Lisbon

All sorts of experiences within a short distance range.

Belém / Ajuda

The monuments of Lisbon, which personify the age of the Discoveries and the country’s great maritime feats, can be found here. But contemporary, informed and cultured Lisbon provides it with company in this select area. So when you arrive in the city, don’t lose a minute in trying to find the most iconic architecture in the city.

When you arrive in Lisbon, you will find much more than just a city. The history is written into the buildings and streets and the epochs have left their mark on the major edifices. The famous Monastery of Jerónimos and Torre de Belém – internationally recognised as UNESCO world heritage sites – are not the only buildings you find when coming to this part of town. The Padrão dos Descobrimentos and Praça do Império complete the sensation of the grandeur of yesteryear of the Great Portuguese Empire. Walk amongst the monuments that recount the history of the Manueline style in an architectural setting that is unique anywhere in the world.

But these are not the only attractions in Belém, nor do they attempt to freeze frame Portugal at a single moment in history. You’ll also find some of the most contemporary structures that define the life and new architectural profile of the city. Grab a pair of trainers and discover Belém slowly, visiting its squares and gardens, monuments, cafés, restaurants and discovering its own rhythm.

Add to all of these reasons for visiting Lisbon a riverside with green areas and a unique atmosphere, various marinas and sailing clubs, and a cycle lane in which the fresh air combines with the beauty of the view and you’ll find in Belém the place where you can enjoy Portuguese culture in its purest state. Provided you accompany it with one of the famous and delicious Pastéis de Belém, you’ll be on the right path to heaven. Which in this particular case is called Lisbon.

MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is the new cultural centre for Lisbon.

It’s a museum where these three areas intertwine within a space of debate, discovery, critical thinking and international dialogue. It’s an innovative project which establishes a connection between the new building, designed by Amanda Levete Architects’ studio, and Central Tejo Power Station, one of Portugal’s most prominent examples of industrial architecture from the first half of the 20th century, and one of the most visited museums in the country.

MAAT’s ambition is to present national and international exhibitions by contemporary artists, architects and thinkers. The programme will also include various curatorial perspectives on EDP Foundation’s private Art Collection, reflecting current subject matters and trends.
Jerónimos Monastery
The Jerónimos Monastery is a National Monument and was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

King Manuel I built a large monastery near the location where the Infante D. Henrique ordered a church to be built in the mid-15th century by invocation of St. Mary of Belém.

To immortalise the memory of the Infante, for his intense devotion to Our Lady and faith in St. Jerome, in 1496 King Manuel I decided to found the Monastery of St. Mary of Belém, near the city of Lisbon, next to the Tagus River.

Donated to the monks of the Order of St. Jerome, today it is commonly known as the Jerónimos Monastery.

A pantheon of the Avis-Beja Dynasty, in the 19th century the church became the sepulchre for heroes and poets: Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões.

A notable work of architecture, it became part of Portuguese identity and culture.
Convent-Style Desserts
Portuguese doçaria conventual is one of the country’s greatest culinary traditions.

Based on eggs and sugar, it was developed in convents from the 15th century onwards.

There are many theories why and there is no doubt that the arrival of sugar from Brazil allowed the sweets served in the royal palaces to evolve.

There are myriad theories, from the availability of egg yolks – since the whites were used to launder clothes – to the fact that the nobility was obliged to remain at court and entertained itself by inventing recipes to fill the time.

In the Lisbon region, there are various delicious examples of this art form, of which Fradinhos de Mafra, Pasteis de Belém, Nozes de Cascais and Toucinho do Céu de Odivelas are just a few.

Come and discover the flavours that history created.
Torre de Belém
The Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Lisbon’s most striking monuments and the icon of a country historically moulded by its proximity to the ocean and its maritime discoveries of new worlds.

Discoveries by Portuguese navigators transformed Lisbon into the world’s main trade hub in the 15th and 16th centuries.

To protect the city, King João II conceived a pioneer project to defend Lisbon from enemy ships, a work completed in 1514 and which included the building of the Belém Tower, designed by architect Francisco de Arruda.

The tower’s unique design includes a modern and heavily armed bastion, protruding over the river.

King Manuel I clearly wished the Belém Tower to stand as a lasting symbol of his powerful reign by depicting the royal coat of arms, the armillary sphere and the cross of the Order of Christ.
Centro Cultural de Belém
The Centro Cultural de Belém is one of modern Lisbon’s biggest icons.

Designed by Manuel Salgado and Vittorio Gregotti, it was built on a special site. Its modern architecture contrasts gently with some of the most iconic buildings of old Lisbon.

If you walk from Jerónimos to the CCB, you cross centuries of history in just a few steps.

The CCB is one of the most popular places amongst Lisbonites and visitors for its closeness to the river, its gardens and cafés offering some of the best public spaces in the city.

With auditoriums, museums, temporary shows and major events, the CCB is a cultural hub with something for everyone.

Come and visit the shops, restaurants and cafeterias and the various exhibitions and concerts which make it one of the liveliest venues in Lisbon.