Belém Tower

Belem Tower showing heritage architecture, a sunset and a bridge
Belém Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the northern bank of the Tagus River in the Belém district of Lisbon.

In the early 16th Century, this four-storey tower was built on basaltic rocks found by the Tagus River, in close proximity to the riverbank, with the intention of supplementing the existing fortification defences along the sea approach to Lisbon.

The tower was designed by military architect, Francisco de Arruda, and is made from beige coloured limestone. The building is divided into two parts: the bastion and the four-storey tower.

Belém Tower is considered an iconic example of the nautically inspired Portuguese Manueline style, recognisable in the embellishments, such as crosses of the Order of Christ (a symbol of military power), armillary spheres and twisted rope. From the top you can enjoy beautiful views over the Tagus estuary and the Belém district.

The artwork of the Tower includes images and statues of beasts, including a rhinoceros, which is considered to be the first sculpture of such an animal in Western European art. The influence of Moorish architecture is observable in the arched windows and the ribbed cupolas of the watchtowers.

On the balcony there is an image of the Virgin and Child, called the Virgin of Safe Homecoming, holding a child in her right hand and a bunch of grapes in her left. She is believed to provide protection to sailors.

Belém Tower is located at the western end of the Avenida de Brasília and can be reached by train from Cais do Sodré or tram 15.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and the famous cake factory, Pastéis de Belém, are both close to the tower. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit either when you visit Belém Tower.

Reviews of Belém Tower

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
334
" "5 - Excellent 42.87548138639281%
4 - Good
381
" "4 - Good 48.90885750962773%
3 - Okay
61
" "3 - Okay 7.830551989730424%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 0.3851091142490372%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
24 Dec 2019

make sure you take good walking shoes and a bottle of water.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
26 Oct 2019

Extremely busy however there is also a military museum in the same location. The riverside walk from Belem was very enjoyable to this location.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
22 Oct 2019

It was closed and no explanation given!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
21 Oct 2019

We visited on a Saturday and it was very busy although it appeared as though a number of visitors were from a Viking cruise ship (based on the number of sign written coaches). Probably best to avoid weekends.

5/5 - Excellent

SteveH
14 Sep 2019

There are two queues to get in - one for prebookings and Lisboa card holders, one for the ticket desk. The former queue was two or three times the length of the latter queue!!! I was glad I hadn't prepaid since I got in far quicker than those who had - they let in about 50 people from each queue every 30min.

5/5 - Excellent

Aileen
11 Sep 2019

Definitely worth a stop of if you get the Red line sightseeing bus.

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