Location: Belém
Top Things to do in Belém
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10 Things to do in Belém That You Shouldn't Miss
The museums of Lisbon celebrate the rich history and culture of this Portuguese capital city. The Maritime Museum is perfect for kids (and grown-ups!) who adore all things nautical, while the Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves is a hidden gem of colorful artwork. To fully appreciate the city’s dramatic stone architecture you can take a guided walking tour, or customize your own tour, making sure to visit the Padrao dos Descobrimentos, the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, and the UNESCO World Heritage site the Torre de Belem.
Restaurants in Lisbon
1. Chafariz da Junqueira
2. Waterfront Promenade Belem
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
One of the best things about a day trip to Belem is that all the main sights are within easy walking distance of each other and most are linked by this beautiful waterside promenade. Having visited the Jeronimos monastery and church, we walked straight across to the Discoveries Monument, where the promenade starts. It was from this very point that the 15th century explorer, Vasco da Gama set sail for India, returning with news of a new sea trading route and treasures that would ultimately help turn Portugal into a global empire and establish it as a 15th century super-power. We walked from here, alongside the Tagus River, to the Belem Tower. Along the way there is a marina, a couple of restaurants, an unusual lighthouse and the Coutinho monument (a replica of the bi-plane that crossed the South Atlantic almost 100 years ago). Walking back, you look towards the 25 April Bridge and the Discoveries Monument looms large, most of the way. Mostly though it is just a beautiful stretch to walk along and the wide, flat path makes it suitable for small children and pushchairs
3. Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30,695 reviews
No expense was spared when they built this masterpiece of Manueline and Gothic architecture in 1502, which was inspired by Vasco da Gama who is buried here with other great navigators of the past.
Reviewed By dewdee - Bangkok, Thailand
This 500 year old monastery is absolutely beautiful on the inside out. If you're a history buff, I recommend buying the combo 12 euro ticket which gives you access to the archaeological museum adjoining the monastery as well. Every step is worth a photo and the architecture is really stunning inside. There is also a special exhibit right now on the upper level explaining the historical timeline of the place compared alongside important milestones in Portugal's history. Very informative and educational. This is a worthwhile visit because the surrounding Belem areas are all tourist attractions and is accessible by direct bus or tram from the city center.
4. Museu Centro Cultural Casapiano
5. Estadio do Restelo
6. Museu Colecao Berardo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,458 reviews
Located in Belém, the Museu Coleção Berardo is The Most Visited Museum in Portugal and is the Main Modern and Contemporary Art Museum in Lisbon, with 6 Major Exhibitions on view. Open every day, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entrance: 6:30 p.m.) Admission Ticket (adult): 5€, discounts available. Free on Saturdays, all day. Houses the Berardo Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art, together with temporary exhibits. The permanent collection of the museum presents the major art movements of the 20th century - Cubism, Dadaism, Constructivism, De Stijl, Surrealism, Post-war Figuration, CoBrA, Abstract Expressionism, Kinetic and Op Art, Nouveau Réalisme, British Pop Art, American Pop Art, among others, presenting works from artists like Mondrian, Picasso, Duchamp, Andy Warhol, Jackson Polock, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Salvador Dalí, Francis Bacon, Balthus, Lucio Fontana, Yves Klein, Pistoletto, Bill Viola, Andreas Gursky, Frank Stella, among others. A must-see in Lisbon!
Reviewed By jr87traveller - Prague, Czech Republic
Was kind of a spontaneous stop at this museum and we were really happy we entered this place... very interesting expositions and some world famous items from artists such as Andy Warhol or Picasso..
7. Museu da Eletricidade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 429 reviews
Overlooking the Tagus, in the suburb of Belém, the Electricity Museum is a cultural center, a science museum, a Museum of Industrial Archaeology and a space for contemporary art temporary exhibitions.
8. Museu de Marinha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,201 reviews
The world-famous Maritime Museum in Belem has a children’s section as well as ship models. Portugal was a world leader in maritime exploration (Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, etc.)
Reviewed By NigelDCapeTown - Cape Town, South Africa
Housed in part of the Monastery of Geronimo, this museum is really very much worth a visit. It gives a graphic depiction of the great marine history of Portugal and ends with a wonderful display of royal barges, which must be one of the largest in the world. Really epic.
9. Jardim da Praca do Imperio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 342 reviews
Reviewed By permia
Just opposite the exquisite Monastery this lovely relaxing green space was created for the 1940 Portuguese World Exposition. It is highly ornate with fine sculptures, including a number of sea horses with tails of water creatures. The centrepiece is the grand impressive fountain. Multiple coats of arms crafted from the flora are to be seen. They represent the former Empire territories.
10. Santa Maria de Belem Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 635 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This church is part of the Jeronimos Monastery and it is separate from the cloisters. It’s free to enter the church but will have to pay €10 for the cloisters. If you are wondering whether it’s worth doing both, I’d highly recommend visiting the cloisters also. They are very different and it is the cloisters that is the highlight. The church has some very interesting features but overall, it is rather gloomy and dark and does not prepare you at all for the magnificence of the cloisters and monastery grounds. What you’ll see in the church are the tombs of the explorer, Vasco da Gama who died in India in 1524, the poet, Luís de Camões (died 1580) and King Manuel I (died 1521). You’ll also see a very striking ceiling, spanning an extraordinarily wide central nave (30m). The ceiling is a single span with ornamental branch-like tracery vaults. Together, the vaults and the tall, slender trunk-like pillars that support the roof, create an overall effect that made me think of a forest. If you are visiting the cloisters, make sure to find the viewing area where you get a special vantage point, looking down over the interior of the church towards the altar. TIPS: * There are 2 lines. The longer line on the right is for free entry to the church and the left hand line is for the cloisters. Here’s the catch - a cloisters ticket, doesn't get you into the church. You’ll have to exit the monastery grounds and line up again. We arrived early and went to the cloisters first but this was a mistake. By the time we came out of the monastery, the church line had grown much longer. If you're there early, I'd recommend visiting the church first when the line is likely to be shortest. * Closed on Mondays
