☰Belém

Belem is where Portugal's Age of Discovery is celebrated in stone. The riverside neighbourhood, a short tram ride west of the centre, clusters its heavyweight sights within walking distance: the ornate Manueline Jeronimos Monastery, the iconic Belem Tower standing in the Tagus, and the angular Monument to the Discoveries pointing toward the sea. The cultural draw is strong, with the MAAT contemporary art museum and the Berardo Collection adding modern counterpoints. But most visitors come for one very specific reason: Pasteis de Belem, the bakery that has been producing the original custard tarts since 1837, with queues to prove it. The waterfront promenade is pleasant for a stroll, and the neighbourhood feels spacious and green compared to the dense hillside districts.