With its maritime past, scenic riverside setting, and strong museum lineup, Belém (pronounced ber-layng) is one of Lisbon’s most popular suburbs. It was from here that Vasco da Gama set off for India in 1497, and the vast Mosteiro dos Jerónimos was built to mark his safe return. Alongside the monastery and the landmark Torre de Belém, the area is home to several smaller museums, many created during the 1940 Salazar-backed Exposição do Mundo Português.
The standout is the Berardo Collection, a more recent addition, with major modern and contemporary works. Just uphill, Ajuda is worth a detour for its royal palace and ancient botanical gardens. If your trip to Portugal includes Lisbon, don’t miss a day exploring Belém. Keep in mind that many sights are closed on Mondays, and several offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month.
Tips from Joel
Portugal
Travel Expert
Hey, I’m Joel, your Portugal travel expert, and Belém is where Lisbon stretches out and breathes. You come here for the big stuff. Monumental buildings, grand parks, and wide riverside views. This is Lisbon in historic mode, where the Age of Discoveries still casts a long shadow.
Belém sits a few kilometers west of the city center. It’s easy to reach by tram, train, or bike, and it feels like a different city altogether. If you're thinking about where to base yourself, this is one of the best areas to stay in Lisbon if you want space, river views, and a slower pace. You’ll be away from the bar-hopping chaos of Bairro Alto, but still close enough to dip into the action when you want it.
The headline acts are hard to miss. The Jerónimos Monastery is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture, all carved stone and cloistered calm. Right on the river, the Belém Tower once protected the city from invaders. Now it’s mostly a photo op, but still a Lisbon icon worth climbing. The Discoveries Monument is a concrete tribute to Portugal's explorers. Over-the-top, yes, but you’ll probably still take a photo.
Belém also delivers when it comes to parks and river views. Walk or cycle along the waterfront past joggers, local fishermen, and the occasional sunset yoga class. Hungry? You’re in the birthplace of Portugal’s most famous pastry. Pastéis de Belém has been baking custard tarts since 1837. The filling is still secret. The queue is always long. It's worth it.
Joel’s tips for Belém
Belém sits west of central Lisbon and is easy to reach by public transport, bike, or on foot if you don’t mind a longer stroll. The riverside route is flat and scenic, but most people opt for faster options.
The most straightforward way is the Cascais train from Cais do Sodré station. Trains run regularly and drop you at Belém station in about 7 minutes. From there, it’s a short walk to the main sights.
There’s also the tram option, but it’s less reliable. Tram 15E runs from Praça da Figueira through the city center to Belém. It’s a vintage yellow tram in theory, but most are modern now, and usually packed. Fine if you grab a seat, less fun if you're standing shoulder to shoulder with tourists and pickpockets.
If you're feeling active, rent an e-bike or scooter and follow the riverside path west from Cais do Sodré. It’s about 20 minutes and mostly flat, with plenty of places to stop along the way.
You can use your Viva Viagem public transport card on trains, trams, and buses. Just tap and go.
Torre de Belém, Lisbon @ Shutterstock
If you’re building your Portugal itinerary and looking for essential things to do in Lisbon, Belém should be high on your list. This riverside neighborhood is packed with grand monuments, modern museums, leafy gardens, and one seriously famous pastry shop. You won’t find buzzy nightlife or hipster cafés here, this is where Lisbon leans into its history and does it well.
This is the blockbuster. If one building captures the swagger of Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, it’s the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, dominating the Praça do Império.
Commissioned by King Manuel I in the early 1500s after Vasco da Gama’s return from India, it was funded by the spice profits of that voyage. Vasco da Gama is buried here, just inside the spectacular church entrance: a stone forest of carved palms and maritime flourishes. The tomb of Luís de Camões, Portugal’s most celebrated poet, also lies within.
The cloisters are just as impressive. Look for carved nautical motifs and confession niches once used by sailors before they set off. The monastery remained active until 1834, when the monks were expelled. In 2007, it made headlines again as the signing place of the Lisbon Treaty, a defining moment for the European Union.
This fortified tower once stood mid-river, guarding the Tejo. After the 1755 earthquake shifted the river’s course, it ended up closer to shore. Built in the 16th century in full Manueline flair, the Torre de Belém is now one of Lisbon’s most iconic sights.
Climb to the top for sweeping river views or dip into the former dungeon below. The tower’s windows and turrets are covered in symbols celebrating Portugal’s global voyages. This wasn’t just a fortress; it was a statement.
A sleek complex near the monastery, the Centro Cultural de Belém is one of the city’s major art venues. It opened in 1992 during Portugal’s presidency of the EU and now hosts exhibitions, concerts, and weekend performances.
Inside you’ll find the excellent Berardo Collection, a modern and contemporary art museum with works by Warhol, Bacon, Miró, and Portuguese artist Paula Rego. Not all pieces are on permanent display, but rotating exhibits keep things fresh.
Tram in Lisbon
This museum might surprise you. Set inside a modern building that looks like it should house tech startups, the Museu dos Coches holds one of the world’s best collections of royal carriages. These ornate vehicles, dating from the 16th to 19th centuries, are gilded, painted, and over-the-top in all the best ways. Look out for the rare coach made for King Felipe I.
Next to the old power station, this futuristic museum looks like a spaceship parked by the river. Designed by British architect Amanda Levete, the MAAT explores where creativity and innovation meet. Expect cutting-edge exhibitions that blur the lines between art, architecture, and tech.
You can walk across the roof for sweeping views over the water. It’s especially stunning at sunset.
Sitting on a hill above Belém, the Ajuda Palace was supposed to be the grand royal residence. Construction began in 1802, but Napoleon’s invasion forced the royal family to flee to Brazil. By the time they returned, only parts of it were complete.
What’s left is opulent. Think polar-bearskin rugs, crystal chandeliers, a massive throne room, and a banquet hall fit for a queen. It’s a fascinating look into the final years of Portugal’s monarchy.
Just across from the palace is one of Lisbon’s oldest botanical gardens. Commissioned in 1768 by the Marquês de Pombal, the Jardim Botânico da Ajuda was once a royal retreat. It’s a peaceful place to wander, with formal hedges, exotic plants, and open views over Belém.
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos @ Shutterstock
Often overlooked, the Museu de Arte Popular gives a charming snapshot of Portuguese folk life. Expect colorful costumes, intricate ceramics, and traditional toys. It’s quiet and under the radar, perfect if you need a break from the crowds.
This is where the pastel de nata goes from snack to legend. Pastéis de Belém has been baking custard tarts since 1837, using a secret monastery recipe. Don’t let the queue put you off, it moves quickly, and the tarts are best eaten warm with a dusting of cinnamon. Gooey inside, crisp outside, utterly addictive.
Belem pastries @ Shutterstock
If you’re planning where to eat in Lisbon, Belém probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. It’s more monuments and museums than late-night dining. But don’t be fooled, there are some excellent places to eat here, especially if you’re around for lunch. From riverside cafés to heritage-heavy tascas, Belém keeps things casual and classic, with a few creative surprises tucked between the tile-covered façades.
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written by
Olga Sitnitsa
