A day trip from Lisbon to Belém is one of the most popular excursions from Lisbon Cruise Port. The Belém district along the Tagus River offers a captivating journey back to Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery, showcasing iconic landmarks like the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Indulge in the world-famous Pastéis de Belém, the original Portuguese custard tarts, and stroll through the scenic gardens and waterfront promenade.
Getting to Belém from Lisbon city centre & Lisbon Cruise Port is a breeze, so in this guide, I’ll share your transport options from the tram, the bus, the train or heading there on your own steam via bike.
This is Part 3 of my Lisbon Cruise Port Series. The other parts are below:
- Part 1: Lisbon Cruise Port Guide: Historic Old Town & Iconic Trams
- Part 2: Lisbon Baixa District Guide: Grand Plazas, Lift & Funicular
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Lisbon to Belém: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward
Traveling from Lisbon to Belém is a very popular day trip itinerary and a DIY excursion from Lisbon Cruise Port is 😎😎😎😎 straightforward! Here’s why:
- Multiple Transport Options: Want to head to Belém straight from your ship? There’s a bus stop right outside both cruise terminals at Lisbon Cruise Port. Direct bus will take you there in under 30 minutes. Want to sightsee in Lisbon first? Then tram #15 will easily get you there.
- Walkable Belém: Once you get to Belém, it’s very walkable. The entire area is on flat ground, not to mention easily navigable, as you’re never far away from the waterfront.
- High “Concentration” of Attractions: The list of things to do in Belém I mention below are almost all next to each other, not only making it easy to hop from one attraction to another, it’s almost impossible to get lost!
How Far is Belém from Lisbon?
Belém is about 7 km (~4 miles) west of Lisbon Cruise Port. Belém is definitely close enough to Lisbon city centre to make this a convenient DIY excursion. Estimated travel time are as follows – I discuss each option in more detail below👇 :
- By Tram #15: Approximately 30 minutes – convenient if you plan to sightsee in Lisbon before heading out to Belém
- By Bus: Approximately 20-30 minutes, but depends on traffic. This is a convenient choice if you want to head to Belém straight from Lisbon Cruise Port
- By Train: The train journey from Cais do Sodré station to Belém takes only about 7 minutes. Trains run every 20 minutes or so & more frequently during rush hour.
- By Taxi: Taxi takes about 15 minutes depending on traffic
How to Get from Lisbon to Belém: Your Transport Options
All the transport stops, as well as the attractions in Belém I list below are marked in the map below 🗺️📍👇. For more details on Lisbon Cruise Port, where the cruise terminals are, refer to Part 1 Lisbon Cruise Port Guide: Historic Old Town & Iconic Trams
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Tip – Disable Layers: I’ve structured the map in “layers” and you can check or uncheck the layers on the top left hand corner. You can uncheck all layers besides this itinerary, called “Belém: What to See & Do” and you’ll only see the map markers for this itinerary.
1. Lisbon to Belém via Tram #15
If you plan to sightsee in Lisbon city centre before heading out to Belém, then the tram will probably be the most convenient. This tram route is frequent, the stops are easy to find and it’s a bit of a sightseeing trip in itself. There’s also a choice of stops in Belém, meaning you can minimise walking, if you’ve already planned out what you’d like to see & do in Belém. (But if you time it right, the train leaving Cais do Sodré station is the quickest option.)
Where to Catch the Tram #15 to Belém : The tram route starts from Praça da Figueira, outside Rossio metro station and passes through Praça do Comércio before heading to Belém. See these marked in my Lisbon Cruise Port Map above. Praça da Figueira is convenient for those who want to have a walk around the Baixa District first, whereas Praça do Comércio is more convenient if you’re heading straight from Lisbon Cruise Port.
- Non-Vintage Tram: Note that the Tram #15 route are on newer, longer trams as it’s the busiest route on the Lisbon tram network. It’s not on the vintage tram carriages. The newer trams does mean that this route can carry more passengers per tram, have more seats and take contactless payments.
- Tickets:
- Pay by Contactless: €3.10 per ride, pay by tapping your card, phone or smartwatch on the ticket reader onboard – this is the easiest option if you just want to get from Lisbon and Belém
- 24H Metro & Carris Pass: If you intend to do some sightseeing in Lisbon after spending time in Belém, it’s easier to buy a 24h Metro + Carris ticket, which is valid for all trams, buses and metro rides. It costs €6.80 + €0.50 for the Navegante Occasional fare card to load the fare on. Buy from the ticket machine from any metro station. (If you’re using the Praça do Comércio, pop into Terreiro do Paço metro station to get one.)
