Jerónimos Monastery is one of Lisbon’s most remarkable monuments, a vast limestone complex in the riverside district of Belém. King Manuel I commissioned it in the early 16th century, and wealth from Portugal’s spice trade helped finance its construction. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a defining example of Manueline architecture.
The monastery’s two-storey cloister is its great draw: carved arches and columns are threaded with maritime motifs, foliage and armillary spheres, the navigational emblem associated with Manuel I. Take time to look closely rather than rushing through. The adjoining Church of Santa Maria de Belém is also worth seeing, with its soaring stone vaults and the tombs of explorer Vasco da Gama and poet Luís de Camões.
Arrive early to beat the longest queues, and check the official website for current opening hours and tickets before you go; access to the church and monastery may have different arrangements. Belém is easily reached from central Lisbon by tram or train, and the nearby waterfront makes a good place to walk after your visit.