Portugal’s imperial neighborhood.
Lisbon’s Belém neighborhood features some of Portugal’s most famous monuments. But many of these striking structures were funded by, participated in, or were built to commemorate the Portuguese Empire.
The Portuguese Empire was the first of the modern European colonial empires, and a visit to Belém is the perfect opportunity to unpack the complex histories and modern impacts of Portuguese colonialism.
Please Note: Our Portuguese Empire Tour of Belém features frank discussions of the Portuguese Empire including topics such as slavery; the damage colonialism did around the world, and the moral and ethical complexities of commemorating European Empires.
Tour highlights.
- Travel to Belém on one of Lisbon’s trams, busses, or famous electric trolleys.
- Visit the Monument to the Discoveries, a modern celebration of the Portuguese “Age of Discovery.”
- Sample Belém’s world-famous pastries, the pastel de Belém, the original Portuguese custard tart.
- Tour the world-famous Jerónimos Monastery, which houses the tomb of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.
- Visit the Tower of Belém, the gateway to Lisbon from which Portuguese explorers and colonizers departed.*
- Enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch.
- Tour the National Museum of Ancient Art, to learn more about the peoples affected by the Portuguese Empire.
- Note: Due to excessive wait times, this tour views the Tower of Belém from the exterior and does not go inside.
Includes.
- Belém Portuguese Empire Tour length: 7 hours (including transportation to and from Lisbon city center).
- A private fully-guided tour by a professional historian.
- Travel to and from Belém from the Lisbon city center on public transportation.
- Entry tickets for all sites.
- Pastries from the famous patisserie Pasteis de Belém.
- Lunch at a traditional Portuguese restaurant.
Price.
| People | Cost |
| 1 | €520 / $575 |
| 2 | €610 / $680 |
| 3 | €700 / 785 |
| 4 | €790 / $890 |
| 5 | €880 / $995 |
| 6 | €970 / $1100 |
| 7 | €1060 / $1205 |
| 8+ | Contact Us |
Accessibility.
Belém can be challenging for people with mobility accessibility needs. We’re more than happy to tailor our tours. Click here for more information.
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