The famous 16th Century Torre de Belém was a fortified tower built at the time of Portugal’s Age of Discovery to defend the entrance to the river Tagus and Lisbon. Originally, it stood some way from the coast but the silting up of the estuary and land reclamation have placed it just a stone's throw from the bank. Although built in the classic Manueline late-Gothic style, much of the decoration now visible was added when the tower was renovated during the reign of Queen D. Maria II in the 1840s. The Tower of Belém is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage monument.

Situated on the Belém riverfront, the Monument to the Discoveries, or Padrão dos Descobrimentos, is an imposing stone monument built in the style of a caravel to commemorate the explorers and heroes of Portugal’s Age of Discovery. Inaugurated in 1960 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator’s death, the monument affords stunning views of Belém, Lisbon and the Tagus estuary.

The mountains, sea and bright sunshine of Sesimbra create a majestic atmosphere that can be admired from several magical spots: from the castle, the cliffs, Cavalo Fort or from the Quinta de Palames.
These viewpoints look over a small fishing village, which still remains virtually untouched, surrounded by imposing cliffs and bordered by the deep blue ocean. The Moorish castle overlooks the orange-tiled roofs that make up its skyline. This village’s heritage dates back to Pre-historic times and has been ruled by Romans, Visigoths and Moors. It offers tourists stunning natural beauty and a rich historical legacy, with great beaches, sea-side restaurants and various water-sports for relaxing days during your holiday in Portugal.

The Baixa (lower town) district is the heart of Lisbon and stretches northwards from the imposing riverside Praça do Comércio square (otherwise known as Terreiro do Paço), to the beginning of the long Avenida da Liberdade avenue, encompassing the area lying between Cais do Sodré and Alfama.

The area to be affected worst by the devastating 1755 earthquake and subsequent tsunami, this riverside district marked the starting point for the construction of a new Lisbon. Under the guidance of then Prime Minister, Marquês de Pombal, innovative urban planning resulted in an area built in a grid system along the central axis of the now pedestrianised Rua Augusta. Featuring grand, open squares and uniform architecture, its perpendicular streets were named after the various tradesmen that worked in the area.

For many years the hub of commerce in Lisbon, its traditional haberdashers, cobblers, goldsmiths, family-owned retailers and numerous cafés and restaurants now share the area with a string of familiar high street names. Lisbon’s oldest café, the two-century old Café Restaurante Martinho da Arcada, is situated under the arcades of the northern side of Praça do Comércio. Originally founded as an ice-cream parlour, this atmospheric café has always been a favourite with prominent literary figures and artists, and to this day continues to reserve the table that was always occupied by its most renowned patron, poet and author, Fernando Pessoa.

Lying just off the bustling Rossio square in Largo de São Domingos, the captivating little bar, A Ginginha, is another delightful example of the traditional side of Portugal. Named after the cherry and brandy-based drink it sells, this was the first shop to sell this liqueur in Lisbon and has always been a favourite haunt with many of the local inhabitants.

For fabulous views of the Baixa area, head to the impressive Elevador de Santa Justa. Designed by a Portuguese apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, it was built to provide access from Baixa to the Bairro Alto and features a rooftop café that affords magnificent panoramic views of Lisbon.

The district of Leiria is located inland from the coast and is home to a wide variety of unique towns and attractions, all offering different scenery, monuments and customs.

The charming fishing town of Peniche is situated on the coast and is a popular deep sea-fishing destination where you can also enjoy excellent seafood restaurants and regular ferry trips to the Berlenga Islands – a beautiful natural reserve surrounded by transparent waters.

Nazaré is another picturesque fishing village in the district and is popular for its spectacular, sandy beach on which fishermen still stretch out their nets. After visiting Leiria’s age-old castle, medieval Praça Rodrigues Lobo and Renaissance cathedral, make your way to the Batalha Monastery – a true masterpiece of Gothic architecture in the country. Also be sure to see the grandiose monastery in Alcobaça, a magnificent, medieval structure including a 12th Century church.

The popular city of Caldas da Rainha is famous for its traditional (and somewhat humorous) ceramics and crafts, while the city of Marinha Grande is renowned for being the largest glass manufacturer in Portugal. Discover Óbidos, an enchanting, whitewashed town surrounded by 14th Century castle walls.

Places to See

Fortaleza de Peniche (Peniche Fortress)
This fortress was an important military base during the Middle Ages and was completed in 1645. After many years of war, its strategic value began to decrease and it was eventually decommissioned. From that point on, the fortress was used as a shelter for Boer refugees at the beginning of the 20th Century, a detention camp for Austrians and Germans during WWI and a prison for those who opposed Portugal’s former regime. This fortress is also home to the Peniche Museum, which houses a collection of regional artefacts and historical documentation related to Portugal’s past dictatorship.

Igreja da Misericórdia (Our Lady of Mercy Church)
This church’s ceiling is its greatest highlight and is completely covered with 55 paintings depicting scenes from the New Testament – an example of the region’s legacy of talented 17th Century artists. Besides this magnificent display, you can also admire five extraordinary canvases painted by the Spanish-born painter, Josefa d’Óbidos, beautiful examples of tiles on the walls and several outstanding sculptures.

Mosteiro da Batalha (Batalha Monastery)
Also known as the Santa Maria da Vitória Monastery, this national monument was built by order of King D. João I as a gift of gratitude to the Virgin Mary after Portugal’s victory against Castile in the Aljubarrota Battle. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this unique structure was built in 1388 and is regarded as the country’s finest example of late-Gothic architecture. Depictions of the Apostles, Prophets, Angels and of Jesus Christ surrounded by the four Evangelists can be admired on the monastery’s portal. The tombs of King D. João I, D. Filipa de Lencastre and her child can be visited in the ‘Fundador Chapel.’ Beautiful stained-glass windows illustrating several Biblical scenes such as ‘The Visitation’, the ‘Adoration of the Magi’, the ‘Flight into Egypt’ and the ‘Resurrection of Christ’ embellish the monastery’s interior, while typical, gargoyle-shaped waterspouts adorn its exterior. The Batalha Monastery is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in the country.

Mosteiro de Alcobaça (Alcobaça Monastery)
Situated in the fertile valley were the Alcoa and Baço rivers flow, this monastery was donated to the Cistercian Order by King D. Afonso Henriques after conquering Santarém from the Moors. Today, only the portal, two large windows and the rose window between them remain from the structure’s original Baroque façade and towers. Inside the side chapels of the monastery’s transept are the intricately sculpted tombs of Prince D. Pedro I and his ill-starred lover, D. Inês de Castro. The transept also provides access to the tombs of King D. Afonso II, King D. Afonso III, their spouses and children. Other parts of the monastery that are located around the cloister include the ‘Chapter House’, the ‘Monks Room’ and an 18th Century kitchen and refectory. In the ‘Room of the Kings’, the lovely tiled panels and the clay statues of Portuguese monarchs are especially noteworthy.