Belem Tower Lisbon: tickets, prices, opening hours and history
The Belem Tower is an emblematic monument located on the banks of the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal. Built in the 16th century to defend the city and protect ships bound for the Indies, it is today considered one of the most important symbols of Manueline architecture in Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
Article updated March 2026 – opening hours, prices and access verified. Before your visit, we recommend confirming the monument is open, as recent restoration works may have affected access.
Visit the Belem Tower
A visit to the Belem Tower is a must for any traveller to Lisbon. With its thick walls and loophole-like windows, the tower offers a breathtaking view of the Tagus and the city. The interior houses an exhibition on Portugal’s maritime history, with models of ships and artefacts from the period.
During your visit, you can climb the narrow steps to the roof of the tower to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. It is also possible to visit the rooms and corridors of the tower, which contain art and historical artefacts.
For a more enjoyable visit, it is best to come early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the large crowds that gather during the middle of the day, especially in high season. Many visitors combine the Belem Tower with the Jerónimos Monastery, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos and a stop at Pastéis de Belém, all nearby.
Prices for the Belem Tower
Prices for the Belem Tower are affordable, with several options depending on your profile:
- Belem Tower only: €8 adults, €6 seniors and students, €4 children 6–12, free for under-6s
- Belem Tower + Jerónimos Monastery combined ticket: €12 adults, €9 seniors and students, €6 children 6–12
- Lisboa Card: free entry to the Belem Tower (the Jerónimos Monastery is not included)
- Portuguese residents: €6 adults, €4 seniors and students, €2 children 6–12, free for under-6s
It is always advisable to check current prices before your visit.
Belem Tower: buy tickets
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, especially in spring and summer. Tickets can be bought online or on site. The Lisboa Card gives you access to over 25 monuments, museums and attractions in the city, including the Belem Tower, at a reduced rate or free of charge.
Click on the Lisboa Card to order it online
Special tickets:
- Over 65s (with proof): 50% discount
- 1 adult + 2 children under 18: 50% discount
Group tickets:
- Must be booked at least 48 hours in advance for groups of more than 50 people
- Can be purchased up to one year in advance
- No refunds
- Fewer than 250 tickets: 7.5% discount
- Between 250 and 500 tickets: 10% discount
- Between 500 and 1,000 tickets: 15% discount
Free admission:
- Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 14:00 for all Portuguese residents (with proof)
- Children under 12
- Unemployed EU residents (with proof)
- People with reduced mobility with a disability of more than 60%, plus 1 companion (with proof)
Skip-the-line tickets are also available and are particularly useful during the peak tourist season.
Opening hours of the Belem Tower
The Belem Tower is generally open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and national public holidays). Opening hours vary by season:
- Summer: approximately 10:00–18:30
- Winter: approximately 10:00–17:30
The tower may close without notice for maintenance or special events. Before your visit, always check current opening hours and confirm the monument is open — recent restoration works may have affected access.
Going to the Belem Tower
The Belem Tower is located about 6 kilometres west of central Lisbon, in the Belém district. Several options are available:
- Tram 15E: from Cais do Sodré, runs directly to the Belém area — the most popular option
- Cascais train line: from Cais do Sodré to Belém station — fast and inexpensive
- Bus: several lines serve the Belém area (714, 727, 728, 729)
- Taxi / ride-hailing: simple and direct from anywhere in Lisbon
- Tuk Tuk: a popular tourist option in the Belém area — negotiate the price before getting in
- On foot or by bike: pleasant if you are already walking along the Tagus waterfront
Belem Tower: history and construction
The idea of a defensive structure at the mouth of the Tagus dates back to the reign of King John II, who wanted to strengthen the protection of Lisbon’s port. The project was only realised under his successor Manuel I, who ordered the construction of a fortification in the Belém district. Construction began in 1515 under chief architect Francisco de Arruda, and the Belem Tower was completed in 1519, two years before Manuel I’s death.
The tower is named after Saint Vincent, considered the patron saint of Lisbon. It is said that the tower was also built to commemorate the opening of the sea route to India by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama. During construction, the approach to the river mouth was protected by a heavily armed 1,000-tonne ship called the “Grande Nau”.
Over the centuries, the Belem Tower served many functions:
- In 1580, it was used to defend the mouth of the river against the Spanish
- From that period until 1830, its dungeons served as a prison
- From 1633, it housed a customs office for taxing passing ships
- From 1780 to 1782, the Fort of Bom Sucesso was built nearby
- From 1808 to 1814, the French garrison was stationed there
- In 1865–67, a lighthouse was installed in the south-eastern part of the building
- In the 1990s, the tower was handed over to the Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage
- Complete renovation works were carried out from February 1997 to January 1998
- On 7 July 2007, the Tower of Belém was included in the list of the 7 Wonders of Portugal
Torre de Belem: interior and exterior
The tower is built from Liozo limestone on a basalt rock near the northern shore of the river. The architectural ensemble can be divided into two parts: a bastion and a four-storey tower in its northern section.
The exterior of the Belem Tower is remarkable. On the north-western part of the façade you will find a rhinoceros sculpture — one of the first rhinoceroses brought from India to Europe — as well as statues of Archangel Michael and Saint Vincent. On the fourth floor, a balcony features parapets decorated with merlon teeth and a bas-relief of the Cross of the Order of Christ. In the lower section, cannon openings are visible. The tower is accessible via a drawbridge, and the main entrance leads directly to the bastion where the artillery was positioned, with embrasures for 17 cannons in the outer walls.
At the centre of the bastion is a small open courtyard surrounded by Gothic arches, designed to disperse the smoke from cannon fire. The interior space is divided into several levels:
The Governor’s Hall (Sala do Governador) — First floor. The post of governor of the Belem Tower was created in the 16th century; the first holder was Gaspar de Pive in 1521. The room contains a rainwater cistern, vaulted ceilings and a spiral staircase leading to the upper floors.
Royal Hall (Sala dos Reis) — Second floor. Opens onto the balcony on the south façade, with a stone fireplace in the north-west corner.
Courtroom (Sala das Audiencias) — Third floor. Also equipped with a fireplace.
Chapel — Fourth floor. A vaulted chapel with access to the upper balcony. Eight round holes in the balcony floor were used to drop projectiles on attackers below.
