Visit Date: April 29, 2017
This is my second visit in 9 years since 2008. I can’t keep up with the updates, and this place is so famous, so I’ll be brief.
To the capital of Portugal
Finally, we are in Lisbon. Almost a week has passed since I arrived here. I was planning to stay 2 nights in this city, but my wife arrived late, so I had to stay 3 nights. However, it was difficult to get a hotel for the change on the day. We couldn’t extend our stay at the hotel we had booked in advance, but the hotel staff found a place nearby that was about the same price, so we were able to get by.
I stayed at a hotel within walking distance from Comércio Square in the center of Lisbon. I chose a nice place with a little bit of height.
The district of Belém, a World Heritage Site
Well, there is another World Heritage Site in Lisbon. « It’s the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém. It’s probably the most famous and must-visit place in Portugal.
You can get to the Belem area by train. Take the metro or other means to the « Caisse de Sodré » station on the sea side, and then take the train that leads to the region. It will take about 10 minutes. You can buy a Lisbon Card at a tourist information center and use it to take the train. I recommend the Lisbon Card.
On the way, you can see the big bridge over the Tagus River « April 25th Bridge » nearby.
First is the Jerónimos Monastery. It’s a very popular spot, so you’ll have to wait in line quite a bit. But it takes about 15 to 20 minutes at most. However, it is better to avoid the time of closing (5pm). Inside, the cloister decorated in Emmanuel style is very impressive.
Jerónimos Monastery was built in the 16th century, when Portugal was at the peak of its wealth. The monastery was built in the 16th century. Battaglia, which I visited before coming here, was also gorgeous and beautiful, but I thought this monastery was much more elegant and gorgeous.
The church of Santa Maria in the monastery is also very beautiful.
The church houses the coffin of Vasco da Gama, famous for his discovery of the Cape of Good Hope.
In front of the Jerónimos Monastery, there is the Monument of Discovery. It is also very famous and popular.
It is highly recommended to go up to the top, from where you can see the whole view of the Jerónimos Monastery.
The April 25th Bridge, viewed from this monument of discovery, is also very elegant and beautiful.
And it is quite a distance to the Tower of Belém, which is another World Heritage Site. If you walk from Jerónimos Monastery, it will take about 10 minutes. If it’s hot, it might be a little hard to walk. However, you can rent a bicycle or a Segway on the way, so why don’t you rent it if you have a hard time walking?
Inside the Belém Tower, as well as the monument of discovery, you can go inside and climb up to the top of the tower. This time I didn’t go inside because it was crowded.
Belém area, I came here on the 29th, the day after my arrival, and I visited again on the 30th, the day after that. It is true that there are many people, but it is a very comfortable and open area, so I like it very much. I am sure we will visit again. Actually, there is a museum, so I would like to visit there slowly next time.
世界遺産訪問編はまだまだ続きます。