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Free Walking Tours in Belém

Updated: October 12, 2021

This post lists several free walking tours of Belém, a historic district of Lisbon in Portugal that is west of the main city centre and right on the Tagus River where it opens up into the Atlantic Ocean.

Thanks to its location, there is no shortage of delicious seafood or important historical attractions. 

If you take a tour of Belém, you'll learn a lot about the city's maritime history and how Belém's port ushered in the Age of Discovery.

You'll also see the Tower of Belém, the massive Discoveries Monument, and the impressive Jerónimos Monastery.

 

 

This district is also where you'll find the Pastéis de Belém, a patisserie famous for the creation of Portugal's favorite custard cream tarts, traditionally sprinkled with cinnamon.

Each tour will stop to give you the opportunity to try one!

You can learn more about the top sights you will see on a tour in our things to do see in Belém post.


Sights and Topics Covered on Most Tours:

  • The Great Age of Discoveries
  • Afonso de Albuquerque Square and Garden
  • National Palace of Belém
  • The Marquis of Pombal and the Távoras Massacre
  • Jerónimos Monastery and Henry the Navigator
  • Imperial Gardens of Belém
  • Monument to the Discoveries: Padrão dos Descobrimentos
  • Compass Rose and Mappa Mundi: Rosa dos Ventos
  • Gardens of the Tower of Belém
  • Tower of Belém
  • Bom Sucesso Fort
  • Custard Tarts: Pastéis of Belém
  • and so much more

TIP: If you're looking for tours that include more of Lisbon than this specific district, we have a full free walking tours post for Lisbon

 


FREE WALKING TOURS OF BELEM

Here are the pay-what-you-like walking tours that cover Belém. Most start in the city center and take the train to Belém but you can also meet your guide in Belém.

 

 


Take Lisboa Tours

Take Lisboa Tours offers a free tour of Belém that explains just how historically significant this district became during the Discovery Age.

You'll also see the beautiful Gothic architecture, colorfully-tiled houses, the National Palace of Belém, Imperial Gardens, Bom Sucesso Fort, and more.

  • Tour Times:
    • 10:00 am (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
    • 16:00 (4 pm) (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
  • Language: English
  • Tour Length: 2.5 hours
  • Book the tour here.

Hi Lisbon Tours

This company offers essentially the same tour as Take Lisboa. They do not offer an afternoon tour but with the exception of Mondays, their morning tour runs daily at 10:30. 

  • Tour Times:
    • 10:30 am (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, + Sundays)
  • Language: English
  • Tour Length: 2.5 hours
  • Book the tour here.

Discover Walks

Discover Walks runs a daily Belém tour called, "When Lisbon Ruled the World."

History buffs will love learning about Portugal's part in the Age of Discovery and seeing, among other sites, the Monument to the Discoveries that commemorates over 600 years of sailing history.

  • Tour Times: Daily at 11:00 am
  • Language: English
  • Tour Length: 1.5 hours

Blue Emotion

Blue Emotion runs a free tour through Belém to teach visitors about the Portuguese Empire during the Age of Discoveries. You'll also learn about Europe's first rhinoceros, Belém Palace, and UNESCO site Jerónimos Monastery.

  • Tour Times: Thursday through Monday at 10:30 am
  • Language: English
  • Tour Length: 2.5 - 3 hours
  • Book this tour here.

 


OTHER TOURS OF BELEM

If you're looking for something a little different, there are other ways to see Belém!

Popular tours include cruises on the Tagus River (with some offered at sunset with drinks), hop-on-hop-off bus tours, and bike tours.

 

About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: October 12th, 2021
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