Belem

Our Local Expert Says:

The former Valle Flôr Palace is a listed National Monument run by Portugal's biggest hotel group.

Description:

As befitting a former palace, the best rooms here are the four Royal Suites, stately and opulent and representative of some of the most impressive and decorative accommodation in Lisbon. Careful and extensive renovation has turned the 19th-century Valle Flôr Palace into a luxurious 5-star property that has few rivals. The original neoclassical building and gardens is a national monument. The remaining 174 rooms and 13 suites are housed in a modern neighbouring wing that also incorporates a comprehensive spa facility. Refined Portuguese cuisine is served in the Valle Flôr restaurant, a beautiful room replete in gilt, marble and plush upholstery. Pestana Palace is a premier conference venue of international calibre. The meeting rooms are located in the former coach house across the street. Delegates are afforded outstanding views of the river and the iconic Ponte 25 de Abril - Lisbon's answer to San Francisco's Golden Gate suspension bridge. © NileGuide2011











































This restored and converted nineteenth century palace overlooking a private park is located in the center of Lisbon with view of the Tagus. Air conditioned rooms reflect the neoclassical... read more

Description:

A more suitable home for this engaging naval museum would be hard to beat housed as it is in the west wing of the Jerónimos monastery. Not surprisingly, a good deal of the exhibition is devoted to highlighting Portugal's Age of Discovery. The scale models of the variously rigged caravels are rich in detail and illustrate the country's advanced shipbuilding prowess in the mid-15th century. Original artefacts on permanent display include polished brass navigational instruments, astrolabes and, in the Orient Room, Chinese porcelain and examples of Japanese samurai amour. A prize exhibit is Vasco da Gama's portable wooden altar. Another must-see is the Sala das Camarinhas Reias - the sumptuous Royal Cabin of King Carlos and Queen Amélia from the royal yacht Amélia, built in 1900. The museum tour is extended beyond the monastery to the modern pavilion opposite where a collection of rather plush royal barges is housed.

Our Local Expert Says:

Portugal's golden Age of Discoveries is epitomised by this extraordinary building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Description:

One of the city's great historic landmarks, this early 16th-century masterpiece of Manueline architecture stands as a monument to Portugal's great era of exploration, its Age of Discovery. Commissioned by Manuel I in 1501, the monastery, a celebrates Vasco da Gama's intrepid 1498 voyage to India which opened up a sea route from Europe to the subcontinent and initiated the lucrative spice trade. The exuberant decoration unites religious themes with nautical motifs and the filigree stonework is astonishing in its detail. The richly carved imagery is particularly evident throughout the beautiful arcaded cloister - the ornamentation resembles delicate lacework. A highpoint is the spectacular church nave and its vaulted ceiling, a veritable spider's web of sinewy limestone supported by sleek, lofty columns. The polished tombs of Vasco da Gama and the 16th-century poet Luís de Camões, whose epic Os Lusìadas chronicles the Discoveries, are found near the entrance. © NileGuide2011




































































The Jeronimos Monastery , which is made entirely out of limestone was built to thank God for the safe return of all those Portuguese explorers who... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Get 'em while they're hot! If the cafe is full, get your "pasteis de Belém" to go and sit out in front of the Jernóimos Monastery to eat them.

Description:

You can't leave Lisbon without devouring a "pasteis de Belém"- cream filled pastries whose secret recipe is kept safe here. Many other pastry shops try to copy it, but go on in and watch the bakers here making the original treat. You can sit down and have a toasted sandwich as an excuse to get to desert.

Our Local Expert Says:

An entertaining and informative way of learning more about the sea routes taken by intrepid Portuguese navigators.

Description:

Portugal's Age of Discovery effectively began in 1415 with the capture of the North African city of Ceuta. By 1543 they had reached Japan! Along the way Diogo Gomes discovered the Cape Verde archipelago, Bartolomeu Dias rounded the toe of Africa, Vaso da Gama landed in India and Pedro Álves Cabral reached Brazil. These and other astonishing feats of Portuguese maritime exploration are cleverly illustrated as a beautifully designed rosa dos ventos, or wind compass, a huge circular mosaic lying at the foot of the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument in Belém. At the centre of the compass is a map of the world that charts in chronological order the dates on which each new land was discovered. Visitors can shuffle along the coast of Africa, step across the Indian Ocean and have their photographs taken standing in the Far East in just a matter of minutes. To appreciate the scale of the mosaic nip up to the top of the Discoveries monument for a bird's eye view. © NileGuide2011

Our Local Expert Says:

Can you believe the Portuguese made it to Japan by the early 1540's?!

Description:

At the foot of the Monument to the Discoveries in Belém, there's an outdoor map following the history of the discoveries. Walk over the routes on this world map and follow the Portuguese explorers' voyages while feeling the wind off the Tagus river.

Our Local Expert Says:

The best views of Belém are had from the top of this monumental structure.

Description:

Lisbon's Monument to the Discoveries stands tall over the Belém waterfront. The massive angular monolith was erected in 1960 to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. Designed in the shape of a caravel, it commemorates Portugal's Age of Discovery. Henry the Navigator stands at the prow, peering across the ocean. Other prominent figures of the age immortalized in stone on either side of the monument include Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral, Dom Manuel I and the poet Camões, clutching a copy of Os Lusíadas. Visitors can take a lift to the top of the 52-metre monument and gaze down over the Rosa dos Ventos, the huge pavement mosaic charting the routes of Portuguese mariners. Look ahead and take in the astonishing beauty of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Turn round and enjoy majestic views across the River Tagus. Remember to check the interior. Regular exhibitions take place in a small gallery within the structure.

