Visiting Belém Tower with Kids: Portugal's UNESCO Maritime Fortress
- Chris
- Mar 13, 2022
- 8 min read
Updated: Dec 12, 2025
Standing proudly where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) has guarded Lisbon's harbor for over 500 years. This stunning 16th-century fortress isn't just a defensive structure, it's a symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery, a ceremonial gateway celebrating the explorers who charted unknown waters, and a welcoming beacon for those who returned with treasures from distant lands.
Built in the exquisite Manueline style with its intricate stone carvings, maritime motifs, and Moorish-inspired turrets, Belém Tower is one of Portugal's most photographed landmarks.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and named one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal in 2007, this architectural masterpiece tells the story of a nation that once ruled the seas.
IMPORTANT UPDATE (December 2025): Belém Tower is temporarily closed for restoration work and is expected to reopen in spring 2026. While you cannot enter the tower currently, the exterior and surrounding gardens remain accessible and worth visiting. Check the official website for the latest reopening updates.
History of Belém Tower
The Defense Plan (Late 15th Century)
In the late 1400s, King João II recognized that Lisbon's harbor defenses were inadequate. As Portugal's maritime power grew and the city became Europe's wealthiest trade hub following Vasco da Gama's groundbreaking voyage to India (1497-1499), protecting the mouth of the Tagus River became critical. The king conceived a strategic defense system with fortresses on both banks of the river, but died before construction could begin.
Construction Under King Manuel I (1515-1521)
Twenty years later, King Manuel I, flush with wealth from Portugal's discoveries in India, Brazil, and Africa, revived the plan. In 1515, he commissioned military architect Francisco de Arruda to design a fortress on the northern bank of the Tagus at Belém to both defend the harbor and commemorate Portugal's maritime achievements.
Arruda was the perfect choice. Having designed numerous fortifications in Portuguese-controlled Morocco, he brought expertise in both European and North African defensive architecture. This unique background resulted in Belém Tower's distinctive blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish elements.
Construction began in 1515 on a small basaltic outcrop near the riverbank. The tower was built from lioz limestone — a cream-colored local stone that has weathered beautifully over the centuries. Until the fort's completion, a heavily armed 1,000-ton warship called the Grande Nau guarded the estuary.
The building was finished in 1519, and the tower was officially inaugurated in 1521 when Gaspar de Paiva was appointed the first Captain-General, or alcalde. It was named the Castle of Saint Vincent (Castelo de São Vicente de Belém) in honor of Lisbon's patron saint.
Gateway to the Continuing Age of Discovery
While Belém Tower was completed after Portugal's pioneering voyages — including Vasco da Gama's expedition to India (1497-1499) and Pedro Álvares Cabral's discovery of Brazil (1500) — it became the ceremonial gateway and defensive fortress for the ongoing Age of Discovery.
During the decades following its completion, the tower served multiple crucial roles:
Defensive fortress protecting Lisbon from naval attacks
Ceremonial gateway where ships received royal blessings and official farewells
Customs checkpoint where incoming ships paid taxes on exotic goods from Asia, Africa, and the Americas
Navigation landmark helping ships navigate the Tagus estuary
For decades after its completion, ships departed from this very spot to continue trade with India, Brazil, and Africa, maintaining the legacy that had transformed Portugal into a global maritime power. The tower stood as a powerful symbol of the nation's achievements and ongoing maritime dominance.
A Darker Chapter: Prison Years (1580-1830)
In 1580, Spain invaded Portugal in a dispute over succession. After just a few hours of battle, Belém Tower's garrison surrendered to Spanish forces under the Duke of Alba. During the 60-year period of Spanish rule (1580-1640) and for centuries afterward, the tower's dungeons served as a political prison.
The dungeons in the bastion's basement, originally designed for storage, became infamous holding cells. Prisoners were kept in dark, damp conditions, with some cells partially flooded during high tide. This grim period lasted until 1830.
Later Uses and Preservation
Over the centuries, Belém Tower adapted to serve various purposes:
1655-1800s: Customs control point and lighthouse
1780-1807: Headquarters for Casa Pia (a charitable institution)
During Napoleonic invasions: Briefly occupied by French forces
1807-1830: Prison
After the 1755 Lisbon earthquake (which devastated much of the city but left the tower relatively intact), it also served as a control point to prevent looted goods from leaving the harbor.
