Belém Tower
Type
Monument & Historical Site
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday
09:30AM – 05:30PM
Distance to the Port
15 to 30 min – drive
Belém Tower impresses with its striking Manueline design and riverside setting. Inside, visitors can explore historic chambers and viewpoints overlooking the Tagus, making it one of Lisbon's most recognizable and visited monuments.
The Belém Tower, built in the early 16th century during the reign of King Manuel I, is one of Lisbon's most emblematic monuments and a landmark of Manueline architecture. Originally constructed over the waters of the Tagus to reinforce the river's northern defence line, it now stands integrated into the Belém riverbank, preserving its strong connection to Portugal's maritime heritage.
Designed by Francisco de Arruda, the tower blends military structure with rich Manueline ornamentation: carved ropes and knots, naturalistic motifs, Moorish influences and prominent royal heraldry. Among its most distinctive details is a sculpted rhinoceros, considered one of the earliest artistic representations of the animal in Europe. Inside, spaces such as the Governor's Room, the King's Room and the Chapel reflect the monument's varied functions over the centuries.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and elected one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, Belém Tower remains a defining symbol of Lisbon's architectural and maritime identity.
Click on the webpage below for online tickets and more info.
https://www.museusemonumentos.pt/pt/museus-e-monumentos/torre-de-belem
