1 Day in Alcantara: A Journey Through History

by Amelia

May 8, 2024 · 1 min read

Embark on a whirlwind journey through Alcantara's rich history and breathtaking landscapes with this one-day itinerary. Start your adventure at the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Cape Roca, where you'll spend an hour soaking in the panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Next, delve into Portugal's Age of Discoveries with a visit to the iconic Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has guarded the Lisbon harbor for centuries. Just a stone's throw away, spend a brief moment at the Monument to the Discoveries, honoring the Portuguese explorers who charted unknown territories. Continue your cultural exploration at the Jerónimos Monastery, another UNESCO site, where the stunning architecture and historical significance will captivate you for an hour. Conclude your day with a visit to the São Jorge Castle, perched atop a hill with commanding views of Lisbon. As a historic site and castle, it offers a glimpse into the city's storied past. This itinerary promises a day filled with awe-inspiring sights and a deep dive into the heart of Alcantara's heritage.

Top 6 Hotels in Alcantara

TOP 1

Lumen Hotel & the Lisbon Light Show

4/5

98 reviews

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TOP 2

Lisbon Serviced Apartments - Liberdade

4/5

54 reviews

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TOP 3

Lisbon Marriott Hotel

4/5

132 reviews

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Tryp by Wyndham Lisboa Caparica Mar

4/5

108 reviews

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NH Sintra Centro

4/5

108 reviews

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Penha Longa Resort

5/5

45 reviews

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Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Cape Roca - Belém Tower - Monument to the Discoveries - Jerónimos Monastery - São Jorge Castle

1 Day in Alcantara Itinerary: Day 1

Cape Roca

Begin your Alcantara adventure at the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Cape Roca. With just an hour at this breathtaking location, you'll have the chance to stand on the edge of the world, where the land ends and the vast Atlantic begins. The rugged cliffs and the lighthouse serve as a dramatic backdrop for a memorable photo opportunity, marking your visit to this iconic geographical landmark.

Attraction Info

Estrada do Cabo da Roca s/n, 2705-001 Colares
Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Bar Do Fundo

4.6/5 · 30 reviews

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Occidente Cafe

4.5/5 · 0 reviews

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Flores do Cabo

/5 · 0 reviews

3.5 km from attraction

Moinho de Don Quixote

/5 · 0 reviews

2.5 km from attraction

Pao de Trigo

4/5 · 0 reviews

1.6 km from attraction

O Farol

4/5 · 0 reviews

1.4 km from attraction

37 min，34.35 km

Belém Tower

Next on the itinerary is the iconic Belém Tower, a symbol of Portugal's Age of Discoveries. Spend an hour exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site, where history emanates from the honey-colored stone and the turrets offer panoramic views of the Tagus River. The architectural details and the tower's role in maritime history make it a must-visit for any history enthusiast.

Attraction Info

Av. Brasilia, 1400-038 Lisbon
Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
Open on Tue-Sun,10:00am-5:30pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

SUD LISBOA

4.6/5 · 93 reviews

2.2 km from attraction

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Vela Latina

4.5/5 · 23 reviews

0.3 km from attraction

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Pastéis de Belém

4.6/5 · 259 reviews

1.3 km from attraction

Famous Restaurants

Eneko Lisboa

5/5 · 1 review

3.7 km from attraction

1300 Taberna

4.6/5 · 48 reviews

3.4 km from attraction

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Prova - Enoteca

4.9/5 · 50 reviews

0.8 km from attraction

14 min，1.08 km

Monument to the Discoveries

A mere stone's throw from Belém Tower, take a brief 5-minute stop at the Monument to the Discoveries. This imposing monument celebrates the Portuguese explorers who contributed to the world's knowledge of new lands. The grandeur of the structure and the figures etched into the stone pay homage to Portugal's golden age of exploration.

Attraction Info

Av. Brasília 1400-038 Lisbon
Suggested tour duration: 5-15 minutes
Open from 10:00am-7:00pm

15 min，1.04 km

Jerónimos Monastery

Continuing the historical journey, spend an hour at the Jerónimos Monastery. This architectural masterpiece is a testament to Portugal's rich maritime past. The monastery's intricate carvings and cloisters are a stunning example of Manueline architecture, inviting visitors to wander and marvel at the craftsmanship that has stood the test of time.

