More about: 10 Things to Do in Belem in Lisbon
The Belém neighborhood is located at the mouth of the Tagus River and is famous for the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, two examples of the Manueline style. This artistic movement is very typical of Portugal and will surprise you with its extravagant decoration. Here are the best things to do in this authentic neighborhood of Lisbon.
1. Take a guided tour
Any trip to Lisbon must include a visit to Belém. This area is closely linked to Portugal's colonial history; it was from these very shores that the caravels left Europe to reach the coasts of Brazil or the overseas possessions in India.
By choosing a guided tour, you can discover this neighborhood with an expert guide who will take you to see the main attractions: the Jerónimos Monastery, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and the Belém Tower. These tours usually last two hours and normally start at Praça do Império (opposite the Maritime Museum) or at Doca de Bom Sucesso, the docks on the banks of the river.
Best tours of Belém
Don't think that all tours of Belém are the same; there are different ways to explore the neighborhood. These are the most popular:
- Guided walking tour of Belém - from $39
- Tuk-tuk tour of the Belém area of Lisbon - from $93
- Segway tour of the Tagus River and Belém in Lisbon - from $83
2. Visit the masterpiece of Manueline architecture
Whichever tour you choose, during your tour of Belém you will pass by the Jerónimos Monastery, a majestic religious building that dominates Praça do Império. Its history is linked to maritime exploration and the figure of Vasco da Gama. In 1497, the Portuguese navigator set sail from the port of Santa Maria de Belém, skirted the west coast of Africa, rounded the Cape of Good Hope and arrived in Calicut (India) on May 20, 1498. A year later, two boats returned to Portugal laden with spices. To celebrate this new trade route, King Manuel I decided to build a large church and commissioned the architect Diogo de Boitaca to design it.
The first stop is the Church of Santa Maria de Belém, a Gothic temple with large columns and the tombs of four Portuguese monarchs, Luís de Camões, and Vasco da Gama. Another feature not to be missed is the two-story Manueline-style cloister. Both floors are richly decorated with gargoyles, nautical symbols, medallions, tiles, and much more. From October to April, it is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while from May to September it closes at 6:30 p.m.
When you are in the monastery church, look up at the vault of the transept. This extraordinary dome is characterized by its spider web-like structure but, despite its height and size, it is not supported by any columns!
Discover the symbol of the city: the Belém Tower
3. Discover the symbol of the city: the Belém Tower
The Belém Tower stands in an emblematic location in Lisbon: on the former Restelo beach, from where ships set sail for Brazil, Africa, and other overseas colonies. Construction began during the reign of Manuel I and bears the signature of Francisco de Arruda. The architect designed the bastion of Azamor, a town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, and his stay in the Maghreb is reflected in the tower's decoration, which features Arabic-style elements.
The Belém Tower is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (between October and April) or from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (between May and September).
Before entering, take a minute to look at the rhino gargoyle, a sculpture depicting this animal. The statue hides a unique story linked to the maritime explorations of the 16th century. In 1513, Admiral Afonso de Albuquerque returned from India with a rhinoceros and presented it as a gift to Manuel I: it was the first time this beast had set foot on European soil. At the royal court, they wondered if it was as strong as an elephant, and to settle the matter, the monarch had them fight to the death. According to legend, the rhinoceros won, and the king wanted to honor the "strongest animal in the world."
4. Admire the monument commemorating Portuguese navigators
A few meters from the Belém Tower stands a tower reminiscent of a caravel: the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. The monument commemorates the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator, a key figure in Portuguese history.
On the opposite side of the bow, a large cross completes the monument, and at its base is a door. Behind this threshold is a small museum illustrating the routes taken by Portuguese navigators. From here you can climb up to the viewpoint, which offers splendid views of the sports bridge, the Tagus River, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the Jerónimos Monastery. If you like panoramic views, you've chosen the right city. Lisbon is also famous for its viewpoints, and the most popular ones are in the nearby Alfama neighborhood.
From October to February, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos is closed on Mondays and open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on other days. From March to September, it is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
5. Admire the city from the Tagus River
To see the tower, the Jerónimos Monastery, and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos from a different perspective, you can opt for a river cruise on the Tagus. Excursions depart from the port of Belém or other central neighborhoods of Lisbon. A good option could be a boat trip at sunset. This way, you can see the main monuments of the Portuguese capital while sailing the waters of the river.
