Visit Saint George’s Castle in Lisbon
Majestically perched on one of Lisbon’s seven hills, Saint George’s Castle (Castelo de São Jorge in Portuguese) embodies the soul and history of the Portuguese capital. This thousand-year-old fortress, witness to successive conquests and urban transformations, offers visitors much more than a simple tourist attraction: it’s a genuine journey through time unfolding in the heart of the Alfama district. Between medieval ramparts, archaeological remains and breathtaking panoramas over the Tagus, Saint George’s Castle stands as one of the must-see attractions for anyone wishing to visit Lisbon. Get ready to discover this iconic monument that has dominated the city for over a thousand years.
How to get to Saint George’s Castle?
Saint George’s Castle is located at the top of Alfama hill, at the following address: R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal (rated 4.5/5 on Google with over 95,000 reviews). Several options are available to reach this iconic monument from central Lisbon. The most courageous visitors can walk there through the picturesque alleys of the Alfama district, a 15-minute climb from Praça do Comércio that will immerse you in the authentic atmosphere of Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods.
For those who prefer public transport, the 28E tram remains the most charming option, although it’s often crowded with tourists. You can get off at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia stop and walk a few minutes to the castle. Bus lines 737 (from Praça da Figueira to the Castelo stop) and 12E are also excellent alternatives. If you’re using the metro, get off at Rossio or Martim Moniz stations (green line), then count on about 10-15 minutes of uphill walking. Taxis and ride-sharing services are available throughout the city and can drop you directly at the castle entrance. For a typically Lisbon experience, tuk-tuks available in the Baixa neighborhoods or near Rossio will allow you to climb effortlessly to the top while enjoying a picturesque ride.
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Opening hours and ticket prices for Saint George’s Castle
Opening hours
Saint George’s Castle in Lisbon is open year-round, but hours vary by season. From March to October, the monument welcomes visitors from 9am to 9pm, with last admission at 8:30pm. During the months of November to February, hours are reduced: the castle opens from 9am to 6pm, with last entry allowed at 5:30pm. These extended hours in high season allow visitors to enjoy the sunset from the ramparts, an absolutely magical spectacle over Lisbon and the Tagus.
The Tower of Ulysses and its camera obscura are accessible daily from 11am to 1pm as part of a guided tour included in the entrance ticket. The archaeological museum located within the grounds follows the same general hours as the castle. It’s important to note that the site closes on certain public holidays: January 1st (New Year’s Day), May 1st (Labor Day), December 24th (Christmas Eve with limited access), December 25th (Christmas) and December 31st (early closing at 1pm).
Ticket prices
The standard adult ticket costs €15 and provides complete access to the castle, ramparts, gardens, archaeological site and the Tower of Ulysses. Children under 13 years old enter free of charge, under adult supervision. Young people aged 13 to 25 can enjoy a reduced rate of €7.50, while seniors over 65 and people with disabilities pay €12.50. Companions of people with disabilities enter free of charge.
Guided tours and educational workshops are offered as an add-on for €4, available in several languages and at different times. It’s highly recommended to purchase your tickets online on the castle’s official website to avoid queues, particularly during high tourist season. This advance booking also guarantees your entry time slot and allows you to efficiently plan your visit to Lisbon. The castle is included or offers a discount with certain Lisbon tourist passes, so check the conditions before purchasing.
Download the audio-guided tour to discover Lisbon on foot and independently
For a complete and immersive exploration of the Portuguese capital, discover our audio-guided tour of Lisbon. This carefully designed route takes you through the city’s iconic neighborhoods, from Alfama to Chiado, via Baixa and Belém. With 24 commented points of interest, you can visit Lisbon independently, at your own pace, while benefiting from captivating historical explanations and little-known anecdotes. The itinerary naturally includes Saint George’s Castle among the city’s must-sees. Download the Navaway app and let yourself be guided through the cobbled streets of this fascinating city where every stone tells a story.
