamp). If you're an Art lover you must stop there! It also hosts operas, ballet, and art displays.

5) Tropical Botanic Garden/ Jardim Botânico Tropical

 It remains one of the most beautiful green places in Lisbon, with flora from different continents, mainly tropical or subtropical origin. It houses a baroque palace that hosts exhibitions and a library.

You’ll find everywhere ducks, peacocks, swans, geese, and chickens.

6) Pastéis de Belém Bakery/ Fábrica dos Pastéis de Belém

This is a mandatory pitstop for tourists where you’ll find the original and secret recipe of Pastéis de Belém (Portuguese tart) that was created by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery a long time ago. This shop is also a great place to rest within its large tea rooms with blue and white azulejos, and there you can have a coffee and chat for a while.

It’s always crowded inside and sometimes there’s a huge line outside too. Nevertheless, just wait and eat one of these heaven delicacies (as a matter of fact one is never enough you should get a dozen!). You can’t miss this opportunity! You’ll be hooked on these!

7) MAAT /Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia

This museum is an architectural piece of art that combines three areas: Art, Architecture, and Technology, located near the Tejo River and establishes a connection between the new building and the Tejo Power Station. It offers national and international exhibitions by contemporary artists and it also includes EDP Foundation’s Art Collection. It is a really interesting, innovative museum to explore, and you should not miss going to the top of the roof and taking a snapshot or sunset panoramic photo of the views over the area. A must and free if you’ve bought the Lisbon card.

8) Maritime Museum/ Museu da Marinha

This is a museum where you’ll find 17,000 items related to the Age of the Discovery onwards including model ships, replicas of 16th-century maps, Vasco da Gama’s wooden altar, 17th-century globes, the private quarters of Uk-built royal yacht Amélia, nautical instruments and so much more. This is a truly interesting museum to explore in the family.

9) National Coaches Museum/ Museu Nacional dos Coches

This is one of the most popular museums in town that contains a unique collection of richly adorned royal vehicles from the 17th to the 19th centuries used by Portuguese nobles up until the advent of the motor car. It houses permanent and temporary exhibitions. This is for free with the Lisbon card.

Here I propose you see these videos to get more details and ideas!

Enjoy your stay in Belém and have fun!

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