At the beginning of October 2019, I visited Lisbon for a weekend. I love to explore historical places, and there is a lot to see in Lisbon. Here are three of the most popular sights that deserve a place on your bucket list. They are located in the same district, Belém, so it’s easy to see them in a day.
One interesting fact about the Jerónimos Monastery is that its construction began in 1501 and finished 100 years later. Because of that, different architects worked on its design, resulting in a beautiful mix of styles. That’s one of the reasons you should add this place to your list. The monastery is a demonstration of the Manueline style, the main architectural style of Portugal in the 16th century; the Spanish Plateresque style that was typical for Spain in the late 15th century; and different Renaissance themes, such as rebirth and rediscovery, which started in the 14th century and continued till the 17th century. No wonder this place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What’s more, the recipe for the delicious egg tarts called pastéis de nata was developed years ago by the monks who lived in this monastery. Close to the monastery today, there is a place called Pastéis de Belém, where you can find some of the best tarts in Lisbon.
The Jerónimos Monastery is about two kilometers and a half from the city center. You can easily reach it in about 30 minutes, using a bus that leaves from Praça do Comércio square. The place consists of a church and a monastery. Their entrances are separate, and you can visit both after buying tickets from the monastery. There are also ticket machines where you can get your tickets faster if you prefer to pay with a credit card. The entrance to the church is free, except for one part of it, which costs about three euros. The best option would be to buy a combined ticket for the monastery and the church.
2. Belém Tower
Once you’re done marveling at the Jerónimos Monastery, simply cross the street and, after a 15-minute walk, you will reach the Belém Tower. It was built for defensive purposes and used by the Portuguese explorers for embarkation.
When I visited in October, there were no long queues, but even then, I had to wait for about 45 minutes because of the visitors limit inside the tower. Once inside, you can go only in one direction, and a red-and-green-light system controls the flow of people on its narrow staircase. The tower has five floors, battlements, and a rooftop terrace. From the rooftop, you can see the famous Ponte 25 de Abril bridge and the National Sanctuary of Christ the King, an imposing statue of Jesus Christ, inspired by Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. You can also take some of the best panoramic photos of Lisbon from here.
Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I wouldn’t be surprised if the number of visitors is higher in summer. My recommendation is to book your tickets in advance.
Finally, on my way back from the tower, I visited Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the Monument of the Discoveries. It was built in 1939, and celebrates the Portuguese Age of Exploration, an important part of the country’s history.
The monument is worth a visit because it represents the Portuguese navigators who crossed the ocean and explored new lands. 33 statues of people related to the discoveries line the monument on each side, with their leader, Infante D. Henriques, at the front.
I recommend going inside the monument as well, where a lift takes you to the top. From there, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Rose Compass, a mosaic on the ground that shows a map of the world’s discoveries. You can also see the Jerónimos Monastery and Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. The tickets are not expensive, and you can buy them directly from the desk inside.
Have you ever visited Lisbon? Which other places are bucket list worthy? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below.
), didn’t have the chance to visit all those places because I was on a business trip but the city was indeed so nice.
