The Jerónimos Monastery is one of Lisbon’s top attractions, located in the charming Belém neighborhood by the River Tagus. I suggest spending half a day exploring the monastery and then checking out other nearby sites like the Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belém.

To get to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, we took the Metro to Cais do Sodré, then found the tram stop for the No 15E tram, which takes you directly to the monastery in about 15-20 minutes. The tram ride is pleasant, running parallel to the waterfront, offering glimpses of the River Tagus and converted warehouses now housing shops, restaurants, and museums. Be mindful of your belongings, especially during peak tourist season.

The Jerónimos Monastery is hard to miss with its ornately carved stone facade. Follow the crowds to the entrance, as it’s one of Lisbon’s main tourist spots. Inside, the church feels more like a cathedral with its enormous, vaulted nave. On either side, you’ll find the tombs of Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese explorer who established a trade route to India in the 15th century, and Luís Vaz de Camões, the writer who chronicled his voyages.

Founded by Henry the Navigator in 1450, the monastery was developed to thank for the successful explorations from Lisbon that established trade routes to the East, bringing wealth to Portugal. The monastery is a prime example of the Manueline style, characterized by detailed stone carvings and Gothic, Italian, and Spanish influences. There are many beautiful altars, niches, and intricately carved columns to admire.

After exploring the main church, you can buy a ticket to see the monastery cloisters, which include the upper-level choir of the church and an exhibition about the monastery’s development over the centuries. The double-level cloisters are beautiful, with a central grassy area. Although it was cold and damp during our visit, it would be wonderfully cool and shaded on a hot summer day.

Once you’ve finished at the monastery, explore other attractions in Belém. Head towards the river to find the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or Monument to the Discoveries, one of Portugal’s most famous sculptures. The monument, erected in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator’s death, features figures of explorers, artists, and missionaries gazing out towards the River Tagus.

Nearby, you’ll find the Tower of Belém. Due to the wet and windy weather, we didn’t visit the tower but instead walked back along the road the tram had brought us. We made a stop to buy some delicious custard tarts, known as Pasteis de Nata, from the famous bakery Pasteis de Belem. The bakery is easy to spot with its dark blue blinds and crowds of people. We found seating inside and enjoyed our coffee and tarts, which were reasonably priced.

If you have more time and better weather, you can also explore the tropical gardens and the Palacio de Belem in the same neighborhood. It’s an area worth exploring more fully, especially when the sun is shining.