Portugal’s capital is home to many magnificent neighborhoods that are fascinating to explore on foot. From the historic Baixa district to Alfama and Bairro Alto, you’ll soon realize that no two neighborhoods are alike, and that each has its own attractions to discover.
Getting to the Belem district
If you’re planning to visit Belém in Lisbon, there are a few points to note, as this part of the city is quite a distance from the city center.
Getting to Belém from Lisbon’s central districts can take up to an hour by public transport, depending on where you’re coming from. The easiest way to get there is by streetcar, but if you’re short of time, an Uber is well worth it. Allow at least a day to discover Belém from Lisbon, so you don’t have to rush around and can wander between the main attractions at your own pace.
Discover Lisbon’s Belém district and explore its history
Belém lies on the banks of the Tagus estuary and was historically the location of Lisbon’s shipyards. It was in Belém that 16th-century explorers discovered many important trade routes leading to countries such as Brazil and East Africa. This district is much more relaxed than central Lisbon, even if there are many tourists visiting its various points of interest.
Belém is very easy to get around on foot, and most of the best things to do in Lisbon can be found in this district. It’s well worth adding to your itinerary if you’re planning to stay in Lisbon for a few days.
Here’s how to spend a day in Belém, along with some tips on where to eat in the neighborhood.
Visit Belém: a must-see Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery
One of the most important things to do in Belém is to visit the famous Jerónimos Monastery. Construction of this UNESCO World Heritage Site began in 1496, at a time when Portugal’s wealth was growing rapidly during the Age of Discovery. It is here that the tomb of Vasco da Gama is to be found, along with those of other leading Portuguese historical figures. The Jerónimos Monastery is also considered the birthplace of the famous 18th-century Pastel de Nata. So you can thank the nuns and monks for this delicious snack!
We strongly recommend that you book in advance to visit the Jerónimos Monastery to avoid disappointment. It’s one of Portugal’s most visited attractions, so you can imagine how many people enter the monastery every day. You can, for example, book in advance with Tiqets. This way, you can avoid the queue at the ticket office and enter the monastery directly. If, for some reason, you can’t get a ticket, the church of Santa Maria next door is free and absolutely magnificent.
Do you know the pastéis de Belém: eating pasteis de nata in Manteigaria
Many places claim to have the best pastéis de nata in Lisbon, but only one makes them to perfection. Manteigaria has several stores in Lisbon, serving thousands of these traditional Portuguese cream tarts every day. In Belém, their store is right opposite the Jerónimos Monastery. It’s an ideal place to take a break after a two-hour walk around the monastery.
Their simple, yet delicious, preservative-free recipe is the subject of long queues all year round. Tasting pastéis de nata is one of the must-dos in Lisbon, and there’s no better place to do it than Manteigaria.
Monument of the Discoveries or Padrão dos Descobrimentos
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or Monument of Discoveries, is one of Lisbon’s main tourist attractions. It’s just a short walk from the monastery, so you can easily add it to your itinerary if you’re spending a day in Belém. The Monument of Discoveries stands along the Tagus River and commemorates the 500ᵉ anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator, who discovered places such as the Azores and Cape Verde.
Built in 1960, it is shaped like a Portuguese ship. At the front of the ship stands Henry the Navigator, behind him many other leading Portuguese explorers, all looking out to sea. If the monument’s exterior isn’t impressive enough for you, you can always climb up onto the observation deck!
Visit the Tower of Belém
You can’t spend a day in Belém without visiting one of Lisbon’s most important attractions. The Belém Tower is about a 20-minute walk from the Monument of the Discoveries. Its five storeys and roof terrace are open to the public.
The Torre de Belém was built in the early 16th century. Its original purpose was to defend the city. However, it was also used as a prison and as a departure point for many sea voyages. If you look closely, you’ll see that the carvings reflect the wealth of Portugal at the height of the Age of Discovery. As you can imagine, the Belém Tower is very busy, as it is a popular UNESCO World Heritage site. So you’ll need to be patient with people going up and down the narrow staircases inside. The Torre de Belém is one of the most visited sites in Lisbon, and indeed in the whole of Portugal.
Tip: if you haven’t managed to get tickets for the Belém Tower, you can visit the tower at sunset, after the monument has closed. The light will be perfect for taking photos.
Stroll along the Tagus River
If you have a little free time during your day in Belém, take a stroll or bike ride along the waterfront. A very wide promenade linking the Monument of Discoveries and the Tower of Belém is lined with restaurants and makes for a pleasant stroll, especially at sunset. If walking isn’t really your thing, there are many night cruises that offer a change of scenery and a magnificent view of the city from the water.
If you’re only spending a day in Lisbon, unfortunately you won’t have enough time to visit Belém, which lies some distance from the city center. Although Belém is a relatively small district of Lisbon, it offers many unique attractions that will keep you busy for an entire day. If you’re visiting during high season, try to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment on arrival.
