{"id":37354,"date":"2019-06-18T06:00:48","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T13:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=37354"},"modified":"2025-08-23T19:47:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T02:47:58","slug":"belem-lisbon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/belem-lisbon\/","title":{"rendered":"10 MUST SEE PLACES IN BELEM, LISBON"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lisbon\u2019s city centre is bustling with life, culture, and colour, with its winding hills and infamous cobbles adorning every corner. But if you find yourself looking for a break from the liveliness, in search of something a little less fast-paced, then a short adventure to Bel\u00e9m is perfect.<\/p>\n

An area stretched out along the Tagus, Bel\u00e9m is recognised for its regal, pearl-white architecture, its well-pruned gardens, and its ornate tower. This neighbourhood is a must-visit on most tourists\u2019 bucket lists. But what is there to do? And what exactly makes it so popular?<\/p>\n

Here are our top picks for sights to see and things to do in Bel\u00e9m<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"10<\/p>\n

Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery<\/h3>\n

Once home to the city\u2019s monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, this beautiful, imposing building marks the first sight you see upon stepping off the bus or tram. A classified UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/a>, the Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery is built in an intricate Late Gothic style and is as impressive from the outside as from the inside. It\u2019s also pretty old \u2013 construction is said to have begun in 1501.<\/p>\n

If you want to take a look inside the church, it\u2019s free of charge, and open almost every day from 10:00, closing at 17:30 in the winter and 18:30 during the summer months. An adult ticket around the rest of the monastery costs only 10\u20ac. Oh, and we forgot to mention \u2013 this is where the mouth-watering Pastel de Nata was invented!<\/p>\n

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Pal\u00e1cio de Bel\u00e9m<\/h3>\n

Belem’s elegance and regal charm would seemingly make it the perfect place for royalty to reside – or maybe even the country’s president. Belem Palace has been home to Portugal’s presidency since the early 1900s. A blush-pink building nestled into a hill above the water, the palace itself is breathtaking. The carefully-cultivated garden isn’t so bad, either!<\/p>\n

The Bel\u00e9m Palace<\/a> itself is only open to visitors on Saturdays, from 10am to 5pm. The Presidency Museum, however, is open every day except Monday and tells the intricate story of the Portuguese Republic. There is a national collection which explains the history of the Portuguese flag and their national anthem, along with a portrait gallery of Portuguese presidents. An adult ticket into the museum costs only 5\u20ac.<\/p>\n

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Jardim Vasco da Gama<\/h3>\n

A step into the sunshine after your visit to the monastery will lead you straight out into one of the city\u2019s best-kept green spaces: the Vasco da Gama Garden<\/a>. A beautiful expanse of grass overlooking the water, this park is framed by trees and stone pathways and boasts an extremely impressive fountain in its centre.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a fan of Lisbon\u2019s dazzling purple Jacaranda trees, then you\u2019re in luck! You can also often find events and celebrations taking place here, such as the antique flea market, which occurs on the first and third Sunday of each month.<\/p>\n

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Sud Lisboa<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re after a pampering session and don\u2019t mind splashing the cash a little, then look no further than Sud Lisboa: a riverside events venue, pool and restaurant. This rooftop terrace bar boasts the city\u2019s best view of the 25 Abril bridge and is the hottest spot for a sunset boogie. An all-day pool pass, which includes a DJ to help you celebrate into the night, costs only 45\u20ac. It\u2019s worth it purely for the view.<\/p>\n

Related Post: <\/strong>Lisbon Complete 3 Day Itinerary<\/a><\/div>\n

Padr\u00e3o dos Descobrimentos<\/h3>\n

One of Bel\u00e9m\u2019s most widely-recognised symbols is the glistening white Padr\u00e3o dos Descobrimentos<\/a> monument which protrudes out over the banks of the Tagus. The statue, built in 1939, is called the Padr\u00e3o dos Descobrimentos and represents the point at which ships used to depart to trade with India and the East during the Age of Discovery.<\/p>\n

For traditional Portuguese cuisine, and some of the freshest fish dishes North of the river, then head to the Portug\u00e1lia Cervejaria Bel\u00e9m<\/a>, located just next to the monument. With its walkway surrounded by water, its stunning views and its delicious food, this restaurant makes the perfect stopping point for your trip to Bel\u00e9m.<\/p>\n

\"Padr\u00e3o<\/p>\n

MAAT: Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology<\/h3>\n

Bel\u00e9m really likes their art and culture, and the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology<\/a> (MAAT) perfectly represents this, uniting all the things Lisbon<\/a> loves. The building itself is unusual in its form and style, reflecting the waves of the river it overlooks. It\u2019s also shiny and brand-new, having only opened its doors in October 2018.<\/p>\n

MAAT brands itself also as a cultural hub, offering courses and seminars in all sorts of interesting, international topics. Entry into both sections will cost you only 9\u20ac (each section separately costing 5\u20ac), with prices for workshops and tours differing depending on your choice. MAAT is open from 11am to 7pm every day except Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\"Museum<\/p>\n

Jardim Da Torre De Bel\u00e9m<\/h3>\n

A stroll along the seafront will bring you to the biggest and liveliest park in the area: the Jardim da Torre de Bel\u00e9m<\/a>. This garden is famous mainly for its uninterrupted view of the Bel\u00e9m Tower. However, it\u2019s worth a visit in its own right; dotted with food and drink stands, and always teeming with life, this park makes the perfect place to enjoy the sun and take in the sights.<\/p>\n

