Belém Palace

Palace Official presidential residence and 18th-century palace

In Lisbon’s Belém district, Belém Palace serves as the presidential residence; tourists photograph the façade, walk its formal gardens and visit nearby Jerónimos Monastery and the riverside.

Main image

Belém Palace is the official residence and workplace of the President of the Portuguese Republic, located in the Belém district of Lisbon. It has been the seat of the presidency since the republican revolution of 1910.

The palace complex includes formal state rooms used for official ceremonies and reception, plus enclosed gardens and courtyards that can be viewed from public areas. Public access to interior state rooms is limited and normally arranged around official events or guided visits; the surrounding Belém area contains several major monuments and museums.

The ensemble evolved from an ancien regime metropolitan palace and was adapted over time for state use; following the 1910 revolution it became the official presidential residence. Architectural changes and interior refits reflect its transition from private noble residence to the modern functions of a head-of-state residence.

Belém Palace stands on the western bank of the Tagus River in the Belém quarter of Lisbon, within walking distance of the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém. It is in the western part of the city, a short drive or tram ride from central Lisbon.

  • Official residence: Has served as the official residence of Portugal's head of state since the establishment of the republic in 1910.
  • Proximity to other monuments: Located within the Belém district close to other monuments such as the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém, making it easy to combine with nearby sites.

What to See #

  • State rooms and offices: Contains the presidential offices and state reception rooms used for official ceremonies and visits.
  • Palace gardens: Surrounding formal gardens and courtyards that are visible from public areas and from nearby streets in Belém.
Belém Palace
Praça Afonso de Albuquerque, 2, 1400-031 Lisboa, Lisbon District, Portugal
38.6980, -9.2006
Exterior grounds always visible; official tours by reservation (varies)
Guided tours to some state rooms when available; main palace not generally open for casual visits

How to Get to Belém Palace #

Belém is about 6-7 km west of Lisbon city center. Take tram 15 or buses from Cais do Sodré, or the Cascais suburban train to Belém station and walk a short distance to the palace.

Tips for Visiting Belém Palace #

  • If interested in visiting the presidential reception rooms check the schedule - tours are offered on limited dates and must often be reserved in advance.
  • Stroll the Belém district afterward: the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém are immediately nearby and make a full afternoon of monuments.
  • Photography inside may be restricted during official events; exterior shots of the palace and its gardens are excellent.

Best Time to Visit Belém Palace #

Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for exploring the Belém riverside and monuments.

Spring-Autumn
Mar-Oct · 12-28°C
Pleasant for walking the riverside and visiting nearby monuments.
Winter
Nov-Feb · 8-15°C
Mild winters make Lisbon year-round friendly but with more local character and fewer tourists.

Weather & Climate near Belém Palace #

Climate

Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (679 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 37 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
15°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.6h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
11° 18°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
12° 19°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
14° 21°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.1h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.

90 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
16° 24°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
14.6h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 6 mm.

94 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 26°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
14.4h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 27°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.5h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall.

92 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 25°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
15° 22°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
12° 18°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (112 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 16°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

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