Belém

The neighbourhood of Belém was historically inhabited by the Lisbon elite, away from the center of Lisboa. The size of the avenues, the squares and the buildings you can find here are evidence of this welthier past. It's an area that strongly evoques naval activity, particularly the Portuguese Discoveries of the XVth and XVIth centuries. Some symbols of that time are the fanstastic monuments of Torre de Belém, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. But there are also many gardens, walkways, museums, palaces, cafes and restaurants, and cultural activity is always present. One of the best ways to discover Belém is simply to walk along the Tejo river, and finding some amazing spots on your way.