A short distance from the historical centre of Lisbon, Belém (meaning Bethlehem) is where many of Portugal's voyages of discovery embarked. As consequence it is here you'll find a plethora of Lisbon's most famous monuments and buildings celebrating Portugal's maritime achievements in the 15th and 16th centuries and the heroes from that age. There is plenty here to see and do to make a fulfilling day out. Along the roads Rua Vieira Portuense and Rua Belém there are several cafés and restaurants, also around this area are many parks and botanical gardens to walk off that lunch. Our sister website MADABOUTLISBON.COM will guide you there and introduce you to the best places to see and top things to do. | www.madaboutlisbon.com
TOP ATTRACTIONS OF BELÉMLisbon's most iconic monument.
The official home of the Portuguese president.
Built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's epic sea voyage to India.
A very opulent royal residence.
An impressive collection of 15th & 16th century carriages.
Created in 1768 as part of Ajuda Palace.
A window into the heavens.
| Pasteis de Belém
During the liberal revolution in the early 19th century, all convents and monasteries in Portugal were shut down and the clergy expelled. Next to the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos at this time, there was a sugar cane refinery connected to a small general store. As a means of making a living, the monastery made sweet pastries for sale in the shop, pastries which rapidly became known as 'Pasteis de Belém'. Their popularity grew as the numbers of visitors to Belém increased and the baking of the 'Pasteis de Belém' moved to larger buildings adjoined to the refinery. This tradition continues today and hand baked to the original secret recipe and visiting the bakery is a must. Best eaten hot and sprinkled with either icing sugar or cinnamon. The title of "Pastéis de Belém" is awarded only to the pastries here however the Pastéis de Natas made elsewhere have become synonymous with Lisbon and Portugal.
714, 727, 728, 729, 751. | 15E | Daily: 08h00 – 23h00
84 - 92 Rua de Belém, 1300 – 085 Lisboa, Portugal. |
38° 41' 50.8"N | 09° 12' 11.7"W |
+351 213 637 423 | pasteisdebelem@pasteisdebelem.pt | Website | Facebook
A refreshing stroll through the Jardim Botânico Tropical, it's shaded areas, water features and the odd peacock revives the senses. Created in 1906 by order of King Carlos I the gardens are home to over 4000 species of plants from all over the Portuguese empire. Also known as Jardim do Ultrama is also where the the Tropical Museum and to the Institute of Scientific Tropical Research (Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical) and works hard in the area of preservation. [ More About ► ]
714, 727, 728, 729, 751. | 15E | Daily: 09h30 - 12h00/14h00 - 16h30
Adult: €1.50, Concessionary: €0.75, Child under 7: FREE
Largo dos Jerónimos 1400-209, Lisboa, Portugal.
38° 41′ 55.3″ N | 09° 12′ 8.8″ W | +351 213 609 665
jbt@iict.pt | Facebook
| Jardim Botânico Tropical (Tropical Botanic Gardens)
Altis Belem Hotel & Spa, a Member of Design Hotels ★ ★ ★ ★ ★9.4/10 Exceptional (461 verified customer reviews) A five star design hotel in Belém overlooking the Tagus River, a contemporary experience of the Golden Age of Discovery. Here you can find the gourmet Restaurant Feitoria and the Spa BSpa. The theme of discovery is threaded throughout all of the hotel's 50 luxury rooms (including five suites) absorbing and enticing you to embark on an exotic journey displayed in a series of illustrated wall panels, giving each room a bespoke atmosphere.
|
Hotel Jeronimos 8 ★ ★ ★ ★8.6/10 Excellent (502 verified customer reviews) Lisbon's first design hotel, Hotel Jerónimos 8 is a four-star hotel that stands apart for its concept and convenient location in Belém, in the centre of major monuments and museums. An urban resort that combines three colours in its contemporary design (an exciting "chocolate" brown, a stimulating "carmine" red, and a "relaxing" cream) to incite surprising feelings of harmony and tranquility. |
City Stays Belém Apartments ★ ★ ★9.2/10 Wonderful (40 verified customer reviews) The City Stays Belém Apartments in Belém offers stylish and spacious self-catering accommodation in the heart of one of Lisbon’s most historic neighbourhoods. These modern apartments feature fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, and comfortable living areas, perfect for families, couples, or business travellers. Guests love the prime location near iconic attractions like Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, MAAT, and the famous Pastéis de Belém pastry shop.
|
Enoteca de BelémThe "Enoteca de Belém" – Wine Bar, a place dedicated to experimentation and to be a meeting place, for people and flavours, in an artistic and cultural atmosphere inherent to the Travessa and its spaces, puts its bet on the divulgation of the national wine and gastronomic culture. Service is discreet, professional and knowledgeable.
|
Restaurante Solar do EmbaixadorSolar do Embaixador is a family restaurant always receiving customers with a sincere smile and an excellent service. Specialising in Brazilian cuisine, specifically from northeast Brazil and conjures up such specialties as "Fish Moqueca" and "Shrimp Moqueca".
|
Darwin CaféAn ideal location on the bank of the river in the Champalimaud Foundation science centre, it's decor is modern based on a Charles Darwin theme. The menu is extensive offering a variety of Portuguese and international dishes.
|
| Igreja da Memória
Similar in style to the Estrela Basilica in the Alfama the church is a memorial of King Jose I's close escape from a sole assassin's bullet on the 3rd September 1758 and was built on the exact spot of the failed attempt. The church is also the final resting place for the enigmatic politician the Marquis de Pombal who led the investigation into the assasination attempt. The church's grand 18th century baroque exterior is a stark contrast to it's more sombre interior. [ More About ► ] FREE
727 | 18E
Largo da Memória, 1300-399 Lisboa, Portugal.
38° 42′ 10.8″ N | 09° 12.7' 24″ W
With this entrance ticket you can gain entry to the Quake: The Lisbon earthquake experience at your leisure. Book with confidence with FREE CANCELLATION Buy online before you arrive to avoid queues and have the convenience of the e-ticket on your phone…
Immerse yourselves in an incredible journey back in time to 1755 to relive Lisbon's most dramatic and transformative event - the Lisbon Earthquake.
As you traverse through 10 'groundbreaking' immersive rooms over 1.5 hours, you'll uncover the secrets of a lost Lisbon. Enjoy being at the heart of the action leading to a worldwide political, scientific and historical transformation. Learn about the city of Lisbon and about earthquakes through state-of-the-art simulators, video mapping and interactive and immersive technology. Save precious time and money by booking your visit online.
Daily: 10h00 - 18h00
201, 714, 727, 728, 729, 751
15E & 18E
Linha Cascais trains stop at the Belém Train Station from Cais do Sodré
Contact Details
39 Rua Cais da Alfândega Velha, 1300-598 Lisbon, Portugal. | 38° 41' 49.2" N | 09° 11' 49.9" W
Only 14.4km (9 mi) south of Lisbon Portela Airport Website 
|
|
From the North take the A36. The N6 runs through Belém West to East.
|
|
Urban train services (comboios urbanos) Belém train station: |
|
There are no Metro lines that service Belém, however the Azul line goes to Cais do Sodré train station where you can connect with an Urban train (see above) to Belém: Website |
|
• Carris bus routes to Belém from various areas around the city: Carris Website |
|
|
• 15E: Praça Figueira - Algés (Jardim) via Belém: Timetable |
2026 © Mad About Portugal. All rights reserved | Privacy Policy
Lisbon Card 
