After a day spent rambling through the dusty streets of Lisbon, globetrotters join locals in heading to the banks of the River Tagus in the historic Belém district to watch the sun sink below the Atlantic horizon.
It is a fine spot to indulge in pastéis de nata. These rich, deep-filled custard tarts topped with caramelised sugar are said to have been created by the area’s monks as a way to eke a living following the closure of Portugal’s monasteries in the 1830s.
Traditional Portuguese bakers still follow the original Belém recipe, but are reluctant to share it.
Enjoy a tart at the Pastéis de Belém bakery, which began producing the treats in 1837, accompanied by a steaming shot of espresso.
More decadent options are available in Chiado, a fashionable neighbourhood 9km to the east. To find the best pâtisserie in the district, head to Sacramento for a traditional Portuguese dessert platter featuring pastéis and intricate marzipan confections.
Photographs: Dreamstime; Sean Pavone/Dreamstime
