BELÉM
TOUR OF DISCOVERIES

The Belém Tour of Discoveries experience is a 3.5 hour private guided walking tour that covers the Portuguese Age of Discoveries and the district where it all happened, Belém. A World Heritage Site, there’s plenty of things to see in Belém from the captivating Tower of Belém to the scrumptious Pastéis de Belém, from the peaceful Tagus River to the modernistic Monument to the Discoveries, not forgetting the Cultural Center of Belém and of course the Jerónimos Monastery.  Two of the seven wonders of Portugal are in Belém so trust us when we say that some of the best things to do in Lisbon are right here in this neighborhood. Our expert guides selected the best stories, the most attractive sites and the unmissable spots so you’ll enjoy your Belém Tour of Discoveries to the fullest.  Our Belém Tour of Discoveries is all about the Portuguese maritime expansion and we can’t think of a better way to finish the tour than a 30 minute boat trip on the Tagus River heading back to the center. If there is one monument that identifies Lisbon, it is the Tower of Belém. The tower's silhouette, absolutely unmistakable, is reproduced in all tourist materials, from t-shirts to magnets. The Tower of Belém is a fusion between a medieval tower and a modern bastion and was initially designed to be a defense tower at the entrance of the Tagus River. With 500 years of history, the work of Francisco de Arruda has already taken on very diverse roles: it was once a dungeon, a military barracks, a customs post and even a lighthouse. The decoration is from the time when Portugal asserted itself as a world maritime power and the naturalist elements, the sailor's knots and the armillary spheres are easily identifiable. There is no better way to start our visit. From Belém, hundreds of vessels departed to explore new frontiers and this neighborhood is a constant remembrance of that historical period when Portugal as the first global village. The other Unesco World Heritage Monument is the Jerónimos Monastery, and we will explore this fascinating site at the end of our Belém Tour of Discoveries.  The Jerónimos Monastery began with a wish. King Manuel I wanted to build the most beautiful monument in the world. The first stone was placed in 1502 at the seaside from where Vasco da Gama had left on his way to India. This was the place where one prayed for a safe journey. One hundred years later, with more than 300 meters of façade, the Monastery of Jerónimos is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. Sailor ropes, exotic plants, African fruits and waves are intertwined with biblical figures, the cross of Christ and the armillary sphere. One of the main façades is the archangel St. Michael and St. Mary of Bethlehem. It's breathtaking. With the company of the Tagus River, we will visit other famous places in Belém such as the Monument to the Discoveries, the Rose of the Winds, the Cultural Centre of Belém and the Empire Square and we will talk about kings and navigators, conquests and legends. We will leave the greatest of all legends of the Belém district for the end, the magnificent gastronomic monument that goes by the name of Pastel de Nata (or Belém custard tart). It will be three centuries of history in just three hours, many places to explore, many secrets to share. The Belém Tour of Discoveries is a perfect introduction to the Portuguese Age of Discoveries, its history, myths and monuments. Lisbon weather is perfect to enjoy this scenic neighborhood and the Tagus River is the ideal background to this tour. A private walking tour, set at your preferred pace, is the best possible way to feel the city. Your expert guide will be with at all times sharing his passion for History and doing his best for you to enjoy Lisbon in a fun and informative way. We want you to have an amazing journey in Belém, a walk to remember. Nothing beats the advice and tips from a friend that lives in Lisbon.