The best things to do in Belém, Lisbon
Belém, by the Tagus River in Lisbon, is a lively area with an incredible amount to see and do. It’s great for history fans, lovers of the famous Portuguese custard tart, and anyone who enjoys beautiful views.
The Belém district is just outside the main centre of the Portuguese capital. It’s a wonderful place to do some sightseeing away from the main hustle and bustle of the downtown area. If you have time during your trip, you should definitely head to Belem and spend some time here.
If you plan on visiting Belém as part of your Lisbon trip, you’ll find your guide to the best things to do in Belém, below. I’ve also included information on how to get to Belem and how much time you should spend here.
For other things to see and do while in Lisbon, check out my post.
The best things to do in Belém, Lisbon
The best things to do in Belém, Lisbon
– Visit the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
– See the Monument to the Discoveries
– Climb to the top of the Torre de Belém
– Try the famous Portuguese custard tarts
– Wander around the Tropical Botanical Garden
– See Belém Palace
– Visit a museum
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About Belém
Belém is just a few miles outside of central Lisbon. It is one of the city’s most historically significant districts, full of grand buildings and famous monuments.
It is where the famous Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama set off on his explorations to India just before the turn of the 16th century.
Because of this, and the earlier explorations of Prince Henry the Navigator, which led to the discovery of Madeira, the Azores, and Cape Verde, the area represents the ‘Age of Discovery’. Several of the main sights in the area reflect this legacy.
Belém’s location at the mouth of the Tagus River also means there are some fabulous views from here. It’s especially stunning if you’re lucky enough to visit on a fine day and can stroll along the water’s edge.
Add in an massive, eye-catching monastery, some historically significant monuments, a tropical botanical garden, a palace, and a famous cake shop, and it’s without doubt a place to put on your Lisbon sightseeing list.
Top tip: There are many monuments, buildings, and museums to visit in Belém. If you plan to visit a few, it would be worth purchasing the Lisbon Card (Lisboa Card). The card includes unlimited travel on public transport, entry to over 50 museums and historical buildings (including several of those listed in this post), and discounts for other sights.
How to get to Belém
As Belém is just a district of Lisbon, it’s not far from the centre and easy to get to by public transportation.
Trains
The quickest way to get to Belém is by train. Take the train from Cais do Sodre station in the direction of Cascais and get off at the Belem stop, which is 7 minutes into the journey. Trains are regular, with roughly four an hour.
Trams
You can also catch the number 15 tram. This starts in Lisbon centre (in Praca do Figueira). It takes about 30 minutes to reach Belem.
Buses
Several buses also go to Belém from different parts of the city (for example the 714 from Praca do Figueira and the 728 from Cais do Sodre train station). Depending on where you get on, and the traffic, these can take up to 45 minutes.
The hop-on hop-off bus
If you’re short on time and want to see lots of different things in Lisbon, the easiest way to get to Belém is to book the city’s hop-on hop-off bus.
This will take you around the main sights in the city and out to Belem.
The best things to do in Belém, Lisbon
Below are some of the best things to do in Belém.
Visit the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
In my opinion, the most striking building in Belem is the Jeronimos monastery (Mosteiro dos Jeronimos). It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s easy to see why (and why it’s among the most visited places in Lisbon).
When you set eyes on it, I guarantee you’ll think it’s breathtaking.
Intricately designed, this elegant building was initiated by King Manuel I, with building work starting in the early 16th century. In its early days, it functioned as a place of prayer for monks and a refuge for sailors.
It took decades to complete and is an example of the Portuguese Manueline style: lavish and ornate late Gothic architecture.
This style can be seen from the outside of the building. It’s covered with a plethora of intricate designs, including around the windows and doors, and on its towers, one of which has a dome on top.
If you go inside, you’ll be treated to yet more beautiful architecture. There are stunning cloisters and a central courtyard. There is also the Church of Santa Maria, where the tomb of Vasca da Gama can be found.
The monastery is undoubtedly at the top of the list on a trip to Belem. If you have time, I’d recommend you go inside and explore.
It is open every day except Mondays and public holidays. Between May and September, opening hours are 10 am to 6.30 pm. For the rest of the year, it shuts an hour earlier.
You can buy tickets for the monastery here.
Note that entry to the monastery is free with your Lisboa Card.
See the Monument to the Discoveries
If you cross over the road from the Jeronimos monastery and walk through the gardens to the waterfront, you’ll find the impressive Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos). It is dedicated to Prince Henry the Navigator who discovered the Portuguese islands of Madeira, the Azores, and Cape Verde.
The monument is massive (over 50 metres high) with a design that is based on the structure of the front of a sailing ship. There is a line of explorers along the side, headed up by Prince Henry.
You can go inside the monument to see the exhibitions on display. There is also an observation deck at the top that gives you a bird’s eye view across the area.
The monument is open year-round from 10 am to 6 pm (October to February) and to 7 pm (March to September).
Climb to the top of Belém Tower (The Torre de Belém)
Further along the waterfront is another monument and a second UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As with other sites in Belem, the 16th century Belém Tower harks back to the ‘Age of Discoveries’. It also provided protection from boats that might look to attack the city.
The Torre has a fort-like Manueline structure and is beautiful. If you only have a short time in Belém, I recommend you wander along the riverfront and at least see the tower from the outside.
But if you have more time, you can also walk across the little bridge and go inside (Belém Tower tickets are free with the Lisbon Card).
