Walking Tour of Belém, Lisbon: Jerónimos Monastery & Tower

Three centuries of Portuguese discovery in one morning walk

A guided walking tour of Belém, Lisbon's historic waterfront district, takes you through the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and Monument to the Discoveries with a live guide in English, Portuguese, Italian, French or another language. The tour lasts 2.5 hours and includes a tasting of Pastéis de Belém at the original pastry shop. Children from age 6 are welcome. Public transport stops are nearby.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jerónimos Monastery45m · entry included
2. Monument to the Discoveriespassing by

Explore historic Belem landmarks

• Visit Jerónimos Monastery
• See Belém Tower
• Pass by Discoveries Monument
• Taste Pasteis de Belém at pastry shop

The experience

You arrive in Belém with a guide who walks you through the district at a leisurely pace, stopping to explain the architecture and history as you move between sites. The Jerónimos Monastery opens first: a Manueline masterpiece built by King Manuel I in the early 1500s to honor Vasco da Gama's return from India. The stone carvings and scale of the place anchor the whole story of Portuguese exploration that shaped this neighborhood.

From there you reach the Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress that once guarded the harbor mouth and sent explorers toward China and India. The 52-meter Monument to the Discoveries stands nearby, erected in 1960 to mark 500 years since Henry the Navigator opened the routes to Madeira, the Azores and Cape Verde. Walking between these three landmarks, you're moving through the physical record of an age that remade European trade.

The tour ends at the Pastéis de Belém shop, where you taste the custard tarts the district is famous for. The recipe has been made in the same building for over two centuries. The guide's commentary throughout ties the monuments, the neighborhood layout and these pastries into one coherent morning, so the walk feels like a story rather than a checklist of stops.

What’s included

• A live guide in your choice of language.
• entry to view the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower exteriors and interiors.
• a tasting of Pastéis de Belém at the historic pastry shop.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (18 to 74 years) · Senior (75 and older) · Youth (15 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 14 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Lisbona turismo

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Belém itself, where public transport stops are nearby, so you don't need a car or a hotel in the city center to join: anyone staying in Lisbon or arriving by train can reach the meeting point easily. The 2.5-hour pace and fixed route mean the morning holds together without you planning stops or timing, and the guide's commentary ties the monuments together into one coherent story instead of a list of things to see.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 17 years); Child (6 to 14 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Jerónimos Monastery and why was it built?

The Jerónimos Monastery is a Manueline-style church in Belém built by King Manuel I in the early 1500s to celebrate the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama's return from discovering the sea route to India. The ornate stone carvings reflect Portugal's wealth and ambition during the Age of Discovery.

Can I visit the Belém Tower on this tour?

Yes, the Belém Tower is one of the three main stops on the walking tour. It's a fortified UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as both a fortress and departure point for Portuguese explorers heading to Asia.

Do I get to taste the Pastéis de Belém?

Yes, the tour includes a tasting of Pastéis de Belém at the original pastry shop in the district, which has been making the custard tarts for over 200 years.

How long does the walking tour take?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours and covers the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Monument to the Discoveries and the historic pastry shop at a leisurely pace.