On my first visit to Lisbon sixteen years ago, I failed to visit this legendary monastery because I…read morecame on a Monday, the one day they're closed. I could resolve my disappointment only by devouring a half-dozen pasteis de nata across the street. This time I made sure Jamie W and I had reservations for a scheduled time-slot on a day other than Monday. When we arrived, there was still a long line of people and no shade from the blazing sun, but we got in quickly. I have to say the building did not disappoint. Built in the 15th century during the Age of Discovery, it took a full century to complete because the Manueline architectural style was so idiosyncratic. As a tribute to Portugal's seafaring history, the inlays on the stonework were made intricately with decorative paneling on windows, arcades, and pillars. Traditional stone columns were sculpted into twisted ropes, corals, anchors, and sea monsters. The result is a stunning level of craftsmanship epitomized by the beauty and meticulous detail of the cloister. The two-story structure is a prime example of flawless symmetry and historical significance. The church houses the tombs of legendary explorer Vasco da Gama and famous Portuguese poets. Monks from the Order of Saint Jerome used the monastery to pray, meditate, and offer spiritual discourses. You can do the same. Admission per person is 18€. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/3GGfbOtM3m

I won't review the experience inside the monastery but give timings on our arrival and the wait…read more We arrived around 9:45am and there was a relatively short line (maybe 30-50 people? The line got significantly longer in the next 30 minutes). At 9:55am they started letting 9:30am ticketholders in. We were let in around 10:15am (we had 10:30am entry tickets).

Beautiful fairytale-like palace. Purchased palace entry tickets for first thing in the morning. Due…read moreto delays in travel, we got to the the entrance gate at the bottom of the hill just 15 minutes before our entry time. While the recommended time to walk up the hill is 30 minutes, we were able to jog and get there in less than 15, out of breath. The palace itself is quite beautiful and views from the terrace are gorgeous and picture worthy. The outside of the palace is what we most admired though. Because of the palace popularity, the self guided entry tour is one big line through the palace rooms. It felt somewhat like a cattle line moving through the palace. After touring the palace, we spent time exploring the many trails in the gardens. Lessons learned from taking the train and ride share from Lisbon: Although we left plenty of time to get here from Lisbon by train abd ride-share, we were delayed at the train station trying to get an Uber. There were no Ubers accepting our request and the 2 that did cancelled after we waited 15 mins for them to arrive. We eventually got a Bolt, and lesson learned that despite the map showing pickup on the street right outside the station, we had to go over one street to meet the Bolt after it arrived.

Darn big palace that's badly painted with real vast grounds. Been here a few times and it's ok but…read morehonestly I'm not terribly enthusiastic and hope not to return. I find it ugly, Triton, in particular. His sculpted mythological figure is above the archway. He is often interpreted in Manueline architecture as a hybrid of Triton and a Sea Monster or Titan. In the architecture of Pena Palace, he sits on a large giant shell supporting the bay window above, symbolizing the creation of the world out of the four elements specifically representing the water element and the realm of the oceans, echoing Portugal's Age of Discovery. It's also overrun by tourists like us. If you are interested in how the super rich of yesteryear lived well this place has opulence in spades. The gardens too are spectacular. One certainly if you are visiting is that you must be fit and have a high degree of stamina because it's a very, very steep climb. It's now owned by the Portuguese government ergo expect to be fleeced - pay to enter and pay to take an electric bus for five minutes to the estate once you paid to get in through the entry gate.

What a beautiful piece of history. Built in the 16th century to protect the Portuguese harbor and…read morecelebrate maritime explorations. And to still see it intact. Its beautiful to see in person. Yes theres a lot of people there but its not too hard to snag a photo with it. If you want to go inside you have to make a reservation for it. But just walking around it on the outside was beautiful enough. We were fortunate to see it from the water on a sailboat ride as well as on the land. Its iconic. Lots of snacks and drink stalls around it. Also lots of other things to see and do near by as well. When in Lisbon, it is a must visit!!

This was the second time I visited this historic tower and the second time I didn't make it inside…read more And honestly, I'm just fine with that. This most recent time, it was closed for long-term renovations, and Jamie W and I were here just a couple of weeks before its reopening. I heard it wasn't that exciting anyway. I read the rooms were small and claustrophobic, and the staircase was narrow and steep dictated by a new traffic-light and siren system (oh dear!) The only motivation might've been the view from the top, but even with that, there's a nicer panoramic view of the Tagus River from the sloping rooftop of the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) just a stroll to the east. We were just happy we got a view of the tower itself because we were worried it would be completely covered by scaffolding. After all, it was built in 1520 surviving as a true symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ayZwwRJHQd

A 100% must visit in my opinion! One of the most stunning properties in Sintra and from the…read moreoutside, you don't think much but WOW, the gardens are spectacular. Expect lots of walking but there's so many areas to see from the towers to the caves, to the sculptures. Enchanting is just the word for it. We took an uber after seeing other landmarks in Sintra and it was relatively easy to book and affordable.

Beautiful day, very clean, lots of walking. Recommend to get there early as it does get full but…read morewell worth it.

You want some Portugal History starting from the 11th…read morecentury! Cone here and read and see from all the viewing areas lots of pics!

