Guide to Belém neighbourhood in Lisbon

Are you going to discover the city of Lisbon? Discover the emblematic district of Belém that brings together the city's must-see monuments.

Visit Belém is a mandatory passage during your stay in Lisbon. Located 6 kilometres from the city centre, the area extends along the river Tage . Symbol of the great Portuguese discoveries, it is from here that the great explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries left. The result is a typical mandolin architecture of this time and some of the most beautiful monuments of Portugal. Are you going to visit Belém and want to prepare your stay? We give you the best tips and information to plan your trip.

The History of Belém

Historically, Belém was the district of the shipyards and the opening on the sea. It was the starting point of the expedition Vasco de Gama to India in 1497 and for many Portuguese explorers at the time of great discoveries.

Many monuments and museums in the neighbourhood testify to this colonial past. The Tour de Belém and the Monastery of the Hiéronymites, classified as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the two most striking examples. Their architecture reveals influences brought back from all over the world. The National Palace, former royal residence today, is also located in the district.

Finally, it is here that the entrance to the Portugal in the European Union in 1986. Visiting Belém is therefore the assurance of a journey in time, between monuments, museums and quiet atmosphere along the river. Not to mention the delicious pastéis de Belém , the emblematic pastries of Lisbon, originating in this neighborhood.

What to see and what to do in Belém?

Tour de Belém

Ranked a national monument since 1907, The Belém Tower is one of the 7 wonders of Portugal. It is the undeniable symbol of the great Portuguese explorations at the end of the Middle East and a must when visiting Belém. Built in the early 16th century, it is part of a fortification system designed to protect Lisbon from enemy invasions. Built on the right bank of the river, it allowed to control the passage of ships. Its architecture is manulin style, typical of this time. On the working facades, you will notice the presence of naturalistic and oriental elements inspired by the conquests and trips of the great explorers.

To penetrate inside, the queue is often very long We therefore recommend that you simply enjoy the view of the tower if you have only one day to visit Belém.

Monument of discoveries

From the Belém Tower, you will only have to follow the Tage along several small ports to fall on the Monument of Discoveries. Built in 1960, it commemorates the great Portuguese discoveries. Turning to the sea, he appears a caravan ready to embark on a new adventure. On its sides you will notice the sculptures paying tribute to Vasco de Gama and Magellan.

For only 4€ , an elevator allows you to climb to the top at more than 50 meters high. Like a vigy on its mat, you will have a view of the Tage and the horizon with the Pont du 25 April on your left and the Cristo Rei backdrop.

Berardo Museum

By continuing to visit Belém, you will find the Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary, the most visited museum in Lisbon. You will admire Portuguese works from 1900 to present.

Know that admission is free on Saturday , a good plan if you will visit Belém on the weekend. In the museum garden, a café overlooking the Tage and the Monument des Découvertes allows you to enjoy a well-deserved break.

Monastery of the Hieronymous

The second monument of your journey to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Monastery of the Hiéronymites impresses with its beauty. Financed by the trade of spices following the great shipping expeditions, it is the jewel of mandolin architecture. The cloister is the main part of the visit, and you can admire the cozy work of the sculptures that adorn the inner facades.

• The Vasco de Gama browser and poet Luis de Camões rest in the adjacent church.
• In the wings of the monastery you can visit Marine Museum and Museum of Archaeology.

Victim of his success, the monastery is very frequent . To avoid other tourists visiting Belém, we recommend you go there early morning or late afternoon.

Boutique Pastéis de Belém

What better than the country's traditional pastries after a busy day?

Traditional bakery Pastéis de Belém is the only one to serve these small sprinkled cinnamon flans. She sells more than 10,000 a day! Legend wants the recipe to pass through the centuries, from the hieronymites that made them for themselves. Today, only the pastry chef of the shop Pastéis de Belém He has the secret. If you want to taste the little cakes, you will need queue, but you will not be disappointed with the result.

Museum of Carrots

Cars, horse cars, porter chairs, uniforms...This museum brings together a unique collection in the world of vintage vehicles. It retraces the various means of transport used in Portugal and Europe from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries.

The teddy of the time is found in many gold-coated models and decorated with the most luxurious materials. Among the most beautiful pieces, the carriage of Pope Clement XI or that of King João V . An original activity if seen come to visit Belém with family.

Guided visits to Belém

Bus tours of historical monuments

The company Yellow Bus offers a tour to visit Belém from the Monastery of the Hiéronymites.

The buses have a second floor open and so you can enjoy the sun and a clear view of the Tage and the monuments. One. audio-guide accompanies the trip and gives you all the interesting information about the different places you cross. Stops at the main points of interest are planned, and you can go up and get off the bus any time with the same ticket. Departures take place every 20 minutes and full tour by bus without stop hard about 50 minutes .

Walking tour

To make the most of the neighbourhood’s atmosphere, we recommend visiting Belém on foot.

