Belém Tower

The Manueline Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) was built between 1515 and 1519, and is the work of Francisco de Arruda. In 1983 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

Belén Tower

Belén Tower, interior view

The tower is situated in the mouth of the Tagus River, and was initially used to defend the city, and later became a customs house and a lighthouse. It’s located very close to the Hieronymites Monastery.

Inside the Belém Tower

After accessing the ground floor you’ll find 16 windows that have defensive cannons and you can also visit the pits and holes where they threw the prisoners.

The tower has five floors which lead to a roof terrace. Each storey is only connected by a small spiral staircase which, on the busiest days, you have to wait for your turn to climb and descend and it is somewhat overwhelming.

The floors are, from bottom to top: The Governor’s Hall, The Kings’ Hall, the Audience Hall, the Chapel and Roof terrace.

The rhinoceros gargoyle

On the western façade of the Belém Tower you’ll find a curious gargoyle in the form of a rhinoceros. The first rhinoceros to set foot in Portugal came from India in 1513.

Location

Belém coast, Lisbon west.

Hours

October through April: 10am to 5pm.
May through September: 10am to 6.30pm.
Monday: Closed.

Admission

Adult: €5 (+ Hieronymites Monastery, €8; Hieronymites Monastery + Ajuda Palace: €13).
Senior (65+): 50%.
Young Card: 60%.
Child (<14): free entrance.
Lisboa Card: free entrance.
Sunday and holidays: free entrance from 10am to 14pm.

Transport

Tram: line 15.
Bus: lines 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51 and 112.
Train: Belem, Cascáis Line.

Map

Closest attractions

Belém (0.15 miles)
Monument to the Discoveries (0.57 miles)
Archaeology Museum (0.63 miles)
Hieronymites Monastery (0.69 miles)
National Coach Museum (0.97 miles)

Hotels nearby

Pestana Palace Hotel & National Monument
(1.78 miles)
Hotel Jeronimos 8
(0.75 miles)
Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
(0.32 miles)
Setubalense
(0.84 miles)