These are the best places to travel this summer

Belém

Portugal Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Belém

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

In Belém, Atlantic breezes, grandiose nautical monuments and boats gliding along the wide Rio Tejo cast you back to those pioneering days of the Age of Discoveries, when the world was Portugal’s colonial oyster. And at dusk, when the crowds subside and the softening light paints the monastery’s Manueline turrets gold, this riverside neighbourhood is yours alone for exploring.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The Jeronimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery is located in Lisbon, PortugalThe Jeronimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery is located in Lisbon, Portugal 470603956 European Culture, Travel, Tourism, Portuguese Culture, Belem, Convent, Christianity, Religion, Gothic Style, Medieval, History, Spirituality, Ancient, Old, Cultures, Famous Place, Architecture, Travel Destinations, Lisbon - Portugal, Portugal, Europe, Monastery, Church, City, Jeronimos, manueline, hieronymites, UNESCO World Heritage Site

    Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

    Belém

    Belém’s undisputed heart-stealer is this Unesco-listed monastery. The mosteiro is the stuff of pure fantasy: a fusion of Diogo de Boitaca’s creative…

  • The Coach of the Oceans (C) is pictured in the National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches) in Lisbon, Portugal on July 7, 2023. (Photo by Emmanuele Contini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) 1513202889 daily life, nurphoto, oceans, national coach museum, july 7, emmanuele contininurphoto

    Museu Nacional dos Coches

    Belém

    Cinderella wannabes delight in Portugal's most visited museum, which dazzles with its world-class collection of 70 17th- to 19th-century coaches in an…

  • LISBON, PORTUGAL - JULY 16: Berardo Collection Museum on july 16, 2014 in Lisbon. The Berardo Collection Museum (in Portuguese: Museu Coleccao Berardo) is a museum of modern and contemporary art. ; Shutterstock ID 231970513; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Museu Coleção Berardo

    Belém

    Culture fiends can get their contemporary-art fix at Museu Coleção Berardo, the star of the Centro Cultural de Belém. The ultrawhite, minimalist gallery…

  • Torre de Belem, Belem.

    Torre de Belém

    Belém

    Jutting out onto the Rio Tejo, this Unesco World Heritage–listed fortress epitomises the Age of Discoveries. You'll need to breathe in to climb the narrow…

  • Farming tools at Museu Arte Popular

    Museu de Arte Popular

    Belém

    This museum is set in one of the remaining buildings from the 1940s Exhibition of the Portuguese World, part of the city's architectural heritage…

  • Palácio de Belém

    Palácio de Belém

    Belém

    The salmon-slabbed 16th-century Belém Palace is Portugal's official presidential residence and office (though the country's previous president, Cavaco…

  • Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia

    Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia

    Belém

    Lisbon's latest riverfront star is this low-rise, glazed-tiled structure that intriguingly hips and sways into ground-level exhibition halls. Visitors can…

  • Museu da Presidência da República

    Museu da Presidência da República

    Belém

    Portugal's small presidential museum is worth a look for its fascinating state gifts exhibit – note the outrageous 1957 offering from Brazil's Juscelino…

View more attractions
Advertisement

Plan with a local

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Belém

Advertisement