🏛️LandmarkOpen now · Closes 7:00 PMFree

Monument to the Discoveries

Name: Monument to the Discoveries
Rating: 4.6

4.6 ·

Stand at the foot of the Monument to the Discoveries, where Portugal's seafaring story is carved in stone. Spend about 20 minutes circling the sculpted explorers and crossing the vast compass-patterned plaza by the river.

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Full description

Built in 1940 and made permanent in 1960 to mark 500 years since the death of Henry the Navigator, the Monument to the Discoveries rises from the Belém waterfront like the prow of a ship. Sculpted explorers, navigators and patrons line its ramp-like sides, with Henry leading the way.

The open plaza in front is paved with a large compass-style map, which reviewers compare to a giant chessboard and which gives a real sense of the monument's scale. It is free to see from outside, sits right on the river, and works well as a quick, photogenic stop within a Belém walk.

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Address

Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal · Lisboa

Website

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Hours

🎫

Booking

Walk-in

Duration

20 min

Best time

morning, afternoon or early evening

Intensity

Easy pace

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Good to know

Walk onto the paved plaza to get a sense of the monument's scale and the map design
go in the morning or early evening for softer light on the river
combine it with other Belém sights on the same stroll.

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Reviews

Feels like stepping onto a giant chessboard! 🏁The scale of this place hits differently when you are standing right in the middle of the plaza. Beautifully maintained, right on the water, and perfectly placed next to the river walk. It's an easy, essential walk-by spot if you are already in Belém grab a pastry nearby…

Spirited Away

2/5

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