7.2.25 Belém Step Free Walk

The attractions are “over there”; between the roads where buses and trams run, and along which are most of the cafés, along with several museums and the Jardim Afonso de Albuquerque, and the waterfront, are the Avenida da India, the Cascais rail line, and the Avenida da Brasilia.

The overbridge

Crossings in Belém consist of a subway that emerges near the Padrão dos Descobrimentos, with its dark interior and uneven surface, and a footbridge that brings you close to Torre de Belém. Both these include steps. A lot of steps. Enough steps to put off anyone not totally mobile.

But all is not lost: there is a walking route that is step free. Accessing this involves alighting from the bus, or tram, going west towards Belém, at Altinho (MAAT). Just next to Restaurante O Coche (which only does lunches - see HERE).

Sharp right at the end of the bridge

Backtrack along the Rua Junqueira, cross over at the traffic lights, and head south along the Largo Marquês Angeja, moving left on to the path leading to the pedestrian overbridge. Which takes you across Avenida da Índia, the Cais do Sodré to Cascais railway line, and Avenida Brasileira.

This bridge is also known as Ponte Pedonal e de Ciclovia do MAAT, which means cyclists can use it too.


Make a sharp right at the end of the bridge, and this takes you down to road level. The path ultimately slopes gently downwards, and a sharp left at the end gives you step free access to MAAT.

There are places to sit and have a rest here; the next area with plenty of seating is near Torre de Belém. Further on, there is seating at the waterfront area by the Champlimaud Foundation.


The main benefit is that you can access MAAT, Torre de Belém, the Discoveries Monument, Champlimaud Foundation and the rest of the waterfront area without doing steps.


After passing the Champlimaud Foundation, you can return to the other side of the tracks, as it were, using the step free underpass access to Algés station. The slope is quite steep, but once again, no steps.


Underpass at Algés

After maybe stopping off in Algés for a coffee and snack, you find a major advantage in doing the step free walk in this direction - getting the 15 tram back towards central Lisbon from the outer terminus, or at the next stop, means you can pick your seat and remain comfortably seated all the way back to town.

Doing this walk the other way means cramming on to an already full tram at the Altinho/MAAT stop. That’s why it’s not recommended.

Tram 15, Buses 751, plus 714 and 727 at Altinho/MAAT.

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