Discoveries in Belém

Explore Lisbon’s riverfront and the Age of Discovery Monuments

Portugal was a pioneer seafaring nation in the Age of Exploration, which brought new commercial routes for the world. This tour showcases the audacity of Portuguese sailors and includes two UNESCO World Heritage landmarks, which bear witness to and celebrate this period in the history of Portugal: the Jerónimos monastery, which includes one of the most important hall churches in Europe and the Belém tower, built in the 16th century by the Tagus river to defend Lisbon against invaders.

This tour will also take you to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, which celebrates the glory of Portugal’s naval expansion; the Belém cultural centre, one of the main hubs for cultural dissemination in Lisbon; the Museu dos Coches, one of the most visited museums in Portugal, with a unique collection of vehicles from the 16th to the 19th century; the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, which displays national and international exhibits by various contemporary artists; and to top it all off, the Ajuda Palace, an old royal residence that is now a museum of decorative arts.

This tour couldn’t be complete without a stop at the original factory that makes the renowned pastéis de Belém, small, crispy filo puff pastries with a creamy filling, the recipe for which, still a zealously guarded secret, was created in the Jerónimos monastery.

Gather up to six friends or relatives and come with us to discover Belém. In this two-hour tour, you will be able to explore Belém’s waterfront and its main monuments and museums and savour its famous pastries. Our drivers/guides will make you feel like a true Portuguese sailor!