UNESCO World Heritage site…read more The tower was completed in 1519. It served as a fortress and a ceremonial gateway for explorers, customs point, a lighthouse, and a political prison. Unfortunately, it was being renovated when we were there.

This is one of many monuments on the riverside that pays homage to Portugal's history and their…read moreexplorers as well. It's a nice area and the tower was majestic though sadly we were part of the many who visited recently during renovations so the scaffolding covered most of the structure as my photo indicates. However, the area was pleasant with plenty of tourists and a little marketplace nearby that you can buy some modestly priced but mediocre quality souvenirs. I was told by our local tour guide to be careful with our belongings here as there were reports of pickpockets I was was somewhat neurotic when I was walking around but I didn't see anything during my visit - but just flagging here as an FYI.

Beautiful piece of Portuguese history to check out!…read more Such a beautiful monastery to check out. You can buy tickets there at the kiosk, online, or through a tour group to skip the line. They have timed entrances and let in at least 800 ppl per time slot. There is a bathroom in upper level and the bottom near the exit. There is a free chapel to check out to the right of the entrance to the monastery. Not a place to miss!

One of the great landmarks of Lisbon and there's a reason why there are along longs congregating…read morefrom early in the day. The monastery is an ornate architectural marvel with incredible artworks and a beautiful courtyard that is an incredible testament the building prowess of that time. There are plenty of sights to see within and again the courtyard was the real highlight. There is a majestic sense of history that really surrounds you as you walk through the hallways and grand rooms that adorn this very large building. It is recommended to arrive early as I mentioned, the lines will get very long. The other aspect to be aware of is that people will harass you outside to buy things, it wasn't clear if they were gypsies or locals but it got a little annoying when a bunch of them swarm you and you really have to be on the lookout for your belongings. This place is also within walking distance of various other notable sights near the river so it's a great place to make as the centerpiece of your Lisbon walking tour.

This is definitely one of the main attractions by the river alongside the nearby Belem Tower. The…read moremonument is actually gigantic and totally dwarfs all those around it. The entire site is pretty impressive and majestic. Tons of picture taking opportunities. It does get kind of crowded here at time, especially if you're waiting in line to go inside the monument itself. But it is a lovely area to spend about 30 minutes or so to take some cool pictures and selfies. It's not far from other major attractions in the area so it's definitely a place to hit up.

This monument sites right alongside the river and is huge. It's extremely ornate and worth seeing…read more I only had time to see the outside, but next time I visit I want to venture inside to see more.

The Monument to Overseas Combatants specifically addresses the losses suffered in the Portuguese…read moreColonial War, which is known here in Portugal as the Overseas War. During the conflict, the country's forces fought in three African theaters from 1961 to 1974, and more than 9,000 Portuguese soldiers lost their lives. But there is more to it than that. As the fighting went on and on, and the losses continued, it eventually turned public sentiment against the government of fascist leader Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, eventually resulting in the 1974 military coup of his successor, Marcelo Caetano. Built in 1994, it is a simple but very striking monument. Two black-and-white pillars rise out of the water of the center lake, forming an incomplete inverted triangle. An eternal flame sits under the point where the pillars would meet. The armed guards stand, protecting the site. As an American, I see a comparison to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. A respectful tour of the site is in order. Surrounding the site in chronological order are 180 bronze plates that are engraved with the names of soldiers who lost their lives in the Portuguese Colonial War. The site is open 24 hours and there is no charge to visit. It is quite solemn and visits here should be respectful. While the two guards were not standing perfectly still like the famous Queen's Guards in London, I would assume that you shouldn't interact with them. [Review 16611 overall - 128 in Portugal - 121 of 2022.]

Central flame burning as memory of lost soldiers in colonial wars. Next to Torre De Belem. Soldiers…read morenames engraved along the memorial. Free to enter.

The Torre de Belem was crowded and the line wasn't moving so I decided to try the Museu do…read moreCombatente. Nice museum with a low entrance fee. Nice WW1 walk through the trenches display. It also has a few military vehicles and several rooms with military weapons. Expect to spend around an hour.

When visiting Belem, walking along the Tajo (Tagus) River is a very nice thing to do. Start at the…read moreTorre De Belem, walk around the small harbour and head to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. With a few obstacles and minor detours you can continue east to the Ponte 25 de Abril. It's a very nice walk, it's wide, it's calm, it's relaxing. Just be aware of bikes and scooters, but mostly there's enough room for everybody. There are green spots along the way, some restaurants and independent fast food stalls and trucks. Since you pass so many important landmarks, it's a great thing to do with many good photo ops. And doesn't cost you a dime (except for the tram/bus ride from Lisbon). We always enjoy having a walk here. And so should you.

The Maritime Museum showcases the history and contributions of Portuguese navigators…read more My husband and I toured this museum for 8 euros each. In about one hour, we saw dozens of model and life-sized ships, canons, statues, paintings, coins, informational plaques, the king's and queen's cabins, a gift shop, and more. I felt most interested in the life-sized ships. Overall, I think that this museum is worth a visit if you are already in the area.

We were fortunate to come here as a Gate 1 tour. With tours you can skip the lines, so I like that…read moreabout them, but of course you are on everyone else's schedule. I was torn between admiration of a culture playing to it's strengths (being surrounded by water has it's perks), and Derek L's view of colonialism. There was exactly 1 acknowledgement of how the country benefitted from slavery. It's a slippery slope of acknowledging how one acquired wealth but also realizing it occurred at a major violation of human rights. The room of boats was awesome, esp being able to view it from above on a balcony. The gift shop had some nice holiday themed items.