Location: Belém
Top Things to do in Belém
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What to do and see in Belém, Central Portugal: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. Capela ou Ermida do Santo Cristo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Chafariz da Junqueira
3. 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
4. Rosa dos Ventos
5. 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.
6. Padrao Memoria do Chao Salgado
7. Chafariz do Palacio de Belem
8. Estadio do Restelo
9. 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
10. A Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, based in the Gardens of the National Palace of Queluz, has as its mission to conserve and promote the Alter Real-bred Lusitano horse and uphold the Portuguese tradition of Haute École through the selection, training and exhibition of Pure Blood Lusitano horses from the Alter Real Stud Farm. It is an equestrian cultural heritage that remains unique in the world.
Reviewed By L5325GJdanielleh - Los Angeles, United States
This is a must for horse-lovers visiting Lisbon/Belém. It is just a short (less than 10 minute walk) from Pasteis de Belém/Monastery of Jerónimos. Check out their website for more up to date information but at the time I went they were offering special performances (“galas”) about once a month and access to a shorter weekday training session and tour (given in English and Portuguese). That tour talks a little about the stables, providing information about the history of the school and a little bit about the care of the horses (some of whom are friendly enough to pet). There are over 30 lusitanian stallions kept there (in various stages of training) and they are beautiful. The weekday tour started at 10:30 am, with ample time to grab a snack and visit the gift shop before the 11:30 workout of a small group of horses (at the time I went it was €8 for higher level seats and €12 for seats at area level). The weekday workouts are not the same as their choreographed shows-there is music, and the riders practice various dressage maneuvers—but I still found it a thoroughly enjoyable and unexpected treat on my trip to Lisbon.
