I'll just tell you about the Belem District of Lisbon.

If you aren't already convinced that Portugal is often a travel bargain worth a check out, you will probably be. There's a couple of days worth of sightseeing here, and also you can't genuinely say you've seen Lisbon without seeing Belem.

If much of Portugal is explained by its explorer past, then this is actually the district to come across that history. There are several crucial sights from Portugal's golden age of explorers. It's from this district that numerous with the fantastic Portuguese explorers left to "discover the world".

From downtown Lisbon, grab one of several yellow trams. If you're lucky, they might be running one of the the old yellow trams. Far more frequently now you'll be on one of many new super fast trams. It is the line #15 that will bring you out for the Belem region that is about four miles from downtown.

The Monastery of Jeronimos (Mosteiro dos Jeronimos) is most likely probably the most impressive creation within this section. It's said that Vasco Da Gama slept in a tent and prayed on the site of this building before he left on his voyage. The monastery was developed in 1502 by King Manuel I to commemorate that voyage. Da Gama's tomb is inside.

The flamboyant design in this creation is called Manueline style after the King that made it. It froths with motifs from the sea in a mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance styles. Once the monastery was constructed, later sailors would commit their last night here in prayer ahead of embarking on voyages of discovery. The Cloisters inside are gorgeous; its columns decorated again with ornate sea motifs.

The Belem tower looks...cute. That's not a word that ought to be used for any fortress that was created centuries ago to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor, but this small white tower is as picturesque as it comes. This little fortress is also created in that Manueline style, and it's typically employed as a symbol in the country.

The Monument towards the Discoveries (Padrao dos Descobrimentos) is really a "new monument". This stone representation of a ship ready to sail.. . with all the critical navigators of Portugal, was created in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator.

Also visit the Ajuda Palace (Palacio da Ajuda), an extravagant royal palace, filled with furniture, tapestries, and statues.

The nearby Belem Palace was created starting within the 16th century. It truly is now the official residence of the President of Portugal, so it can be visited only on Saturdays to see its richly furnished halls. Do not miss the Coaches Museum (Museu dos Coches) that is part of the Belem Palace. Visits to this part of the palace are not limited to Saturdays. It has one of several largest collections of ornate coaches in the globe.

All of these sites are within easy walking distance of each other. There are numerous cafes inside the area. Most of the guidebooks will advise you that the very best places for any drink and pastries (particularly their (custard tarts) are the Antiga Confeitaria de Belem or the Casa Pasteis. We agree it's worth a stop, just don't forget that you will not be the sole tourist there.

Plan to spend at least 1 full day in this historic district, but do not plan your trip for any Monday. That's the day when quite a few of the sites are closed. Any other day in the week, it will round out your pay a visit to to Lisbon.