Belém Tower Tours and Activities

Belem Tower featuring a bridge, a sunset and general coastal views
Belem Tower showing heritage architecture, a sunset and a bridge
Belem Tower showing heritage elements
Belem Tower featuring heritage architecture and a river or creek
Belem Tower featuring heritage architecture, wild flowers and a garden


Lisbon constructed a fortification along a waterway to defend its riches. Now access the structure from the shore for lovely views.

Belém Tower is an impressive structure on the shore of the Tagus River in Lisbon. The ornate fortification was built here over 500 years ago to fight off any hostile craft that came up the river. Gaze straight across the river from the top of the Tower Terrace to see St. Sebastian’s Fort, another fortification on the opposite shore. With the two towers in place, enemy warships could not achieve success in attacking the city.

Built between 1514 and 1520, Belém Tower has a storybook charm with a heavy influence of Moorish design. Notice how the structure incorporates the two features of a medieval tower and a military fortification.

Enter the building from the drawbridge that connects it to the shore. The carved rhinoceros at the base of one turret is believed to represent a live animal sent as a gift to Lisbon by an Indian governor. Cross the drawbridge to stand in the bulwark with 17 cannons pointing out to the river. Their strategic placement allowed cannon balls to skip across the water to extend their distance. Below this floor were the dungeons.

Climb the staircase to the bulwark terrace to see six turrets with lookout windows and a central opening to view the floor below. Admire the river-facing exterior from this terrace as it has the most detail to impress seafaring crews approaching Lisbon.

Go up another staircase to the Governor’s Room. Despite its name, governors stayed at a palace nearby. Notice the octagonal structure that collected rainwater for storage in a tank below. This room has access to turrets and another staircase leading to the top of the building.

Ascend to the King’s Room, which features a balcony with a commanding river view. The room’s other walls have Venetian-style balcony windows. The remaining rooms of the Belém Tower are the Audience Room and Chapel. Notice the holes in the balcony floors that allowed heavy objects to be dropped on the heads of attackers.

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Best Lodging Options Near Belém Tower

Palácio do Governador - Lisbon Hotel & Spa

Palácio do Governador - Lisbon Hotel & Spa

5 out of 5
Rua Bartolomeu Dias, 117, Lisbon
Palácio do Governador - Lisbon Hotel & Spa
Wine & Books Lisboa Hotel

Wine & Books Lisboa Hotel

5 out of 5
Travessa da Memoria, 56, Lisbon
Wine & Books Lisboa Hotel
Belém Tejo - Setubalense

Belém Tejo - Setubalense

2 out of 5
Rua de Belem, 28, Lisbon
Belém Tejo - Setubalense
Hyatt Regency Lisbon

Hyatt Regency Lisbon

5 out of 5
RUE DA JUNQUEIRA 63, Lisbon
Hyatt Regency Lisbon
Ajuda Palace Inn Lisbon

Ajuda Palace Inn Lisbon

2 out of 5
Alameda dos Pinheiros 1, Lisbon, Lisboa
Ajuda Palace Inn Lisbon
 Pestana Palace Lisboa Hotel & National Monument - The Leading Hotels of the World

Pestana Palace Lisboa Hotel & National Monument - The Leading Hotels of the World

5 out of 5
Rua Jau 54, Lisbon
Pestana Palace Lisboa Hotel & National Monument - The Leading Hotels of the World
Corinthia Lisbon

Corinthia Lisbon

5 out of 5
Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 105, Lisbon
Corinthia Lisbon
MS Aparthotel

MS Aparthotel

4 out of 5
Rua Manuel da Silva Gaio, 2, Linda-a-Velha, Oeiras
MS Aparthotel
Vila Gale Opera

Vila Gale Opera

4 out of 5
Travessa Conde da Ponte, Lisbon
Vila Gale Opera
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near Belém Tower

When visiting Belém Tower in Lisbon, take advantage of the scenic sightseeing opportunities around the historic site. Consider joining an audio tour to learn about its rich history. For a romantic experience, enjoy a sailboat ride along the Tagus River, offering stunning views of the tower and the city. Additionally, explore nearby art galleries to appreciate local creativity and culture while immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Belém.

Shopping

For a great shopping experience near Belém Tower, visit Avenida da Liberdade, Mercado da Ribeira, and Amoreiras Shopping Center, all within 6.4km. These spots offer a mix of family, city, and entertainment vibes—perfect for picking up gifts and souvenirs!

