Belem Tower - Torre de Belém

A must see 16th century UNESCO World Heritage site.

Belem Tower or Torre de Belém is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and served as the home to the Captain of the Navy, a prison for traitors and a fort from where to defend Lisbon as it is positioned at the mouth of the river Tagus. 

Belém Tower is officially the tower of Saint Vincent, who is the patron saint of Lisbon. The flag of Lisbon depicts Saint Vincent’s body been transported by boat from the Algarve to Lisbon with two ravens keeping a watchful eye over him. The Belém Tower is a 16th-century fortification which served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.

Since 1983, the tower has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage and you’ll notice the tower being used as a generic symbol used to promote Lisbon.

The tower is is located along a promenade on the river Tagus and you can walk from the Monument of Discoveries to Belem Tower in just a few minutes. In summer it can be quite hot so make sure to use sun protection and take some water with you as there is a little bit of walking involved and not much shelter on the promenade.

Take the train from  Cais do Sodre to Belem and cross the road to the promenade or take tram 15 E from Praça do Comércio heading towards Belem to get to the Monastery, Tower and Monument…. it’s a short walk from there.

Belem Tower is located Here