Today's plan was to explore the Belém area and this time I wasn't alone.
I met Giulia (from Italy) at the hostel and Diego (from US but originally from Colombia) whom happened to be in the same hostel room that I was, and we decided to hang out for the day.
We headed through the Praça do Comércio for a few photo opportunity before making our way along the coastal route.
It took us about 1.5hr by foot, mostly following the coast line before we got to LX Factory, a place which I read up before hand and wanted to check out.
This is such a cool spot!
Formerly a textile factory, LX Factory has undergone a remarkable transformation, maintaining its industrial charm. Cobblestone streets wind through the complex, flanked by repurposed warehouses that now house trendy boutiques, art galleries, design studios, flea markets and chic eateries.
Artistic flair permeates every corner, with colorful murals adorning walls, sculptures adding intrigue, and open spaces hosting live performances and events.
And then I walked into the toilet and I was so amazed by the art work!
Some really interesting stores and art works can be found here.
And then we came across this bookshop.. WOW! Ler Devagar is said to be considered one of the 20 most beautiful bookshops in the world (or of the top 10 if the selection is limited to bookshops in restored buildings).
And then Giulia's friend Isabella whom lives in a city near Lisbon (originally from Brazil) met up with us together with another friend of hers (can't remember name), and we continued our way along the coast towards Belém, The bridge is the famous Ponte 25 de Abril connecting Almada and Lisbon mainland.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or the Monument to the Discoveries, pays homage to Portugal's Age of Exploration and the intrepid explorers who shaped the country's maritime legacy.
Designed in the 1940s, the monument is a stunning testament to Portuguese architecture. Its colossal stone figurehead, led by Infante Dom Henrique (Henry the Navigator), stands as the central figure, flanked by 32 other prominent historical figures who contributed to the Age of Exploration.
Belém Tower
Built in the 16th century, this UNESCO-listed fortress is designed with strategic defenses and harmonizes a fusion of architectural styles from the Mudejar to the Moorish, the Gothic to the Romanesque.
Its crenellated walls, watchtowers, and maritime motifs transport visitors to Portugal's Age of Exploration.
The tower, which once guarded Lisbon's harbor, offers panoramic views and an immersive historical experience.
Jerónimos Monastery
It was built to mark Portugal’s most glorious age which was called ‘The Age of Exploration’. The fusion of architectural designs, known as the Manueline style, stands as testimony to the cultures encountered by Lisbon’s explorers, while the money used to build the structure came from Portugal’s international trade in cloves, cumin and exotic spices.
We were all starving and headed to Pão Pão Queijo Queijo. The queue for lunch snaked outside. It took us about 1 hr waiting time
And then to another queue... This is where Portuguese Egg Tart or Nata originated from. When in Belém, it is a must try.
After roaming around Belém a little longer, we decided to catch a ferry to Almada to visit the Sanctuary of Christ the King Statue. As we were mid way on the ferry, the sun was already setting and the moment we got off the ferry we made a dash to try and catch the last bit of sunset.
It started getting really cold once the sun had set - Diego was in summer outfit since we left during the morning and he got really cold with the strong winds blowing on us. Giulia lent him her spare windbreaker in her bag and it was quite a hilarious sight watching Diego trying to put it on to stay warm.
We quickly caught the next ferry back and headed back to the hostel, for their lovely special dinners that are prepared for guests.
Time to call it a night!
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