Belém Tower
Nestled on the banks of the Tagus River in Lisbon, Belem Tower stands as Portugal's iconic architectural gem. Explore its intricate carvings, climb its ancient ramparts, and soak in panoramic views of the river. Belem Tower tickets offer you the chance to delve into Portugal's rich history while enjoying fast-track access and expert-guided tours.
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Explore the special Gothic architectural and historical elements of the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower, with an optional audio guide to learn more.
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Built of limestone and in the style of medieval ‘Manueline’ architecture, it is a grand vision both internally and externally.
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Discover the Tower's role in the protection of the city and its importance to ships and explorers as you walk through different sections and take in beautiful views of the River Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge.
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Create a hassle-free itinerary by upgrading your experience with a Lisbon Card, which gives you access to additional sites like the Jerónimos Monastery, the National Costume Museum, and more, along with free transportation.
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Fun fact: Find the tombs of legendary explorer Vasco da Gama along with other great Portuguese figures, including Kings Manuel and Sebastião, and poet Luis de Camões.
More details
-
Explore the special Gothic architectural and historical elements of the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower, with an optional audio guide to learn more.
-
Built of limestone and in the style of medieval ‘Manueline’ architecture, it is a grand vision both internally and externally.
-
Discover the Tower's role in the protection of the city and its importance to ships and explorers as you walk through different sections and take in beautiful views of the River Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge.
-
Create a hassle-free itinerary by upgrading your experience with a Lisbon Card, which gives you access to additional sites like the Jerónimos Monastery, the National Costume Museum, and more, along with free transportation.
-
Fun fact: Find the tombs of legendary explorer Vasco da Gama along with other great Portuguese figures, including Kings Manuel and Sebastião, and poet Luis de Camões.
-
Roam the various sections within the Belém Tower and understand its importance to maritime explorers, and the city itself.
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Take in beautiful views of the River Tagus, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the rest of Lisbon. Add a multilingual audio guide for deeper insights.
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At Jerónimos Monastery, observe intricate cloisters, vaulted ceilings, and maritime motifs that celebrate Vasco Da Gama's voyage to India.
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Explore the intricate details of the Hieronymite Order's shield, confessional doors, and the tomb of renowned poet Fernando Pessoa in addition to the architectural beauties of Jerónimos Monastery.
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Fun fact: The Jerónimos Monastery was initially funded by a 5% tax on eastern spices, with the exception of pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.
More details
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Roam the various sections within the Belém Tower and understand its importance to maritime explorers, and the city itself.
-
Take in beautiful views of the River Tagus, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the rest of Lisbon. Add a multilingual audio guide for deeper insights.
-
At Jerónimos Monastery, observe intricate cloisters, vaulted ceilings, and maritime motifs that celebrate Vasco Da Gama's voyage to India.
-
Explore the intricate details of the Hieronymite Order's shield, confessional doors, and the tomb of renowned poet Fernando Pessoa in addition to the architectural beauties of Jerónimos Monastery.
-
Fun fact: The Jerónimos Monastery was initially funded by a 5% tax on eastern spices, with the exception of pepper, cinnamon, and cloves.
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Jerónimos Monastery is a masterpiece of Portuguese architecture, with detailed structural cloisters, corridors, vaulted ceilings, and decorative entrances. Explore it at your own pace.
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Discover the different sections within Belém Tower and take in beautiful views of the River Tagus from its watchpoints.
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At Pena Palace, encounter 19th-century Romantic architecture and a stunning park with winding paths and pavilions.
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Upgrade to include round-trip transportation between the main entrance of the park and the palace or to have a handy multilingual audio guide to make your visit informative.
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Fun fact: With its rich history, from a chapel to a monastery to a Disney-like castle, the Pena Palace became the National Monument of Portugal in 1910.
More details
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Jerónimos Monastery is a masterpiece of Portuguese architecture, with detailed structural cloisters, corridors, vaulted ceilings, and decorative entrances. Explore it at your own pace.
-
Discover the different sections within Belém Tower and take in beautiful views of the River Tagus from its watchpoints.
-
At Pena Palace, encounter 19th-century Romantic architecture and a stunning park with winding paths and pavilions.
-
Upgrade to include round-trip transportation between the main entrance of the park and the palace or to have a handy multilingual audio guide to make your visit informative.
-
Fun fact: With its rich history, from a chapel to a monastery to a Disney-like castle, the Pena Palace became the National Monument of Portugal in 1910.
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Explore São Jorge Castle, a Lisbon icon since the 11th century, visible from nearly every corner of the city and one of its must-see attractions.
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At Belém Tower, soak up the glittery views of the Tagus River and admire the sheer size of the 25 de Abril Bridge.
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Explore the unmissable Jerónimos Monastery. Step inside to be awed by the ‘Manueline’ style of architecture, a Portuguese take on goth.
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Fun fact: In 1255, Lisbon was the capital city and São Jorge Castle was the royal palace.
