Portugal: Lisbon – Torre de Belém & Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Torre de Belem is arguably the most famous landmark of Lisbon. It was built in 1515 as a defensive tower in the middle of the river (the river shifted the course of the years and the tower now stands on the bank). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A short walk along the river from the Torre de Belem you come to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries) which celebrates the Portuguese Age of Exploration in the 15-16th centuries. Anf finally, a short walk away from the river is another UNESCO-listed gem – Mosteire dos Geronimos.