Lisbon Belém Tour: Age of Discoveries & Beyond

Delve into the Age of Portuguese Discoveries

$257 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: History, Four Days in Lisbon
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Lisbon

Photos & Highlights

Detailed explanation of the Portuguese Age of Discovery from early settlers to present day
Led by a local historian
Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower (exterior), and Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries)

Tour Description

Nestled on the banks of the Tagus river, away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, is the charming and historic district of Belém. Thanks to its coastal location and abundance of iconic monuments, Belém serves as a fascinating microcosm of the evolution of Lisbon, from early settlers, to the age of the explorers, to the present day. On this 3-hour Belém tour, we will travel through time to learn how the area transformed from a maritime village to a powerful symbol of Portuguese expansionism. We will explore through winding hills, cobblestone streets, and narrow hidden avenues, to experience the fascinating history of Lisbon.

Sites Visited

Jerónimos Monastary
Vasco de Gama's tomb
Monument to the Discoveries
Belém Tower (exterior)

Included

3 hours with a PhD or MA-level historian
Tickets into the Jerónimos Monastary

Itinerary Details

We begin our journey near the legendary Pastéis de Belém bakery, where people come from far and wide to try their delicious signature custard tarts. Here you will be introduced to your guide and to the origins of Belém, learn the relationship between these pastries and the Jerónimos Monastery, and try to figure out what’s in the secret recipe to make them so delicious. If it's not too busy you'll be able to order takeaway to enjoy as we begin the tour.

Our next stop is the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site, the Jerónimos Monastery where, equipped with pre-paid tickets, we'll set out to explore one of the most prominent examples of Manueline (ornate, 15th century maritime style) gothic architecture in Lisbon. As we wander through the hallowed halls, we will learn about when Vasco de Gama and his men spent the night here ahead of their first voyage to the Orient, cementing Belém and the Monastery as key sites in the age of exploration and Portuguese colonial history. We’ll take a peek at Vasco de Gama’s tomb and find out more about the monastery’s other illustrious inhabitants over the years.

From there, we’ll head across to the immense Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or the Monument to the Discoveries. With its grand exterior situated right on the water’s edge, you’ll get an idea of just how close Belém is to the sea and why it was of such strategic military, exploration, and trading importance. Our guide may give an in depth explanation of the explorers depicted on the monument and the routes they pioneered, or perhaps delve into the social history of Lisbon’s maritime culture and how embarking upon these often treacherous journeys affected those who were left behind.

While you could be mistaken for thinking the monument was centuries old, it was actually completed in 1960. We’ll reveal how it came to be, as well as Belém's importance to Lisbon’s progression, particularly under authoritarian Prime Minister Salazar (1889-1970) who used its legacy as a means of propagating Portuguese superiority.

We’ll end our Belém tour experience outside the impressive Belém Tower, which along with the monastery forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and the 7 Wonders of Portugal. You’ll learn how and why it was conceived for defensive purposes, the important battles to which it bore witness. By pointing out hidden details, your guide will describe how the Age of Discovery influenced the appearance and use of this grand building.

Our guide can then help you secure tickets to enter the tower if you wish to or assist you in deciding where to go next, whether you wish to make your way back into the city center or visit one of the most interesting museums to be found in Belém itself.

This voyage of discovery should leave you with a deeper understanding of Belém and its role in key periods of Portuguese history, as well as Lisbon’s relationship with the sea and how that has affected the city’s development.

For more on Baixa and central Lisbon, consider our Baixa Walking Tour of Lisbon including Bairro Alto & Chiado. If you wish to see the older side of Lisbon, we also offer a Lisbon Old Town tour of the Alfama district.

FAQ

For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Can you focus in-depth on a specific theme?

We can customize this tour on a private basis to focus on a particular area of interest such as military history or visit additional sites like the Maritime Museum. If you have any particular ideas or preferences, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Will you purchase skip-the-line tickets for me?

We pre-purchase tickets to Jeronimos Monastery in order to ensure the smoothest possible experience but it is not possible to skip the line entirely at the moment. If you have flexibility with your schedule, we recommend an afternoon tour to avoid the worst of the cruise ship crowds in high season. We don't typically go inside the Belém tower as they have a restricted capacity and the lines can get long (plus there is a lot to admire and discuss in its exterior!). Your guide can certainly assist with securing tickets for you to enter at the end of the tour. Feel free to leave an order note or contact info@contexttravel.com if this would be of interest.

Is this tour wheelchair-accessible?

In the Monastery, the Church and Lower Cloister are accessible to persons with reduced mobility. The Tower is partially accessible. Please contact us to discuss in more detail your mobility concerns so that we can best advise.

Is this tour appropriate for children?

This walk is not a part of our official family program. That said, we may be able to arrange a visit with a family-friendly guide. Please contact us for options and advice.

Can we go to Pastéis de Belém before the tour?

Though we used to meet for pastels here, it has gotten too busy and reduces the time of the tour. Instead, we share its fascinating history and encourage you to return outside of tour time.

Why doesn’t the tour go inside the Belém Tower?

They limit their capacity and it's not possible to skip the line which means a long waiting time. The interior is also not overly impressive, we choose to focus on the exterior with its immense facades and interesting carvings.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Patricia

Patrícia Brum is a Portuguese archaeologist. Her first excavation was at the Alleins Castle, in France. From 2008 to 2021, she was part of the archaeology team of the Roman Ruins of Tróia, where she developed her interest not only in the research but also in its social return and community participation in heritage conservation, leading her to develop her master's thesis in Museum Studies. Between 2016 and 2019, she participated in a European project dedicated to the study of the effects of climate change on Cultural Heritage. She is now working at the Lisbon Museum - Roman Theatre, located in one of the oldest neighborhoods of Lisbon.

Marco

Marco António Noivo was born in Lisbon. He has been an official tour guide since 1996, passionate about history and art for as long as he can remember. He has a college degree in tourism and a Masters in history of art. He specializes in cultural touring and historical/military tourism, particularly the Napoleonic period. He is also a university lecturer in the areas of patrimony and dedicates himself to the training of future tour guides. His adventurous spirit and passion for knowledge create experiences that rediscover the soul of Portugal and Portuguese culture.

Caterina

Catarina is a proud daughter of Lisbon. Having originally studied Conservation and Restoration, her passion for her home town led her to pursue a second degree in Tourism. In addition to working as a licensed tour guide, she is currently finishing her Master's degree in Art History. She loves her city, her work and the delight in the faces of visitors when discovering the wonders of Lisbon.

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55 Reviews – (4.9)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Tiago was terrific! He was knowledgeable about Geronimo's monastery, high energy, funny, and philosophical. He was especially engaging with the teenagers. We learned a lot and we enjoyed his company.

Mila

Nov. 30, 2019

Pascal is a great asset for Context. Easy going and very knowledgeable.

Taras

Nov. 4, 2019

Tiago was really enthusiastic and knowledgeable- we learned a lot and really enjoyed the tour.

Ciaran

Oct. 22, 2019

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