Many people will tell you that no trip to Lisbon is complete without visiting the nearby district of Belem. Famous for its riverfront tower and UNESCO World Heritage Site monastery, Belem is a jewel to behold. The best things to do in Belem go beyond just the iconic landmarks, and include a surprising array of museums, culinary traditions and modern innovations.
I stayed in Lisbon for slightly more than a week, and I spent the better part of one day exploring Belem. Below, I’m listing my favorite things to do in Belem in an order that makes sense to me, based on how I walked around the area on foot. All of these attractions are within walking distance of one another, although you will occasionally have to retrace your steps due to different opening hours, queue lengths and stamina levels.
If you have any questions after you’ve read the list, leave a comment at the bottom and I will make sure to reply ASAP!
#1 – Ride the (Not So Historic) Yellow Tram to Belem
Previously, one of the best things to do in Belem was simply to ride there on the city’s famous, historic yellow trams. However, recently Lisbon’s public transportation service has replaced most of the trams on the Lisbon – Belem line (#15E) with sleek, modern new trams.
Regardless of whether you end up on an old or new tram, it’s still a nice journey to make. For the best chance of getting a seat, board the tram at Praça da Figueira. Use the machine on board to pay the €3.00 fare in coins only, or tap your Lisbon metro card to have the fare automatically deducted. There are three tram stops in Belem: one at the National Coach Museum, one at the monastery and one near the tower.
The tram ride takes a minimum of 45 minutes from Praça da Figueira to Belem. If you don’t have that much time to spare, you can take the commuter train instead (details below).
#2 – The Monastery of Jeronimos
For most travelers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Belem is the main draw in Belem. However, it’s difficult to discuss the site without discussing the absolutely mind-blowing disorganization of the ticket and queuing process at the Monastery of Jeronmos.
The Monastery of Jeronimos Queue
Basically, the line at the Monastery of Jeronimos sucks.
If you visit in high season, expect to queue for about two hours. You’ll have to wait outside, in the hot sun, with no shade. The time on your ticket does not matter. Everyone queues together, ticket or no ticket, regardless of their reserved entry time. The Lisbon Card does not actually help you skip the line, despite their marketing materials.
If you visit in low season, expect to queue for about two hours. You’ll have to wait outside, in the rain or in the wind, with no protection from the elements. As with high season, it doesn’t matter that you have a ticket (or not), or what time you booked an entrance window. Everyone waits outside in the line until the security staff feel like letting you in.
The only way to skip the line at the Jeronimos Monastery is to visit with a tour group. Much to the annoyance of people who have been waiting in line for hours, groups led by official guides are ushered directly inside with little to no wait. The Tour of Belem and Jeronimos Monastery is bookable online and advertises skip-the-line service, or you can ask around in town upon your arrival in Lisbon.
At publication time, the monastery’s official ticket site is not working, and it is displaying a message that says “We are getting ready to launch the new ticket office – see you soon.” Until it’s up and running, regular admission tickets (the ones you need to wait in line to use) can be bought here or at the on-site ticket office.
* Rick Steves says that if you visit the monastery in the late afternoon it is less busy, but the queue still looked to be an hour or more when I left Belem around 4:30 pm in the summer.
Monastery of Jeronimos Exterior
My feelings about the queue aside, the Monastery of Jeronimos is certainly a sight to see. Even if you don’t bother waiting in line to go outside, and just look at its monolithic exterior, it’s certainly worth checking out.
The white facade of the monastery spans about 275 meters, running parallel to the Belem waterfront. It is decorated in the Manueline style, which developed in Portugal during the late Renaissance. It took one hundred years to construct the building, and the attention to detail is apparent both inside and outside. The facade is made from Lioz, a type of limestone that is typical to the Lisbon region.
Interior of the Jeronimos Monastery
After you wait in line for one or two hours, eventually you’ll be admitted to the Jeronimos Monastery. You have access to very few rooms, and the ones that you can visit are sparsely decorated. Don’t come here to see traditional Portuguese azulejo tiles, as they are only found in the cavernous, empty refractory.
As you exit the refractory and walk towards the cloister, you’ll pass the tomb of Fernando Pessoa, a modern Portuguese poet who was buried here following his death in 1935.