The elevator was closed when Jamie W and I attempted to visit it this past summer. In fact, it had…read morebeen closed for over a year due to major renovations. I had ridden it before sixteen years prior, and what I mostly remember is waiting in line for over an hour to get on the lift. You'd think I would've been bummed when I saw it was closed this time. Not really. That's because there's a workaround hack at Largo do Carmo next to the open-air convent. From there, we climbed a modest set of stairs to the upper terrace that connects to the elevator tower. The views are mostly the same overlooking the iconic terracotta rooftops (Photo). Yes, there was a bit of elbow jostling but no worse for wear. We could also better appreciate the ornate detail of the elevator tower (Photo). It was designed by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel in the same style as the Eiffel Tower and the Dom Luis I Bridge in Porto. CORRESPONDING REVIEWS Museu Arqueológico do Carmo: https://yelp.to/0BJXBwbu62 Ponte Dom Luis I: https://yelp.to/wjvmtHdV7m RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/Hf7ZIP6_r7

Although I wouldn't characterize Lisbon as a symmetrical city due to its hilly terrain, the one…read moretruly symmetrical area in the city is this waterfront plaza, a model of balance between land and sea in its clean layout and openness to the Tagus River. It defined my first impression of Lisbon on my first visit, and enhanced my awareness of the city's rich maritime history on my most recent visit with Jamie W. Built after the 1755 earthquake destroyed the Royal Palace that stood on the grounds, this public square is anchored by the majestic Augusta Street Arch, the stone gateway through which people enter from downtown (Photo 2). In front at the center of the plaza is the equestrian statue of King José I (Photo 8). Surrounding us were bright yellow arcades framing three sides of the plaza in a U shape. The arcades were lit up in appropriately dramatic fashion at night. We eventually made our way to the waterfront where we looked back on the panoramic view of the square from the Cais das Colunas columns and marble steps (Photo 6). You can picture how visiting dignitaries must have arrived by boat and got their first impression of the city. If there's a single snapshot that defines Lisbon, it's this one. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ayZwwRJHQd

This is a popular site in Lisbon. It's a big plaza with lots of little shops and restaurants…read morenearby. Three sides of the square are surrounded with bright yellow walls/buildings, while the fourth side of the square is made up by the water! I think that's a cool feature! You enter it through a big, pretty stone arch, and in the very center of the plaza is a statue. When I went, I enjoyed hearing a man sing opera under the arch. It contributed to a nice atmosphere. It felt fitting. I came across this location more than once so it's relatively easy to get to depending on where you are/where you're going. I had sardines for the first time at a restaurant in the plaza, and I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant! They were so good!!! They had a nicer flavor than I expected- mild and salty with maybe a bit of sweetness too. Crispy thin texture on the outside, too. And much larger sized fish than I expected. I was lucky to be there during sardine season/festival, so I'm sure that helped.

You could spend your entire holiday in Lisbon walking from one photogenic viewpoint to the next…read more Because of the city's hilly terrain, there are about twenty official miradouros that could easily fill up your Instagram account. This one Is conveniently just a few steps downhill from the marginally more popular Miradouro das Portas do Sol (review: https://yelp.to/hq023Rr-Va). True, Portas do Sol provides the more panoramic view, but Santa Luzia has the more romantic atmosphere because it boasts a pergola draped in bougainvillea and a wall covered in historic blue-and-white azulejo tile panels. There's even a reflecting pool with benches ideal for honeymooners. The buskers realize it's the ideal setting for performing in front of change-carrying tourists (Video 2). RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/fnVsPaN2ho

Miradouro de Santa Luzia: one of the 7 hill. You've got that Alfama view of red rooftops tumbling…read moretoward the water and the Tagus just out there looking like a magazine ad. Oh, and don't forget the azulejos at the church: because why have a basic white wall when you can slap history in tile form all over it? Gorgeous spot.

Monument to the Discoveries This was a really cool spot for…read moreme! It might seem random, but for me it was really cool to see because learning about some of the most famous world explorers is something I remember most from elementary school. Do I remember the facts I memorized? No, lol, but I remember learning and studying about them!! And I didn't know/remember that Portugal played such a big part in a lot of this until this came up as something to see, but as soon as it did I wanted to make sure to see it! Aside from that connection, it's a cool structure. It has a perfect location right on the water for the meaning of the statue. And the details are just fun to look at with all the different people carved in it. I don't know why, maybe the school connection is carrying more weight here, but I really enjoyed it. You can also go up to the top of it. The view is interesting, but I wouldn't recommend going up FOR the view, if that makes sense, just for a little extra fun. There is also a museum below. I don't remember/know if it is always the same exhibits or if it rotates, so if you're wanting to do that double check what's in the lower levels at the time you plan to go. Both of these are available together for a small price. Otherwise, seeing it from the outside is free.

1 of 2 Yelp reviews…read more Cut and pasted from the internet: "The monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery (or "Age of Exploration") during the 15th and 16th centuries." Quality/Quantity - A must visit, but we have been here so often and only stopped by because we had an all day train pass; see other reviews. So much history, just "Google" it and read. Kid friendly, so many field trips. Ambiance - Beautiful monument. Beautiful surroundings. Other tourist sites to visit. An easy train ride and a short walk. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since 1939.