Are you staying in Lisbon? Visit the Belém Tower, a must-see! A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s one of the city’s most iconic monuments and Portugal’s most famous. We were transported back in time as we visited this 16th-century fortification protecting the entrance to the capital.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Belém Tower in Lisbon.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Belém Tower worthwhile?
Absolutely! We loved it. The monument is distinguished by its history and architecture. Sitting at the mouth of the Tagus, the 30m tower guarded the city’s port. Commissioned by King Manuel I for defensive purposes, it is now an architectural gem. We were struck by the delicacy of the stone decorations and the influence of Moorish art that permeates the building. The panorama of the river and Lisbon is equally breathtaking. It’s truly one of the city’s most beautiful monuments!
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What you can see
A magnificent building
Enjoy the view from the building as soon as you arrive. The tower soars over 30m into the sky. We admired the typical architecture of King Manuel I, the Italian-inspired loggia and the finely worked stone details. A splendor!
A miniature model
To understand this great monument, study the miniature bronze model of the building near the entrance.
An old drawbridge
A long drawbridge stretches out in front of the tower, a reminder of its defensive function!
A sober interior
Once inside, you’ll be able to contemplate the sobriety of the rooms, which contrasts with the splendor of the exterior. Only a few cannons adorn the basement. Watch your head if you go down, the arched doors are low! We almost collided.
Narrow stairs
We took the narrow staircase up to the upper floors. Made of stone, it bears witness to the passage of time!
A vast terrace
We found the terrace magnificent. Vast and ornate, it seems to stretch out over the river and the city at the same time! The view is already beautiful.
Chiseled turrets
Pretty turrets frame the terrace. You can step inside and slip into the shoes of a 16th-century guard!
Beautiful stone ornaments
Like the towers of bell towers and pointed houses, the beautiful stone ornaments are reminiscent of the roofs of a village. Amazingly, it reminded us of the heights of France’s Château de Chambord!
Crosses of the Knights of the Order of Christ
The crosses of the knights of the Order of Christ can be seen on several parts of the building.
An inner courtyard
From the terrace, we could see a pretty front courtyard with arched doorways.
A superb panorama
Courageous, we climbed to the top of the tower and enjoyed the view despite the grey weather!
Belem Tower in Lisbon: how to get there
Where to find the tower
- In the western city of Lisbon
- In the Belém district
- 20min drive from downtown
- Near the Hieronymites Monastery
Access by car and parking
The tour is accessible by car. Allow 20min from the center. Parking is available at the Descobridores parking lot, 600m from the site.
It’s also easy to get there by cab. They are not very expensive from downtown Lisbon.
Public transport access
The tower is just west of Lisbon, more than 30 minutes by public transport from the city center. It is not served by the metro. You can go there:
- By streetcar, E15 Lg Princesa stop, 350m from the monument. In our opinion, the most practical!
- By bus, lines 728, 729, 751, 760. Plan to do some walking.
- By ferry, if you’re coming from the other side of the river, the Belém stop is a 20-minute walk from the tower.
We recommend you opt for the Lisboa Card. It provides access to all public transport, as well as to over 50 museums and historic buildings, including the Belém Tower. Buy it now and save time!
Access on organized tours
You can also choose to visit the Tower on an organized tour:
- Hop On Hop Off Bus for a fun tour of the city!
- Take a boat out to admire the building from the river! More ideas here.
- In an amphibious vehicle that takes you on land and water!
- On a guided tour, you’ll also discover the other monuments in the Belém district.
Visiting difficulties
The tower is 30 m high and has 4 storeys. There are no elevators, but a spiral staircase. Be prepared to go up and down a hundred steps. It is also very narrow and can only be used in one direction. A system of traffic lights indicates the direction in which it can be used. This doesn’t always work and you have to queue to get on and off. Be patient!
Belem Tower visit: useful tips
Schedules and prices
The tower is open daily (except Mondays) from 9.30am to 6pm. The full price is €8.
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 1 hour to visit the tower and admire its architecture and the panoramic view of the surrounding area!
Best moment
We recommend visiting the tower in the morning as soon as it opens. As one of Lisbon’s most famous monuments, it attracts crowds all year round! Buy your ticket early to save time.
Direction of visit
There’s no set way to visit the tower, but we recommend you start by admiring the building from the outside. Step over the drawbridge and then into the building. Explore the first floor and basement, complete with cannons. Take the stairs up to the terrace. From here, contemplate not only the landscape, but also the magnificent chiselled stones that adorn the monument. Then climb to the very top of the tower. We loved the view!
Eating out
The location is in the Belém district, home to a number of restaurants. Here are a few addresses:
- Just 600m away, the Mister Tapas food truck is ideally located facing the river and serves great tapas!
- Within a 5-minute walk, you’ll find several restaurants between Praia do Bom Sucesso and Bartolomeu Dias streets.
Hotels
There are several hotels close to the tower:
- Hotel Altis Belém Hotel & Spa will win you over with its river views and spa services!
- Hotel Nau Palacio do Governador offers a luxurious stay. Its large swimming pool is well worth a visit!