The Monastery of Jeronimos Cloister
This is the view that you queued two hours for. Featuring more Manueline and Renaissance architecture, the cloister at the Jeronimos Monastery is beautiful, tranquil and relaxing (unlike the line outside).
You are free to walk both upstairs and downstairs, but not into the open garden space. Take your time, examine the columns, the arches and the decorative gargoyles… just don’t sit on any of the benches, or security will swat you away!
You’ll probably be ready to leave within 30 to 45 minutes of entering the monastery. Don’t go far though…
#3 – Jeronimos Monastery Church
… because it’s a separate queue to enter the Jeronimos Monastery church. You’ll walk right past the entrance as you leave the cloister, but security won’t let you inside. Instead, you’ll be sent back to the sun, rain or wind, where you’ll have to stand in line for another thirty minutes or so before you get to go inside.
On the plus side, entrance to the church is free. If you don’t want to queue for an hour or two to enter the monastery, you can opt for the much shorter wait to go into the church, and you won’t have to pay a dime.
For me, a highlight of the church was seeing Vasco da Gama’s tomb, since I had previously been told I’d seen it in South India. My guide there must have taken some creative liberties with his history, as while de Gama was buried in Kochi for about fourteen years, his body was later moved to the tomb in Belem where it was remained for almost 500 years!
Nearby, there is a tomb-like memorial to Portugal’s most famous poet – Luis de Camões – but the tomb is empty as his final resting point is still unconfirmed.
You’ll only need about ten or fifteen minutes to breeze through the church. If you did both the monastery and the church then you’ll probably be ready for a little pick-me-up as soon as you leave. Fortunately, Belem is the perfect town for a little pick-me-up (or two!).
#4 – Taste Pastel de Nata (Portuguse Egg Tarts) in Their Birthplace
Technically speaking, pastel de nata (also written as pasteis de nata) was invented inside the Jeronimos Monastery, by Catholic monks. In the 1800s the monks sold their recipe to a local sugar company, and they in turn opened a cafe serving the popular sweet treat. Today, nearly 200 years later, tasting these custardy pastries in the town where they were born has become one of the most iconic things to do in Belem.
Pastéis de Belém
The cafe that was opened by the sugar refinery still exists today. Pastéis de Belém is just across the square from the monastery, and it has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in Belem in its own right. However, as with most things in Belem, if you want to visit you’ll have to queue.
By this point in my visit to Belem I was resigned to queuing for everything, so I begrudgingly joined the queue of tourists (trust me, no locals bother) waiting for a table in the cafe. I had to wait for about thirty minutes, and I was ultimately seated at a table immediately inside the entrance – there are much nicer tables (and a view into the production facility) further inside.
(I had actually been in Portugal for more than three weeks by the time I came to Belem, and I had promised myself that I wouldn’t try an egg tart until I was here. So, this was a big moment for me!)
One thing the cafe has going for it is that that they haven’t inflated prices as their popularity has risen. Similarly, the price is the same whether you eat in or take out. An egg tart should cost €1.40, and a cup of coffee should be about the same. You can see my order above – it was a perfectly acceptable pastel de nata but it did not change my life.
⭐ If pasteis de nata do change your life, you can learn how to make them at this Belem cooking class. ⭐
Manteigaria – The New Pastel de Nata on the Block
About ten years ago, a new bakery opened in the Chiado district of Lisbon. Their name? Manteigaria. Their mission? To make a pastel de nata even more delicious than the original. They now have seven locations around Lisbon, including one in Belem, on the opposite side of the street from Pasteis de Belem.
Mostly to entertain myself, I walked out the doors of Pasteis de Belem, crossed the street and walked straight into Manteigaria. They don’t offer table seating so I purchased a pastel de nata to go, walked out the door and popped it in my mouth.
My verdict? It was also good but it also didn’t change my life. Still, I appreciated being able to purchase a homemade egg tart on-the-spot, without having to queue or wait ages for my bill to arrive.