In the 1840s, under the influence of Romantic writer Almeida Garrett, King Ferdinand II ordered a restoration that added some neo-Manueline decorative elements.
The tower was declared a National Monument in 1910. Major restorations occurred in 1940, 1983, and 1997-1998 to preserve this national treasure. The 1997-1998 restoration earned the Europa Nostra award in 1999 for its exceptional work on the exterior.
On July 7, 2007, following a nationwide vote by the Portuguese people, Belém Tower was officially added to the registry of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
Architecture and Design
Manueline Masterpiece
Belém Tower showcases the Manueline architectural style—Portugal's unique take on Late Gothic mixed with Renaissance influences. Named after King Manuel I, this style incorporates maritime themes reflecting Portugal's seafaring dominance.
Distinctive Features:
The Bastion (Lower Level)
Hexagonal platform with 16 cannon positions
Vaulted casemate room with 3.5-meter-thick walls
Gothic skylight for ventilating cannon smoke
Drawbridge entrance
Polygonal turrets at each corner crowned with Moorish-inspired domes
The Tower (Four Stories + Terrace)
30 meters (100 feet) tall
Narrow spiral staircase connecting all levels
Renaissance balconies with intricate stone carvings
Royal coat of arms and Manuel I's personal symbols
Decorative Elements:
Armillary spheres: King Manuel I's personal emblem, representing Portugal's global reach
Cross of the Order of Christ: Symbol of Portugal's maritime missions and King Manuel's membership in the Order
Maritime motifs: Twisted stone ropes, nautical knots, coral, seashells
The famous rhinoceros gargoyle: One of Europe's first sculptures of a rhinoceros, depicting the animal King Manuel I sent to Pope Leo X in 1515
Religious imagery: Virgin Mary statues, including Our Lady of Safe Homecoming
The Five Levels:
Governor's Hall (Ground Floor): Command center with access to the cistern
King's Hall (Second Floor): Royal chamber with fireplace and balcony access, featuring the Royal Coat of Arms above an elegant arc
Audience Hall (Third Floor): Reception room with fireplace and exquisite Manueline windows
Chapel (Fourth Floor): Vaulted chapel with balcony featuring defensive machicolations (holes for dropping projectiles on attackers)
Rooftop Terrace (Fifth Floor): 360-degree views of Lisbon, the Tagus, and the Atlantic
What Makes Belém Tower Special
A Perfect Storm of Timing and Resources
Belém Tower was built at the peak of Portugal's wealth and power. The treasure flowing from India, Brazil, and Africa allowed King Manuel I to commission the finest architects and craftsmen. The result is a building that's simultaneously a military fortress and an ornate work of art.
Monument to an Era
Built to commemorate Portugal's transformative discoveries, Belém Tower became the gateway for continuing expeditions that maintained Portuguese dominance in global trade. Standing on its terrace, looking out where the Tagus meets the Atlantic, you're at the gateway that welcomed returning explorers and celebrated Portugal's transformation into a maritime empire.
From this harbor, ships departed for decades after the tower's completion, carrying on the legacy of:
Vasco da Gama's route to India
Pedro Álvares Cabral's Brazilian territories
Portuguese trading posts from Africa to Asia
The spice trade that made Lisbon Europe's richest city
Architectural Fusion
The tower beautifully blends:
Portuguese Gothic military architecture
Renaissance decorative elements
Moorish influence from North Africa
Maritime themes unique to Portugal
This makes it unlike any other fortress in Europe.
Visiting Belém Tower (When Reopened)
What to Expect
When the tower reopens in 2026, your visit will include:
Exploring all five interior levels via the narrow spiral staircase
Viewing the Governor's Hall, King's Hall, Audience Hall, and Chapel
Walking the bastion terrace with 16 historical cannon positions
Climbing to the rooftop for spectacular Tagus River and Atlantic Ocean views
Examining intricate Manueline stone carvings up close
Spotting the famous rhinoceros gargoyle
Learning about Portugal's Age of Discovery through interpretive displays
Tips for Families
What Kids Will Love:
The narrow spiral staircase (feels like a real castle!)
