An authorized Portuguese guide will show the inside of the unique architecture, with famous tombs, and the stories of explorers, authors and warriors and rebels associated with these UNESCO World Heritage Monuments. Join us for this exciting exploration of Lisbon’s most majestic location, and enjoy the rich history of the city’s most famous personalities.
The Belém Tower was built in 1515 as a gateway to Lisbon and as part of a defensive entrance to the Tagus River. Once inside we reveal secrets, mysterious symbols and strange stories on each level of the tower before reaching the views from the terrace.
A short walk away is the is the Discoveries Monument, built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator and the location where Vasco de Gama would have departed from.
Then we visit the magnificent S. Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos), one of the most prominent monuments in Lisbon. Besides containing the tombs of numerous historical figures like Vasco da Gama, Maria of Aragon, Queen Catherine of Hapsburg and poet Luís de Camões, this vast Manueline style structure also contains the national archeological and Maritime museums with world-class exhibitions.
At the end of the tour we skip the line at Lisbon's famous pastry shop "Pastéis de Belém", to have fresh baked custard pastries that are world renowned.
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why do we use a dedicated driver and a separate guide?
We provide a luxury modern vehicle with heat and air conditioning, a driver, and an official guide who can take guests inside the monuments of Belem. Unlike budget tour operators, our guides won’t leave you to wander the interior of the vast Monastery on your own with no explanations of what you are seeing. Many budget tours of Belem have the guide double duty as the driver. This is something we would never do, and you will have a dedicated driver for 3 reasons.
starting at €286 total, not per person
4-hour private driving & walking • skip ticket lines • our guides go inside the monuments with you • reservations required
the west side sights of lisbon and famous pastries
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ADD SERVICES
We are happy to make sure guests have an opportunity to taste the famous Pastéis de Belém pastries without waiting in line.
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INCLUDED
Skip the ticket line with an official tour guide.
Round-trip transfer in a luxury vehicle with a dedicated driver at all times.
Authorization to enter sights.
VAT tax.
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WALKING LEVEL
85% level ground, 3% upstairs and incline, 2% in vehicle.
No elevators available.
Some cobblestones on tour route. Many places to sit along the route.
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INFORMATION
Wear comfortable athletic shoes. Bring windbreakers or umbrellas.
There are stops for clean restrooms, and food & beverage breaks if needed.
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MEETING POINT
Hotel, apartment, or ship dock.
Meetings at hotels or apartments located outside of Lisbon can effect tour price because of fuel and time expenses.
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START TIMES
Tuesday to Sunday, year round.
Morning: 9:00am, or 9:30am
Afternoon: 2:00pm
Custom start times subject to guide availability.
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TICKET FEES
Entry fees vary by season and age, but average a total of €13 per person for all the sights that we visit.
Children under 12 years are not required to pay entry fees.
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EXCLUDED
Ticket fees are additional.
Food and beverages.
Audio headsets required for parties of 6 or more. Price €1.50 per person.
major highlights
important details
closures
• S. Jerónimos Monastery: Exuberant Portuguese, “Manueline-style” architecture
• Church of Santa Maria: A stunning ceiling, over the tomb of Vasco da Gama and kings
• Belém Tower: A formidable customs house, prison and sea gate to Lisbon
• Discoveries Monument: Departure point to explore and trade with India and the Orient
• Pastéis de Belém: World famous custard tarts warm from the oven...we skip the line
• Many more hidden places full of adventure and secrets that we don’t like to advertise
• Much, much more
Beware of budget tours
We use authorized guides, and you will skip ticket lines. Many budget tour operators do not take their guests inside the monuments, because they do not have authorization as guides, and they cannot skip the ticket lines. They will simply park outside and wait while guests wonder the inside the sights on their own.
Mondays
January 1
Easter Sunday
May 1
December 25 and 31
1. We don't want guests to wait for a guide to find a parking place before they lead guests inside the monuments. Parking
can be hectic and there are often waits during the high season.
2. We don’t want our licensed and insured drivers to be distracted by conversation. Because Portugal has the highest
accident fatality ratio per capita in the EU. It is very important that we keep our guests safe on the narrow mountain
coastal roads, while our guides explain the sights, culture and landscape.
3. The weather conditions in the Atlantic mountains makes a very unpredictable micro-climate. The temps can
change very quickly with rain, wind, fog, or hail. We like our guests to have the convenience of leaving their unused
personal items, packs, coats, or umbrellas inside of the vehicle with the driver monitoring it all times. Vehicle burglaries
are common in the parking lots of monuments in Portugal.