1. The fascinating history of Saint George’s Castle
Ancient and Moorish origins
The history of Saint George’s Castle in Lisbon goes back well beyond the Middle Ages. The first fortifications on this strategic hill date from Roman times, or even from the 7th century BC, when Phoenicians and Celts were already settling on the banks of the Tagus. However, it was in the 11th century that the castle truly took shape under Moorish rule. The Moors, who then controlled the Iberian Peninsula, built an imposing defensive fortress to protect their alcáçova (citadel) and monitor the river’s mouth. This strategic position made it an essential control point for maritime trade and the city’s defense.
Moorish architecture was characterized by its advanced fortification techniques, with thick walls, watchtowers and an ingenious cistern system to ensure water supply during prolonged sieges. These defensive elements testify to the military know-how of the era and the strategic importance of the site. The remains from this period, including the perfectly preserved Moorish cistern, illustrate the sophistication of Muslim defensive architecture and its adaptation to the hill’s rugged terrain.
The Christian Reconquest and royal symbol
The major turning point in Saint George’s Castle’s history came on October 25, 1147, when Portugal’s first king, Afonso Henriques, seized the fortress after a siege lasting several months. This victory, achieved with help from crusaders from northern Europe, marks a crucial moment in the Christian Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula and in the young kingdom of Portugal’s assertion against Muslim kingdoms. The castle then became the symbol of nascent Portuguese royal power.
From the 13th century until the 16th century, the castle transformed into a royal residence, known as the Alcova. Portuguese monarchs established their court there, held diplomatic audiences and organized state ceremonies. It was King João I who, in 1371, decided to dedicate the castle to Saint George, patron saint of England, to strengthen the historic alliance between Portugal and England. This alliance, one of the oldest still in force today, explains the monument’s current name and testifies to the importance of medieval international relations.
From decline to rebirth
The castle experienced a gradual decline after the royal family abandoned the residence in favor of the Ribeira Palace, located near the Tagus. The coup de grâce came on November 1, 1755, when a terrible earthquake devastated Lisbon. The quake, followed by a tsunami and fires, destroyed much of the castle, particularly the royal palace and several towers. The monument then fell into oblivion for nearly two centuries, successively serving as military barracks, prison and even theater, gradually losing its former luster.
It wasn’t until the 20th century, in the 1940s, that Saint George’s Castle found a second youth thanks to major restoration campaigns carried out under Salazar’s regime. These works, although controversial among some historians due to their sometimes romantic approach to reconstruction, nevertheless enabled the site to regain its medieval splendor. Architects relied on the original foundations and historical plans to recreate the walls, towers and part of the interior structures. Today, the castle, open to the public since 1938, welcomes over one million visitors per year and constitutes one of Lisbon’s most photographed sites.
2. The ramparts and panoramic walkway
The ramparts of Saint George’s Castle represent the site’s most impressive architectural element. Initially erected in the 11th century by the Moors then reinforced after the Christian Reconquest, these walls testify to the evolution of medieval military fortification techniques. With their 11 defense towers distributed around a perimeter of about 500 meters, the ramparts offer a remarkable example of military architecture adapted to the hill’s rugged terrain. The walls, several meters thick, were designed to withstand assaults from catapults and other siege engines of the era.
The walkway along the top of the walls constitutes one of the major attractions of visiting Saint George’s Castle. This promenade allows you to walk in the footsteps of sentries of old while enjoying absolutely spectacular panoramic views over Lisbon, the Tagus and the surrounding hills. From these heights, you can embrace the entire city in a single glance: the red tile roofs of the Alfama district cascading below, the white spires of Baixa, the 25 de Abril Bridge majestically spanning the river, and on clear days, the Christ the King statue on the opposite bank. The regularly spaced crenellations offer numerous privileged viewpoints for photographing the Portuguese capital from all angles. Late in the day, the sunset from the ramparts transforms the landscape into a painting of golden and purple hues, a magical moment that many visitors consider the highlight of their discovery of Lisbon with the Navaway audio-guided itinerary.
