Belem Tower Lisbon – Tickets and Guide
Belem Tower Lisbon – Tickets and Guide
Tourist Information for Visiting Belem Tower Lisbon Portugal
Belém Tower in Lisbon is a medieval fortress built on the banks of the Tagus River. Initially built to defend the city, the tower is a key symbol of Portugal’s age of discovery.
As a registered UNESCO World Heritage site, Belem Tower is one of the most important and popular attractions in Lisbon. It’s a must-see for tourists visiting the city.
Belem Tower Lisbon General Information |
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Location | Located in Belem region, accessed by Tram, Bus or Train (full details below) |
Opening Times | Belem Tower is open every day of the week. |
Entry and Tickets | Entry tickets cost €8, with children under 13 FREE (Book Tickets Online). |
Belem Tower Tickets and Tours |
How to buy tickets to Belem Tower Tickets to Belem Tower can be purchased at the Tower or pre-booked online. The queues and wait times can get long during the busy summer months or on weekends, so we recommend booking online.
If you’re also planning on visiting Jerónimos Monastery it’s worth checking out the Belem Bundle, which includes access to both attractions, with audio guide, at a discounted rate! (Book Bundle Here) Book Entry Ticket:Book Belem Bundle Ticket: |
Visiting Belem Tower Lisbon
Visiting the tower will take around 40 minutes to an hour. Whilst there are information points around the tower to learn about the history, an audio guide (downloaded to your phone) can also be helpful.
You are not allowed to eat or smoke within the tower.
It is best to combine a trip to the tower with some of the other main attractions that you’ll find in Belem. The tower is literally 5 minutes walk away from the Jeronimos Monastery, and for those of you looking for the best Pastel de nata in Lisbon, the famous Pasteis de Belem is also within walking distance.
What to see at Belem Tower Lisbon?
Belem Tower is made up of 5 floors that all offer a unique insight into the fortress. Here are a selection of things you definitely shouldn’t miss:
Upper and Lower Battery
The first and second floor are dedicated to the lower and upper battery sections of the tower. The lower battery gives you panoramic views out across the river and sea, and to spot any incoming boats.
The upper battery was used more for soldiers defending the tower, and you can see a selection of cannons on this floor.
Both offer excellent views and there’s plenty of information points to discover the areas.
Spiral Staircase
Belem Tower is made up of 5 floors and all of these are joined up by a magnificent spiral staircase. Be aware that the staircase is very narrow, and they even have people directing traffic at busy times as it’s literally one-way only.
The Governor’s Chamber
This room housed the living quarters for whoever was the Governor of Belem Tower at the time. It can be accessed by a small, narrow flight of steps. Interestingly the chamber is octagonal in shape.
The King’s Chamber
The King’s Chamber is positioned directly above the Governor’s chamber. There isn’t a huge deal to see here, but look out for the many holes on this floor (used for defending the room, and serving food and drink.
The balcony on this floor is probably my favourite part of the whole tower, and offers excellent peaceful views across the river.
Belem Tower Terrace
The terrace is on the upper most floor at the very top of the tower. It’s a beautiful viewing deck where you can see far and wide across Lisbon. The views of the Tagus River are amazing and it makes it very obvious to see why this was such a formidable defensive building.
Make sure you get yourself a picture from the tower with the April 25 bridge in the background. Bonus points for getting it at sunset.
The Rhinoceros of Belem Tower
On the outside of Belem Tower, on the western wall, is a very curious statue – a rhinoceros! Although fairly eroded, you can still make out the animal, and it’s definitely worth checking out and grabbing a picture.
The statue is said to represent a gift given to Afonso de Albuquerque (the original founder of the Portuguese Empire) in 1514.
A History of Belem Tower
Belem Tower was originally built in the early 16th century during the Portuguese Renaissance period. Originally commissioned by King Manuel I, its initial purpose was a defensive fort that would guard the mouth of the Tagus river, and the city of Lisbon, from any potential sea attacks.
Originally it was known as the ‘Tower of St Vincent‘, but is more widely known as Belem Tower today due to its prominent figure in the district of Belem.
Belem Tower has been renovated many times over the years, with multiple architects working on the design. The tower is a classic example of the ‘Manueline‘ architectural style, which is effectively a Portuguese twist on the traditional Gothic style building.
Over the years the Tower has been used in a variety of different. It has served as a customs office for anyone entering the city of Lisbon, as a dungeon to hold prisoners, and as a ceremonial monument to see off the first explorers in Portugals Age of Discovery.
Today the tower stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular tourist destination. It’s well worth grabbing yourself an audio guide when visiting, as the history and events this place has witnessed are very interesting!
Belem Tower Location and How to Get There
Belem Tower is located in central Lisbon, in the district of Belem, making it convenient to visit alongside a large number of Lisbon’s top attractions.
You can easily get to Belem Tower by taking the tram. The closest tram stop is Praça Afonso de Albuquerque (with Tram 15 stopping here), which is then just a 2 minute walk to the tower.
With regards to buses, you can take any of the following Carris buses (714, 727, 728), and get off at Jeronimos Monastery, which is just a short walk to the tower.
There is no metro stops too close to Belem Tower, but you can take the train and get off at Belem main station.
The Hop On Hop Off tourist bus also stops outside Belem Tower, and is a convenient way to travel around Lisbon.
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