Lisbon · Portugal
Monument to the Discoveries
A practical guide to the Padrão dos Descobrimentos in Belém: how to go up to the viewpoint, price and free entry with the Lisboa Card, the compass rose, who's who on the prow and the political history behind it.
Worth going up if you have the Lisboa Card, which covers it fully: from the top the compass rose reads like a map. Without the card, the exterior and the rose, which are free, tell you almost everything.
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a slab of stone and concrete on the bank of the Tagus carved like the prow of a caravel, with Henry the Navigator in front and 32 figures of Portugal’s maritime expansion behind him. At its feet is the 50-meter compass rose, and at the top, a viewpoint that takes in all of Belém.
Our experience
We got there at 12:15, walking along the Belém riverside after the Jerónimos. We went up to the viewpoint with the Lisboa Card, which covers full entry here, and from the top we looked down at the compass rose, which only makes sense from that height. From there you can also see Belém Tower to the west, which was our next stop. We gave it about 20 minutes, without the exhibition inside, and continued toward Belém Tower.
We included it because with the card it cost nothing and because the viewpoint is the best way to see the monastery, the tower and the bridge together. Our day is in Belém, the castle and fado.
A bit of history
The Padrão has two dates. The first is 1940: architect Cottinelli Telmo and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida designed it in plaster and wood for the Portuguese World Exhibition, the Estado Novo’s propaganda fair under Salazar. It was taken down in 1943. The second is August 9, 1960, when the permanent version in concrete and limestone, larger, was inaugurated for the 500th anniversary of Henry’s death. The compass rose, a gift from South Africa, was inaugurated four days earlier.
It’s a contested monument. It was commissioned by a dictatorship that was defending its African colonies at the time, and it celebrates an expansion that included the slave trade. For years people have called for a sign explaining it; as of 2026 none has been added.
What to see, in order
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The compass rose
On the ground in front of the monument: 50 meters of black, red and lioz stone, with a 14-meter world map and the dates of the voyages, from Madeira in 1419 to Japan in 1543. It was a gift from South Africa in 1960.
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Henry the Navigator at the prow
The largest figure, 9 meters tall, holding a caravel and looking west. Behind him come 32 figures in two rows climbing toward him.
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Who's who
Vasco da Gama with a sword, Cabral with the cross, Magellan with a flag, Camões with The Lusiads and the painter Nuno Gonçalves with his palette. The only woman is Philippa of Lancaster, Henry's mother, kneeling.
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The Cross of the Order of Christ
Carved on the edge of the prow: the same red cross that flew on the caravels' sails.
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The rose from above
From the viewpoint, about 52 meters up, the routes on the world map read in full. It's the photo you can't take from below.
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The panorama
The Jerónimos behind, Belém Tower to the west, the 25 de Abril bridge to the east and Cristo Rei on the far bank.
Tips we wish we’d known
Tips
- There's no "elevator only" ticket. The €10 ticket includes the viewpoint and exhibition; the €5 one is exhibition only and doesn't go up.
- Show the Lisboa Card at the desk: according to the official site, it's among the exempt categories, not a 20% discount as some old blogs say.
- It's windy at the top. Hold on to your hat and don't hold your phone out over the railing.
- Large backpacks don't go in the elevator; bring a small one.
Do
- Look for Philippa of Lancaster on the east side: her marriage to João I sealed the 1386 alliance with England, still in force.
- Walk across the compass rose and find the voyage dates.
- Look at the monument knowing who made it: it's Estado Novo propaganda, and that's part of the visit too.
Don’t
- Don't accept photos with the costumed "explorers" or tours from unlicensed guides on the compass rose.
- Don't buy souvenirs at the surrounding kiosks: they cost two or three times more than on Rua Augusta.
- Don't have lunch at the tourist-menu restaurants on the streets behind.
- Don't come on a Sunday before 14:00: Lisbon residents get in free and the elevator line gets long.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Lisboa Card include the Padrão dos Descobrimentos?
Yes. The official tickets page lists Lisboa Card holders among those exempt from payment. We went up with it.
How much does it cost to go up the Padrão dos Descobrimentos?
€10 for adults in 2026, with viewpoint, exhibition and film. Seniors 65+ who don't live in Lisbon, €8.50; youth 13 to 25, €5; under 6, free.
Is it worth going up?
If you have the Lisboa Card, yes: the view of the compass rose and all of Belém is the best part. If you're paying €10, the exterior and the rose, which are free, tell much of the story.
How much time should you give it?
About 20 to 25 minutes for the rose, the figures and the viewpoint. With the exhibition, 45.
What are the hours?
From March to September, 10:00 to 19:00, last entry at 18:30. It only closes on Mondays from October to February.