16 cannons on the bastion terrace
Hunting for the rhinoceros gargoyle on the western turret
Imagining explorers returning with treasures from distant lands
The drawbridge and defensive features
Panoramic views from the top
Important Considerations:
200+ steps: All on a narrow spiral staircase with no elevator
One-way traffic system: A light controls flow up and down
Not wheelchair accessible: Unfortunately, the tower's historic structure has no alternative routes
Can get crowded: The staircase is narrow—visit early morning or late afternoon
Windy at the top: Bring a light jacket
Allow 45-60 minutes: For a thorough visit
Practical Information
(Subject to change upon reopening)
Location: Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
Hours (Pre-closure schedule, verify when reopened):
May-September: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM (Last entry 6:00 PM)
October-April: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Last entry 5:00 PM)
Closed: Mondays, January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, June 13, December 25
Tickets (Pre-closure prices, may change):
Adults: €8-12
Seniors (65+) & Students: 50% discount (€6)
Children (under 12): Free
Lisboa Card holders: Free entry
Combo ticket (with Jerónimos Monastery): €12
Always check the official website (patrimoniocultural.gov.pt) for current pricing and reopening information.
Getting There:
Tram 15 or 15E: From Praça do Comércio or Praça da Figueira (get off at Lg. Princesa stop, then 6-minute walk)
Train: Cascais Line from Cais do Sodré to Belém Station (about 8 minutes)
Bus: Lines 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51, 112, 714, 728, 729
Walk: 15 minutes from Jerónimos Monastery along the waterfront promenade
Bike: Flat riverside path, about 30 minutes from central Lisbon (use Gira bike-sharing app)
By Car: Via Avenida da Índia (10-15 minutes from central Lisbon, but parking is limited—use Centro Cultural de Belém parking)
Best Time to Visit:
Weekday mornings (arrive at opening) for fewer crowds
Late afternoon for beautiful golden-hour photos and sunset views
March-May or September-October for pleasant weather without peak summer crowds
Combine Your Visit
Belém is home to several must-see attractions within easy walking distance:
Jerónimos Monastery (5-minute walk / 1.1 km)
Stunning Manueline architecture, a UNESCO twin to Belém Tower
Tomb of Vasco da Gama and poet Luís de Camões
Construction began in 1501 and took 100 years to complete
Combo ticket available (saves money and time)
Monument to the Discoveries (8-minute walk / 900 m)
52-meter monument celebrating Portuguese explorers
Viewpoint with panoramic city views
Interesting maritime museum inside
MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (10-minute walk)
Striking contemporary architecture on the waterfront
Modern art exhibitions
Beautiful building worth seeing even from outside
Pastéis de Belém (12-minute walk)
ABSOLUTELY DON'T MISS THIS! The original and most famous pastel de nata (custard tart) bakery since 1837
Uses the secret recipe from Jerónimos Monastery monks (purchased when the monastery closed in 1833)
Always crowded but absolutely worth the wait
Located at Rua de Belém 84-92
Why Visit Belém Tower?
Belém Tower is a tangible connection to one of history's most transformative eras. Built to commemorate and continue Portugal's Age of Discovery, this elegant fortress stood at the gateway where explorers departed for and returned from expeditions that changed the world forever.
The voyages that this tower celebrated and facilitated:
Established the sea route to India
Claimed Brazil for Portugal
Led to the first circumnavigation of the globe
Mapped coastlines from Africa to Asia
Changed cuisine, language, and culture worldwide
Made Lisbon the wealthiest city in Europe
Standing on Belém Tower's terrace, looking out where the Tagus meets the Atlantic, you're at the symbolic gateway to the modern globalized world. For families teaching kids about exploration, courage, and how small nations can have enormous impact through innovation and determination, there's no better classroom than this elegant fortress that has watched over Lisbon's harbor for over 500 years.
Explore More Portuguese History
Discover more of Portugal's rich heritage:
São Jorge Castle - Lisbon's medieval hilltop fortress with panoramic views and 1,000 years of history
Pena Palace in Sintra - Colorful Romanticist castle on a mountaintop (another of the Seven Wonders of Portugal)
Óbidos Castle - Medieval walled town where you can walk the ramparts (also one of the Seven Wonders)
Jerónimos Monastery - Manueline masterpiece and Vasco da Gama's tomb
For more European fortress adventures across the continent, explore our guide to Exploring the Roman Empire.
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