Attraction Info

Praca do Imperio Belém, Lisbon 1400-206 Portugal
Suggested tour duration: 1-1.5 hour
Open from 9:30am-6:00pm

27 min，11.77 km

São Jorge Castle

Conclude your day with a visit to the São Jorge Castle, a historic site perched atop Lisbon's highest hill. This majestic castle offers a journey back in time with its formidable battlements and ancient ruins. Spend an hour exploring the castle's grounds, enjoying the sweeping views of the city below, and immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of Lisbon's storied past.

Attraction Info

Castle of S. Jorge, Rua de Santa Cruz, 1100-129 Lisbon
Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
Open from 3/1-10/31,9:00am-9:00pm;Open from 11/1-2/28,9:00am-6:00pm，Closing only 5 days a year on January 1st, May 1st, and December 24th, 25th and 31st*. *31st of December closed from 1pm.

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Alma

5/5 · 11 reviews

0.8 km from attraction

Restaurants in Historic Buildings

RESTAURANTE 100 MANEIRAS

4.3/5 · 14 reviews

1.0 km from attraction

Open Late

Tapisco

4.7/5 · 8 reviews

1.2 km from attraction

Open Late

LOCO

4.9/5 · 25 reviews

2.4 km from attraction

Tasca da Esquina

4.8/5 · 40 reviews

2.6 km from attraction

Restaurante A Casa do Bacalhau

4.5/5 · 2 reviews

4.0 km from attraction

Restaurants in Historic Buildings

Where to Stay Tonight

4.6/548 Reviews

Solar do Castelo - Lisbon Heritage Collection - Alfama

4.6/5Outstanding48 Reviews

Baixa

Lisbon

|0.09km from São Jorge Castle

4.3/547 Reviews

This Is Lisbon Hostel

4.3/5Excellent47 Reviews

Baixa

Lisbon

|0.12km from São Jorge Castle

Top Things to Do in Alcantara-2024

The protagonists of the Caris Bus Museum are the trams and other buses that pass through the city of Lisbon every day, making people feel very intimate.

TOP 2

Belém Tower

4.6/5 · 552 review

Based on 38,022 review

Highlights:

Belém Tower is a classic landmark building in the port of Portugal and a symbol of Lisbon. It has witnessed the voyages and departures, return and reunions of countless ships in Portugal in the era of great sailing. In 1983, the Belém Tower was officially rated as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO, and in 2007 it was named one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. This fortification was ordered by Manuel I between 1514-1520 to commemorate Da Gama's arrival in India, and was later used as a customs house, a telegraph station, and even a lighthouse. The overall building of the Belém Tower is arranged in an "L" shape with five floors. The entire tower is made of white marble. It is a typical Manuel style building: the tower is surrounded by stone ropes, dotted with stone knots, Stone carvings of crosses and some flora and fauna. Among them, the stone rhinoceros at the base is quite eye-catching, built to demonstrate the achievements of Portuguese navigators in exploring overseas. When the sun goes down, the Belém Tower has a unique charm. It is also a pleasant enjoyment to take a walk in the harbor and blow the sea breeze. The barrier crossed the drawbridge, and the main entrance through which came to the Belem Tower barrier. There are a total of 16 artillery positions on the wall for placing cannons to defend against the enemy. In the center of the roof was a Gothic rectangular skylight, which was used as a vent for the ramparts, so that the smoke from the cannon fire could quickly dissipate. There are a number of storage rooms under the floor of the rampart, a large one can be reached from the stairs on the north side. Platform A steep staircase to the right of the main entrance to the Tower of Belém leads to a platform at the top of the rampart, which is polygonal in shape and has a sentry box at each corner with lookout windows and a pepper-box roof. In the center of the platform is a ring of balustrades surrounding the patio below, and on the south side of the balustrade is a statue of Our Lady of Victory. On the rampart platform, you can admire the south façade of the Tower of Belém up close. The balconies and railings are decorated with stone carvings, which are very beautiful. Among them, the stone carvings of the shield of King Manuel I are particularly eye-catching, and the top of the shield is decorated with flowers and plants. The stone carvings are embellished, lifelike. At the top of the tower, go up the stairs on the right side of the platform, and you can enter the interior of the tower of Belém. Follow the spiral staircase to the top platform of the tower, and you can see the beautiful scenery of the port of Lisbon: the Tagus River, the Geronimoche Monastery, the nautical monument, the big Jesus statue on the opposite bank, the April 25 Bridge, etc. From the bottom of the eye, the sailboats drifting by the sea from time to time are also a beautiful scenery. Belem tower top platform is very windy, please pay attention to wind protection and warmth.

