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Inside Torre de Belém, a UNESCO masterpiece in Lisbon
If you love history and are visiting Lisbon for the first time, Torre de Belém is a must-visit. The Belém Tower is a stunning monument along the river Tagus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built to defend Lisbon and contains several watchtowers and floors. It’s a gateway to Portugal’s rich maritime history and the Age of Discoveries.
In Lisbon, you can see Manueline-style architecture and discover the inside of the Belém Tower! The tower has multiple levels to explore, and the views over the River Tagus are stunning. The tower is one of the most visited monuments in the city, and there can be long lines. This guide will help you reserve tickets, explain how to get there and provide more information about the best travel times.
I visited the Belém Tower on a busy day in spring, but I entered just before closing time. This meant no more visitors were coming behind me, and I had the opportunity to take better pictures. If you visit during the day, you will have to wait in line to enter, and the waiting lines inside the Belém Tower can be extensive, too, as everyone needs to use the same staircase. Let’s take a closer look at what your visit will look like.
Your Torre de Belém Travel Guide
A little bit of history about Torre de Belém
Once upon a time, the tower stood further in the Tagus River. The landmark was built on a small island on the northern bank close to the shore of Restelo. You still need to enter Torre de Belém by footbridge today as the Belém Tower is not connected to the riverbank.
The fortification, the Tower of Santo António and the fortress in Cascais and São Sebastião da Caparica protected Lisbon from the enemy. Lisbon’s port and the surrounding landscape contained several fortresses to stop the enemies coming from the Atlantic Ocean.
Torre de Belém, or the Belém Tower, is one of the most prominent monuments in Belém, Lisbon. The official name is the Tower of Saint Vincent (Torre de São Vicente), named after Lisbon’s patron saint. It was built in the 16th century on the northern bank of the River Tagus to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s expedition to India in 1497-1498.
The roots of the building are with King John II of Portugal. A ship, the Grande Nau, was used to protect the shores of Belém. The Gothic-style tower then replaced it. This was at the height of the Portuguese territorial power under the reign of King Dom Manuel I. The Belém Tower was also built to defend Lisbon from the enemy.
Different uses for the Belém Tower
The Tower of Belém was the first Portuguese fortification with two floors, a milestone for military architecture at that time. The Portuguese fort was upgraded throughout the centuries, the walls strengthened, and the rectangular bastion improved.
The dungeons turned into prisons until 1830, and the tower’s function changed again into a lighthouse and customs house to collect tolls. Between 1780 and 1782, the Fort of Bom Successo was built next to the tower, and the battery was connected. The Bom Sucesso Fortress is nowadays a museum you can visit.
The architecture of Torre de Belém
The Belém Tower is a marvellous example of the Portuguese Manueline style. Along with the Jerónimos Monastery further down the road, Torre de Belém has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and a national monument since 1910. The stones used to build the tower and the monastery are the same.
Military architect Francisco de Arruda designed the Belém Tower, and construction started in 1515. The military architect had already designed several fortresses in Marocco, and the Moorish style with arched windows is very recognisable.
In 1521, the tower was finished and ready for use. Belém Tower consists of two parts: the bastion and the 4-storey tower. Today you can visit both parts. Let’s take a look inside Torre de Belem!
The bastion of Belém Tower
You can enter the bastion by footbridge and enjoy a stunning view over the Tagus River from the courtyard. The ground floor of the fortress has space for 17 canons. On each corner, you’ll spot a bartizan, an overhanging wall-mounted turret. The bartizans are decorated with the cross of the Order of Christ, as King Manuel I was a member of the order. From here, you have a fantastic view of the building to soak in the Portuguese architecture and Manueline style.
The bartizans were used as watchtowers, and you still get a fantastic view of the surroundings from inside. The turrets also have images of beasts, such as a rhinoceros. It’s known as the first sculpture of a rhinoceros in Western European art, and it’s believed to be the one that King Manuel I sent to the pope in 1515.
Inside the Belém Tower
The first floor
The Lisbon Belem Tower consists of four floors and a terrace, and you can see the Belém Tower from the inside. The first floor contains the Governor’s Hall. The Governor’s Hall or Sala do Governador, is an octagonal room that opens into a cistern. The northeast and northwest parts are connected to the bartizans. You’ll walk through a small door on the first floor to enter the spiral staircase to the next floor.
The second floor
On the second floor of the rectangular tower, you’ll find a stunning veranda with a loggia. The covered arcade has seven arches with lots of delicate decorations and ornaments. On the second floor, you also visit the King’s Hall (Sala dos Reis), which has a beautiful vaulted ceiling and chequered floor. The king could see the ships arrive from the windows, and the fireplace kept everyone warm in winter.
The third floor
On the third floor, you’ll visit the Audience Hall (Sala das Audiências), which has sill windows and arches. The Audience Hall contains a fireplace. You will also see a large relief with the Royal coat of arms. The first three floors all have ceilings with hollow concrete slabs. The last narrow spiral staircase will take you to the top of the Belém Tower.
The fourth floor
After climbing up the spiral staircase, you’ll enter the Chapel. The Chapel on the fourth floor has ribbed vaulted ceilings and is architecturally the most complex room of all. After seeing this room, you’ll wait in turn to take the same narrow spiral staircase back to the ground floor.
