What to Visit in Belém, Lisbon — Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Museums & Riverside
Belém is one of the most iconic areas of Lisbon, home to the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, several museums, a beautiful riverside walk along the Tagus River, and of course, the famous Pastéis de Belém.
If you’re planning a day in Lisbon and wondering what to visit in Belém, this guide brings together the main attractions and shows how the ONDEBUS route planner can help you move around using only public transport.
1. How to use this guide
To make your visit easier, we organised Belém’s attractions into themes:
- Main monuments (Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Discoveries Monument).
- Museums and cultural centres.
- Pastéis de Belém and local gastronomy.
- Riverside walking areas and gardens.
- Half-day and full-day itineraries.
Whenever you need transport directions, you may:
- Use the route planner button at the end of this article, or
- Search directly in the ONDEBUS for the place you want to visit.
2. Jerónimos Monastery — Belém’s landmark
The Jerónimos Monastery is Belém’s main attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Expect queues during peak hours, so visiting early is recommended.
- Church of Santa Maria de Belém — free entry, includes Vasco da Gama’s tomb.
- Cloister — paid area, one of the most photographed places in Lisbon.
- National Archaeology Museum — located within the monastery complex.
Full transport instructions can be found here:
3. Belém Tower & riverside walkway
The Belém Tower is slightly further from the monastery but easily accessible by foot or bus. Another UNESCO site, it offers panoramic views over the Tagus River.
- Exterior area — excellent for photos, especially at sunset.
- Interior — narrow staircases leading to viewpoints.
- Gardens around the tower — perfect for a break.
See also:
4. Discoveries Monument & Tagus River views
The Discoveries Monument celebrates Portugal’s maritime history. You can climb to the top for a wide view over Belém, the river and the 25 April Bridge.
- Praça do Império — gardens and fountains opposite the monument.
- Riverside walkway — pedestrian and cycling path.
5. Museums in Belém — MAAT, Coaches Museum & more
- MAAT — Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
- National Coach Museum
- CCB — Belém Cultural Centre
- Maritime Museum
Useful transport guides:
6. Pastéis de Belém & food options
No visit to Belém is complete without trying the original Pastéis de Belém.
- Pastéis de Belém — famous custard tart.
- Cafés and terraces
- Local shops
Related guide:
7. Riverside walks & green areas
- Belém Tower Garden
- Riverside promenade
- Vasco da Gama Garden
8. Half-day itinerary in Belém
- Morning: Jerónimos Monastery + Pastéis de Belém.
- Afternoon: Discoveries Monument + Belém Tower.
9. 1-day itinerary in Belém
- Morning: Monastery + museum.
- Lunch: Belém area or Time Out Market.
- Afternoon: Discoveries Monument + Riverside walk.
10. Combining Belém with other districts
- Cais do Sodré
- Time Out Market
- Alcântara / LX Factory
Plan your visit to Belém with ONDEBUS
Use the ONDEBUS route planner to find the best public transport connections.