Explore the icon of Portugal's Age of Discovery, a UNESCO World Heritage fortress on the Tagus River.
Buy TicketsBelém Tower (Torre de Belém) is a 16th-century fortification that served as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon and a key part of the city's defense system. This masterpiece of Manueline architecture is a must-see. Booking tickets in advance is essential, especially in peak season, due to visitor limits. For more information, check our visitors guide and the latest opening hours.


Note: Free entry is available for residents on Sundays and public holidays before 2 PM. See our free tickets page for full details.
A seamless experience from booking to visit
Book your timed-entry ticket online and avoid the long queues that form daily, especially during peak tourist season.
Receive your tickets via email moments after booking. No waiting, no uncertainty.
Simply show the QR code on your smartphone at the entrance. No need to print anything.
Our partners offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit, giving you peace of mind.
One of the tower's most curious details is a gargoyle shaped like a rhinoceros, located on the western façade. This is believed to be the first depiction of a rhino in Western European art. It commemorates an actual rhinoceros that arrived in Lisbon from India in 1515, a gift to King Manuel I.
The animal caused a sensation, as no rhino had been seen in Europe since Roman times. The king later sent it as a gift to Pope Leo X, but the ship carrying it sank en route. The story of the rhino, immortalized in stone on the tower, captures the spirit of the Age of Discovery, when exotic wonders from distant lands were first arriving on Portuguese shores.

A simple 3-step process
Choose your visit date, time slot, and the number of tickets you need. Consider a combined ticket with Jerónimos Monastery to save time and money.
Complete your purchase through our secure online payment system. You'll receive an email confirmation with your tickets instantly.
Arrive at the tower, show your mobile ticket at the entrance, and step back in time to the Age of Discovery.
Your questions about visiting Belém Tower answered