Start at the Ver-o-Peso early, while the boats unload, then walk the Cidade Velha: the fort, the cathedral and the Casa das Onze Janelas. Lunch at the Estação das Docas and see the Theatro da Paz on its hourly tour. Day two is the Basílica de Nazaré, the Goeldi park and sunset at the Mangal das Garças. Give a third day to a boat across the river to Ilha do Combu.
Updated · Wimup Editorial
Belém sits a degree and a half south of the equator, on Guajará Bay where the Guamá meets the Pará river, the Amazon's eastern mouth. It was founded in 1616 around a wooden fort, grew rich on rubber after 1870, and still lives by the river: the fish, açaí and boats all arrive at the Ver-o-Peso.
The city's market on the bay, named for the Portuguese post that weighed and taxed goods here from 1625, with a blue iron fish hall from around 1901. Come early, while the boats unload açaí and fish, and finish at the herb stalls.
Belém's opera house opened on 15 February 1878, paid for by the rubber trade, and the guided tour takes in the auditorium and the salons. Better still is an evening performance, when the room does what it was built for.
Designed in Genoa in 1909 by Gino Coppedè, the basilica holds the small image of Our Lady of Nazareth that the Círio carries through the streets each October. The interior is marble, with a white Carrara altar.
Three iron port warehouses on the bay, converted in 2000 into a covered promenade of restaurants, a brewery and Cairu's fruit ice creams. Sit outside at sunset, when the river turns gold and the air finally cools.
The square where Belém began: the fort of 1616, the cathedral, the Santo Alexandre church and the Casa das Onze Janelas, now a contemporary art museum. Walk the fort's ramparts for the view over the bay and the market.
A riverside park opened by the state in 2005 on about four hectares of the Guamá bank, with herons, a butterfly house and a lighthouse lookout. It is the easiest place in the city to see Amazonian birds up close.
Brazil's Amazon research museum, founded in 1866, keeps a shaded zoo and botanical park in the middle of the city, with Amazonian animals and an aquarium of river fish. It is the best short introduction to the forest you will find here.
A forested island across the Guamá, a short boat ride from the city, where riverside restaurants serve fish and açaí on stilted decks. Dona Nena's Filha do Combu makes organic chocolate from the island's own cacao.
A belle époque market hall restored for COP30 and reopened in October 2025 with a food hall of 86 traders. It is quieter than the Ver-o-Peso, which makes it the easier place to try regional dishes at a table.
A state park of forest and the two lakes that supply the city's water, with about four kilometres of paved paths for walking and cycling. Go at opening time, when it is coolest and the birds are out.
The 1878 opera house of the rubber boom, on hourly guided tours from Tuesday to Sunday.
Home of the image the Círio carries, designed by Gino Coppedè in 1909, with a Carrara marble altar.
One of the first buildings raised after the founding, facing the fort across the old square.
The city's central square, shaded by mango trees, with the Theatro da Paz on its east side.
The market on the bay since 1625: fish, açaí, herbs and Amazonian fruit, best before mid-morning.
Three converted iron warehouses on the bay, with restaurants, a brewery and Cairu ice cream.
The Amazon research museum, founded in 1866, with a zoo, aquarium and botanical park.
An 18th-century convent turned prison turned gem museum and jewellers' hall. Closed Mondays.
A riverside park of herons, ibises and a butterfly house, opened in 2005. Closed Mondays.
Lakes, forest and four kilometres of paths on the city's edge. Free entry.
Paulo Martins opened it in 1972 and his family still runs it, the reference for regional Pará cooking.
Saulo Jennings cooks Tapajós river fish beside the fort, with a view over the bay.
The best known of Ilha do Combu's riverside restaurants, with a long deck facing the city.
The Goeldi park, the restored market and the bus station, a short ride east of the centre.
Buffalo country and river beaches around Soure and Salvaterra, two to three hours by boat. Best overnight.
The city's founding day, a municipal holiday with free events and special hours at the parks.
The theatre marks its 15 February 1878 opening with free guided visits for a few days.
Street blocos fill the centre in the days before Ash Wednesday.
School holidays and the dry season send the city to Mosqueiro, Cotijuba and Marajó.
The free book fair at the Hangar convention centre, a week of authors and launches.
A free street parade of drums and costumes in the days before the Círio.
One of the world's largest processions, on UNESCO's intangible heritage list since 2013.
Belém's music festival, built around Amazonian and Brazilian acts.
The airport is about 12 km from the centre by taxi or ride-hailing, and slower in afternoon traffic. City bus 636 runs to Avenida Presidente Vargas.
City buses cover every district, and the BRT busways run along the main avenues. Ride-hailing is the simpler choice for visitors after dark.
Boats to Ilha do Combu leave from Praça Princesa Isabel. Marajó boats sail from the Terminal Hidroviário and Icoaraci, two to three hours each way.
Plentiful and cheap by European standards. Use an app or a hotel-called taxi at night, and expect slow traffic in the afternoon rain.
Duck in tucupi, the yellow broth of bitter cassava, with jambu leaves that numb the tongue.
Ground cassava leaves cooked for about a week with smoked and salted meats.
Tucupi, tapioca starch, dried shrimp and jambu in a gourd bowl, sold in the late afternoon.
The giant river fish, often salted and dried, then cooked like bacalhau.
Crab claws in a crisp coating, the city's bar snack.
Unsweetened açaí eaten as a main course, with fried fish and cassava flour.
A large Amazon catfish with firm white flesh, grilled or in a stew.
Ice cream from cupuaçu, a tart, perfumed Amazon fruit.
Subscribe to the Wimup newsletter for new guides, travel news and more.
Brazil
