Lisboa Belém

Visitors can reach Belém by tram, bus, or train. By tram, take #15 (toward Algés) and get off at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos stop, 1 stop beyond the regular Belém stop. You can also take tram #28 or bus #714 from Pr. Figueira or Pr. do Comércio (25min., €1.35) or from Cais do Sodré). Alternatively, take the train from Estação Cais do Sodré. To start at the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, exit the station by the overpass toward the water. To begin at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, exit the overpass to the right, then go through the public gardens to R. de Belém.

The Age of Discovery began in Portugal, and there is no greater tribute to its pioneering spirit than the seafront of Belém. Explorers like Vasco da Gama and Prince Henry the Navigator launched their famous 15th-century voyages from its sands. Today, visitors come from around the world to see the embodiments of Portugal’s past glories of exploration and faith. But it is not just a rich history that makes Belém worth your while. The town is also famous for its delicious custard-filled pastries, pasteis de Belém. These desserts, with a recipe perfected at the nearby monastery, have been served in their original form at the famous   Pasteis de Belém , R. de Belém, 124. This small, quaint locale is perfect for a quick bite, serving delicious pitas (€3-4), sandwiches (€3-4), and entrees (€6.55). Exceptionally crowded at peak lunchtime hours (1-3pm). Additional seating upstairs. (☎213 62 33 69. Open M-Sa 8am-midnight, Su 8am-8pm.)

 Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos. Established in 1502 in commemoration of Vasco da Gama’s ground-breaking expedition to India, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a gorgeous  cloister designed with minute Renaissance detail and ornate Gothic construction. It was recognized for its beauty in the 1980s, when it was granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Note the anachronism on the main church door: Prince Henry the Navigator mingles with the Twelve Apostles on both sides of the central column. The symbolic tombs of Luís de Camões and navigator Vasco da Gama lie in opposing transepts. (☎213 62 00 34. Open Tu-Su May-Sept. 10am-6:30pm; Oct.-Apr. 10am-5:30pm. Last admission 30min. before closing. Church free. Cloister €6, students free with ID, seniors over 65 €2.) Directly across from the church lies the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia. This five-room museum explores Portugal’s ancient past, including prehistoric ruins and evidence of Roman influence. Check out the treasure room, full of priceless works of gold and silver from thousands of years ago. Also notable is the Egyptian archaeology room that features several sarcophagi. (☎213 62 00 00. Open Tu-Su 10am-6pm. €4, students, teachers, and seniors €2. LisboaCard holders get in free. Cash only.)

 Padrão Dos Descobrimentos. Along the river and directly across the highway from the Mosteiro is the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, built in 1960 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator’s death. The view is better than that from the Torre, and there’s an elevator that transports visitors 50m up to the narrow roof top. You can see the 25 of Abril bridge, Lisboa and the Cristo Redentor monument on your left, and the Atlantic Ocean on your right. The Padrão also hosts temporary art exhibits, as well as Lisboa Experience, a 25min. audovisual presentation about the history of Lisboa. (Across the highway from the Mosteiro. ☎213 03 19 50; www.egeac.pt. Open May-Sept. Tu-Su 10am-7pm; Oct.-Apr. 10am-6pm. Last admission 30min. before closing. €2.50; students and seniors €1.50. Lisboa Experience presentation runs from 10:30am-5pm every 30min.; €4, Students and seniors €3, Lisboa Card €2.80. Narrated in English, Spanish, German, and French)

Centro Cultural De Belém. Contemporary art buffs will bask in the glow of this luminous complex, which could best be described as a modern Mayan fortress. With three pavilions holding rotating world-class exhibitions and a huge auditorium for concerts and performances, the center provides the only modern entertainment in a sea of imperial landmarks. The new   Museum Colecçâo Berardo of modern and contemporary art has an eclectic and extensive exhibition of surrealist paintings, utopian ideas, and architecture, featuring greats such as Le Corbusier, Miro, and Picasso. The CCB also holds a wide variety of performances, ranging from puppet shows to plays, orchestral music, and even Indonesian music and dance. (☎213 61 24 00; www.ccb.pt. Ticket office open daily 1-7:30pm. Museu Colecçâo Berardo ☎213 61 28 78. Open M-Th 10am-7pm. F-Sa 10am-10pm. Last entrance 30min. before closing. Free. )

Torre De Belém. The best-known tower in all of Portugal, the Torre de Belém is a stone fortress sitting on the banks of the Rio Tejo. Built under Manuel I from 1514-1519 as a military stronghold, the Torre has served several functions, including a stint as Portugal’s most famous political prison. The tower is a powerful symbol of Portuguese grandeur and has majestic views in every direction. Images of this UNESCO World Heritage site can be found in just about every postcard stand in Lisboa. (A 15min. walk from the monastery, with the water on your left. Take the overpass by the gardens to cross the highway. Open Tu-Su May-Sept. 10am-6:30pm; Oct.-Apr. 10am-5:30pm. Last admission 30min. before closing. €4; under 25 and seniors €2.)