Guide to Route 79B: from Algés to Caselas, a circuit through Belém, Restelo and Lisbon’s major landmarks

Guide to Route 79B: from Algés to Caselas, a circuit through Belém, Restelo and Lisbon’s major landmarks

Route 79B connects Algés with the Caselas circuit along a route that crosses some of the most monumental, cultural and pleasant areas of western Lisbon.

The itinerary begins in Algés and heads toward Belém through the Restelo area, passing residential streets, healthcare facilities and military institutions before reaching Avenida da Índia and the monumental axis of Praça do Império. It is on this stretch that the journey takes on a strong tourist focus, with access to the Centro Cultural de Belém, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and gardens facing the Tagus.

After crossing Belém’s historic area, the bus climbs toward Calçada do Galvão, Igreja da Memória and Restelo’s residential areas, continuing through Caselas and along Estrada de Queluz. The result is a circuit combining heritage, museums, traditional cafés, green spaces and Lisbon’s riverside landscape.

Attention: the distances indicated are approximate and were estimated from the coordinates provided for the route and the locations of the establishments and attractions. The available data records 30 outbound departures on weekdays and 18 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. No return departures were provided; frequency, fare and operator should be confirmed before traveling.

Centro Cultural de Belém and MAC/CCB

Centro Cultural de Belém is one of the route’s main cultural stops. Located in Praça do Império, the complex brings together performance halls, exhibitions, educational activities, outdoor spaces, shops and dining options, serving as a meeting point between contemporary architecture and Belém’s historic ensemble.

MAC/CCB, dedicated to modern and contemporary art, operates in the same space. Its program includes permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as concerts, theater, dance, cinema, conferences and family activities. It is a versatile choice for anyone who wants to turn a bus journey into a complete cultural outing.

• 📍 Location: Praça do Império, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Centro Cultural Belém; approximately 100 to 250 meters.
• 🏷️ Category: Culture, exhibitions, performances and leisure.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: it brings together a museum, artistic programming, striking architecture, gardens and restaurants in a single complex.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is the major historic landmark on the central stretch of Route 79B. Classified as a National Monument and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the complex is known for its Manueline architecture, cloister and church, which contains important references to Portuguese history.

The stop with the same name leaves visitors practically in the heart of Belém’s monumental axis. The visit can be combined with Jardim da Praça do Império, Museu de Marinha, Centro Cultural de Belém and the traditional cafés on Rua de Belém, creating a comfortable itinerary for a full day.

• 📍 Location: Praça do Império, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Mosteiro Jerónimos; approximately 50 to 150 meters.
• 🏷️ Category: Historic heritage and tourist attraction.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: it is one of the most important examples of Manueline architecture and one of Lisbon’s most emblematic monuments.

Jardim da Praça do Império

Between Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Centro Cultural de Belém, Jardim da Praça do Império offers an outdoor break amid the western area’s main tourist complex. The space was created for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition and retains a geometric design marked by fountains, flowerbeds, trees and Portuguese pavement elements.

The garden underwent improvements that expanded the green areas and strengthened the visual relationship with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. It is a good option for resting between visits, taking photographs or beginning a walk toward the river, Padrão dos Descobrimentos and Torre de Belém.

• 📍 Location: Praça do Império, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Centro Cultural Belém or Mosteiro Jerónimos; approximately 100 to 250 meters.
• 🏷️ Category: Garden, urban park and leisure.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: it combines resting areas, historic design, Portuguese pavement and views of a unique monumental ensemble.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

On the banks of the Tagus, Padrão dos Descobrimentos is one of Belém’s most recognizable images. The monument represents a stylized caravel led by Infante D. Henrique and houses exhibition rooms, an auditorium and a viewpoint from which it is possible to see Praça do Império, the river and the waterfront.

Access is via the underground passage next to CCB and Jardim da Praça do Império. Therefore, although there is no stop bearing the monument’s name, the site remains one of the most convenient attractions for those getting off along the Centro Cultural Belém–Mosteiro Jerónimos axis.

