Belém Tower

Description

Belém Tower or Torre de Belém, located on the banks of Portugal’s Tagus River in Lisbon was built during the 16th century to guard the entrance of the harbor and as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. The much-photographed fortified tower is also a symbol of the Age of Discovery and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic landmark is one of Lisbon’s finest tourist attractions and is an absolute must-visit. While the Manueline style tower’s interior is interesting, its exterior; with maritime motifs, battlements, Moorish-style watchtowers, a draw bridge and more, is what makes it even more popular. Inside, visitors can climb to the top of the tower via a steep spiral staircase for incredible views of Belem's waterfront esplanade and the river. The tower is accessed by a narrow walkway from the waterfront esplanade.

Ticket Price

€6

Opening Hour

October to May: 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., last entry at 5.00 p.m. May to September: 10.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., last entry at 6.00 p.m. Closed on Mondays

Recommended Visit Duration

Around 1 hour or more

Suitable For

Adults, senior visitors, young adults, families, children

Must See

The tower’s exterior, the view from the top

Prayer Facilities

While Muslims visiting Belém Tower will not be able to find prayer facilities at the attraction, there are numerous mosques and Islamic Centers in the city of Lisbon. The Central Mosque of Lisbon is the main mosque in the city. Other mosques include Mesquita Aicha Siddika de Odivelas, Mesquita Benformoso and Masjid Baitul Mukarram.

Halal Food

Finding a Halal restaurant in the city of Lisbon will not prove to be a problem at all, since the city is home to a sizeable population of Muslims. These dining establishments serve a variety of cuisines ranging from traditional Portuguese to Indian, Turkish and Moroccan. Muslim tourists must however be aware that some of these outlets will only be partially Halal and some will serve alcohol.