Lisbon: Belém
(click for greater detail)The monastery is in the neighborhood of Belem, an old part of Lisbon. It lies to the west of the city center (Baixa), beyond the massive suspension bridge Ponte 25 de Abril. On the waterfront is the modern monument to Portuguese exploration.
The neighborhood has some busy parks
a garden of tropical plants 
(which had a the time exhibitions by the Bonsai Club of Portugal and the Portuguese association for carnivorous plants) 
several museums, and a large variety of architecture,..