The boats usually reach Praça do Comércio, passing under one of the city's icons: the 25 de Abril Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Europe. Opened in 1966 as the Salazar Bridge, it was renamed after the 1974 Carnation Revolution. Its shape and red color resemble San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.
If you are traveling to Lisbon in the summer, I recommend booking your tours in advance. These excursions are very popular during the warmer months.
6. Relive the past at the Carriage Museum
Until the 19th century, Lisbon's long avenues and steep hills were traversed by a multitude of carriages. The royal family traveled in luxurious, richly decorated carriages, many of which have left the streets to be housed in the Museu Nacional dos Coches.
The museum is divided into two parts: some vehicles are on display in the Picadeiro Real (the former equestrian arena of the Portuguese royal family), while others are housed in a modern structure designed by Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha. Both buildings are located in Praça Afonso de Albuquerque.
If you are coming from the center of Lisbon, you can take tram 15 to the Belém stop. The journey takes about twenty minutes. If you are passionate about transportation, I recommend visiting the Museu da Carris, a cultural institution that houses double-decker buses, subway cars, horse-drawn carriages, trams, and much more. From Praça Afonso de Albuquerque, take tram 15 (this time in the opposite direction) and get off at the Estação De Santo Amaro stop.
7. Stop off at Casa Pastéis de Belém
In Lisbon, pastéis de Belém are an institution, and the pastry shop that uses the original 19th-century recipe is located in this part of town. Naturally, we're talking about Casa Pastéis de Belém, located at Rua de Belém 84. You'll recognize it by the tiles on its façade and the line that often forms at the entrance. The pancakes that come out of this place every day are a delight for the palate and worth the wait. In addition to pastéis, you can also buy Bolo Inglês, assorted sweet and savory pastries, and jam.
During the Christmas season, the selection is complemented by bolo-rei and bolo-rainha, two Portuguese versions of the traditional Christmas cake. If you're traveling during this time of year, I recommend reading the post 10 things to see and do in Lisbon in December.
8. Immerse yourself in modern and contemporary art
A short distance from the Jerónimos Monastery is the Museu Coleção Berardo, now converted into the Museu de Arte Contemporanea, a cultural institution that brings together more than 900 works from the main artistic movements of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Among the most important creations, we must mention Picasso's "Femme dans un fauteuil" and "Tête de femme," Andy Warhol's "Brillo Box" (wooden cubes that recreate sponge packaging), and Francis Bacon's "Oedipus and the Sphinx after Ingres." The museum won a Tripadvisor "Traveler's Choice" award in 2021, and I can assure you that it is well worth a visit. It is located in Praça do Império, and general admission costs approximately €5.
Mateo's tip
If you like contemporary art and are visiting the Portuguese capital over the weekend, you're in luck. Admission is free on Saturdays!
9. Come and discover the neighborhood's newest addition: the MAAT.
The riverbank is home to a cultural institution of great interest: the MAAT, Lisbon's Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology. It is located next to the city's old power station and its shape resembles a wave on the Tagus River. Opened in October 2016, it hosts exhibitions by contemporary artists, architects, and thinkers. It is also used for concerts and film screenings.
Architecturally, this building is characterized by 15,000 three-dimensional tiles that reflect the reflections of the water and by its public viewpoint overlooking the other bank of the Tagus. The two buildings that make up the complex (Central – Electricity Museum and MAAT) are open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday through Monday.
To round off your visit, enjoy a drink at maat Café & Kitchen, a restaurant offering Mediterranean-style signature cuisine. Its specialties are fish and seafood from the Portuguese coast.
10. Step through the gates of an iconic stadium
Are you a soccer fan? Then you'll be interested to know that the Belém neighborhood is home to the Os Belenenses stadium, Lisbon's third team and fourth in terms of number of fans nationwide. The Estadio do Restelo has been its home since September 23, 1956, when the locals won 2-1 against the more powerful Sporting. The stadium has a capacity of 19,856 spectators and offers a beautiful view of the Jerónimos Monastery and the river. If you feel like it, you can visit it on a guided tour. If you're interested, I recommend checking out their official website.