Things to do in Belém

In the early 16th Century, this four-storey tower was built on basaltic rocks found by the Tagus River, in close proximity to the riverbank, with the intention of supplementing the existing fortification defences along the sea approach to Lisbon.

The Jeronimos Monastery is an impressive monument with ornate façades and pointed spirals. The architecture is typical of the Portuguese late-gothic style and has Renaissance influences. The austere Hieronymite monks once worshipped here and prayed for the safety of Lisbon’s explorers.

Pastéis de Belem is one of the busiest and best known pastry shops in a country known for mouth-watering sweets. No matter when you arrive, you’ll likely find lines out the door. It’s well worth the wait when you bite into the thin flaky crust and warm egg-custard center of a pastel de nata, Lisbon’s signature pastry.

Lisbon’s Maritime Museum pays homage to the pioneering role of Portugal’s nautical explorers. Anyone interested in history, boating or cartography will enjoy spending time here. This is one of the largest collections of maritime artifacts in Europe, with about 17,000 items covering the middle ages through modern times.

Lisbon’s Museum of Design and Fashion (MUDE) offers a wide range of exhibits about the history of design and fashion during the 20th century, in Portugal and around the world.