More details
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Explore São Jorge Castle, a Lisbon icon since the 11th century, visible from nearly every corner of the city and one of its must-see attractions.
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At Belém Tower, soak up the glittery views of the Tagus River and admire the sheer size of the 25 de Abril Bridge.
-
Explore the unmissable Jerónimos Monastery. Step inside to be awed by the ‘Manueline’ style of architecture, a Portuguese take on goth.
-
Fun fact: In 1255, Lisbon was the capital city and São Jorge Castle was the royal palace.
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Learn about Belém Tower, via a multilingual audio tour on your smartphone, and discover the star-shaped Forte do Bom Sucesso.
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Marvel at the stunning interiors of the Chapel and the Tower Terrace with intricate stone carvings of maritime motifs, and the elaborate armillary sphere.
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Visit the Governor’s Hall, an impressive vaulted ceiling with intricate carvings, and explore the living quarters of the Portuguese monarch.
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Fun Fact: The tower has been used as a setting for several movies, including the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service and the animated movie The Three Caballeros!
More details
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Learn about Belém Tower, via a multilingual audio tour on your smartphone, and discover the star-shaped Forte do Bom Sucesso.
-
Marvel at the stunning interiors of the Chapel and the Tower Terrace with intricate stone carvings of maritime motifs, and the elaborate armillary sphere.
-
Visit the Governor’s Hall, an impressive vaulted ceiling with intricate carvings, and explore the living quarters of the Portuguese monarch.
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Fun Fact: The tower has been used as a setting for several movies, including the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service and the animated movie The Three Caballeros!
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This 3-hour e-bike tour offers a unique blend of adventure and history as you explore Lisbon's scenic riverside and the landmark-packed neighborhood of Belém.
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Benefit from the insights of an expert guide who brings to life the tales of Portuguese explorers and the historical significance of iconic landmarks.
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Experience the grandeur of Jerónimos Monastery, the majesty of Belém Tower, and the nostalgia-inducing Monument to the Discoveries. It's an architectural and historical feast!
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Your journey is sweetened with the famous Portuguese custard tart, a delicious inclusion that gives you a true taste of Portugal's rich culinary culture.
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Fun fact: Your delicious custard tart, or 'pastel de nata', is a centuries-old recipe from monks at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. They used leftover egg yolks from starching clothes to create this treat.
More details
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This 3-hour e-bike tour offers a unique blend of adventure and history as you explore Lisbon's scenic riverside and the landmark-packed neighborhood of Belém.
-
Benefit from the insights of an expert guide who brings to life the tales of Portuguese explorers and the historical significance of iconic landmarks.
-
Experience the grandeur of Jerónimos Monastery, the majesty of Belém Tower, and the nostalgia-inducing Monument to the Discoveries. It's an architectural and historical feast!
-
Your journey is sweetened with the famous Portuguese custard tart, a delicious inclusion that gives you a true taste of Portugal's rich culinary culture.
-
Fun fact: Your delicious custard tart, or 'pastel de nata', is a centuries-old recipe from monks at Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. They used leftover egg yolks from starching clothes to create this treat.
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Enjoy a personalized walk along the Tagus River, exploring Portugal’s maritime history with a guide and small group at a relaxed, comfortable pace.
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Gain access to Jerónimos Monastery, where soaring arches and ornate carvings transport you back to Portugal’s glorious age of exploration.
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Check out the intricate carvings on Belém Tower while your guide shares how this beautiful landmark defended the city during its naval heyday.
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Stop by the Monument to the Discoveries, a tribute to the explorers, cartographers, artists, scientists, and missionaries of the Age of Discovery.
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Fun fact: The Belém Tower, built in the early 16th century, served various purposes such as a fortress, a customs checkpoint, and a telegraph station.
More details
-
Enjoy a personalized walk along the Tagus River, exploring Portugal’s maritime history with a guide and small group at a relaxed, comfortable pace.
-
Gain access to Jerónimos Monastery, where soaring arches and ornate carvings transport you back to Portugal’s glorious age of exploration.
-
Check out the intricate carvings on Belém Tower while your guide shares how this beautiful landmark defended the city during its naval heyday.
-
Stop by the Monument to the Discoveries, a tribute to the explorers, cartographers, artists, scientists, and missionaries of the Age of Discovery.
-
Fun fact: The Belém Tower, built in the early 16th century, served various purposes such as a fortress, a customs checkpoint, and a telegraph station.
Pro tips to help you make a pick
According to a survey, more than 500,000 people visit the Belém Tower every year, making it the most popular tourist destination. The Belém Tower Ticket with Audio Guide offers a relaxed, flexible experience. You’ll be able to enter anytime on your chosen date, ideal if you’re looking to fit this UNESCO site into a busy itinerary.