• 📍 Location: Avenida Brasília, next to Doca de Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Mosteiro Jerónimos or Centro Cultural Belém; approximately 350 to 600 meters.
• 🏷️ Category: Monument, exhibition and viewpoint.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: it offers a monumental interpretation of Portuguese maritime history and an elevated view of the riverside area.

Torre de Belém

Continuing toward the Av. Torre Belém stop, passengers reach one of Lisbon’s most important tourist landmarks. Built between 1514 and 1519, Torre de Belém combines defensive functions with Manueline decoration and is associated with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the history of Portuguese voyages.

The tower stands beside the river, in a pleasant area for walking, taking photographs and observing the Tagus landscape. According to official information, the monument began receiving visitors again in 2026 after conservation work and adopted a visiting model with access organized by time slots.

• 📍 Location: Avenida Brasília, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Av. Torre Belém; approximately 350 to 600 meters.
• 🏷️ Category: Historic heritage and tourist attraction.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: it is an internationally recognized symbol of Lisbon and one of the best points along the route for appreciating the relationship between the city and the Tagus.

Pastéis de Belém

On Rua de Belém, a few minutes’ walk from the Mosteiro Jerónimos stop, the Pastéis de Belém pastry shop is one of the city’s most traditional culinary stops. The establishment is known for producing the custard pastries associated with the name Belém and maintains spacious dining rooms, historic décor and service aimed both at eating on-site and taking away.

The address is especially convenient to combine with the monastery, Jardim da Praça do Império and Museu de Marinha. During busier periods, the line may be part of the experience, but the size of the establishment makes it possible to move through different rooms and find a quieter setting inside.

• 📍 Location: Rua de Belém, 84 to 92, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Mosteiro Jerónimos; approximately 350 to 600 meters.
• 🏷️ Category: Retail, pastry shop and gastronomy.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: it is one of Belém’s most traditional establishments for tasting the famous custard pastry in a historic setting.

Museu de Marinha

Located beside Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Museu de Marinha presents collections related to Portuguese naval history, navigation, boatbuilding and the country’s connection with the sea. The collection includes models, instruments, documents and objects that help explain the technical and historical dimension of maritime voyages.

It is an especially interesting attraction for those visiting Belém with children, students or visitors interested in history, science and technology. Its proximity to Planetário de Marinha and the other facilities around Praça do Império makes it easy to create a cultural itinerary without extensive travel.

• 📍 Location: Praça do Império, beside Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Belém, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Mosteiro Jerónimos; approximately 100 to 250 meters.
• 🏷️ Category: Museum, history and science.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: it houses one of Portugal’s most important collections devoted to navigation and maritime history.

Museu Nacional dos Coches

Museu Nacional dos Coches is located on Avenida da Índia and can be reached from Belém’s central axis by a somewhat longer walk. The space presents a collection of horse-drawn vehicles used by the Portuguese court, with examples dating from the 16th to the 19th century, as well as objects associated with processions, cavalry and official ceremonies.

The contemporary building, designed to house the museum, also stands out for its large suspended nave and freely accessible internal square. It is an interesting alternative for those who have already visited the monuments around Praça do Império and want to see an attraction focused less on the riverside landscape and more on the history of the Portuguese monarchy.

• 📍 Location: Avenida da Índia, 136, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Mosteiro Jerónimos or Centro Cultural Belém; approximately 500 to 800 meters.
• 🏷️ Category: Museum and heritage.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: it displays rare historic carriages, including vehicles used for journeys and ceremonies by the Portuguese royal family.

For those boarding in Algés or at the Restelo stops, Route 79B serves as a direct gateway to Belém’s monumental circuit. The route is best enjoyed between the Centro Cultural Belém, Mosteiro Jerónimos and Av. Torre Belém stops, where museums, gardens, monuments, cafés and walks along the Tagus are concentrated. Since the available data does not record return departures, it is important to plan the return in advance using another route or means of transportation.

Sources

• Centro Cultural de Belém
• Museums and Monuments of Portugal — Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
• Museums and Monuments of Portugal — Torre de Belém
• Padrão dos Descobrimentos
• Lisbon City Council — Jardim da Praça do Império
• Museu de Marinha
• Museu Nacional dos Coches
• Pastéis de Belém