- Journey Time: Takes about 30-35 minutes on the tram from Praça da Figueira
- Frequency: Tram #15 runs every 10 minutes during weekdays and every 15 minutes during weekends – Timetables here but because the trams run frequently, there’s really no need to look up timetables.
- Route: See a map of the full route here
- Where to Get Off: There are four tram stops in Belém which are close to the top attractions I mention below.
- Altinho (MAAT) for the MAAT Museum
- Belém (Museu Coches) for the National Coach Museum
- Mosteiro Jerónimos for the Monastery, Empire Square Gardens, Monument to the Discoveries & Pastéis de Belém
- Lg. Princesa for Belém Tower
2. Lisbon to Belém by Bus
There’s a number of bus rides which will take you from Lisbon to Belém. The most convenient ones are:
- Bus #728 stops outside both terminals at Lisbon Cruise Port, making this a convenient choice if you want to head straight from your ship to Belém. I’ve marked both of these stops on my Lisbon Cruise Port Map above:
- “Cais Lingueta” stop is outside the Jardim do Tabaco Cruise Terminal, on the opposite side of Av. Infante Dom Henrique
- “Estação Sta. Apolónia” stop is outside the Santa Apolónia Cruise Terminal, on the opposite side of Av. Infante Dom Henrique
- Frequency: Approximately every 15 minutes
- Where to Get Off: Either at Belem train station stop or the following stop which will be closer to Belem Tower
- Bus #714 departs from outside Cais Sodré station
Tickets: Purchase onboard the bus for €2.10 one-way. If you don’t have sufficient change, there’s a tobacco stand to buy tickets near the Cais Lingueta stop. If you’re hopping on at Estação Sta. Apolónia, you can walk into the station and buy a ticket from a ticket machine, with either cash or card.
3. Lisbon to Belém by Train
Trains from Lisbon to Belém leave from Cais Sodré station. Belém train station is opposite the National Coach Museum and is about a 20-minute walk to Belém Tower.
- Frequency: Trains leave approximately every 20 minutes, except during weekday rush hour when it runs every 10 minutes or so.
- Timetables: Check on Combois de Portugal website – enter departing station as “Cais do Sodre” and destination station as “Belem”
- Journey Time: 7 minutes.
- Tickets: €1.45 one-way
4. Lisbon to Belém by Bike
If you’re after a more active way to experience Lisbon’s waterfront, cycling to Belém is a fantastic option. The route is relatively flat and scenic and you’ll get beautiful views of the Tagus River along the way. The bike ride takes 20-30 minutes at a leisurely pace.
To rent a bike easily near Lisbon Cruise Port, there’s two options:
- Gira Cycles: Gira is Lisbon’s short term rental scheme – you’ll need to download the app. There’s a choice between normal bikes and electric bikes. A €2 day pass will get you a bike for up to 45 minutes, more than enough time to get you to Belém
- Half Day Bike Tour: You can join a half-day bike tour near Santa Apolónia Metro and Train Station, close to both cruise terminals at Lisbon Cruise Port. Bike & helmet rental included!
Belém: Top Things to See & Do
I’d say that the “Big Three” attractions in Belém are the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery and Pastéis de Belém. If you only have time for a few hours in Belém, then these are considered the “must-see” attractions. There are also quite a few interesting museums in Belém which I’ll mention below.
Everything listed here is concentrated in a small area in Belém, so once you get to Belém – whether by bus, tram or train – you’ll be able to easily navigate between these attractions on foot. I’ve ordered the following “Top Things to See & Do” based on whether attractions geographically close together. Belém Tower is first, as it’s usually the busiest attraction in Belém.
1. Belém Tower: A UNESCO Gem
The Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), a UNESCO heritage site, was built in the early 16th century and served both as a defensive fortress and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. The maritime motifs and ornate stonework reflects Portugal’s wartime prowess and its golden age of exploration.
Inside Belém Tower, there’s a lot to see. The Governor’s Hall is an octagonal chamber on the first floor and would have served as the residence and office of the tower’s governor. The King’s Chamber, the Audience Chamber and the Chapel are on the upper floors. The Gun Room on the ground floor used to house the tower’s artillery and ammunition. Don’t miss both the Terrace and the Rooftop! Both offer great views of the Tagus River, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the Belém district.
- Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. Open 9:30am to 6pm Tuesdays to Sundays. Last ticket entry is 5pm.
- Tickets (2025 Prices): €15 adults, free for kids under 12. Online tickets are untimed and are valid for the whole day.
Tip: If you intend to visit Belém Tower, make this the first attraction on your DIY itinerary. In fact, the earlier the better. It gets incredibly busy later in the day, as the attraction itself is rather small. If you’re not interested to go inside, then hang around in the Jardim da Torre de Belém that surrounds the Belém Tower. It’s a great place to take a break and have awesome views of Belém Tower.