3. The Tower of Ulysses and the camera obscura
Among the 11 towers punctuating Saint George’s Castle ramparts, the Tower of Ulysses occupies a special place in Lisbon’s imagination. Its name refers to the legend that Ulysses, the Greek hero of the Odyssey, founded Lisbon (Olissipo in Latin) during his Mediterranean wanderings. Although this legend is more mythological than historical, it testifies to the site’s antiquity and its importance in European navigation history.
The tower’s true treasure is found at its summit: a camera obscura installed in the 19th century and recently restored. This fascinating optical device, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s work, projects a real-time 360-degree panoramic view of Lisbon onto a white concave surface inside a dark room. Thanks to a system of mirrors and lenses, the operator can zoom in on different city neighborhoods, showing visitors iconic monuments, lively squares and even passersby in the streets, creating an experience that’s both entertaining and educational.
This camera obscura, accessible only as part of guided tours organized daily from 11am to 1pm, offers a unique perspective on Lisbon’s urban planning. The experience, lasting about 15 minutes, helps understand the city’s complex topography with its seven hills, locate the main monuments and grasp the extent of the metropolitan area to the Tagus banks. This 19th-century technical prowess retains all its power to fascinate and constitutes one of the castle’s most appreciated attractions, particularly for families with children. Don’t hesitate to go early in the morning to avoid crowds, as the number of places is limited for each session.
4. The archaeological site and royal palace remains
Saint George’s Castle houses one of Lisbon’s richest archaeological sites, revealing multiple layers of occupation that have succeeded each other since Antiquity. Excavations conducted in the 20th century uncovered fascinating remains dating back to the hill’s first inhabitants: Phoenicians (7th century BC), Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and finally Christian Portuguese. This superposition of civilizations makes the castle a genuine open-air history book, where each archaeological layer tells a different chapter of Lisbon’s past.
The permanent archaeological exhibition presents an impressive collection of objects discovered during excavations: Phoenician ceramics, Roman coins, Moorish jewelry, medieval azulejo fragments and everyday utensils. These artifacts allow tracing Lisbon’s commercial and cultural evolution, an important maritime hub since Antiquity. Explanatory panels, available in several languages, contextualize these discoveries and help visitors understand the strategic importance of this hill in the city’s development.
The medieval royal palace remains constitute another major point of interest at the archaeological site. Although the 1755 earthquake considerably damaged the former royal residence, several wall sections, foundations of state rooms and decorative architectural elements survive. One can still distinguish the location of the great throne room, royal apartments and palatine chapel where court religious ceremonies took place. These ruins evoke the past splendor of the castle when it served as the seat of Portuguese royal power between the 13th and 16th centuries, a period when sovereigns received ambassadors and lords in a grandeur now vanished but whose memory these stones preserve.
5. The castle gardens and green spaces
After exploring the ramparts and historical remains, Saint George’s Castle’s interior gardens offer a welcome and refreshing break. These green spaces, laid out during 20th-century restorations, create a pleasant contrast with the fortifications’ mineral austerity. The gardens were designed to evoke the atmosphere of Portuguese medieval gardens, with shaded paths, flowerbeds, fountains and benches strategically placed to enjoy the view or simply rest in the shade of centuries-old trees.
The chosen vegetation reflects typical Portuguese Mediterranean species: olive trees, cypresses, oleanders, orange trees and various aromatic plants that perfume the air with their subtle fragrances. These terraced gardens follow the hill’s natural relief and offer several levels of promenade, each revealing a new perspective on the city or the castle itself. Stone walls, covered with climbing vegetation, add a romantic touch to the ensemble.
One charming peculiarity of these gardens is the presence of freely roaming peacocks that walk majestically among visitors. These birds, introduced to the castle several decades ago, have become the unofficial mascots of the place. Their presence adds a fairy-tale dimension to the visit, particularly when a male displays his magnificent ocellated tail to parade before visitors. Children love observing and photographing these feathered residents who seem perfectly at ease in this historic setting. The gardens also offer several observation terraces with orientation tables allowing identification of monuments visible from the castle. It’s the ideal spot for a picnic break while enjoying a breathtaking view over Lisbon, before continuing your discovery of the city with the Navaway audio-guided tour.
