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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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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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.
-
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.
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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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