Belém Palace, Official residence of the president in Belém district, Lisbon, Portugal
Belém Palace is a white residence in Belém district, Lisbon, Portugal, serving as the official seat of the president. The rooms cluster around two inner courtyards and open onto gardens facing the Tagus.
A merchant had the building erected in the 16th century before King John V acquired and rebuilt it in 1726. After the revolution of 1910, it became the seat of Portuguese presidents.
The west wing houses a museum where visitors see photographs and objects from the lives of Portuguese heads of state since the republic began in 1910. Foreign government gifts and personal items from former officeholders are also on display.
The palace opens on Saturdays for guided tours, while the museum is accessible Tuesday through Saturday. The gardens can be visited when the site is open.
The main entrance hall takes its name Sala das Bicas from the decorative marble work on walls and floors. The patterns were created by Italian craftsmen in the 18th century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
