Members of AGIC – Associação Portuguesa dos Guias-Intérpretes e Correios de Turismo

The Legacy of the Estado Novo in Belém Quarter

120 EURO
Do you know that Belém has been completely changed in 1940, when a big exhibition took place here? Visit the Tropical Botanical Garden and taste the famous “Pastel de Belém”.

1940 was a year of great celebrations in Portugal and, particularly, in Lisbon with the Exhibition of the Portuguese World, which completely altered the Bairro de Belém, giving it many of the elements that are still remarkable in its landscape today.
With this tour we intend to present the legacy left by the “Estado Novo” in this neighbourhood, which has become one of the most important tourist areas in the capital. For two hours we will have the opportunity to know an important moment in the history of this country and the profound urban transformations introduced in this beautiful area. Next to the Tagus River, just before it flows into the sea and in the precise place where the Portuguese maritime epic began, we find the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, which will be our meeting point. There, we will start a trail that will take us to the fantastic Tropical Botanical Garden (entrance not included), which, in addition to its importance in botanical terms, was also one of the main centers of the exhibition.
We would like you to accompany us to discover interesting details, small stories from the history of a time so marked by the ideology and architecture of the “Estado Novo”. Come and discover a little bit of Portugal!

This tour in other languages

Tour availability upon request

Price: 120 €. Extra adults 1O euros/children 5 euros (from 4 to 10 years old)
Meet Your guide: To be announced after payment
Duration: 3 hours
Dificulty: 2 (60 steps)
Inclusions: Tour includes certified guide and 1 "pastel de Belém
Exclusions: Tour does not include: ticket to the Tropical Botanical Garden, transportation
Please Note :Tour runs every day but requires prior booking. We reserve the right to cancel the tour due to adverse weather conditions or some unforeseen setback that prevents its realization. In this situation, the total price of the ticket will be refunded. Payment: must be done by bank transfer at least 48h before the tour

Level 1 – Easy

Flat terrain without obstacles. Wheelchair accessible. Duration 2h

Level 2 – Easy to Moderate

Mainly flat terrain (about 70% flat), gentle climbs and descents. Some steps. Wheelchair accessible only with the help of a third party. Duration is around 2 to 3 hours.

Level 3 – Moderate

Terrain about 40 to 60% flat. Moderate climbs and descents. Steps. not wheelchair accessible. Duration 3 hours 

Level 4 – Demanding

 Terrain about 20% to 40% flat. Some steep climbs and descends. Steps and uneven surfaces. Recommend for fit travelers. Duration between 3 to 5 hours.

Level 5 – Difficult 

Rolling and often steep terrain, 10 to 20% flat terrain. Uneven surfaces. Recommended for travelers used to hiking tours in nature. 

Photo Gallery

Meet your Guide

Ilídia Carvalho EN