Belém and Jerónimos Monastery walking tour: Small group, 3 hours

Walk past the monuments while a guide explains what you're looking at

A 3-hour guided walking tour of Lisbon's Belém district visits the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, two UNESCO World Heritage sites, with a professional guide in English and a group capped at 8 people. The tour includes a stop at Pastéis de Belém pastry shop with skip-the-line assistance, and covers the exterior of the monastery church, the cloisters, the Monument to the Discoveries, and Jardim Afonso de Albuquerque. Morning and afternoon departures are available. Entrance tickets to the monastery must be purchased separately before the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Jerónimos Monastery5m
2. Belém Tower30m
3. Monument to the Discoveries30m

Explore Belém's historic landmarks

• Meet guide and start tour
• View exterior of presidential palace
• Taste famous Belém pastries
• Visit exterior of Jerónimos Monastery church
• Tour the Cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery
• Visit exterior of Belém Tower
• Visit exterior of Monument to the Discoveries

The experience

The tour starts in Belém, the riverside neighborhood where Portugal's Age of Discovery began. Your guide meets you at the starting point and walks the group through the district's key sites over three hours, stopping to explain the history and architecture of each one. The route takes you past the presidential palace, then to the Belém Tower (a UNESCO-listed fortress built in the 16th century), where the guide covers its role in Portugal's maritime past and the details of its design. You'll also see the Monument to the Discoveries and walk through Jardim Afonso de Albuquerque, a waterfront garden overlooking the Tagus River.

The Jerónimos Monastery is the centerpiece. You'll see the exterior of the church, then move inside to the cloisters, the ornate arcaded courtyard, where your guide walks you through the space and its significance to Portuguese history. The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the guide provides context you wouldn't get standing there alone. Entrance tickets to the monastery are not included in the tour price and must be purchased in advance. Your guide will advise on how to do this.

A stop at Pastéis de Belém, the famous local pastry shop, is built into the tour. Your guide helps you skip the line, so you can taste the world-famous custard tarts without the wait. The group stays small, never more than 8 people, which means the guide can answer questions and move at a pace that works for everyone. You choose between a morning or afternoon departure depending on your schedule.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• small-group tour limited to 8 people.
• skip-the-line assistance at Pastéis de Belém pastry shop.
• guided exterior visit to Belém Tower with historical context.
• guided tour of the Jerónimos Monastery cloisters.
• exterior view of the monastery church.
• visit to the Monument to the Discoveries and Jardim Afonso de Albuquerque.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (12 to 17 years) · Infant (under 12): free

GroupUp to 8 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by My Lisbon Tours

Is this one for you?If you're staying in Lisbon without a car, this tour solves the problem of getting to Belém and knowing what you're looking at once you arrive. The guide meets you at a fixed starting point, walks you through the neighborhood's main sites in sequence, and explains the history and architecture of each one as you stand in front of it, so the three hours hold together without you planning the route or the timing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 17 years); Infant (under 12): free.

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's the difference between seeing Belém Tower from outside versus going inside?

The tour includes an exterior visit to Belém Tower with a detailed explanation of its history and architecture from your guide. Interior access is not part of this tour. You view and learn about the fortress from outside while the guide covers its role in Portugal's Age of Discovery and the details of its design.

Do I get to go inside the Jerónimos Monastery?

You visit the exterior of the monastery church and walk through the cloisters inside, where your guide explains the space and its historical significance. Full interior access to the entire monastery requires a separate entrance ticket, which you purchase before the tour and your guide will advise you on.

Can I actually taste the pastries at Pastéis de Belém, or just see the shop?

You stop at Pastéis de Belém to taste the famous custard tarts. Your guide provides skip-the-line assistance so you don't wait in the queue, though the pastries themselves are not included in the tour price. You buy them separately if you want to try them.

How much walking is involved over the three hours?

The tour is a walking tour through Belém's streets and sites, so you'll be on your feet for most of the three hours. The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not recommended for travelers with walking difficulties.

Is hotel pickup included, or do I need to get to Belém on my own?

Hotel pickup is not included. You meet your guide at the starting location in Belém. Public transportation options are available nearby to reach the meeting point.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide conducts the tour in English and provides professional commentary on the sites, history and architecture throughout the three hours.