From yoga lessons to running groups, this green space always has something going on \u2013 for one month every year, the park is also home to one of Lisbon\u2019s most popular music festivals, Somersby Out Jazz, which brings an eclectic collection of musicians to the city every Sunday throughout the summer.<\/p>\n

Past\u00e9Is De Bel\u00e9m<\/h3>\n

People have been known to travel far and wide in search of the perfect pastry\u2013 and where better to go than the birthplace of this creamy Portuguese delicacy? Past\u00e9is de Bel\u00e9m<\/a> is a store and caf\u00e9 specialising in these pastries, and \u2018specialised\u2019 is definitely the right word.<\/p>\n

This bakery has been producing freshly-made Nata since 1837, using the original recipe created by monks in the neighbouring monastery.<\/p>\n

\"Pastel<\/p>\n

Torre De Bel\u00e9m<\/h3>\n

An iconic symbol of Lisbon\u2019s love of art, and a celebration of the city\u2019s history, the Tower of Bel\u00e9m is not to be missed. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/a>, the tower is said to have played an important role in the Age of Discoveries, acting as both a fortress and as the main gateway into Lisbon for overseas traders.<\/p>\n

Today, the tower is open to visitors for only 6\u20ac per ticket \u2013 but it\u2019s also definitely worth a visit even without stepping inside. Grab a beer from a nearby stand, and perch on the esplanade steps, taking in the view and watching the tide morph the scene in front of you.<\/p>\n

\"Tower<\/p>\n

Museu Cole\u00e7\u00e3o Berardo<\/h3>\n

Although not as traditionally beautiful as many other buildings in the city, don\u2019t be fooled; the Museu Cole\u00e7\u00e3o Berardo<\/a> is adorned with some of the most well-renowned contemporary artists, including the likes of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Francis Bacon.<\/p>\n

A visit to the Museu Cole\u00e7\u00e3o Berardo is a must for any art fans and is the perfect way to take a break from the sun. Tickets are only 5\u20ac each, and entry is totally free of charge on Saturdays. Check online for their latest exhibitions and installments!<\/p>\n

\"Museu<\/p>\n

How To Get To Bel\u00e9m<\/h3>\n

Although Bel\u00e9m is located 8km or so from the city centre, it\u2019s pretty easy to get to via public transport.<\/p>\n

From Cais do Sodr\u00e9 station, a train ticket<\/a> costs only 1,35\u20ac, and takes roughly 10 minutes to reach. Alternatively, you can jump on one of the city\u2019s old-fashioned trams<\/strong>; the number 15 goes directly to Bel\u00e9m, also leaving from both Cais do Sodr\u00e9 or from the Pra\u00e7a da Figueira, right in the heart of the city. Once you\u2019re there, the best way to see everything is on foot, of course!<\/p>\n

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Accommodation In Bel\u00e9m<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re looking to treat yourself, then the Altis Bel\u00e9m Hotel and Spa<\/a> is the fanciest hotel in the area. Sleek and modern, with a view right across the harbour, this hotel offers rooms for around 250\u20ac per night. Its restaurant views are also to-die-for \u2013 as is the food!<\/p>\n

Bel\u00e9m\u2019s best mid-range hotel is the Hotel Jer\u00f3nimos 8<\/a>: a clean-cut design hotel in the centre of the neighbourhood, with an open-air patio area that acts as an oasis of calm from the lively, tourist-clad streets. Rooms cost roughly 120\u20ac per night.<\/p>\n

If a guest house is what you\u2019re after, then try the Famous Crows Guest House<\/a>. From around 80\u20ac per night, the hotel\u2019s rooms are each unique, named after and decorated around different areas of the city. With four apartments and three suites to choose from, this is the perfect family getaway spot, with apartments hosting up to 5 guests, and boasting private bathrooms and kitchens. With its super-central location, the guest house is an ideal starting point for anyone visiting Bel\u00e9m!<\/p>\n

For anyone who\u2019s on a slightly tighter budget, the Terrace Lisbon Hostel<\/a> is located just around the corner from the monastery, dropping you right in the heart of the action. An eight-bed mixed dorm will cost you only 17\u20ac a night, with a 24-hour reception, fully-equipped kitchen, and \u2013 of course \u2013 a terrace. In typical Lisbon style, the walls of this hostel are decorated with colourful, lively works of art.<\/p>\n

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What To Know For Visiting Portugal<\/h3>\n

Portugal Visas<\/h4>\n

Portugal is part of the European Schengen zone<\/strong>, which typically provides 90 days of free entry every 180 days<\/strong> to visitors from many countries. This means you can enter Portugal and travel between other European countries for up to 90 days per stay.<\/p>\n

Be sure to check the EU Schengen website for the latest information for your specific country.<\/p>\n

Currency<\/h4>\n

The currency used in Portugal is the Euro (EUR)<\/strong>. The current exchange rate is approximately 1 EUR to 1.10 USD. You can check the latest EUR exchange rate on Google<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While traveling, our number one tip is to use a free Charles Schwab Debit Card<\/a> which gives unlimited worldwide ATM Fee Refunds and the true exchange rate.<\/p>\n

Best Tours In Lisbon<\/h4>\n

Some of the best tours and things to do in Lisbon are:<\/p>\n