Belem is a neighbourhood I didn’t get to visit on my first time in Lisbon, Portugal. After seeing pics of Belém Tower and Padrão dos Descobrimentos, I figured I needed to include a stop this time around. What surprised me was that the area was so much bigger than I expected it to be. I had thought these two monuments, more or less – guess I should have done more research 😀 After getting off the tram at the Jerónimos Monastery, which is an impressive first sight, both in height and width, more than 300 meters of ornate sandstone, I worked my way down to the riverfront, to Padrão dos Descobrimentos. I might be short, but the size of this one is striking too. It is huge! I really liked it. Great views of the Tagus River Bridge from here as well. After studying the Age of Discovery mammoth from nearly all the different angels, I walked along the waterfront to the Belem Tower. It was actually a longer stroll than what it looked like, mislead by the straight lined promenade, and you have to go halfway around a marina too. At Belem Tower I met the crowds, vendors, and buskers. The boat shaped fortification is also beautiful. In the same Manueline architectural style as the Jeronimos Monastery. Even though I spotted people go inside, it just didn’t occur to me to do the same, so have no idea if it is worth it. Instead I sat down on the riverside stairs, and enjoyed the sight that lay before me. Now, finding myself at the far end of the district, I looped back, to explore the rest of the central area. Passed through a residential zone before reaching the pretty cool looking Belem Cultural Center, where I discovered a nifty design store and a homemade food café, among other small, nice businesses. After wandering through some parks, I found myself at the starting point, content, and with tired feet. Big area, lots of walking. While waiting for a tram to take me home, I couldn’t help but smile at the long line outside Pastéis de Belém. Word travels 🙂
I took the tram to and from Praça da Figueira, close to Rossio, in Baxia. It is the departing point for the tram going to Belem, so a good idea, as the tram quickly gets packed. Going back turned out to be somewhat of a nuisance. After having several trams rattling past without stopping, due to no space, I decided to get on the tram arriving in Belem, ride it to the end of the line, where I needed to change to the first one returning. Best choice ever. No one but me, for a while. The last station was a bit further away than anticipated, but well worth the extra time. Also a nice way of seeing more.
Jerónimos Monastery
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Walking from Padrão dos Descobrimentos to Belém Tower
Belém Tower
Street life
Tram