#5 – The Tower of Belem
It probably won’t come as a shock to you to learn that if you want to visit the Tower of Belem you’ll have to wait in a queue. By the time I finished my pasteis de nata, had a quick lunch stop and walked along the waterfront to the tower they had already sold out of tickets for the day, and there was a long queue of ticket-holders waiting to enter.
The ticket price is the same whether you buy online before you go or purchase at the on-site ticket office. With the online ticket you can take it to the kiosk in the park in front of the tower and swap it for a timed entry ticket. Even with the timed ticket, however, you can expect to queue for up to an hour as the passageways in the tower are so narrow that only a few people can move through them at once time.
Most visitors say that the tower is more beautiful from the shore than from within its walls, so if you’re short on time or money this might be one you just enjoy from a distance.
#6 – Monument to the Discoveries
Between the monastery and the tower, a riverfront plaza in Belem is home to the towering Monument of the Discoveries. Shaped like a sailboat, it is decorated with statues of Prince Henry the Navigator, along with his supporters and other explorers of the Age of Discovery.
An admission fee of €10 gets you inside the monument. At the base, you’ll find a small museum dedicated to Portugal’s history of exploration. From there, stairs or an elevator can take you to the panoramic observation deck atop the monument. The views of Belem, and of the Tagus River, are unparalleled (and significantly better than those from the Tower of Belem).
#7 – Boat Tours & Cruises from Belem
The Tagus River is the lifeblood of both Belem and Lisbon, and a boat tour on the river is one of the best things to do in Belem (especially when your feet get tired from all that standing in line!).
There are lots of different Belem boat tours available to book directly at the marina, but the schedules can be unpredictable and they may not run if they can’t get enough people on board. Save yourself the hassle and pre-book a Tagus River boat tour from Belem at the time that works best for you:
- Sunset Cruise from Belem – Sunset is my favorite time to sail along the river, and hundreds of people have recommended this tour that sails from Belem down the river to Lisbon, giving you a sunset view of Alfama and the Sao Jorge Castle.
- Tagus River Cruises – The same company listed above also runs morning, afternoon and nighttime boat tours from Belem on board their luxury sailboats. Your best chances of spotting dolphins are during daylight hours. 🐬
- Sailboat Tour with Drinks – With more than 2,300 reviews and an average rating of 4.9/5, this is one of the best boat tours in Belem and Lisbon! They run two-hour sailings in the morning, at sunset and at nightfall.
Things can be chilly on the water, so bring a sweater or jacket with you for the sailing. You’ll likely be asked to remove your shoes on board.
#8 – Check Out the National Coach Museum
I know what you’re thinking, and yes, horse-drawn carriages can be that interesting! One of the most unique museums in Portugal, the National Coach Museum is home to a collection of more than 50 glittering, gilded horse-drawn carriages that date from the 1600s to the early 1900s.
A €10 ticket gives you access to the museum’s two buildings: the minimalist new gallery (shown above) that was designed to hold the bulk of the museum’s collections, and the former Royal Riding School where the interior is as decorative as the ten or so coaches inside. The Royal Riding School actually forms part of the Belem Palace, which serves as the home of the Portuguese president.
#9 – Visit the Maritime Museum
I probably should have put this at #3 on the list, because this is one of the best things to do in Belem with kids. Specifically, it’s one of the best things to do in Belem with kids if you have two adults and you’re stuck in the queue for the monastery and your kids are getting antsy.
Located on the western facade of the monastery (the line often snakes right past it!), the Maritime Museum teaches visitors about Portuguese explorers and navigators through various exhibits (signed in both English and Portuguese), maritime artifacts and even reconstructions of sailing vessels.
A youth admission is only €3.25, and the adult ticket is twice that. If the queue for the monastery is looking to be one or two hours, consider having one adult take the kids into the Maritime Museum while the other holds your spot in line. This gets the kids out of the elements and keeps them entertained.
# 10 – Stargaze at the Planetarium
The Belem Planetarium is another great option if you’re traveling in Belem with kids. It’s located right across the square from the entrance to the Maritime Museum.
The Planetarium really does target a young demographic, starting with its massive domed ceiling that projects the night sky. They also show documentaries and other films with a science focus, and host different temporary exhibits on related topics. Headsets provide audio translations in English for those who don’t speak Portuguese.
