Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)

Belem Tower is a popular inclusion on sightseeing tours of Lisbon and can be visited on a walking tour or as part of a full-day private tour of Lisbon, Sintra, or Arrabida. Visitors can view the tower from the waterfront steps or enter to take in the views from the bulwark terrace, peek into the Governor's Room and King’s Room, and climb to the top of the tower. Its stately face can also be viewed on a river cruise.

• Combined tickets are available for the Belem Tower, the Jeronimos Monastery, and the National Archeological Museum.

• The tower is closed on Mondays.

• The tower is only partially wheelchair accessible; those with limited mobility will only be able to explore the exterior and the lower battery.

Belem Tower is located in the Belem district of Lisbon, about four miles (six kilometers) west of the city center. The easiest way to get there is by tram—take the No. 15 from Praca da Figueira in central Lisbon toward Alges, and get off at Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (one stop beyond Belem). From there, it’s a short walk through the monastery gardens to the riverfront park, where you will be able to see the tower.

Belem Tower is open all year round but it can get crowded during the peak summer months, so you may want to arrive early (and opt for a weekday visit if possible). For the most atmospheric photo opportunities, visit at sunset or sunrise to admire the dramatic facade.

One of Lisbon’s most picturesque districts, Belem teems with historic monuments. After marveling at the tower and visiting the Jeronimos Monastery, take a stroll through the riverside gardens, visit Belem Palace, or browse the exhibits at the Maritime Museum or the National Coach Museum. Be sure to sample local delicacy pasteis de Belem (sweet pastries) while you’re in the neighborhood.

Yes, it’s worth going inside the 16th-century Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), as it harbors a rich history. If you go inside, you can climb the spiral stone staircase to The Terrace, which overlooks the Tagus River mouth; take photos on the Rennaissance-style balcony of the King’s Chamber; and see original cannons and artillery on the Ground Floor.

Put aside 45 minutes to explore the interior of Belém Tower (Torre de Belém). However, even though you can book your admission tickets in advance, you don’t get a dedicated time slot, so you might have to wait in line to enter during busy times. Budget an extra 30 minutes in the line during the peak summer season.

Other attractions near Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) include the ship=shaped Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a giant monument to Portugal’s 15th-century explorers, and the Monastery of St. Jerome (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos), UNESCO World Heritage Site hailed as one of Portugal’s grandest buildings.

Yes, lots of Lisbon sightseeing tours go to the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower (Torre de Belém). It’s almost always on full-day Lisbon sightseeing tours and electric bike tours. Sunset sailing tours also pass it; some history-focused tours combine it with an in-depth visit to the Monastery of St. Jerome.

From central Lisbon, take the number 15E tram from Cais do Sodré station to the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos stop, a little beyond. The journey lasts around 30 minutes. To reach the tower, you’ll have to cross a busy main road via an overpass bridge, which might mean you have to walk back to the tower after crossing.

Belém is famous throughout Portugal for its custard tarts (pasteis de nata), so you can’t leave the district without sampling one. The most famous place to buy one from is Pasteis de Belem, where the sweet treats are made according to a secret recipe hundreds of years old. There are separate takeaway and eat-in lines.