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Belem sits at the mouth of the Amazon River where freshwater meets the Atlantic, and the city’s attractions reflect this unique position. From the continent’s largest open-air market to river island restaurants accessible only by boat, the city rewards travelers who explore beyond the obvious. Most attractions cluster in the historic Cidade Velha and Campina districts, while river islands offer beach escapes 30 to 90 minutes from the city center. Plan on 3 full days to cover the highlights at a reasonable pace.
Things to Do in Belem: Historic Landmarks and Markets
Ver-o-Peso Market
The Ver-o-Peso is the largest open-air market in Latin America, operating since 1625 at the edge of Guajara Bay. The name means “check the weight,” a reference to Portuguese colonial tax collection. The iron market structure itself was imported from England in 1899. You will find four distinct sections: the fish market (200-plus stalls selling pirarucu, tucunare, and filhote), the herb and medicinal section with Amazonian remedies, the fruit and acai area, and the craft market. Acai is sold fresh by the liter, served straight with tapioca or fried fish, not sweetened like in southern Brazil. Go between 6am and 9am to see the morning fish auction. The market is open daily except Monday, from roughly 5am to 3pm. Bring small bills; vendors rarely have change for large notes. Keep valuables secured as pickpocketing is common in the crowded aisles.
Forte do Presepio
The Fort of the Nativity Scene was built in 1616 by Portuguese colonists as the original settlement that became Belem. The stone fortress overlooks Guajara Bay and houses a small museum covering the city’s founding and indigenous history. The cannons still point toward the water. Entry costs R$4 (about US$0.80). Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. The fort is at the edge of Cidade Velha, a 5-minute walk from the Se Cathedral. Combine it with a walk through Feliz Lusitania complex, which includes the Casa das Onze Janelas art museum and the Se Cathedral in a single pedestrian-friendly plaza.
Theatro da Paz
Built between 1869 and 1874 during the Amazon rubber boom, the Theatro da Paz (Peace Theater) is Belem’s answer to Manaus’s more famous Amazonas Theater. The neoclassical facade fronts Praca da Republica in the Campina neighborhood. The interior features Italian marble, French crystal chandeliers, and a ceiling mural by Italian painter Domenico de Angelis. Guided tours run Tuesday through Friday at 9am, 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm; weekends at 9am and 10am. Tours cost R$6 (about US$1.20) and take 40 minutes. The theater still hosts performances; check the schedule at theatrodapaz.com.br for opera, ballet, or symphony during your visit.
Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi
The Goeldi Museum is a combined research institution, zoo, and botanical garden covering 5.2 hectares in the Nazare neighborhood. It houses Amazonian manatees, jaguars, giant otters, harpy eagles, and an extensive collection of Amazon aquatic life in its aquarium. The botanical collection includes a 130-year-old samaumeira tree. Entry costs R$3 (about US$0.60). Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Budget 2 to 3 hours. The museum’s research library holds one of the most complete collections on Amazon natural history, though access requires advance permission. This is particularly good for families and anyone interested in Amazon wildlife who cannot do a multi-day jungle trip.
Things to Do in Belem: Waterfront, Parks and River Experiences
Estacao das Docas
Three restored 19th-century iron warehouses at the old port now house Estacao das Docas, a waterfront dining and cultural complex. The British-built warehouses were refurbished in 2000 with exposed brick, steel beams, and glass walls overlooking Guajara Bay. You will find a craft beer brewery (Amazon Beer), the regional ice cream chain Cairu (try the bacuri and cupuacu flavors), and sit-down restaurants serving Amazonian dishes like pato no tucupi and manicoba. The complex also has a small museum, rotating art exhibits, and occasional live music. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to midnight (restaurants) and until 10pm (shops). Free entry. This is the safest and most tourist-friendly spot for evening dining in Belem.
Mangal das Garcas
A 12-hectare ecological park opened in 2005 on the site of a former naval warehouse in the Cidade Velha. The park combines manicured gardens with a raised walkway through a restored mangrove swamp where scarlet ibises and herons nest. A 20-meter observation tower (Farol de Belem) gives views across the river to the forested islands beyond. The butterfly enclosure houses blue morphos and owl butterflies. Entry to the park is free. Individual attractions cost R$4 each (tower, butterfly house, aviary, and navigational museum). Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 6pm. The on-site restaurant serves lunch with river views. Plan 2 hours to cover everything.
Ilha do Combu
Combu Island is a 15-minute boat ride from Belem’s port and offers a taste of Amazon river life without leaving the city. The island has no cars, just wooden walkways connecting cacao and acai groves to waterfront restaurants. The most famous is Saldosa Maloca, where lunch is served at tables in the river shallows. The menu focuses on river fish (filhote, pirarucu), camarao regional (Amazon shrimp), and fresh acai. Boats leave from the docks behind the Se Cathedral or from Estacao das Docas. A round-trip boat transfer costs R$15 to R$30 per person. Most restaurants on Combu are open Friday through Sunday only. Bring insect repellent; the island has sandflies. Cash only on the island.
Mosqueiro Island Beaches
Mosqueiro is a river island 70km north of Belem (about 90 minutes by bus or car) with 17km of freshwater river beaches. The most popular are Praia do Farol (lighthouse beach) with its boardwalk and kiosks, Praia do Marahu for sunset views, and Praia do Ariramba for more space. Water is warm and brown, typical of Amazon rivers, and tidal sandbanks emerge at low tide creating natural swimming pools. Buses leave from Terminal Rodoviario de Belem (Bus 904, about R$8). On weekends and holidays, the beaches are packed with local families. Midweek visits are far more relaxed. Beach kiosks sell fried fish, cold beer, and coconut water. The best months for Mosqueiro are July through November when water levels are lower and beaches are wider. Check our weather by month for more. Check our best time to visit for more. Check our annual events calendar for more. Check our neighborhoods guide for more. Check our where to stay for more. Check our travel tips for more.
