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Portugal Travel Guide: Belém

Belém

Belém Tower ©Jean Kugler

• Portugal's historic gateway to the sea.
• Jerónimos Monastery & Belém Tower.
• Interesting museums, cafes & restaurants.
• 6km west of central Lisbon.
• Recommended half or full day trip.

Belém, a short ride by tram, bus or train from the center of Lisbon, is a fascinating area to spend some time. Famed as the place Vasco da Gama and his fellow Portuguese adventurers set sail for India and the Americas, Belém is the spiritual home of Portugal's 'Age of Discovery'.

Jerónimos Monastery & Belém Tower - both UNESCO World Heritage sites - commemorate the period of Portugal's overseas expansion and empire building to Africa, Brazil, India, Macao and the shores of Japan in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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©Jean Kugler

The vast sixteenth century Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm or 6.30pm in summer; entrance free; small charge to enter the cloisters) took over 70 years to complete and is perhaps Portugal's most magnificent building.

Built by King Dom Manuel I in memory of Vasco da Gama's successful voyage to India, the huge building costs were financed by taxes on spices from the East.

Designed over the years by a number of master architects the building is a fusion of styles: detailed Manueline, decorative Renaissance and spacious Gothic.

The nearby Belém Tower (open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm or 6.30pm in summer; small entrance fee) dates from around 1515 and was built as a fortress to protect Lisbon harbour from possible attack. Visitors can climb the tower and peer into the tiny dungeon.

For more information on Belém Tower and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos visit www.mosteirojeronimos.pt

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos - Monument to the Discoveries - is a vast stone caravel commemorating the heroes of Portugal's sea-faring history: including Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral - the discoverer of Brazil and Fernão Magalhães - who crossed the Pacific in1520. There is a museum and fine views of the area.
(open Tues-Sun 9am-5pm or 7pm in summer; small entrance fee)

The Belém area is rich in interesting museums. Most charge a small entrance fee though are usually free of charge on Sundays:

Great Gifts From Portugal

The Museu de Arte Popular (Tue-Sun 10am-12:30pm, 2pm-5pm) houses a collection of traditional folk art from around the country.

The Museu de Marinha (Tue-Sun 10am-5pm or 6pm) focuses on Portugal's long naval history with model ships and nautical instruments and uniforms.

The Museu Nacional dos Coches (Tue-Sun 10am-6pm) has a world class collection of historic horse-drawn coaches and carriages and is one of Lisbon's most visited attractions.

The Centro Cultural de Belém (10am-9pm Daily) complex houses the excellent Museu do Design as well as performance and exhibition spaces. The museum is dedicated to twentieth-century design, with 'Cool' 'Luxury' and 'Pop' categories. The center's cooling cafe, courtyard and rooftop garden are good spots to relax.

The Museu do Centro Científico e Cultural de Macau (Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 12pm-6pm) exhibits an interesting collection of art and artifacts from Portugal's former colonies and trading outposts.

Lisbon Tourist Office

Palácio Foz Building on Praça dos Restauradores.
Tel: 213 466 307
Fax: 213 468 772
9am - 8pm

Getting to Belém

Buses: 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51e 112
Trams: 15 (From Praça da Figueira and Praça do Comércio
Trains: From Cascais or Cais de Sodré on the Cascais Line; get out at Belém station
Ferries: From Porto Brandaõ on the south side of the Tagus River to Belém

Accommodation

Book Accommodation in Belém

Hotels in Portugal - Bookings

Hostels in Portugal - Hostelworld.com

Hostels in Spain - Hostelworld.com

Hotels in Portugal - Almeida Hotels

Eating

Antiga Confeitaria de Belém
Rua de Belém 84-92
Tel: 213 638 077
Delicious pastries.
8am-midnight. Daily.

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The average high June temperature for Portugal is between 22C and 26C.
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Aveiro Braga Cascais Coimbra Estoril Faro-Loulé Guimaraes Leiria Lisbon Belém Porto Nazaré Obidos Sintra Tomar
Viana do Castelo

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