26 Dec
Travel Tips

How to Buy Tickets to the Tower of Belém in Lisbon

Welcome to the port of Lisbon! The first thing that arriving ships will see is the magnificent Tower of Belém.

This 35 meter high tower was built in 1521 to greet and welcome all visitors to Lisbon. As a world leading naval power at the time, Portugal wanted to make a statement with this grandiose structure.

And what a statement it is! The Tower of Belém is truly a sight to behold.

The gardens in front of the tower invite you to take a stroll, and from the 35-meter-high observation deck you can look far out over the sea. Besides, inside the tower you will find the first representation of a rhinoceros made by a European artist.

A visit to this historic site is only possible until 5:30 pm. By the way, this is the case with many Lisbon sights.

So be sure to plan your Lisbon itinerary accordingly.

Buy the ticket for Torre de Belém here, so that you don’t need to stand and wait in the line.

This ticket gives you access to Belém Tower, the Governor’s and King’s Chambers, chapel, lower and upper batteries, plus unbeatable views of the Tagus river.

You’ll get the ticket on your smartphone so that you only need to show it at the entrance or choose a printed version.

Opening times for the Belém Tower

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 09:30 – 18:00
Wednesday: 09:30 – 18:00
Thursday: 09:30 – 18:00
Friday: 09:30 – 18:00
Saturday: 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday: 09:30 – 18:00
Last admission: 30 minutes before closing

Extra tip about getting Belém tower tickets:

If you want to see the Tower Belém and more sights, then save stress and money with the popular Lisboa Card. You can choose between 24, 48 or 72 hours, and you can use public transportation as much as you want!

That includes the famous wooden tram ride 28, the elevadores like “Santa Justa elevator” and even a free train ride to Sintra and Cascais.

It includes free admission to top attractions, and further sweet discounts.

Check out our guide on how to get around Lisbon.

Background of the Tower of Belém

The Tower of Belém was commissioned by King Manuel I as a defense against enemy ships. The fortress, which still stands today, is built in the Manueline style – a unique late Gothic architecture found only in Portugal. Construction of the tower replaced an existing ship that patrolled the area to protect Lisbon’s port entrance.

Across from the tower on the other side of river Tagus, there was once another tower so that any incoming enemy ships could be caught in a crossfire. However, this second tower has not stood since 1755 when a devastating earthquake struck Lisbon. Originally, Torre de Belém sat on a small island off the right bank of the Tagus River, but over time land has risen, and now it can be reached via a small bridge. Interestingly enough, Torre de Belém is one of few structures that survived the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755.

Prison, customs station and monument

The tower was converted into a prison and customs station after Lisbon was occupied by Spanish troops in 1580. In the 1840s, the Torre de Belém was restored. Today, the tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. The southern facade is richly decorated with royal symbols and typical architectural elements of the 16th century. The best way to view the southern facade is from the terrace of the bulwark.

Visiting the Tower of Belém is one of the not to miss experiences in Lisbon.

Interior: Armory and King’s Hall

The foundation of the structure was a bulwark, used to store food and weapons. There are embrasures here too. The tower itself has four floors- on the second floor is the room of the governor, and above that is the king’s hall (which has an ornate loggia with arches and holes in its floor so that those inside could fire). On fourth floor there is a chapel. The highlight of visiting this tower: at its very top is an observation deck 35 meters high from which you can see all of Belém, Lisbon, and even Tagus River.

If you’re looking to visit one of the most important sights in Lisbon, be sure to put Tower Belém at the top of your list. And if you’re wondering how to buy tickets to the tower, we’ve got you covered.

Just head to our Tiqets website and purchase your tickets there. Easy as that!

And if you want to see more sights and use the public transport, choose the Lisboa Card, to get a great value for your trip.

And here is a detailed guide for the best sights and hidden gems in Lisbon


06 Jun
Travel Tips

How to Buy Tickets to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

The Acropolis in Athens is one of the most famous monuments in the world. It’s a universal symbol of an ancient civilization and represents immense architectural and artistic innovations created during Greek Antiquity, which happened between the 8th century BC and ended around the 6th century AD. 

