Lisbon River Cruise

Set on the waterfront, beautiful Belém is a symbol of Lisbon’s seafaring past, once home to Lisbon’s shipyards and docks. It was from here that 15th-century voyages launched, blazing a trail of discovery across oceans to India, East Africa and Brazil.

On your private half-day tour, you will: 

• Travel by train from central Lisbon to Belém with your tour guide, the fastest way to reach Belém;
• See some of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks such as the Belém tower and Jerónimos Monastery; 
• Learn of Portugal's rich Naval history and its Age of Discovery that saw it create new trade routes to Asia in the 15th century;
• Enjoy a guided tour of Jerónimos Monastery Cloister (tickets included), a prime example of Manueline architecture, combining Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance styles, that took almost 100 years to build; 
• See the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument that celebrates 15th and 16th-century Portuguese explorers and visionaries;
• End your walk in Belém at the UNESCO-listed Torre de Belém, built in the early 1500s as a defence tower turned lighthouse and later a customs centre; 
• Return to central Lisbon with a relaxing boat trip along the Tagus river - see the 25th of April bridge and the Cristo Rei statue - accompanied by your tour guide.

Belém is the perfect place to learn about Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery, where the 15th-century explorers set sail to discover new worlds. Today their voyages are commemorated by the sail-shaped Discoveries Monument.

These discoveries gave rise to incredible wealth from Portugal’s new colonies, which funded Belém’s grand buildings, parks and leafy plazas. Take in views of the 17th century Belém Palace, home to the Portuguese Royal Family for centuries and a prime example of English Baroque design.

Belém is famed for its remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the 16th-century Torre de Belém, a thin, stone tower that has become one of Portugal’s most photographed monuments.

The gothic Jerónimos Monastery also claims UNESCO credentials, with its stunning Manueline architecture.

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon is built upon seven hills known as the seven giants — São Jorge, São Vicente, São Roque, Santo André, Santa Catarina, Chagas e Sant'Ana — all of them visible when arriving in Lisbon by the river. This private walking tour of Lisbon & Belém will take you through the city, past its iconic landmarks, castles, and gardens and will include a River Cruise to boot.

On your private tour, you will:

• Enjoy an all-inclusive and fully guided private tour with an expert, licensed guide;
• Enjoy a tour of Lisbon Castle, and enjoy the spectacular views over the city (tickets included);
• See the top sites of the city centre, from the city's highest viewpoint to the waterfront pier in the historic commercial centre;
• Brief stop at Sé Cathedral, often just known as Sé—one of the city’s oldest and most well-known sites, which has withstood several natural disasters, including the 9.0 earthquake of 1755;
• Walk down streets lined with artisanal shops and learn about the craft of the colourful Portuguese azulejo tiles;
• Enjoy time in the old harbour and Praça do Comércio, where the royal palace stood for over two hundred years until 1755 and one of the city’s most recognisable squares;
• Learn of Portugal's rich Naval history and its age of world exploration in the Belem neighbourhood;
• See the UNESCO-listed Torre de Belém and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (from the outside);
• Enjoy a fully guided tour of Jerónimos Monastery Church and Cloister (tickets included);
• Enjoy a Cruise along the Tagus River - see the 25th of April bridge and the Cristo Rei statue - accompanied by your tour guide (tickets included)

From the imposing São Jorge Castle, the view encompasses the old city’s faded pastel-coloured buildings, Tagus Estuary and Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. Arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Lisbon is a city of colourful balconies and views, trams and cobbled streets. Belém is a laid-back area of Lisbon on the Tagus River, known for its colourful houses and breathtaking landmarks that recall Lisbon’s seafaring history, like the 16th-century Tower of Belém. Your tour will end after the cruise back to central Lisbon.