Recreation

Estádio da Luz offers an energetic atmosphere with various sports activities perfect for active tourists. Jamor National Sports Center, nearby, provides ample opportunities for fitness enthusiasts. For a tranquil retreat, Floresta de Monsanto Park invites you to relax amidst nature, featuring peaceful trails and lush greenery.

Adventure

Experience the thrill of motor racing at Estoril Racetrack, located 17.7km from Belém Tower. For a family-friendly adventure, ride the Telecabine Lisbon Cable Car, 14.5km away, offering stunning views. Don't miss the zipline at Adventure Park, situated 4.8km from the tower, for an exhilarating outdoor experience.

Nightlife

Experience the vibrant nightlife near Belém Tower! Visit the Calouste Gulbekian Planetarium for family-friendly entertainment, or enjoy a romantic evening at Trindade Theater and A Barraca Theater, both offering cultural performances. Each venue adds a unique charm to your Lisbon adventure!

Find the best attractions near Belém Tower

When visiting Belém Tower in Lisbon, explore a rich array of cultural attractions, including museums and art galleries, while enjoying scenic lookouts. This area is perfect for travellers seeking outdoor experiences and city culture. Don't miss the iconic Belém Tower itself and consider nearby hotels for your stay. The vibrant Belém area offers delightful options to enhance your vacation experience in Portugal.

  • Jerónimos Monastery: Located 1.1km from Belém Tower, this UNESCO World Heritage site showcases stunning Manueline architecture. Its intricate façade and serene cloisters offer a glimpse into Portugal's rich maritime history, making it a must-visit for culture enthusiasts.
  • Lisboa Congress Centre: Situated 3.2km away, this modern venue exudes business vibes and is perfect for conferences and events. While it's primarily a corporate hub, the surrounding area features beautiful views of the Tagus River, allowing for a refreshing break between meetings.
  • Ajuda National Palace: Just 1.6km from Belém Tower, this historic palace boasts opulent interiors and lush gardens. Visitors can explore the royal rooms and learn about Portugal's regal past, immersing themselves in the rich cultural heritage.

Best time to go to Belém Tower

Visitor numbers around Belém Tower is generally unchanged in popularity throughout the year. The best time to visit Belém Tower can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Belém Tower falls in August, when visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is sunny with no rain. The coolest average temperature around Belém Tower falls in January, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is mostly sunny with light rain.

calendar iconCalendar Monthtemperature iconTemperaturerain iconPrecipitationmostly cloudy iconCloudinessoccupation rate iconOccupancyprice iconPricing
January54.0°F (12.2°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowSlightly Low
February54.5°F (12.5°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly Low
March57.0°F (13.9°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
April59.9°F (15.5°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighAverage
May64.8°F (18.2°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
June68.2°F (20.1°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnyAverageSlightly High
July71.1°F (21.7°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly HighAverage
August72.0°F (22.2°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly HighAverage
September70.3°F (21.3°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnyAverageSlightly High
October66.9°F (19.4°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
November59.9°F (15.5°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
December55.9°F (13.3°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowSlightly Low

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Belém Tower

To save money during your visit to Belém Tower, consider exploring nearby free attractions like Rossio Square and Costa da Caparica Beach. Travel during the off-peak months of December to February for lower accommodation rates, and book your hotel about a month in advance for the best deals. Use Expedia's search tool to compare prices and find budget-friendly options, particularly on Tuesdays, which are cheaper than Fridays. Additionally, consider bundling your hotel and flights for potential savings, and look for eco-certified hotels for sustainable stays.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Belém Tower are December to February, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to May to June and September, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The best time to book a hotel: Book your hotel around Belém Tower about 1 month out to secure some of the cheapest prices. If you're the spontaneous type, Expedia's last minute deals and discounts are indicated via the green label below the price.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Belém Tower is Tuesday. The most expensive day to stay around Belém Tower is Friday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Expedia’s search tool enables you to specify your budget, desired location, and additional preferences. You can arrange the results to display prices from lowest to highest, ensuring you find the most affordable accommodations right away. Additionally, you have the option to refine your search by hotel category; for instance, selecting the "Eco-certified" filter will showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly hotels that you can book.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can save money by combining your hotel stay near the Belém Tower with your flights and activities through an Expedia package deal.