The Monument of Discoveries is impressive and absolutely worth seeing from the outside — the scale, detail, and waterfront setting are stunning. We wanted to go inside for the viewpoint, but unfortunately the line was moving very slowly, so we didn’t get a chance this time. Still, a beautiful landmark and a great stop while exploring Belém.

I visited the Padrão dos Descobrimentos while exploring the Jerónimos Monastery. This impressive monument is a tribute to the Portuguese heroes and sailors who helped introduce Europe to the rest of the world during the Age of Discovery. Inside, there’s a small museum that offers interesting exhibits about Portugal’s maritime history. Climbing to the top of the monument rewards you with a beautiful panoramic view — you can see the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and even the city of Lisbon in the distance. Overall, I really enjoyed the visit. It’s a must-see spot in Belém and absolutely worth the stop.