1-Day Itinerary – How to Spend the Day in Belém
Article updated July 2025. This post includes affiliate links.
Belém is one of the most beautiful and most visited neighbourhoods in Lisbon. It is a home to popular attractions, great restaurants and picturesque streets to explore.
Read on to learn how to spend the best day in Belém, Lisbon.
How to get to Belém?
Getting here is very easy. Belém is located on the west side of Lisbon and it’s only 15-20 minutes away by route 15 from Praça do Comércio. Once there, most of the attractions are walking distance from each other, but you’ll definitely save some time by using public transit.
Keep in mind that many attractions in Lisbon are closed on Mondays.
How much time do you need to visit Belém?
I very much recommend taking a whole day to explore this area, as there are many beautiful places to see. Make sure to start early in the morning, especially if you’re visiting during the peak tourist time, because Belém will be your most crowded destination.
Each attraction is situated in a lovely area, therefore I recommend allocating some extra time to explore around it. You can expect the day to last from around 9am to 6pm, depending on your pace. Keep in mind that most attractions close between 5-6pm.
How to use this itinerary?
The itinerary will work best if attractions are visited in the order stated in this post. Try to spend max. 1-2 hours at each place, starting early in the morning.
I designed this schedule for the best time efficiency. It will be a long day, but you won’t miss any of the best attractions. Furthermore, if you purchased the Lisboa Card, then this plan will be amazing for optimizing your time and savings.
You can purchase the card online through all major ticket sellers, such as Tiqets or Get Your Guide.
Belém Tower
Belém Tower, known in Portuguese as Torre de Belém, is a monument built on the shores of the Tagus river between 1515 and 1521. Its main purpose was to act as a defence against attacks, mostly to protect the Jeronimos Monastery, since the river was often used as the first point of invasion.
This attraction is situated in the most wonderful area, right by the river and around lush greenery. It’s definitely one of the prettiest sights you will find in Lisbon.
The whole building is beautifully decorated with arched windows, balconies, renaissance-style loggia and engraved stone walls. The tower is 35m tall and you have full access to all three terraces through a spiral staircase to see the view. Each floor has something different to offer – The Governor’s Hall, The Kings’ Hall, the Audience Hall, the Chapel, and the Roof terrace.
One thing worth mentioning is that a talented violinist is usually stationed right outside the Belém Tower. This makes it for an amazing atmosphere to just sit on the steps, listen to the music and relax.
Read a full guide about visiting Belém Tower.
Purchase through: Tiqets | Get Your Guide
Jerónimos Monastery
Jerónimos Monastery, known in Portuguese as Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome. Its construction began in 1501 and was completed about 100 years later. The whole complex consists of two parts: the cloister and the Church of Santa Maria.
This will be one of the most impressive buildings you’ll see in Lisbon. When entering the church you will be greeted by its exquisite vastness. Its incredibly tall vaulted ceiling is held by six beautifully sculpted columns. On two different sides you will find tombs of Vasco da Gama, Luís de Camões, King Manuel I and King João III.
The two-storey cloister is also remarkable with its decorated stone carvings and arches. The most detailed ornamentations are found on the lower level, which gives an opportunity for some great photos. The cloister houses a tomb of Fernando Pessoa, a Portuguese writer and poet.
Read a full guide about visiting Jerónimos Monastery.
Purchase through: Tiqets | Get Your Guide
Lunch – Pastéis de Belém
I recommend going to Pastéis de Belém for lunch, which is located only a quick walk from Jerónimos Monastery. It is one of the most popular spots in Lisbon because of their delicious pastries. I thought it would be very crowded and hard to get a table during a peak time, however the place is huge and able to accommodate many people. I only waited less than 10 minutes to sit down.
Service is a little slow, but food is delicious and very affordable! I went for a simple sandwich and a tart which cost me only 6 Euro. On your way out make sure to stop by and watch how they make their renowned pastries! There are glass windows in the rooms they are produced, so you can have a quick look at the process.
National Coach Museum
National Coach Museum, known in Portuguese as Museu Nacional dos Coches, is a museum showcasing one of the finest collections of horse-drawn carriages from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It is one of the most visited museums in Portugal.
You will have a chance to see an extensive collection of coaches, carriages, berlins, sedan chairs, and even children sized vehicles, belonging to the Portuguese royal family and nobility between the 17-19th centuries.
The styles of the carriages differ immensely from each other depending on the time period and location they were made in. There are some from Italy, Portugal, France, Spain, Austria and England.
One of the biggest highlights of the museum are horse-drawn carriages that belonged to Philip II of Spain, which are the oldest in the collection.
Read a full guide about visiting the National Coach Museum.
Purchase through: Viator | Tiqets | Get Your Guide
Royal Treasure Museum
Royal Treasure Museum, known in Portuguese as Museu Tesouro Real, is a museum displaying the permanent collection of former assets of the Portuguese Royal Family. It is located in the Ajuda National Palace.
The museum has 11 exhibition areas on 3 floors, which include: Gold and Diamonds from Brazil, Coins and Medals from the Crown, Jewels, Orders of Knighthood and Orders of Merit, Royal Insignia, The Crown’s Silver, Private Collections, Diplomatic Gifts, The Royal Chapel, Royal Table and The Treasure’s Travel.
Some of the favourite highlights are the world’s second biggest gold nugget, the only complete Germain’s sterling serving set in the world, and golden roses offered by Pope Gregory XVI in 1842, blessed by popes every year.
Read a full guide about visiting the Royal Treasure Museum.
Purchase through: Viator | Tiqets | Get Your Guide
Ajuda National Palace
Ajuda National Palace, known in Portuguese as Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, is a former royal palace built in the 19th century. It proudly preserves the original decor of the rooms, as well as showcases valuable art collections, such as paintings, sculptures, jewellery, silverware, textiles and more.
Plainly said – this will be one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see! Throughout your tour you will be entering from one room to the other, moving in one direction on two floors.
There are many rooms in the palace. Each time I thought I’ve seen something amazing I would walk into the next room and see something even more spectacular. It was a never-ending excitement and surprise, and I totally lost count of how many beautiful rooms I’ve got a chance to see.
Aside from the beauty of it, the feel of the fully original arrangement preserved here is hard to explain. It definitely makes you feel a certain way knowing that everything you’re looking at had stood in the same spot for over 100 years without major alterations. This place definitely has a soul.
Some of the highlights you’ll see at the palace are the Audience Room, the Throne Room and the Banquet Room. As much as I loved these grand rooms, I also appreciated the smaller themed rooms, such as the Green Room or the Pink Room – all so well curated and interesting.
Read a full guide about visiting Ajuda National Palace.
Purchase through: Viator | Tiqets | Get Your Guide
Do you want to learn more about visiting Lisbon? Check out the resources below.
Attractions:
- Jerónimos Monastery
- National Coach Museum
- Royal Treasure Museum
- Ajuda National Palace
- Belém Tower
- São Jorge Castle
- National Tile Museum
- Top 5 Must-See Attractions in Lisbon
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