As history recalls, during the second half of the 5th century BC, Athens was victorious against invasion from Persia and became the first place to establish democracy. As such, it took a leading position amongst other nations that were prominent at the time. 

Because of its massive historical and cultural significance, this is one monument that you don’t want to miss when you visit Greece. We’ll show you everything you need to know about getting Acropolis Athens tickets for your visit. 

See also: A Guide to Athens, Greece

A guide to getting tickets for the Acropolis, Athens
Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

Why should I visit the Acropolis? 

The Acropolis symbolizes Ancient Greece and its former glory, which found its prime over two millennia ago. It stands high above modern Athens and includes the Parthenon and many other ancient ruins at the site. 

When visiting, you will follow in the footsteps of ancient Greek philosophers and thinkers, such as Socrates, Pericles and Sophocles, that helped shape Western Civilization as we know it. 

Get your Acropolis Athens tickets here!

You will find all of these historical sites at the Acropolis:

  • The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
  • The Parthenon
  • The Beulé Gate
  • The Monument of Agrippa 
  • The entrance, Propylaia 
  • The Temple of Athena Nike
  • Porch of the Caryatids at the Erechtheion
  • Old Temple of Athena Polias
  • The Legendary Olive Tree of the Pandroseion
  • The Acropolis Museum 
  • The Theatre of Dionysus 

There is a reason that the Acropolis is one of the most critical sites in the Western world. You won’t want to miss out on all of these significant sites. 

Visiting the Acropolis in Athens

We will help you get most of your visit to the Acropolis. 

The Acropolis is open almost every day of the year. However, Acropolis Athens opening hours change with each season. In summer, it’s generally available from 8am to 7pm. In winter, it’s open from 9am to 5pm. Make sure to double-check the Acropolis Athens opening hours when you visit. 

You will probably spend at least two hours visiting, so make sure you leave enough time to truly enjoy your trip. Suppose you want an Athens combined ticket. In that case, you may spend even longer here to account for travel with your group and transit to your next destination.  

The best time to visit is in the late afternoon in Summer, as the sunset here is incredible with views over the city of Athens. Alternatively, you could visit in the off-season when lines are much shorter. 

You can buy Acropolis Athens tickets online or at the window upon arrival. Remember that queues at the window can be pretty long, so buying Acropolis Athens tickets online could save you some time. 

While new paving has been added around the Parthenon, you may still find some uneven areas, which could become slippery. You are advised to remain cautious of uneven surfaces when visiting. A good tip is to wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes with rubber soles. 

Drinks are not readily available, so bring along an adequate water supply, especially if you are visiting during the summer.

The Acropolis Museum has a cafe and restaurant with amazing views of the ancient ruins. The northern exit is near the neighbourhoods of Anafiotika and Pika, which have many restaurants and cafes within their winding streets. 

The main entrance is on the western side of the Acropolis. There is also a smaller entrance at the southeastern corner, mainly used for skip the line and private guided tours. 

A guide to getting tickets for the Acropolis, Athens
A guide to getting tickets for the Acropolis, Athens

Athens Acropolis tour: Which one should I choose? 

You can get many different kinds of Acropolis Athens tickets for your visit, so it would be wise to decide what you want to do before buying! 

Some of the most popular types of Acropolis tickets include:

Visiting the Acropolis in Athens as a tourist
Visiting the Acropolis in Athens as a tourist

Getting Acropolis Athens Tickets

When you’re going on an Athens Acropolis tour next time you visit Greece, ensure to get Acropolis tickets in time to enjoy the majestic beauty of the Acropolis. You do not want to miss out on the sacred Parthenon.

No matter what, you should get Acropolis Athens tickets that suit your itinerary. Some of the available options include an Athens combined ticket for the best sightseeing or Acropolis skip the line tickets for jet setters with limited time!

Remember to double-check the Acropolis Athens opening hours to ensure you get the most out of your next visit. Before you know it, you’ll be walking in the same place that Socrates walked in during the peak of the Ancient Greek era. 

We hope you enjoyed this guide on getting Acropolis Athens tickets for your next vacation.