Belém Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Padrão dos Descobrimentos showing a bridge, heritage elements and a river or creek
Padrão dos Descobrimentos featuring a square or plaza as well as a small group of people
Padrão dos Descobrimentos featuring sailing, a river or creek and a bridge
Padrão dos Descobrimentos featuring a bay or harbour
Padrão dos Descobrimentos showing landscape views, a city and a fountain

In this Portuguese city, travel back to times of global discovery. Tour this historic launch point for explorers seeking distant riches. 

Belém district defines Lisbon as a historic gateway for voyagers beginning quests for precious goods from distant lands. Hop on trams snaking through the area or walk the black-and-white tiled sidewalks known as calçadas. Belém means Bethlehem in Portuguese.

Lisbon’s history revolves around the ocean and the Tagus River, which runs past Belém. As you wander along the riverfront, notice the 25th of April Bridge. Arrive at a towering marble monument dedicated to Portugal’s seafaring importance. The Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Monument) shows the country’s principal Age of Discovery figure Dom Henrique leading notable people toward the ocean and distant shores.

Walk beyond the monument to a small castle along the riverbank. The Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) fortification defended the area from attacks by sea.

Go inland to the Jardim da Praça do Imperio (Imperial Square Garden). Admire the magnificent fountain at the center. Look across the park at the sprawling 16th-century Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, one of the city’s most visited sites. The monastery was erected with funds from the lucrative spice industry.

Also near the park is El Centro Cultural de Belém, housing the Coleção Museu Berardo, one of Lisbon’s finest museums. Travel beyond this popular area toward downtown and look for the large pink building surrounded by trees, Belém Palace, the residence of the country’s presidents.

A short distance farther is the Museo Nacional dos Coches (National Museum of Cars) with a collection of carriages used by European royalty and popes. Try Portugal’s national pastry, the pastel de nata, first made at the beautifully blue-tiled Pastéis de Belém bakery. Lines can be long but the custardy tarts are worth the wait.

Any visit to Lisbon must include Belém. Take the tram to this area quite easily. Alternatively ride the bus, which is often less crowded and not as likely to have pickpockets.

Where to stay in Belém

Maritime Museum featuring interior views

Restelo

Restelo is well liked for its restaurants and museums. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Centro Cultural Belém Stop or Lg. Princesa Stop to get around.

Restelo
Locke de Santa Joana
Locke de Santa Joana
4 out of 5
18 Rua Camilo Castelo Branco, Lisbon
The price is ₹12,430 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹12,430
₹13,981 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 2 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Avenida da Liberdade and Rossio Square are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,060 reviews)
"Loved our stay. The staff were great and the facility was beautiful"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Locke de Santa Joana
Radisson Blu Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel
4 out of 5
Avenida Marechal Craveiro Lopes, 390, Campo Grande, Lisbon
The price is ₹10,533 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹10,533
₹11,969 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,997 reviews)
"Amazing hotel and staff was great. I would definitely stay at this hotel again"

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel
Corinthia Lisbon
Corinthia Lisbon
5 out of 5
Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 105, Lisbon
The price is ₹20,118 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
₹20,118
₹22,129 total
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,096 reviews)
A Wonderful Stay with My Toddler
"My 3-year-old daughter and I had such a fantastic stay at the Corinthia Lisbon. Traveling solo with a little one can be stressful, but the hotel staff went above and beyond to make things easy — they helped me arrange a trusted babysitter while I was working and even booked a car with a car seat ..."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Corinthia Lisbon
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.
Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
4 out of 5
Rua Luciana Stegagno Picchio, 12, Lisbon, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (970 reviews)
"This hotel has beautiful suites, friendly customer service, delicious food options, and a beautiful pool. I would have rated this a 10 minus the beds and pillows. For the rating and price booked I expect a good nights sleep."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel
VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel
4 out of 5
Praça dos Restauradores, 24, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,506 reviews)
"Very comfortable. The rooftop pool and view were lovely. Mario, at the bar by the pool was very friendly and helpful, recommending local restaurants. I loved that there were many doors. Being able to shut the door between the bedroom and hallway to bathroom and kitchen and the door to the kitchen ..."

Reviewed on 30 May 2025

VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
4 out of 5
Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 4, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (742 reviews)
"Loved our stay here as a family of 3 . Amazing spacious room. Good blackout curtains and AC. Close to everything though it's in top of a hill. Never used the rooftop terrace or the restaurant but it was in a good location. Would definitely return. Just be aware that the bathroom are very inaccessible. ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
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.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Belém