2. Monument to the Discoveries
The Monument to the Discoveries, or Padrão dos Descobrimentos, pays homage to Portugal’s remarkable Age of Discovery and has come to symbolise Belém, as much as the Belém Tower! The monument’s design resembles the prow of a caravel, the type of ship used by Portuguese explorers during the 15th and 16th centuries.
There’s a total of 33 figures standing on the either side of the “prow” and they are the key figures from the Age of Discovery, including Vasco da Gamma, who discovered the sea route to India in 1498 and Pedro Álvares Cabral, who “discovered” Brazil. At the very front is Prince Henry the Navigator, who spearheaded Portugal’s maritime ventures. He sponsored numerous expeditions along the African coast, leading to the discovery of Madeira, the Azores and Cape Verde.
Don’t miss the “Compass Rose” nearby 👆. It’s a massive 50-metre (~165 feet) diameter mosaic made from limestone in black and red hues. The centre showcases a map of the world, as they were known during the Age of Discovery. Lines and dates mark the major sea routes taken by Portuguese explorers during the 15th & 16th centuries.
3. Empire Square Gardens
Opposite the Compass Rose and the Monument to the Discoveries is the Empire Square Gardens (Jardim da Praça do Império). It’s a beautiful formal garden with symmetrical manicured lawns, hedges and flower beds, with a central fountain. It’s a lovely space to walk through and it’s also takes you through to the Jerónimos Monastery, on the opposite side of the gardens.
4. Jerónimos Monastery: A Masterpiece of Manueline Style
The Jerónimos Monastery, or Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is the other UNESCO World Heritage site in Belém. Built in the early 16th century by King Manuel I to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India, the monastery was initially intended for the Order of Saint Jerome (Hieronymites), hence its name.
The monastery is considered one of the most remarkable examples of Manueline architecture, a Portuguese late-Gothic style characterised by elaborate ornamentation, maritime motifs, and intricate stonework. (Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries are in the same architectural style.) It became the final resting place for several Portuguese monarchs and notable figures, including Vasco da Gama and the poet Luís de Camões.
Besides the Church of Santa Maria de Belém, the two-story cloisters also showcase the Manueline style, with intricate arches, columns and decorative elements. The Refectory (former dining hall) features beautiful azulejo (tile) panels.
- Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. 9:30am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday. Last ticket sale is 5pm.
- Tickets (2025 Prices): €18 adults, free for kids under 12 – book online here
5. Navy Museum (Museu de Marinha)
Housed in the western wing of the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is the Museu de Marinha. Despite its name, it’s a maritime museum, rather than one focused just on the Navy.
There’s a vast array of meticulously crafted model ships, showcasing the evolution of Portuguese naval vessels from the early caravels to modern warships. There’s also a collection of beautifully preserved royal barges, including the magnificent 18th century royal barge used for ceremonial occasions on the Tagus River. Historical navigational instruments, maritime art and other nautical artefacts all add up to a fantastic maritime museum!
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 6pm from May to September, Daily 10am to 5pm from October to April
- Tickets: €8 adults, €4 seniors 65+, €4 kids aged 4-12. There are also combined museum tickets with the planetarium – see below.
Note: There is also a smaller maritime museum within Jerónimos Monastery, so don’t confuse the two! Both of these maritime museums require a separate ticket to Jerónimos Monastery. If you only have time to visit one maritime museum, I’ll recommend the Museu de Marinha as the more comprehensive one with more interesting things to see.
Navy Planetarium: Museu de Marinha is adjacent to the Navy Planetarium. Combined tickets with the Museu de Marinha are €12 adults, €6 seniors & kids, making this a good value “add-on” to a visit. However, not every planetarium show is in bilingual format. So if you’re interested to visit the Planetarium, ask at the box office at Museu de Marinha for English show times – the two museums share a single box office at Museu de Marinha.
6. Pastéis de Belém: The Original Custard Tarts
No visit to Belém is complete without indulging in the world-famous Pastéis de Belém – the original Portuguese custard tarts! These delectable pastries, with their flaky crust and creamy, cinnamon-dusted filling, have been delighting customers since 1837.
Visit the original bakery near Jerónimos Monastery or a short walk from Belém station. The bakery’s popularity means that there’s often a line but it moves quickly. You can buy them to take-away, on your way back to Lisbon or you can enjoy the full experience by grabbing a table at the cafe, and pairing them with a bica (expresso). Pastéis de Belém doesn’t just sell custard tarts – if you like deserts or have a sweet tooth, be ready to be dazzled by a huge selection!
