Discover Belem & Jeronimos Monastery: Private Half-Day Tour

Set on the waterfront, beautiful Belém is a symbol of Lisbon’s seafaring past, once home to Lisbon’s shipyards and docks. It was from here that 15th-century voyages launched, blazing a trail of discovery across oceans to India, East Africa and Brazil.

On your private half-day tour, you will:
 

• Travel by train from central Lisbon to Belém with your tour guide, the fastest way to reach Belém;
• See some of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks such as the Belém tower and Jerónimos Monastery; 
• Learn of Portugal's rich Naval history and its Age of Discovery that saw it create new trade routes to Asia in the 15th century;
• Enjoy a guided tour of Jerónimos Monastery Cloister (tickets included), a prime example of Manueline architecture, combining Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance styles, that took almost 100 years to build; 
• See the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument that celebrates 15th and 16th-century Portuguese explorers and visionaries;
• End your walk in Belém at the UNESCO-listed Torre de Belém, built in the early 1500s as a defence tower turned lighthouse and later a customs centre; 
• Return to central Lisbon with a relaxing boat trip along the Tagus river - see the 25th of April bridge and the Cristo Rei statue - accompanied by your tour guide.

Belém is the perfect place to learn about Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery, where the 15th-century explorers set sail to discover new worlds. Today their voyages are commemorated by the sail-shaped Discoveries Monument.

These discoveries gave rise to incredible wealth from Portugal’s new colonies, which funded Belém’s grand buildings, parks and leafy plazas. Take in views of the 17th century Belém Palace, home to the Portuguese Royal Family for centuries and a prime example of English Baroque design.

Belém is famed for its remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the 16th-century Torre de Belém, a thin, stone tower that has become one of Portugal’s most photographed monuments.

The gothic Jerónimos Monastery also claims UNESCO credentials, with its stunning Manueline architecture.

Tour duration
4 hours

Type of tour
Walking tour: including train travel to Belem and return to Lisbon travel by boat.

Attractions along this route:

Discoveries Monument
A monument celebrating the Portuguese Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Jerónimos Monastery
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a prime example of the exuberant Manueline architectural style.

Belém Palace
Once the official residence of the Portuguese Royal Family, Belém Palace is now the house of the President.

Belém Tower
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fortified tower was used defence and ceremony during the Golden Era.

Praça do Comercio
Stand in awe of this historic landmark, as you unravel Lisbon's military and commercial past.

Lisbon River Cruise
Embark on a river cruise and enjoy the amazing views of the Capital's coastline from the sea.

Cristo Rei statue
The statue of Cristo Rei with his arms outstretched dominates the skyline of the far bank of the river from Lisbon.