The best sight of Lisbon and the tourist icon of Portugal are comprised to become this world heritage. The best sight is Monastery of the Hieronymite or can be called Monastery of Jerónimos. This monastery is a real gem of Lisbon built in Manueline style or Portuguese baroque with unbelievable details of stone carving. The monastery can be separated into two parts, which open to visitor, the church and the cloister.
The church and its great height of the transept is the best example of this uniquely Portuguese architectural style. This place is also the resting place of great discoverer Vasco da Gama which is not surprising at all as this church was really bound with this man and the age of discovery. If you think you see the best part of the monastery, you are wrong. The cloister is even more magnificent with brightly sandstone with fountain and green lawn, truly a magical sight. The cloister also has a museum that tells the history of the church and also the world. The church is free, but you have to pay some admission fee for the cloister.
The nearby Tower of Belém is also built in Manueline and was used as the fort to protect Lisbon in the center of Tejo River. However, now the fort is near the shoreline as the river stream changes its way. The tower is very nice and become a tourist icon for Portugal, so every tourist has to come to take photo with this place.
Belém is a very nice area of Lisbon with many beautiful parks, the Discovery Monument and the Presidential Palace. Strolling in Belém is a great contrast with Baixa and gives a new image to Lisbon. As these two places are the must for every tourist with good reason, so if you miss these places, I don’t know what to say. And I totally agreed with Ian Cade, Pasteis de Belem is a must.