Torre de Belém
The openwork balconies and domed turrets of the fanciful Belém Tower make it perhaps the country's purest Manueline structure. The UNESCO World Heritage site was built between 1514 and 1520 on what was an island in the middle of the Tagus River to defend the port entrance, and it's dedicated to Saint Vincent, the patron saint of Lisbon. Today the chalk-white tower stands near the north bank—evidence of the river's changing course. Cross the wooden gangway to check out the cannons, then climb the steep, narrow, winding staircase to the top of the tower for a bird's-eye view across the Tagus. Then, descend to the former dungeons.
