Things to do in Torre de Belém
Lisbon’s most photographed monument is without a doubt the majestic Torre de Belém. Also known as the Tower of Saint Vincent, the fortress tower located on the freguesia of Santa Maria de Belém also holds the status of UNESCO heritage site, and it is also the symbol of Portugal’s great past of exploration and discovery. Commissioned by King João II to be part of the defence system facing the Tagus river and also as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon, the tower was actually built in the 16th century entirely with lioz limestone incorporating hints of several architectural styles but mostly Portuguese Manueline. Built on an island near the Lisbon shore, for many years it has been incorrectly stated that the tower was built in the middle of the Tagus and now sits near the shore because the river was redirected after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The Belém Tower was added on 7 July 2007 to the registry of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
Our recommendations in Torre de Belém
Self-guided Discovery Walk in Lisbon’s Belém
Explore Lisbon's Belém during this interactive Discovery Game. Solve riddles that lead you through the city while learning about its history.
en, pt
Belém district self-guided walking tour in Lisbon
Discover the most emblematic and famous districts of Lisbon -- Belém.
en, fr, pt
Ride through Lisbon on a vintage bike and explore the city in a unique way.
en, it, fr, es, de, +1 pt
One-way boat tour tickets in Lisbon
Enjoy the view of Lisbon from a boat, admire the landmarks of the city and visit the Belem Tower.
en, fr, es, de
Self-guided Discovery Walk in Lisbon’s Belém
Explore Lisbon's Belém during this interactive Discovery Game. Solve riddles that lead you through the city while learning about its history.
en, pt
Belém district self-guided walking tour in Lisbon
Discover the most emblematic and famous districts of Lisbon -- Belém.
en, fr, pt
Ride through Lisbon on a vintage bike and explore the city in a unique way.
en, it, fr, es, de, +1 pt
One-way boat tour tickets in Lisbon
Enjoy the view of Lisbon from a boat, admire the landmarks of the city and visit the Belem Tower.
en, fr, es, de
Private half-day tour to Belem and Jeronimos Monastery
Book a private tour of the Belem neighborhood in Lisbon. Learn about the naval history in Portugal, step inside the Jerónimos Monastery Church and enjoy a cruise along the Tagus river.
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Lisbon tour from the Algarve with sightseeing bus and free time
Few capitals are as diverse as Lisbon. From the tightly packed alleys of the old town to the elegant boulevards of Baixa Pombalina, it's a city bursting with charm and life – and classic yellow trams. Gonçalo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Much of Lisbon was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, and was then rebuilt under the Marquis of Pombal's guidance into the first city with innovative earthquake-resistant designs – hence today's name for the district: Baixa Pombalina.'Things kick off reasonably early, allowing you to reach Lisbon in good time. Get ready for spectacular views over the city as you cross the Golden Gate-like 25th April Bridge over the River Tagus to the seafront district of Belém. You'll get to see Belém Tower, the Monument of Discoveries and much more. Gonçalo says, 'Belém Tower was built in the early 16th century and is an iconic symbol of Portugal's Age of Discoveries. It once stood on a small island near the riverbank, but as the river's course changed, it now sits near the shore. Over the years, it's served as a defence point, a lighthouse, a customs house, and even a prison.'Next, sightsee by bus passing by the Basilica Estrela among other sights. Your guide will then point out the best areas of the city to check out during your free time – whether you prefer to shop, dine or simply stroll streets lined with impressive buildings from Portugal's imperial days. You'll return to the Algarve via the Vasco da Gama Bridge – the longest in Europe.
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Lisbon historic highlights guided tour
Book this guided tour of Lisbon and discover the most emblematic sights of the city including Portas do Sol and Nossa Senhora do Monte belvederes, Lisbon Cathedral, Alfama and Belém...
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Discover the Secrets of Belem urban escape game and tour
Experience a new approach to tourism exploring Lisbon while playing a customised escape game. Let the app be your guide and discover all the city's essentials.
en, fr, es, pt, nl
Belém District Walking Tour with Audio Guide App
Explore Lisbon's Belém district at your own pace with an audio guided tour. Feel free to take a break and deviate from the itinerary at any time.
en, it, fr, es, de, +1 pl
Belem Discoveries Walking Tour
Discover Lisbon's district Belém. Visit the incredible Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the Age of Discovery.
en, es, pt
How to get there
Torre de Belém
Lisbon
Portugal
Reviews Torre de Belém
“I was advised the wrong pick up location, walked to the bus stop only for it to then do a pick up of other customers at my hotel. Spent 4hours on the coach before even getting to Lisbon because of all the other pick ups. Big queues at the main attractions - although TUI can't help that, it just added to frustration. Then back on the coach again to the next stop. Very fleeting visit and so much time spent on the coach I think it's probably just too much of a stretch for one day from Algarve.”
“Could have been organized better. Went to the monastery and by the time Anna the tour guide explained in 3 different languages the Queue tripled in size. Should have queued straight away and she could have explained the History while the queue was moving.”
“Wir haben schon einige Städte Europas gesehen. Manche davon möchten wir noch ein zweites Mal besuchen, Lissabon gehört nicht dazu.”