Many national cuisines have custard tarts, including Chinese custard tarts popular at dim sum. But the Portuguese version is made of puff pastry and is flaky and buttery, rather than made out of shortcrust pastry (crumbly and cookie-like). The top is caramelised and typically served warm, straight out of the oven.
- Opening Hours: Daily 8am to 10pm
Origins of Pastéis de Belém
The origin story of Pastéis de Belém is very interesting indeed! In the early 19th century, the Jerónimos Monastery operated a sugar cane refinery adjacent to a small shop. This refinery likely utilized egg whites in its sugar refining process, leaving a surplus of egg yolks.
When the Liberal Revolution of 1820 led to the closure of monasteries and convents in Portugal in 1834, the monks and workers of the Jerónimos Monastery were forced to find alternative means of income. In an attempt to survive, someone from the monastery began selling sweet pastries made with the leftover egg yolks in the shop next to the refinery. These pastries quickly gained popularity and became known as “Pastéis de Belém“.
In 1837, the production of Pastéis de Belém moved to the buildings attached to the former refinery, where they continue to be made today using the same “secret recipe.”
Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon City Centre
Can’t make it to Belém? Pastéis de Belém is the one and only! Unfortunately, there are no branches in Lisbon city centre but if you’re short of time and won’t make it to Belém on your port day at Lisbon, then there are a few famous bakeries in Lisbon that also makes versions of these legendary custard tarts – see these below, they’re also marked on my Lisbon Cruise Port Map above. They’re called “pastéis de nata“, as Pastéis de Belém is trademarked.
- Manteigaria: There’s multiple branches in Lisbon’s city centre. The two most convenient branches are the one on Rua Augusta (larger cafe) and a smaller one close to Praça Luís de Camões, where the vintage trams #12 & #28 stops are. See both of these marked on my Lisbon Cruise Port Map above 🗺️📍👆 and read my guide Lisbon Baixa District Guide: Grand Plazas, Lift & Funicular for how to get to Rua Augusta in the Baixa District
- Fábrica da Nata: Further up the street on Rua Augusta – this is a personal favourite!
7. National Coach Museum
The National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches) has a vast collection of ceremonial carriages and coaches used by the Portuguese Royal Family. The coaches are all adorned with intricate carvings, gilded details and luxurious fabrics and give a fascinating glimpse into the old artistry of carriage making throughout the centuries.
- Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday
- Tickets: €8 adults, €4 seniors 65+ & kids over 12. Free for kids under 12. Purchase online tickets & you can just scan the code at turnstiles.
8. Quake – Lisbon Earthquake Centre
Quake (Museu do Terramoto de Lisboa) is a kids-friendly museum in Belém, dedicated to the 1755 earthquake. The earthquake, combined with subsequent fires and a tsunami, virtually levelled Lisbon’s city centre, including the Baixa District. Many iconic buildings, including the Riberia Palace, the Royal Hospital and numerous churches, were completely destroyed. Belém, also suffered considerable damage but both the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower survived. Belém, was in fact, hit more by the subsequent tsunami waves. (In modern terms, the 1755 earthquake would have been in the range of a 8.5 to 9.0 Richter scale.
Quake re-creates what it would have been like back in 1755 with a series of immersive presentations and interactive experiences. It’s not just about the history though. There’s quite a lot of interactive displays that explain the science behind earthquakes and how we study seismology and plate tectonics today.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 6pm.
- Tickets: €28.50 adults, €20 kids aged 6-12, €23 seniors 65+ – note that the tickets are timed.
9. Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology (MAAT)
The exterior of both MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology) buildings are worth seeing even if you’re not interested in museums. Opposite the Belém train station, you’ll find two very different MAAT buildings.
The first one is the Central Tejo Power Station. Built in 1908, it was the largest power plant in Portugal for over three decades, supplying electricity to the entire Lisbon region. Decommissioned in 1975, it was later transformed into the Electricity Museum and became part of MAAT in 2016. Inside the building, its massive boilers, towering chimneys and exposed pipes and machinery have been preserved. A permanent exhibition runs through the power station, covering the Boiler Room, where four massive boilers once generated steam to power the turbines, the Ash Gallery and the Water Room, with the condensers and cooling systems.
The newer adjacent building was completed in 2016. Its wave-like roof, clad in reflective ceramic tiles shimmer in the sunlight. The roof itself is a gentle sloping promenade, so don’t miss the rooftop terrace if you visit.
- Opening Hours: Closed Tuesdays. Open 10am to 7pm Wednesday to Monday.
- Tickets (2025 Prices): €11 adults, €8 seniors 65+ & students. Free for kids under 12. Book online here.
- You can access the MAAT garden – opposite Belém train station without having to buy a museum ticket.
Featured Image by António Francisco Calado from Pixabay