#11 – Explore the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
Just outside the center of Belem, a twenty-minute walk from the monastery back towards Lisbon will lead you to MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. Located in a futuristic riverfront building designed by a London architecture firm, MAAT is the best place to explore contemporary art and design in Lisbon.
The museum’s collections include more than 3,000 works by contemporary Portuguese artists, and these are rotated alongside temporary exhibits that showcase contemporary Portuguese and international artworks. A separate collection celebrates the site’s relationship to the adjacent Tejo Power Station, and contains more than 3,500 artifacts that together record the history of the electrical industry in Portugal.
Adult admission is €11.00, or free on the first Sunday morning of each month. MAAT is closed on Tuesdays.
Honorable Mention – LX Factory
LX Factory isn’t technically in Belem, but since it’s just off the road about halfway between Belem and central Lisbon it makes sense to incorporate a visit on the same day as you travel to Belem. The easiest way to get from Belem to the LX Factory is by taxi – just flag one down on the road back to Lisbon.
Located in a former textile factory, LX Factory is now a growing center for arts, culture, design, music and cuisine. The former warehouse buildings have been converted into independent businesses, each with its own unique spin. Most famous is probably Ler Devagar, which is widely recognized as being one of the coolest bookstores in the world, but I was also really into shopping for unique clothing and jewelry in the different boutiques.
LX Factory is also a great place to stop for drinks or dinner after your visit to Belem. At publication time in early 2024 there are ten different food options here, ranging from a restaurant serving Indigenous cuisine from the Amazon to a craft beer bar. Most of the restaurants have Happy Hour specials, so have a €5 Aperol Spritz and think of me.
Belem Travel Tips
If you’re thinking of adding Belem to your Lisbon itinerary, these bonus tips will help you make the most of your visit.
Where is Belem in Lisbon?
Good question! Belem is located about seven kilometers (four miles) west of central Lisbon, on the banks of the Tagus River. It’s technically considered to be a district of Lisbon, and has about 16,000 residents.
(There is also a Belem in Brazil – don’t get the two mixed up!)
How to Get to Belem from Lisbon:
As I mentioned at the start, the #15E tram is the most scenic way to get to Belem from Lisbon. However, it can be slow and overcrowded.
It’s much faster to get to Belem from Lisbon by commuter train. These trains depart from Cais do Sodre every twenty minutes (during the day) and reach Belem about ten or fifteen minutes later. If you’re staying in my #1 recommended Lisbon hotel then you can get on one stop after Cais do Sodre, at Santos. There are ticket machines at the stations, or you can tap your Lisbon transit pass on board.
While these trains do continue on to Cascais, I don’t think you can comfortably fit both into one day (unless you literally don’t go inside anywhere, and just quickly walk around both towns).
Is half a day enough in Belem?
If you get an early start (or stay late) then half a day is enough time to see the sights I’ve listed above, but only actually go inside one or two of them (depending on queue lengths). If you really want to make the most of your visit to Belem, plan to stay for about six hours or more.
Where to eat in Belem?
I’m a vegetarian, and I was in Belem over the lunch hour. Aside from eating two pasteis de nata, I also stopped for lunch at Miolo, a cute little cafe and brunch spot that serves light dishes like smoothie bowls and salads. If you like that kind of food, you’ll love it. On the day I went to Belem I had dinner in LX Factory on my way back to Lisbon.
Near Miolo, there’s also a bakery called A Padaria Portuguesa that serves sandwiches and light snacks, or the popular Adega de Belém that serves heartier, traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Is Belem worth visiting?
If you only have one or two days in Lisbon, then I would recommend skipping Belem, just because of how much time you’ll end up spending queues. However, if you have three days or more, Belem is worth adding to your Lisbon itinerary. There are some unique attractions and some iconic landmarks that are worth visiting.
I have a whole collection of Portugal travel guides, including tips on visiting Lisbon and nearby day trip destinations.
I also have a list of my favorite tours and excursions across Portugal – just the best ones!
If you make it north to Porto, don’t miss my favorite day trip of all – a small-group tour of independent vineyards in the Douro Valley.
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