You can wander around the terrace, which juts out into the water, and go into some of the chambers and tunnels.
You can also climb the spiral staircase to the top. There are some amazing views from here, including of the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in the distance, which you can also see from the Monument to the Discoveries.
The tower has the same opening hours as the monastery: it is open every day except Mondays and public holidays. Between May and September, it is open between 10 am and 6.30 pm. In other months, it shuts an hour earlier.
Try the famous Portuguese custard tarts
By the time you visit Belém, you may have already tried one of the country’s fantastic custard tarts, pastel de nata.
If you enjoyed it, then you’ll love Belem. This is where you can visit the famous bakery and café which is said to have invented the original custard tarts in 1837, following an ancient recipe created by monks at the nearby Jeronimos monastery.
The website notes that the secret recipe is recreated every day using only traditional methods. And as it has the original recipe, this is the only place where they are called Pasteis de Belém. That’s why all the other custard tarts you find throughout Portugal and overseas are known as Pasteis de Nata.
We never pass up the opportunity to have one when we visit. You can pick some up to take away in the shop or go into the cavernous and colourfully decorated café. Grab a table and order these delicious tarts baking hot from the oven with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Wander around the Tropical Botanical Garden
As you stroll around Belém, you’ll come across many small gardens and green spaces. However, if you want to immerse yourself in a more tropical garden, then head to the Tropical Botanical Garden. This is not far from the monastery and behind the Pasteis de Belém café.
The garden – which was created in the early 20th century – covers a 5-hectare area, and features plant species from around the world. There’s also a small palace here and various sculptures dotted around.
It’s a relaxing environment to stroll around in to get some peace and quiet during your day out.
The botanical garden is open every day except for Christmas and New Year’s Day. Opening hours vary by season. There’s a small fee to enter, but this is waived on Sunday mornings.
See Belém Palace
Belém Palace (the Palacio Nacional de Belém) is a short walk from the tropical garden.
This reasonably modest (for a palace) pink building with impressively manicured gardens is the residence of the President of the Portuguese Republic. It was previously a royal residence and where the country’s last king was born.
It has also apparently been home to various creatures, including exotic birds, lions, elephants, and zebras!
If you want to learn more about Portugal’s Presidency, visit the Presidency Museum inside the palace. It is open every day except Mondays and selected holidays.
You can also book guided tours that will give you the chance to go into the palace and peek into some of the rooms. These tours take place on Saturdays. Most are in Portuguese, but there is one in English that runs at 4.30pm.
Visit a museum
For a relatively small area of Lisbon, Belem has a surprisingly large number of museums. If you have time to go to one of them, you can choose from the following.
The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
MAAT: The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, is not far from the National Palace on the water’s edge. Unsurprisingly, given its focus, it’s a modern structure with a sleek, almost space-age design. It showcases a wide selection of exhibitions, with work by various contemporary artists and designers.
The museum is open every day except Tuesday from 10 am until 7 pm.
The Museum of Contemporary Art
Another place to visit if you’re an art lover is the Museum of Contemporary Art. This is in the Centro Cultural de Belém. The museum opened in autumn 2023 so it is a much more recent addition to the area.
On a visit here, you can see a range of different works by famous modern artists, including Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, Francis Bacon, Pablo Picasso and Cindy Sherman. There is a permanent exhibition, as well as temporary ones, so check the website before you visit to see what’s on.
The museum is open every day except Monday from 10 am to 6.30 pm.
The Maritime museum (Museu de Marinha)
If you want to know more about the country’s navigators and their contribution to Portugal’s empire and history, head to The Maritime Museum. There’s a massive amount of artefacts here: old preserved boats, model ships, maps, and various other items of historical significance.
The museum is in part of the monastery in Belem, and is open every day from 10 am till 6 pm.
The National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches)
If you fancy learning about a form of transport that isn’t connected to the sea, consider visiting this unique museum. Here you can see displays of wonderful grand and ornate royal coaches that date from the 1600s to the 1800s.
Note that the museum is closed on Mondays.
How many hours do you need in Belém?
To truly enjoy Belém, I’d probably aim to spend at least half a day here. This will give you enough time to see the main attractions without feeling rushed. However, there are many things to do in Belém, so if you can dedicate an entire day, you won’t run short of sightseeing opportunities.
Alternatively, if time is tight on your trip to Lisbon, you could spend a couple of hours here wandering around the area, seeing the main sights, and then stopping off for a Pastéis de Belém. Many of the sights are still worth seeing from the outside, even if you don’t have time to go inside.
You might also find it useful to book a walking tour of the area. This will give you the chance to see a lot of the sights and learn about the history of Belem in a short space of time.
Is Belém, Lisbon, worth visiting?
Yes, Belém is a treasure-trove of sights and is thoroughly recommended. This charming area offers a mix of history, culture, and beauty that makes it a must-see. You’ll find impressive landmarks and can learn a lot about Portugal’s history and how it shaped the modern nation. These sites alone make Belém a unique and interesting place to explore.
But there’s more to Belém than its history. On a day out here, you can sample the famous Pastéis de Belém, wander through beautiful parks and gardens, and enjoy the scenic views along the Tagus River.
Other ideas for short European trips and days out
If you”re spending time in Belem, then you may find my guide to 2 days in Lisbon helpful. Likewise, my post about visiting the Pena Palace, a unique and magical castle which is a great day trip from Lisbon.
For other ideas for short breaks and days out in Europe, click here.
Written by Emma Marshall