There are plenty of great day trips from Lisbon, but one that should not be missed is taking Lisbon\u2019s tram 15 to Bel\u00e9m. Bel\u00e9m has several incredible\u00a0architectural attractions: the Torre de Bel\u00e9m, Bel\u00e9m Monastery, and Padrao dos Descobrimentos. Most importantly, as any self-respecting foodie, you cannot visit Lisbon without a pilgrimage to\u00a0the home of the original Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Getting There<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For the complete experience you will definitely want to catch the iconic tram 15 from Lisbon, which rattles and creaks its way along the well worn tracks to Bel\u00e9m. The trams can get very busy in the heights of summer, so if traveling in high season your best bet is to get on at the terminus station, Figueira Square. Even so there may be a shuffle as European tourists elbow their way on to find a seat.<\/p>\n

\n
• Tram 15 – A one way trip costs \u20ac2.85 (2016). The 15 line runs both the modern and historic trams.<\/li>\n
• Alternatively (or on the way back) the cab ride costs around \u20ac10 (2016) and can save you some hassle.<\/li>\n
• Note: On Mondays, the Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery and Torre de Bel\u00e9m are closed and can only be viewed from the outside. On the first Sunday of every month these attractions are free!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Past<\/strong>\u00e9is De Bel\u00e9m<\/strong><\/h2>\n

  Near the terminus of \u00a0tram 15 you’ll find the world-rerenowned caf\u00e9 Pastel De Bel\u00e9m. Take your time, find a seat, and order a coffee to enjoy with some of the most famous sweet custard tarts in all of Portugal.<\/p>\n

  These are no ordinary tarts! Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m are one-of-a-kind, a truly authentic delicacy, made from an ancient secret recipe. Only 3 people in the world know how to make them! The recipe is never written down, only memorized, and each day the ingredients are mixed together behind a locked\u00a0door. The Pasteis de Bel\u00e9m are both\u00a0patented and trade marked, so the similar custard tarts you find around Lisbon (i.e: Past\u00e9is de Nata) are made from a replica recipe. Of course, we recommend you try each and determine the true winner for yourself. \u00a0The Bel\u00e9m caf\u00e9 is rumored to make more than 20,000 tarts a day, \u00a0baked in an inferno oven at 750 degrees Fahrenheit, 400 degrees Celsius!<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m were first made in the 18^{th<\/sup> century, by the French monks from the nearby Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery. The monks relied on egg whites to starch their clothes and the nun\u2019s habits, so left over egg yokes were used in French inspired cakes and pastries. The monks started selling the Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m to raise funds for the church, eventually selling the recipe to the nearby sugar refinery in 1837. To this day, Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m are made and sold in the exact same location, created from the traditional top-secret recipe.<\/p>\n}

  
  \n<\/p>\n

  Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery<\/strong><\/h2>\n

  After your fill of sweet Portuguese pastries and coffee, you will have the energy to explore the rest of Bel\u00e9m!<\/p>\n

  As you walk west of the Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m, you will come across the Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery<\/a>. This is claimed to be one of Lisbon\u2019s best attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monastery is beautiful with photogenic arches and a serene atmosphere, showcasing the late gothic Manueline style of architecture. The original church on the site was dedicated to Santa Maria, where monks would assist and pray for voyaging sailors.<\/p>\n

  If you plan on visiting multiple sites in Bel\u00e9m, consider\u00a0a combination ticket to save a few Euros. \u00a0On a budget, you can visit the attached church, where entry is free.<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Padrao dos Descobrimentos <\/strong><\/h2>\n

  (Under Restoration – 2016)<\/strong><\/p>\n

  The Padrao dos Descobrimentos<\/a> (Monument to the Discoveries), is currently undergoing restoration so check\u00a0on its the status during the time you visit. \u00a0It is a beautiful site. The impressive monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery and was originally created for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition.<\/p>\n

  To get to the Padrao Dos Descobrimentos, take the underpass from the gardens of the Jeronimos Monastery gardens.<\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Torre De Bel\u00e9m<\/strong><\/h2>\n

  The unique Torre De Bel\u00e9m<\/a> is completely surrounded by water at the mouth of the River Tagus. Elegant sculpted balconies and parapets make you feel like a prince or princess in a majestic ocean tower. The Torre De Bel\u00e9m is a short 10-minute walk along the waterfront from the Padrao Dos Descobrimentos.<\/p>\n

  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fort was built as military defensive in the 16^{th<\/sup> century on orders of King Manual I. Much prettier than your typical military fort, the architecture is built in the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style (much like the Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery). Nautical details and opulence represent the successes and wealth Portugal had during the Age of Discoveries, expanding\u00a0their overseas colonies and commanding trade routes that brought riches from Africa, Brazil and the Far East.<\/p>\n}

  <\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

  Bel\u00e9m and its sites represent discovery, adventure, and risks and rewards. Nowadays you can wander these impressive monuments to get a glimpse\u00a0of Portugal\u2019s many great achievements, of which we consider the delightful and world-famous Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m among its tastiest.<\/p>\n

  PORTUGAL CITY GUIDES<\/h2>\n

  If you are planning a trip around\u00a0Portugal, check out the rest of Sails & Spices Portugal City\u00a0Guides:<\/p>\n

  \n
  • A Romantic Weekend in Porto<\/a><\/li>\n
  • A Wine Lover’s Dream in the Douro Valley\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
  • Sipping Ginja in\u00a0Obidos<\/a><\/li>\n
  • Lisbon City Guide<\/a><\/li>\n
  • Pena Palace in Sintra<\/a><\/li>\n
  • A Vegetarian Guide to Lagos\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Save<\/span>Save<\/span><\/p>\n

    Save<\/span>Save<\/span>Save<\/span>Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    There are plenty of great day trips from Lisbon, but one that should not be missed is taking Lisbon\u2019s tram 15 to Bel\u00e9m. Bel\u00e9m has several incredible\u00a0architectural attractions: the Torre de Bel\u00e9m, Bel\u00e9m Monastery, and Padrao dos Descobrimentos. Most importantly, as any self-respecting foodie, you cannot visit Lisbon without a pilgrimage to\u00a0the home of the…<\/p>\n

    Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2188,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[40,34],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Belem-Portugal-7.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7DJI0-oJ","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1533"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1533"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2958,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1533\/revisions\/2958"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2188"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailsandspices.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}