Belem Tour
Explore the monumental and cultural neighborhood of Belém, a cornerstone of Lisbon’s history and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Highlights of the tour include a visit to the magnificent cloisters of the Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture and a symbol of Portugal’s golden age. We will also stop at the historic Pastéis de Belém bakery, established in 1837, to savor the iconic Portuguese custard tart, a delicious testament to Lisbon’s culinary heritage.
This tour is designed for ethically-minded travelers seeking to engage with history in a thoughtful and meaningful way. Through the stories of Belém, you’ll uncover not just the monumental achievements of Portugal’s past, but also the realities of its colonial legacy and the resilience of those who shaped its history.
With its name deriving from the Hebrew word for “Bethlehem,” Belém has long been synonymous with the Age of Discoveries and the Portuguese Empire. Its proximity to the ocean and the strategic Tagus River estuary made it the launching point for the expeditions that shaped centuries of global history.
This tour invites you to delve beyond the grandeur of maritime achievements to explore the complex legacy of Portuguese colonialism and its enduring impact on the PALOP (Portuguese-Speaking African Countries) territories. Together, we will examine the rise of the empire during the 15th and 16th centuries, the Overseas Wars that marked the 20th century, and the eventual fall of the Estado Novo dictatorship in 1974.
Bookings
Tour Details:
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Starting Time: 9:30 AM
Meeting Point: Museu dos Coches, in front of the ticket office
Includes:
Guided tour with an expert storyteller
Headsets for groups larger than 6 guests
Tickets to the cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery
Stop at Pastéis de Belém for a traditional custard tart