The Belém Essential Combo: Belém Tower + Jerónimos Monastery Tickets is perfect if you’re planning to see two of Lisbon’s most iconic landmarks in one day. This combo grants you access to both Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, just a short walk apart. It’s a great choice if you want a comprehensive view of Lisbon’s Age of Discovery.
The Lisbon Essential Combo: Jerónimos Monastery + Belém Tower + Pena Palace Tickets is designed for those looking to go beyond Belém Tower and experience Lisbon’s historical depth. This combo includes access to Pena Palace in Sintra, making it an ideal option if you’re interested in Portugal’s grand architectural legacy, from medieval towers to fairytale palaces.
With the Classic Lisbon Combo: São Jorge Castle + Belém Tower + Jerónimos Monastery Tickets, you’ll have the chance to see three heritage sites in one go. This ticket is perfect if you’re a history enthusiast wanting a comprehensive look at Lisbon’s transformation from a medieval kingdom to a seafaring empire.
The Belém Guided Walking Tour with Belém Tower & Jerónimos Monastery Tickets offers an enriching guided experience. With a small group, you’ll dive deep into Portuguese maritime history along the Tagus River, stopping at Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. This tour is ideal if you enjoy a blend of storytelling and historical exploration, with a guide bringing Lisbon’s seafaring legends to life.
Top things to do in Lisbon
About Belém Tower
The Torre de Belém or Belem Tower on the Tagus River commemorates Portugal's Age of Discoveries. It is an exquisite representation of Manueline architecture from the early 16th century and symbolises Portugal's nautical prosperity. It is one of Portugal's 7 Wonders and a National Monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the reign of King John II, there used to be a line of defence in place in the exact location where the tower is at. Later, his successor, King Manuel I believed that building a permanent tower would be more viable than having a ship on the water. This is how the construction of the Belem Tower commenced. The ship has multiple canons and this structure was replaced with a stone fortification
A fascinating Belem Tower fact is that it was constructed on a small outcrop of the Tagus River. Due to an earthquake that took place in 1755, the location of the Belem Tower shifted. The course of the river gradually moved due to the destruction and the small island got closer to the land, thus merging the two over time and making it all the more impressive. Today, the iconic structure just appea
In the year 1514, plans were in place to construct a tower, and the famous military architect Francisco de Arruda would lead the job. He was an experienced architect as he had built a lot of fortresses in North Africa earlier and was the right fit for the work. He was referred to as the ‘Master of the works of the Belem stronghold’ by the King himself and had managed to finish the tower in about 5
The Belem Tower is extremely impressive from the outside but is equally majestic from the inside as well. The first level is the Governor’s Hall, the second is the King’s Hall and the third level consists of the Audience Hall. The lower bastion consists of the canons that are kept facing over the sea to be ready to fire in case of any danger. Inside, there is a spiral staircase that can be explore
You can spot these figures on the base of the external facing turrets. It is the first representation of a rhinoceros in any Western European art. It is believed that the architects were very inspired by King Manuel I as he had gifted one of these animals to Pope Leo X in 1515. The figures are extremely small and intricately detailed.
Why visit Belém Tower?
Highlights
Stairway
A major highlight of the Belem Tower is its open terrace at the very top. There is a single narrow, steep staircase that gives access to all the floors including the roof, but it can get quite crowded. Enjoy great views of the city from the terrace. There is a red-green traffic light system that controls when people can ascend or descend. As you wait, explore each floor on the way up or down.
Ground Floor
This floor was once known for housing the tower’s artillery, with cannons that were aimed across the river through the narrow window openings. A lot of those guns continue to remain in the same place to date. Below them lies the magazine, which was used for storing gunpowder, and other types of military equipment, which was then converted into a prison in later centuries.
Governor’s Chamber
The Governor’s Chamber is where nine successive governors worked over centuries. It is worth exploring the narrow tunnels at either end to get to the attached turrets. Get to see a stone sculpture of a rhinoceros head, that was created to commemorate the arrival of the first rhinos in Europe.
King’s Chamber
The floor above the Governor’s Chamber is the King’s Chamber. The room gives a glimpse into the Renaissance-style balcony that offers great views over the lower terrace and the river. Above that on the third floor is the Audience Chamber.
Rooftop
On reaching the top floor, you will be able to witness a sweeping view of the waterfront, river, and surrounding neighborhood. The Statue of Christ the Redeemer and the April 25 bridge are visible and it is a perfect spot to capture some iconic photographs.
Plan your visit
Porch Entrance
Entrance to the tower is granted by a porch adorned with many Manueline themes, one of which is the armillary sphere. Garlands of knotted stone cords adorn the whole tower; one such knot appears on the north side of the structure. Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Vincent are crowned atop the tower, which has several arched windows.
The Belem Tower is visited by more than 500,000 visitors every year and is one of the most-visited landmarks in the world. It is important to know the right time or days to visit the attraction to avoid any chaos and have a hassle-free experience.
There is a wheelchair-accessible bathroom on the ground floor.
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