6. The permanent exhibition and castle museum
Saint George’s Castle houses several museum spaces that considerably enrich the visit by providing historical and cultural insight into the monument and its evolution through the centuries. The permanent exhibition, distributed across different restored rooms within the grounds, offers a chronological journey from the first prehistoric occupations to the contemporary period. Interactive models show the castle at different periods, allowing visualization of successive architectural transformations and understanding how the site adapted to the changing needs of its occupants.
Detailed explanatory panels, accompanied by illustrations and reconstructions, trace the major historical events that occurred at the castle: the 1147 siege during the Reconquest, sumptuous medieval court ceremonies, the devastating 1755 earthquake, and 20th-century restoration campaigns. Multimedia animations enrich the experience by offering virtual reconstructions of daily life scenes at the castle in different eras, bringing the ancient stones to life and allowing imagination of the bustle that once reigned in this royal citadel.
The museum also offers a section dedicated to medieval construction and fortification techniques, with models of siege engines, reproductions of weapons and armor, as well as explanations of defensive strategies employed. This educational approach particularly appeals to families and helps children better understand the castle’s military function. Temporary exhibitions are regularly organized, highlighting particular aspects of Lisbon’s history or presenting recent archaeological discoveries. These cultural interpretation spaces transform a simple tourist visit into a genuine living and interactive history lesson, thus offering an in-depth understanding of the central role Saint George’s Castle played in Portugal’s history.
Practical tips for visiting Saint George’s Castle
When to visit the castle?
The best time to visit Saint George’s Castle in Lisbon depends on your priorities. If you want to avoid crowds, favor a visit early in the morning at opening (9am) or late afternoon, about an hour before closing. Weekdays, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, are generally less crowded than weekends and Mondays. To enjoy exceptional light and a magical atmosphere, plan your visit late in the day to witness the sunset from the ramparts: the spectacle of the sun descending over the Tagus and coloring Lisbon’s rooftops with golden and orange hues is absolutely unforgettable.
Regarding the season, each period has its advantages. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October) offer pleasant temperatures and moderate visitor numbers, ideal for visiting. Summer (June-August) guarantees good weather but attracts many tourists, hence the importance of booking your tickets online in advance. Winter (November-February) allows visiting in relative peace, although hours are shorter and weather can be unpredictable. Whatever season you choose, plan about 2 to 3 hours for a complete visit to the castle including ramparts, gardens, archaeological exhibition and the Tower of Ulysses.
What to bring for the visit?
As Saint George’s Castle is located on a hilltop and includes numerous stairs, irregular steps and cobbled surfaces, it’s imperative to wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking. Absolutely avoid high heels or flip-flops. As much of the visit takes place outdoors and the castle dominates the city, you’ll be exposed to sun and wind. In summer, bring a hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. Don’t forget a water bottle, especially on hot days (drinking water is available on site). In winter or on cooler days, bring a warm garment as wind can be quite strong on the heights.
Access to Saint George’s Castle presents difficulties for people with reduced mobility or parents with strollers due to uneven terrain, numerous stairs and narrow passages in certain parts of the ramparts. Nevertheless, some areas of the castle are accessible and adapted routes can be organized. It’s recommended to contact the castle administration before your visit to obtain detailed information on accessibility and available facilities. Backpacks are allowed but must be reasonably sized. There’s no storage for large baggage, so it’s better to travel light. Photography is encouraged for personal use – the castle offers some of the best viewpoints for photographing Lisbon – but authorization is required for professional or commercial shoots.
On-site services
Saint George’s Castle has a pleasant café-restaurant located inside the grounds, offering a lovely shaded terrace with city views. You can have a refreshing drink, coffee or light meal while enjoying the panorama. Prices are slightly higher than outside, as is often the case at tourist sites, but the location and view justify this difference. Clean restrooms are available near the main entrance and at other strategic points on the site.
