Belem, Lisbon: Monastery, Tower and the Original Pasteis

Belém is where Portugal’s Age of Discoveries comes alive: the riverside district west of central Lisbon has the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, museums, gardens and, of course, the original custard tarts. Here’s how to spend a day in Belém in 2026.

Quick answer: take tram 15 from Praça da Figueira or Praça do Comércio (about 25 minutes). See the Jerónimos Monastery (cloister €18, church free), Belém Tower (€15, timed tickets since it reopened in 2026), the Monument to the Discoveries, the MAAT (€16 for visitors from abroad, roof free) and the Coach Museum (€15), and eat warm tarts at Pastéis de Belém. Don’t go on a Monday: the monastery and tower are closed.

Why go

In the 15th and 16th centuries, ships left from this stretch of the Tagus for Africa, India and Brazil. The wealth they brought back paid for two of Portugal’s most famous buildings, the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Add wide riverside paths, big gardens and good museums, and you have the best single day out in Lisbon. Most sights sit within a 15-minute walk of each other, so it’s easy to do on foot.

Getting there

• Tram 15: from Praça da Figueira, Praça do Comércio or Cais do Sodré, about 25 minutes. Use a navegante card. It gets very full in summer, so board early or at the first stop.
• Train: the Cascais line from Cais do Sodré to Belém station, about 7 minutes. It’s usually the fastest option, and a footbridge takes you over the road to the riverside.
• Bus: several Carris buses run along the riverside avenue. Check the Carris app for current routes.
• Walk or cycle the riverside from Cais do Sodré (about an hour on foot), passing LX Factory and the MAAT on the way.

The sights

Jerónimos Monastery

A masterpiece of Manueline architecture, built with spice-trade wealth from 1501, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Look for the stone ropes, sea creatures and armillary spheres carved into the doorways. The church (with Vasco da Gama’s tomb and that of the poet Luís de Camões) is free; the stunning two-storey cloister costs €18. Allow about an hour. Go at opening to beat the queues, or book a timed ticket online. The National Archaeology Museum, in the monastery’s long west wing, has been closed for works since 2022, with no reopening date.

Belém Tower

The 16th-century fortress on the river guarded the entrance to Lisbon’s port. It reopened in May 2026 after restoration, with timed tickets (€15) and a daily visitor cap: entry is in half-hour slots of up to 60 people, with about 900 visitors a day. Book ahead, and note it’s closed on Mondays. Inside, narrow spiral stairs lead up through the floors to a terrace with river views, so allow 45 minutes to an hour. It’s lovely from outside at sunset too.

Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos)

A huge riverside monument shaped like a ship’s prow, with Henry the Navigator leading the explorers. The stone version was built in 1960 for the 500th anniversary of Henry’s death. The monument is 56 metres tall: a lift and then 42 narrow steps take you to the rooftop viewpoint, for the view down onto the giant compass-rose map in the pavement. It’s open every day except a few holidays (1 January, 1 May and 24, 25 and 31 December), usually from 10am to 7pm from March to September and to 6pm in winter. Tickets cost €10 for the viewpoint, exhibition and film (€5 exhibition only), free with the Lisboa Card, and the visit takes 30 to 45 minutes. See our Monument to the Discoveries guide.

MAAT

The wave-shaped museum of art, architecture and technology (€16 for visitors from abroad) holds changing exhibitions, with a free roof walk and views of the 25 de Abril bridge. Next door, the old red-brick power station is part of the same museum. It’s usually closed on Tuesdays. See our MAAT guide.

National Coach Museum

Gilded royal carriages from the 17th to 19th centuries (€15), shown in a large modern building opposite the river. The old Royal Riding School has been closed for works since September 2025, and its coaches are shown in the main building. It’s usually open 10am to 6pm and closed on Mondays. Allow about an hour.

Pastéis de Belém

The bakery that has made the original custard tarts since 1837, using a recipe linked to the monastery next door. Skip the takeaway queue and find a table inside: the rooms go back further than they look. Sprinkle on cinnamon and icing sugar. See the best pastel de nata.

Gardens

The Jardim da Praça do Império in front of the monastery has fountains and shade. The Tropical Botanical Garden nearby has palms, ponds and birds (small entry fee). Up the hill, the Ajuda Palace is a quieter add-on if you have time.

A perfect Belém day

1. 10:00: Jerónimos at opening.
2. 11:30: pastéis de Belém.
3. 12:30: the Monument to the Discoveries and the riverside.
4. 14:00: Belém Tower (timed ticket).
5. 16:00: MAAT and its roof, then the riverside walk towards LX Factory.

Short on time? A half day covers Jerónimos, the tarts and a riverside walk to the tower and the monument. Buy the tower ticket for an early afternoon slot so it fits.

Food

Belém’s main street is lined with cafés and restaurants aimed at visitors, so prices are higher than in the centre. A simple lunch of grilled fish, a bifana (pork sandwich) or soup is easy to find. For better value, eat at LX Factory on your way back, or bring a picnic for the gardens.

When to go

Belém is busiest from June to September and on weekends. Spring and autumn are best for walking between the sights. Arrive at opening, or late in the afternoon when tour groups have left. On wet days, the Coach Museum and the MAAT make good indoor options.

Tips

• Mondays: Jerónimos and Belém Tower are closed.
• Book ahead: both Jerónimos and the tower sell out on busy days. Check the official sites for current hours.
• Lisboa Card: covers transport and some Belém sights. See is it worth it?
• Comfortable shoes: the sights are spread along about 2km of riverside.
• Tours: a guided Belém tour explains the Age of Discoveries. See Belém tours.

FAQ

Do I need to book Belém Tower in advance?

It’s wise. Since the tower reopened in May 2026, entry is by timed half-hour slots, with a cap of about 900 visitors a day, so busy days sell out. Tickets cost €15.

Is the Jerónimos Monastery free?

The church is free, including Vasco da Gama’s tomb. The two-storey cloister costs €18, and the whole monastery is closed on Mondays.

What is the best day to visit Belém?

Wednesday to Saturday. Jerónimos, the tower and the Coach Museum close on Mondays and the MAAT on Tuesdays, while weekends are the busiest days (Portugal residents now get 52 free days a year at national monuments, so locals visit on any day).

More: things to do in Lisbon, 2 days in Lisbon and a quick history of Portugal. Stay nearby: places to stay in Belém.

See also: the Jerónimos Monastery guide, MAAT, the National Coach Museum, Belém Tower, Pillar 7, parking in Lisbon and Pastéis de Belém.

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