Belém Tower Lisbon (Torre de Belém): How to Visit, History, Tickets & Transport

If you’re planning a Lisbon itinerary, Belém Tower Lisbon (Portuguese: Torre de Belém) is one of the city’s most iconic waterfront monuments—famous for its Manueline details, river views, and connection to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. It sits on the Tagus River in the Belém district and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon.”

Quick facts (save this)

Short description (for your place card)

Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) is a 16th-century riverside fortress built to help defend Lisbon’s harbor, decorated in the ornate Manueline style with maritime symbols. Today it’s a defining landmark of Belém and a must-see stop on any Lisbon trip—especially when paired with Jerónimos Monastery, the Discoveries Monument, and a stroll along the Tagus.

Why Belém Tower is famous

Belém Tower is more than a pretty postcard. It was built during Portugal’s maritime peak, when Lisbon became a global gateway. UNESCO describes the Belém complex (Jerónimos + the Tower) as a powerful symbol of the Age of Discoveries and Portugal’s 15th–16th century reach.

According to the Portuguese cultural heritage portal, construction of the tower began in 1514 and was completed in 1520, under King Manuel I, with distinctive Manueline decoration (armillary spheres, Order of Christ crosses, and nautical motifs).

Visiting status (important): check closure updates first

Right now, the most important practical detail is that Belém Tower is listed as closed / temporarily closed due to construction works on official tourism and monument pages.

What to do:

• Treat any visit plan as “check-before-you-go.”
• Use the official monument page and Lisbon tourism listing for the latest status.

Tickets, prices, and passes

On the official monument listing, the regular ticket price is shown as €15.00 (note: prices can change, and closures can affect ticketing).

If you use the Lisboa Card, Visit Lisboa notes Belém Tower is free with Lisboa Card (again: confirm at time of purchase/visit, especially during closures).

Pro tips (when open):

• Go early in the day for shorter lines (capacity inside is limited).
• If you’re doing multiple monuments, consider combo planning with Jerónimos + nearby museums to reduce backtracking (even if the tower is closed, the area is still worth it).

How to get to Belém Tower (metro, tram, train)

Belém is a waterfront district west of central Lisbon. The easiest “public transport chain” is usually Metro → Cais do Sodré → train or tram to Belém.

1) Metro (closest practical station)

There is no Lisbon Metro station in Belém next to the tower. The most common metro transfer point is Cais do Sodré, which belongs to the Green Line (Linha Verde).

From Cais do Sodré you can switch to:

• Tram 15E (iconic but busy), or
• Cascais line train to Belém station.

2) Tram 15E (Carris) — classic route to Belém

Carris route 15E runs along the river corridor and includes key stops such as Cais do Sodré, Mosteiro Jerónimos, and Centro Cultural Belém—all convenient for the Belém area.

For Belém Tower, the most useful stops are usually:

• Mosteiro Jerónimos (great for pairing sights)
• Centro Cultural Belém
• Belém (Museu Coches) (close to other attractions)

3) Train (CP urban rail, Cascais line) — quick and comfortable

From Cais do Sodré station, CP’s Cascais line services include a stop at Belém (the timetable shows Belém as a station on this route).

From Belém train station, you’ll walk onward toward the riverside monuments.

Best mini-itinerary in Belém (2–4 hours)

Even if Belém Tower is closed, this loop still works extremely well:

1. Jerónimos Monastery area (exterior, gardens, nearby museum options)
2. Pastéis de Belém (the classic custard tart stop)
3. Riverside walk toward Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Monument)
4. Continue along the Tagus promenade to the Belém Tower viewpoint area (great photos)
5. Optional: MAAT / waterfront architecture walk

UNESCO emphasizes how Belém’s monuments reflect the Age of Discoveries; doing them as a single walking route makes the story “click.”

Photo tips: where to get the best shots

• Late afternoon: warm light on the stone and calmer reflections on the river.
• Best angles are usually from the riverside walkway (you’ll see the tower framed with the Tagus behind it).
• If the tower is closed, you can still capture great exterior images and skyline perspectives from nearby paths.

Practical info: address + official sources

• Address: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
• Official monument info (Museus e Monumentos de Portugal): Belém Tower page
• Portuguese heritage portal (background/history): Torre de Belém page
• Visit Lisboa (tourism listing, status and Lisboa Card mention): Torre de Belém

FAQ: Belém Tower Lisbon

Is Belém Tower open right now?

Official pages list it as temporarily closed / closed for construction works, so check the status before you go.

Is Belém Tower a UNESCO site?

It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon,” inscribed in 1983.

What’s the easiest way to get there by public transport?

A common approach is Metro to Cais do Sodré (Green Line), then tram 15E or the train to Belém.

Is there a metro station in Belém near the tower?

No—Belém isn’t served directly by the Lisbon Metro. Use metro to a hub (often Cais do Sodré), then continue.

When was Belém Tower built?

Construction began in 1514 and finished in 1520.

How much do tickets cost?

The official monument listing shows a regular ticket of €15.00 (confirm current pricing and availability).

Conclusion

Belém Tower is one of the strongest “Lisbon symbols” you can visit—an architectural snapshot of Portugal’s seafaring golden age and a key piece of the UNESCO-recognized Belém complex. Even during closures, the Belém waterfront route (Jerónimos → riverside walk → viewpoints) remains one of Lisbon’s best half-day experiences.