How to get to the Belém Tower
Getting to the Belém Tower is very easy by public transport. Tram 15 leaves from Praça da Figueira and Praça do Comércio to Belém. The tram can get pretty busy, and you might prefer to take the train.
The Cascáis train leaves the station at Cais do Sodré and travels to Belém in about 7 minutes. From the station to the tower is a 20-minute walk, but along the way, you can visit the Popular Art Museum and the monument Padrão dos Descobrimentos.
If you prefer travelling by bus, you can take lines 728, 729, 751, 113, 144, 149, 714 and 727. They all stop near the Belém Tower.
Opening times of the Belém Tower
The Belém Tower is open Tuesdays to Sundays and is closed on Mondays. Visiting hours are between 10 am and 5.30 pm.
The tower is closed on January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, June 13th, and Christmas Day on December 25th.
How to get tickets to Belém Tower
The queue to enter Belém Tower can be long! Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you get your ticket beforehand.
One of the easiest ways to enter is by Lisboa Card. You cannot only enter the tower for free but also have free entrance to the Jerónimos Monastery, you can use public transport for free, and you get many discounts and free entrance tickets to other sights in Lisbon. If you plan to visit the Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery, you save money already!
If you prefer getting an individual ticket, the entrance fee to the Belém Tower is € 15,00, and combination tickets with the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Castelo de São Jorge are also available. Children younger than 11 can enter the monument for free.
Here are your ticket options:
Book a photoshoot at the Belém Tower Lisbon!
Perfect for solo travellers, families and couples
Surprise your partner with a proposal in Lisbon!
Other things to do in Belém
Don’t leave just yet and make Belém a day trip! Aside from the Belém Tower, there are many other places to see in this Lisbon district. As mentioned, the Jerónimos Monastery is just across the road and a must-see in Belém.
Afterwards, you can enjoy a tasty Pastel the Belém in the authentic bakery Pastéis de Belém. Did you know its origins trace back to the Jerónimos Monastery? The Tropical Botanical Garden in Belém is fabulous for a quiet moment in nature.
If you’d like to visit a museum, you can see MAAT, the Popular Art Museum, the National Coach Museum, Quake or the Archaeology Museum. The Museum of Contemporary Art – MAC/CCB is fantastic if you love art! Are you travelling with children? They might like to visit the Navy Planetarium!
Hotels in Belém
You might want to stay overnight with so many things to see in Belém. Belém is a lovely part of Lisbon, and aside from the tourist attractions, it is a quiet neighbourhood where you can book a hotel.
On the map below, you can see all the accommodations around the Belém Tower. You can book a luxury stay at the NAU Palacio do Governador. They have a swimming pool with sauna and stunning rooms. The Altis Belem Hotel & Spa is another excellent choice. You’ll have a breathtaking view over the Tagus River, the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, and the Belém monuments.
FAQ
Why is the Belem Tower famous?
The Belém Tower was built to protect Lisbon from enemy ships. Francisco de Arruda designed the Lisbon Belem Tower in the 16th century. Nowadays, it’s a top 10 attraction with a UNESCO landmark status in Lisbon. Belém Tower was the first Portuguese fortification with two floors.
Is Belem Tower in Lisbon worth visiting?
The famous UNESCO landmark Belem Tower Lisbon is certainly worth a visit. You will discover multiple floors inside the tower and see the typical Manueline-style architecture. It can be busy, so ensure to book tickets online ahead of time.
How long do I need at Belem Tower?
The time spent at the Belém Tower depends on how busy it is. A normal visit would take around 1 hour. On busy days, however, you might have to wait on each floor to walk up or down. There is only one spiral staircase connecting all floors. Book tickets online, so skip the queue.
How much does it cost to visit Belem Tower?
You can enter Belém Tower for free when you have the Lisboa Card. Otherwise, the price for the Belem Tower is € 15,00 per person. Children under 11 years of age don’t require a ticket.
Conclusion
In Belém, you’ll learn more about the Portuguese explorers and the Belém Tower. The tower was built during the Portuguese discoveries, as many boats would depart from Belém’s beach (Praia do Restelo). Discover the interior of Belém Tower, designed by Francisco de Arruda, and visit the different rooms, such as the Audience Hall and the King’s Hall.
What are you most looking forward to seeing in Belém? If you have the time, staying a full day in Belém is recommended to see multiple sights of the Centro Cultural de Belém. Must-see sights are the Jerónimos Monastery, bakery Pasteis de Belém, and a museum of choice.
After a day of sightseeing, you can take a boat tour on the river Tagus and enjoy the sunset over Lisbon. I hope this guide to the Tower of Belém will be useful when you visit Lisbon. Enjoy!
Other things to see in Belém, Lisbon:
- MAAT Lisbon – Discover the city’s favourite art museum in Belém
- Inside Torre de Belém, a UNESCO masterpiece in Lisbon
- Book your sunset cruise in Lisbon today; an unforgettable experience!
- 22 fantastic things to do in Belém Lisbon
- The National Coach Museum and the Old Royal Riding School in Belém
- Quake Museum Lisbon: A shaky but groundbreaking and fantastic experience!
- Explore Portuguese heritage in the Popular Art Museum in Lisbon
- The Tropical Botanical Garden Lisbon hidden gem in Belém
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