Many associations like Lisbon me and Secrets offer thematic tours of the different neighborhoods of the city. Passionate guides will adapt to your desires to create the optimal turn according to your desires. These are French guides , fallen in love with the white city and living on the spot, know the story and fun anecdotes of the Belém district on the tip of the fingers. The visit lasts between 2 and 4 hours according to the association you choose.

Visit on the theme of the Great Discoveries

This visit from the famous Place du Commerce will take you along the banks to the Belém district.

Your guide will teach you how Portugal has contributed to the discovery of the world thanks to the great explorers of the 15th century. You will discover many anecdotes and stories about these iconic characters while discovering the monuments that pay tribute to them, such as the monument of discoveries. In addition, the Tour de Belém and the Monastery of the Hiéronymites, both classified as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, are also part of the visit.

Guided tour bike electric

To reduce the travel time between the different monuments to visit, you can opt for a visit of Belém by electric bike. The majority of the route is on the bike path, you will be safe throughout your tour. The guide will lead you to all the essentials of Belém, such as the monument of discoveries or the monastery of the Hiéronymites.

Interactive tour of the hidden treasures of Belém

This visit will allow you to discover Belém in a fun way thanks to a track game accessible directly from your smartphone:

• Download the app and start solving the puzzles that are proposed to you.
• At every good answer, you will receive information on the history of the neighbourhood or local culture, and you will be guided to a new place.
• You will discover the iconic monuments of the neighborhood but also less known places, always fun.

This visit is an ideal way to visit Belém with family or friends.

The best hotels to stay in the Belém district

The neighborhood being located a little away from downtown , we recommend you to find a room that will allow you to visit Belém in the best conditions.

• We recommend you for example Hotel Jeronimos 8ideally located between the Monastery of the Hiéronymites and the pastry shop of Belém. This 4-star hotel welcomes you in a design environment, with a sunny terrace and Belém Pasteis at breakfast. Ver Belém Suites and Pensão Residencial Setubalense are two other options of choice, close to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos decision.
• For larger budgets : Altis Belém Hotel and Spa is a 5-star hotel with rooms with stunning views of the Tage. Irreproachable service and contemporary decoration will make your stay a relaxing and unforgettable parenthesis.
• Travelers looking for basic comfort will find their happiness at Belém Guest House and Belém Backpackers Hostel, two youth hostels with a friendly atmosphere and affordable price. These two establishments are located in the same area, near the_Igreja da Memória_.

Where to eat in the Belém district?

In addition to the Pastéis boutique in Belém, the district has sumptuous restaurants quality to discover Portuguese cuisine at all prices.

• We can only recommend The Parisian counter, offering a menu mixing French and Portuguese dishes. Do not miss the classics like the risotto of small octopuses or the brandade of cod. To discover traditional Portuguese products, you can also trust the restaurant Prova Enoteca, located a little outside the traditional tourist circuit.
• If you want to take a break at noon with a breathtaking view, the Darwin’s Café offers an enchanting cuisine in front of the Tage and the Tour de Belém.
• If you would like to visit Belém and please discover the Portuguese high cuisine, go to the Feitoria, close to the Monument of Discoveries. Star chef João Rodriguez offers you a real experience focused on the product and matter. Choose between menus Terra and Materiala for a guided trip in 8 or 10 dishes.

How to get to Belém?

The neighborhood located at the western end of Lisbon, you will have to take the public transport from the city centre to visit Belém. The solutions are numerous and economical.

Daily transport

• By bus: many buses will allow you to reach Belém from the city center. The 723, 732, 748, 751, 760 and 776 buses serve the neighbourhood. To find out, you should know that bus lines have different colors depending on the neighborhoods they serve. To visit Belém, follow the pink line. The bus ride will cost you 2€.
• ♪ taxi : There are more than 3000 taxis in Lisbon, you shouldn't have trouble finding your happiness. They are recognizable to their colour: black, green or white-cream. If they are free, the terminal is illuminated in green. The journey time between downtown and Belém is approximately 20 minutes.
• By train: It is a simple, fast and economic way to visit Belém from Lisbon. We'll have to get you to the station. Cais do Sodré. Departures take place every 12 minutes in the day and the journey lasts 7 minutes. The train ticket is at €1.35.

Original transport

• ♪ tram : tram line 15 will lead you from the city centre of Lisbon to the Belém district. You can board the bus from many places like the Place du Commerce – Praça do Comercio. You will descend to the stop Belém-Jeronimos, close to the monastery of the Hiéronymites. The journey costs 3€, but there is also an unlimited public transit ticket for 24 hours at the price of 6€. The tram n°18 allows you to visit Belém from the train station Cais do Sodré.
• By boat: If you are on the other side of the river, the ferry is the most convenient way to reach and visit Belém. You can board Trafaria or Porto Brandão, for the modest sum of €1.25.