Torre de Belém
Fortified Manueline tower on the bank of the Tagus, built in the early 16th century to defend the entrance to Lisbon and listed as a World Heritage Site.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Torre de Belém is part of the defence system of the mouth of the Tagus, conceived from the end of the 15th century on the initiative of D. João II and continued by D. Manuel I. The plan envisaged cross-fire defence between the fortress of Cascais, the Torre Velha on the south bank, and a fortified battery on the site where the Torre de São Vicente, or Belém Tower, was later erected. Cross-fire artillery was to stop any enemy ship trying to force its way in.
The bastioned tower, built in the second decade of the 16th century, marks the transition from the medieval fortification to the modern fortress, adapted to the use of artillery. To complete the defences, ships were also armed, such as the galleon “Botafogo”, anchored mid-river.
The building has been listed as a National Monument since 1907 and, together with the Jerónimos Monastery, has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1983. It is now managed by Museus e Monumentos de Portugal. Visits are by ticket and timed slots, because the interior is very small: only 60 visitors can be in the tower at the same time.
Highlights
- Bastioned Manueline tower on the bank of the Tagus
- Bastion with a terrace over the river
- Part of the former defence system of the Tagus
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983
- Operated by
- Museus e Monumentos de Portugal
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7.50Visitors over 65, young people aged 13 to 24 and family tickets (at least one adult and one minor): 50% discount. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free admission up to and including age 12. |
| Seniors | €7.50Over 65s; 50% discount. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for a proven disability of 60% or more, including one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €7.50Young people aged 13 to 24; 50% discount. |
| Families | €7.50At least one adult and one minor; 50% discount, with the ticket bought only at the physical ticket office. |
Free admission: Residents of Portugal have free access on 52 days a year of their choice, with a document showing their NIF and a ticket obtained at the ticket office. Free admission on International Day of Monuments and Sites (18 April), International Museum Day (18 May) and European Heritage Days (September).
Tickets are for a set day and time and often sell out; advance purchase at the online ticket office is recommended. Free admission is also available, among others, for unemployed residents of the European Union, researchers and heritage and museum professionals on duty, members of ICOM, ICOMOS and APOM and veterans.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Accessibility for people with reduced mobility is limited to the ground floor, the bastion's hall; the bastion terrace is not accessible to wheelchairs or prams.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €7.50 · At least one adult and one minor; 50% discount, with the ticket bought only at the physical ticket office. |
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Prams cannot access the bastion terrace.
Getting there & parking
Physical tickets for the tower are sold at the kiosk opposite the Jerónimos Monastery.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | no |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography without flash is allowed, with non-professional equipment and for personal use; tripods, selfie sticks and photo shoots are not permitted. Video recording requires prior authorisation. |
| Good to know | There are no audio guides. Entry is by 30-minute timed slots, and the tower receives a maximum of 960 visitors a day, with 60 people at a time. Large bags and backpacks are not admitted. |