TOP 3

National Palace of Pena

4.6/5 · 268 review

Based on 19,805 review

Highlights:

Pena Palace is the king's departure palace, its dazzling, peculiar, pretentious figure looks like a paradise castle. The palace itself is a hodgepodge of various architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, Moorish, and Manueline (Manueline, the architectural style of the reign of King Nuel I of Portugal). The brainchild of Ferdinandofsaxe-Coburg-Gotha, husband of Queen Maria II. It is not only a national monument of Portugal, but also one of the seven wonders of Portugal. It is located on the top of a hill in the São Pedro de Penaferrim in Sintra, near Lisbon. It is clearly visible in the city of Lisbon in clear weather. In 1995, it was selected as a World Heritage Site as part of Sintra's Cultural Landscape. It is now frequently used for state activities by the President of Portugal and other government officials. In the Middle Ages, it was only a chapel of Our Lady. In 1493, Joao II and his wife came here for a pilgrimage. His successor, Manuel I, built the monastery. In 1755, the monastery was razed to the ground in the Lisbon earthquake. From 1842 to 1854, great efforts were spent to build the royal summer palace. The architect was Baron von Eschwege, a German, and was finally completed in 1885.

TOP 4

Jerónimos Monastery

4.7/5 · 271 review

Based on 32,494 review

Highlights:

The Jeronimos Monastery is located in the Belém district. This grand white building is a conspicuous landmark of the port city. Together with the church of the Knights of Santa Maria, it is called the culmination of the history of medieval architecture. In 1983, together with the nearby Tower of Belém, it was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and the navigator da Gama is also buried here. Brilliant History The Jeronimos Monastery was built in 1501. King Manuel I presided over the construction in commemoration of Da Gama's significant voyage. It took nearly 100 years before and after. The door wall connecting the church and the monastery is more than 100 meters long, occupying almost the entire street. This majestic momentum also highlights the unrivaled maritime hegemony of Portugal in the past. There is not enough open space in front of the monastery. It is difficult to take a panoramic view, but you don't have to struggle. The exquisite carvings on the outer wall are enough to make people stop and taste for a long time. Being given life is generally lifelike. The south gate of the monastery is ornately decorated with exquisite carvings. The south gate is two stories high and there are many fine reliefs above. Among them, the emblem of Manuel I is engraved on the spandrel in the middle, and the relief above the arch depicts St. The scenes of Ronimo pulling the thorns for the lion and San Jeronimo in the desert are exquisitely sculpted. Although the main entrance is not as gorgeous as the south gate, it is also very unique. The scene of the birth of Jesus is carved above the arch. On both sides of the gate are Manuel I, the Virgin Mary, Saint Jerome, Saint John and other saints. statue. The nave of the monastery is spacious and holy. The Gothic hall has a high vaulted ceiling. The altar in the center of the hall is decorated with gold and green carvings, and the altar next to it has a statue of St. Jeronimo made of red-red glazed porcelain. The Church of the Knights of Santa Maria next to the monastery of the Knights of Santa Maria is also worth seeing. As soon as you enter the door, you can see the sarcophagus of Da Gama, and on the other side is buried the Portuguese poet Camos, whose The works represent the high achievement of Renaissance Portuguese literature. The chapel is very ornately decorated, and the huge transept roof in front of the altar, which is not supported by any pillars, can be described as an engineering miracle in the Middle Ages and was once regarded as a classic. There is a crucifix on the second floor. From the exquisite cloister, you can overlook the elegant view of the monastery courtyard. It is very Portuguese. You may stop here and watch it.

Cape Roca is about 40 kilometers from Lisbon, located in the west of Sintra in the Lisbon district, and belongs to the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It is a narrow cliff about 140 meters above sea level at the western tip of Portugal, once considered the end of the world. Compared with other coasts, Cape Roca is indeed different. The steep cliffs are like lonely arms reaching out to the vast Atlantic Ocean. When you look down, you can see the vertical towering cliffs. Walking on them is like walking to the horizon. The sea and sky are the same color, and the scenery is magnificent It is wide open, and you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset views here. Guardrails are built around the cliffs to prevent accidents for visitors.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

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