Our Local Expert Says:

The tower's architecture and role in Portugal's 16th-century maritime expansion has earned it UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Description:

The Belém Tower dates from the early 16th century and was built as a sea fortress to defend the approaches to Lisbon. Fortunately it was never used in any battle and today is one of the city's most emblematic monuments. Its exterior is a delightful confection of the Manueline architectural style combined with Moorish, Renaissance and Gothic flourishes. Seafaring and navigational elements abound, with rope and knots carved in stone and sculptured armillary spheres decorating the façade. A statue of Our Lady of Safe Homecoming stands on the main deck and reinforces the symbolism of maritime exploration that the tower represents. The interior of the building is less eccentric and comprises a vaulted dungeon lined with cannon and the now empty Governor's Room. Splendid views of the River Tejo can be enjoyed from the battlements and the domed watchtowers that lean over the water's edge. © NileGuide2011

Description:

The only thing traditional about this restaurant is the monastery next door. Providing a warm and pleasant atmosphere, this is a great place to experience modern Portuguese cuisine. The kitchen, in complete harmony with the modern décor, strives to be imaginative while maintaining a level of perfectionism. On the menu you will find an assortment of non-traditional dishes from Crepes de Santola to Duck with Hazelnuts. Your taste buds will be pleasantly surprised.

Description:

The Centro Cultural de Belém is a majestic building that rises up in the heart of the Belém district. The building was designed by Vitorio Gregotti and Manuel Salgado, and the interior was created by Daciano Costa. The centre is divided into four large areas, the meeting area, the show area, the exhibition area, and an area which focuses on the art of animation and the teaching of art. There are numerous exhibitons all year round, and to get the latest news and dates, it's a good idea to check the CCB's official website.

Our Local Expert Says:

This remains one of the most visited museums in the city.

Description:

This stunning collection of horse-drawn carriages is one of the finest in Europe, perhaps the world. The range of coaches, cabriolets and chaises is remarkable, with examples from Portugal, France, Italy, Austria and Spain spanning three centuries. While decorative, some of the vehicles on display are fairly humble in appearance. Most however are truly astonishing in their design, especially the ceremonial carriages that feature magnificent gilt carved woodwork, gold brocade, satin, and red silk velvet. Exemplifying this sumptuous craftsmanship is the coach built in 1716 for the Marquês de Abrantes, the Portuguese ambassador to Pope Clement XI. Another outstanding example is the 1777 carriage built for the marriage of Maria Francisca, sister of Queen Maria I, to her nephew Prince José. The exterior features carved Rococo woodwork and paintings attributed to Pedro Alexandrino de Carvalho. The collection is currently housed in the east wing of the Palácio de Belém, formerly a riding school. © NileGuide2011

































The National Coach Museum is the most popular museum in Lisbon. It is located in the area of Belém, a neighborhood with pretty gardens. In this museum,... read more

Description:

A ubiquitous city landmark, the 25th April Bridge was originally called the Ponte Salazar after António Salazar, the dictator who commissioned its construction in 1966. It was renamed to commemorate the peaceful revolution of 25 April 1974. The 2 km (half a mile) steel suspension bridge connects central Lisbon with the south bank of the River Tejo and is a major road and rail link. Its design resembles that of San Francisco's Golden Gate in the United States; it was the American Bridge Company that built it and strengthened the structure in 1999 when railway platform that runs underneath the six-lane upper tier was added. The bridge is tolled northbound, with the pay booths located on the south bank. There is no toll charge southbound or during the busy holiday month of August. This is not a visitor attraction, although it's possible to jog across the span during the annual Lisbon half-marathon event.

Description:

The Museu de Arte Antiga is set in a 17th century palace and displays art from the 12th to the 19th centuries. Probably the most interesting part of the collection dates to the Portuguese Age of Discoveries, the 15th and 16th centuries. You can see much of the influence of the Asian and African exploration in the Chinese porcelain, Indian decorative art, and some African pieces. Also take note of the exaggerated long nosed Portuguese on the Japanese screens.

Description:

Located at the fun area of the Docas, the Cosmos Café keeps a tradition of bringing the best of Lisbon's nightlife. The various initiatives include the parties that go on all night long.

Our Local Expert Says:

The former Valle Flôr Palace is a listed National Monument run by Portugal's biggest hotel group.

Description:

As befitting a former palace, the best rooms here are the four Royal Suites, stately and opulent and representative of some of the most impressive and decorative accommodation in Lisbon. Careful and extensive renovation has turned the 19th-century Valle Flôr Palace into a luxurious 5-star property that has few rivals. The original neoclassical building and gardens is a national monument. The remaining 174 rooms and 13 suites are housed in a modern neighbouring wing that also incorporates a comprehensive spa facility. Refined Portuguese cuisine is served in the Valle Flôr restaurant, a beautiful room replete in gilt, marble and plush upholstery. Pestana Palace is a premier conference venue of international calibre. The meeting rooms are located in the former coach house across the street. Delegates are afforded outstanding views of the river and the iconic Ponte 25 de Abril - Lisbon's answer to San Francisco's Golden Gate suspension bridge. © NileGuide2011











































This restored and converted nineteenth century palace overlooking a private park is located in the center of Lisbon with view of the Tagus. Air conditioned rooms reflect the neoclassical... read more