The Mosteiro dos Jéronimos is an homage to the Manueline or the Portuguese Late Gothic style of architecture, built entirely in limestone. The monastery was commissioned by Manuel I to commemorate Vasco da Gama's successful voyage to India. The walls are covered with an assortment of intricate carvings including tropical plants and wild animals inspired by voyages to Africa and the Far East. Inside, there are three tombs: the tomb of Vasco da Gama, the great Portuguese explorer who discovered the maritime route to India, the tomb of Dom Manuel, the king who was in power at the time of da Gama's journeys, and finally the tomb of Luis de Camoes, the poet who accompanied da Gama on his many travels. The monastery was home to the Order of St. Jerome who dedicated their service to sailors embarking on long voyages and was a symbol of Portugal's maritime legacy.
The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum) houses a beautiful collection of objects, which at one time belonged to the private collection of the businessman, Calouste Gulbenkian. Inaugurated 14 years after his death, this museum includes some rare works from a variety of periods. Pieces of Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Islamic-Oriental art are all showcased here. The museum is complemented by a vast collection of European paintings from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the last century as well. Works from the likes of Lochner, Renoir, Monet, Manet, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Rodin are on display here.
One of Lisbon's oldest districts, Alfama is a captivating collection of historic houses and cobbled streets, which rise up the hill from the Tagus river. The area's rich history can be seen in its diverse architecture from the Visigothic town wall to the picturesque blue-and-white tiled Moorish mansions and smaller residential houses that belong to its fishing port days. The neighborhood is one of the few that withstood the terrible earthquake in 1755 and as a result, offers a slice of history not seen elsewhere in the metropolis. The neighborhood retains its traditional charm and exploring Alfama's narrow by-lanes is one of the perks of visiting. The National Pantheon of Santa Engracia with its imposing dome, the white facade of Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora, the Se de Lisboa and Lisbon's oldest flea market, the Feira da Ladra are all found here.
The Monsanto Muncipal Camping Park , also known as Lisboa Camping, currently holds a four star rating, the highest star rating bestowed to campgrounds in Portugal. Located in a vast forest area, Lisbon's main camping ground is a great way to explore the natural beauty Lisbon has to offer. Whether staying in one of the 70 furnished cabins or in your own tent, the swimming pool, tennis courts, mini-golf course, and sports complex are all at your disposal. The shopping mall, restaurant, and bar truly make the grounds a mini-village. Camp and you will enjoy the best of both worlds. Check the website for seasonal rates and further information.
One of the most charismatic bookshops in Lisbon, founded in the 17th century, Livraria Bertrand has the necessary experience to offer a vast and intelligent selection of books to all lovers of knowledge. It possesses just about every kind of publication, including those often difficult to find elsewhere. If you cannot find the book you require on the shelves or on display, you can always order the book from the desk.
The National Museum of Ancient Art houses one of the city's richest collections of artifacts. The pieces on exhibit consist of paintings, jewelry, ceramics, furniture, right up to the simplest drawings, sketches and engravings. The focus of the exhibits is the period between the 12th and 19th Centuries. Some of the better-known pieces on display here are the murals of Saint Vincent Panels, the Custódia de Belém, and a great collection of antique Chinese porcelain.
The Tapeçarias de Portalegre Gallery is the artistic representation of the commercial products of the Portalegre tapestry manufacturers. The gallery space, situated at the Rua da Academia de Ciências, sits inside the ancient stables of Pombal Palace. There are two temporary exhibition halls whose exhibits frequently rotate and change. The exhibits include a great variety of Portuguese and foreign artists who have created tapestries in Portugal. Some exhibitors include: Jean Lurçat and Le Corbusier, along with Almeida Negreiros, Guilherme Camarinha, Maria Keil, Júlio Pomar, Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, Costa Pinheiro, Sá Nogueira, Lourdes Castro, Eduardo Nery, Graça Morais, Jorge Martins, José de Guimarães, Menez and Rogério Ribeiro. Entrance is free.
In the XIX century, the judicial district's jail was exactly in the middle of the village, where the post office is located today. By the end of the century, there was an increasing desire to move the jail to some other place, because, every time one passed in front of it, one would be disturbed by the prisoners.
Covering a total area of 14,583 hectares (36,035 acres), the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is one of Portugal's largest and most popular parks. Home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, the park is also teeming with historical monuments. Declared as a protected monument, the park boasts rich natural landscapes, a rugged coastline, dunes, lucid lakes and dense pine forests. Serving as an ideal destination for a wildlife tour with the family, the park affords delightful sights of weasels, badgers, foxes and wild rabbits. Bird watchers are in for a treat with sighting of peregrine falcon and eagle-de-Bonelli.
If you want to witness an enthralling sea view from the westernmost point of Europe’s landmass, you must visit the Cabo da Roca lighthouse. The structure was built anew, contrary to the other lighthouses in the Country that were built from the existing ones. The structure is as tall as 22 metres, and there are also other buildings in the complex that were used as strategic points of lighting before electrification of the site.