Standing on a small island just off the shore in the Tagos River, Belem Tower (Torre de Belém, in Portuguese) is a remnant from a bygone age when Portugal’s ships ruled the waves. It is one of Portugal’s iconic landmarks, and you’ll see it represented everywhere from t-shirts in the souvenir shops to the ornate stained glass windows at Pena Palace in Sintra.
The tower has surprising decorative flourish–it was, after all, the gateway to the vast Portuguese empire. But its thick limestone bricks are impressively solid, in keeping with its primary purpose. It was part of a defensive net to protect Lisbon Harbor, the hub of Portugal’s trading and naval empire. The tower, above all, served as a fort, lookout, and platform for dozens of heavy-duty cannons pointed out over the Tagus.
It was built during Portugal’s golden age of discovery, from 1514 to 1520. It was a period when Portuguese mariners like Vasco da Gama were mapping the coasts of Africa and India and establishing a decades-long Portuguese monopoly of those trade routes, often with brutal methods.
Photos of Belem Tower
This 1:50 model sits on the shore nearby and is designed to aid the visually impaired.
I have more photos of Belem Tower here.
What to Know Before You Go
Paired with the Jerónimos Monastery, Belem Tower was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1983. It’s very easy to see from the shore, and when it’s open during the day you can walk the short wooden bridge for a tour.
Where to Next?
Travel Advice for Portugal
You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Portugal (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.
The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Portugal here and the Australian Government's here.
Health & Vaccinations
The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Portugal here.
Guidebooks for Portugal
If you're looking for a guidebook to make the most of your visit, these are some of the most popular ones currently for Portugal. Some are available in both paper and e-book formats.
- Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Lonely Planet (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- DK Eyewitness (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Steves, Rick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Travel Insurance For Your Trip to Portugal
I never travel without travel insurance, and I've run into several situations where I've had to make claims. I consider it essential.
But shopping for travel insurance can be a pain and confusing. Thankfully, there are some travel insurance comparison sites that show you a wide range of plans, make it easy to compare coverage, and can save you money at the same time. And the coverage can be much better tailored to your specific needs than the checkbox offering at travel booking sites or through your credit card.
These are some good places to shop for travel insurance for your next trip to Portugal :
Hopefully, you won't need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll sure be glad you have it!
