Visit the Belém Tower with the Lisboa Card

With the Lisboa Card l’ingresso alla Torre di Belém è incluso gratuitamente, ma è obbligatorio prenotare online una fascia oraria prima della visita tramite il portale ufficiale dei Musei e Monumenti del Portogallo. La prenotazione può essere effettuata soltanto dopo aver ritirato la Lisboa Card fisica, perché durante la procedura sarà necessario inserire il numero seriale della carta preceduto da “LC” (ad esempio LC0080630750). Al termine della prenotazione verrà generato un biglietto gratuito con QR code da mostrare insieme alla Lisboa Card all’ingresso della Torre di Belém.

La Belém Tower is an icon of Lisbon and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This majestic tower is located on the bank of the Tagus River and is one of the most emblematic symbols of the city. Let's discover together the Belém Tower and how to take advantage of thefree entrance with Lisboa Card.

Belém Tower

La Belém Tower is a historic structure located in the Belém district, known for its Manueline architecture, a style typical of the period of the great Portuguese explorers. This tower was built in the 16th century as part of a defensive system to protect Lisbon and marked the starting point for Portuguese maritime exploration.

The building is a masterpiece of late medieval gothic architecture and is a testament to Portugal's rich maritime history.

The tower is built of limestone and features intricately carved decorations, including maritime motifs, religious symbols and statues of exploration heroes.

The interior of the tower is rather bare, and features ornate rooms and a panoramic view from the terrace.

The history of the Tower of Belém

The Belem Tower initially served as the One of the gateways to the city and as a fortress to defend the mouth of the Tejo River.

It was commissioned by King John II in 1514 and completed under the reign of Manuel I in 1521.

Today it represents a remarkable example of Manueline architecture, a late Portuguese Gothic style.

It was originally dedicated to St. Vincent, the patron saint of the capital, and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

The tower is now located At the far end of the estuary bank of the Tejo River., but there is uncertainty about the cause of its displacement, with some theories suggesting the influence of river waters and others citing the 1755 earthquake As a possible cause.

How to visit the Belém Tower

What is inside the Belem Tower? Is it worth visiting?

Visitors' opinion is ambivalent: the interior is not particularly interesting, being half-empty.

However, It is definitely worth going up to the viewing terrace top floor, which offers spectacular views.

The external architecture Instead, it is fascinating and deserves to be carefully admired.

The structure is surrounded by a moat, and the only access is through a drawbridge, which contributes to its charm and historicity.

Here are some tips for visiting the Tower:

1. During the high season and weekends, Belem is very crowded, so it is advisable to visit it early in the morning (before the groups arrive) or in the late afternoon;
2. Se visiti la Torre di Belém con la Lisboa Card, la prenotazione online della fascia oraria è obbligatoria. La prenotazione avviene sul portale ufficiale dei Musei e Monumenti del Portogallo e richiede il numero seriale della Lisboa Card fisica;
3. In addition to exploring the building itself, you can admire the surrounding landscape And walk along the Tagus River.

Facts and trivia about the Tower of Belém

• The Belém Tower has been declared the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
• The tower has played various roles over the centuries, including that of fortress, prison and lighthouse.
• La exterior decoration of the tower represents reasons related to navigation and maritime exploration, including ropes, garlands and figures of sea creatures.
• The tower is built in lioz stone (or pedra real), a type of limestone typical of Portugal.

Frequently asked questions about the Tower of Belém

• How long does it take to visit the Belém Tower? A visit to the Belém Tower can take approximately 30 minutes, depending on your interest in history and crowding.
• How to get to the Tower of Belém? To reach the Tower of Belem in Lisbon, you have several transportation options: you can take the train from Cais do Sodré central station (line 1900, 7 minutes, 1€-2€), the bus (number 714 to Torre de Belém or numbers 727, 728, 729, 751, 113, 144, 149 to Monastero dos Jerónimos), the streetcar (line 15 to Torre de Belém or line 18 to Monastero dos Jerónimos), or enjoy a scenic boat crossing from the Porto Brandão to the port of Belem (2€-3€ each way).
• How much does admission to the Belém Tower cost? Con la Lisboa Card l’ingresso è gratuito, ma è obbligatorio prenotare online una fascia oraria prima della visita tramite il sito ufficiale dei Musei e Monumenti del Portogallo. Altrimenti il biglietto costa 9€.

Things to know before visiting the Tower of Belém

Reservation

Per visitare la Torre di Belém con la Lisboa Card è obbligatorio prenotare online una fascia oraria tramite il portale ufficiale dei Musei e Monumenti del Portogallo. Senza prenotazione, l’accesso potrebbe essere negato anche ai possessori della card.

Durante la procedura dovrai selezionare il biglietto “Lisboa Card”, scegliere data e orario della visita e inserire il numero seriale della tua Lisboa Card preceduto da “LC” (ad esempio LC0080630750).

Attenzione: la prenotazione può essere effettuata soltanto dopo aver ritirato la Lisboa Card fisica. Il voucher ricevuto dopo l’acquisto non è sufficiente né per prenotare né per accedere all’attrazione.

Al termine della procedura verrà generato un biglietto gratuito con QR code che dovrà essere mostrato insieme alla Lisboa Card all’ingresso della Torre di Belém.

Ti consiglio inoltre di prenotare con diversi giorni di anticipo, soprattutto in alta stagione, perché le fasce orarie disponibili possono esaurirsi rapidamente.

Getting there

• Address: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
• Nearest streetcar stop: Belem station
• Nearest bus stop: Belem station

Opening Hours.

• Days: Tuesday to Sunday
• Timetable: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
• Last entry: 30 minutes before closing time

Contact

• Address: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
• Email: geral@mjeronimos.dgpc.pt
• Tel: +351 21 362 0034

Conclusion

The Tower of Belém is a historic icon of Lisbon and a UNESCO world heritage site.

This fascinating and historically rich Manueline structure offers insight into the history of Portuguese exploration.

With the Lisboa Card, you can enjoy thefree admission to this architectural masterpiece and discover Portugal's maritime heritage in an unforgettable experience.

Photo credits:

• Photos of Lukas Bato at Unsplash
• Photos of Fadi Al Shami at Unsplash
• Photos of Jose Maria Sava at Unsplash