A gift shop offers a selection of castle and Lisbon-related items: history books, postcards, medieval object reproductions, decorative azulejos and Portuguese handicrafts. It’s the ideal place to find an original souvenir of your visit. Audio guides are available for rent in several languages for about €4, offering detailed commentary on the castle’s history and main points of interest. However, for an even more complete experience of Lisbon, don’t forget that the Navaway audio-guided tour allows you to discover not only Saint George’s Castle but also all the city’s iconic neighborhoods in a coherent and fascinating route.
What to see around Saint George’s Castle?
After exploring Saint George’s Castle, take advantage of your presence on the hill to discover the wonders of the Alfama district spreading below. This historic neighborhood, Lisbon’s oldest, miraculously survived the 1755 earthquake and retains its authenticity with its narrow, winding alleys, colorful facades adorned with azulejos, and miradouros offering spectacular views. A few minutes’ walk from the castle, don’t miss the Miradouro de Santa Luzia with its pergola covered in bougainvillea, or the Miradouro das Portas do Sol offering a breathtaking view over the neighborhood and the Tagus.
Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa), located about a 10-minute walk down toward Baixa, also deserves a visit. This imposing fortress-church, built in 1147 just after the Christian Reconquest, presents a fascinating mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles. Its peaceful cloister and sacred art treasury testify to the place’s religious importance. Continuing your descent, you’ll reach the lively Baixa neighborhood, Lisbon’s commercial heart rebuilt in a grid pattern after 1755, with its wide rectilinear avenues lined with shops and historic cafés.
For a complete experience without risk of getting lost in Lisbon’s maze of alleys, let yourself be guided by the Navaway audio-guided itinerary which intelligently connects all these points of interest and many others. The tour takes you through the Portuguese capital’s iconic neighborhoods, telling you the fascinating history of each place and revealing secrets that only Lisbonites know. This walking exploration will allow you to fully experience Lisbon’s unique atmosphere, where modernity and traditions harmoniously coexist along cobbled streets and lively squares.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Saint George’s Castle
How long should I plan for visiting Saint George’s Castle?
A complete visit to Saint George’s Castle in Lisbon requires about 2 to 3 hours. This time allows you to leisurely explore the ramparts and walkway, visit the Tower of Ulysses and its camera obscura, tour the archaeological exhibition, stroll through the gardens and enjoy the panoramic views. If you simply want to walk around the ramparts and admire the view, count on at least 1.5 hours. For an optimal experience, plan for 3 hours, especially if you like taking your time to photograph and soak in the atmosphere of the place.
Is Saint George’s Castle accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Accessibility of Saint George’s Castle for people with reduced mobility is limited due to the very nature of the site: sloping terrain, numerous stairs, irregular cobbled floors and narrow passages in certain parts of the ramparts. However, some areas of the castle are accessible, particularly part of the gardens and some ground-floor exhibition spaces. People with disabilities benefit from a reduced rate (€12.50) and their companion enters free. It’s strongly recommended to contact the castle administration before your visit to obtain precise information about accessible areas and best organize your route. Manual wheelchairs can be made available upon prior request.
Can you visit Saint George’s Castle for free?
Saint George’s Castle doesn’t offer free admission days for all visitors. However, entry is free for children under 13 and companions of people with disabilities. Lisbon residents can benefit from preferential rates on certain special occasions, generally announced on the castle’s official website. There are also discounts for youth aged 13 to 25 (€7.50), seniors over 65 (€12.50) and people with disabilities (€12.50). Some Lisbon tourist passes include castle admission or offer a discount on the entrance fee.
Should I book tickets in advance?
It’s highly recommended to purchase your tickets online in advance on Saint George’s Castle’s official website, particularly during high tourist season (May to September) and weekends. This advance booking allows you to avoid queues which can be long, especially mid-morning and early afternoon. Additionally, booking online guarantees your entry time slot, which helps you better plan your day visiting Lisbon. If you visit off-season (November to February) or on weekdays, it’s generally possible to buy your tickets directly at the entrance without too much waiting, but online booking remains more convenient and secure.
Can you picnic in the castle?
Yes, it’s quite possible to picnic in Saint George’s Castle gardens. Several green spaces arranged with benches in the shade of trees are perfectly suited for a lunch break while enjoying an exceptional view over Lisbon. This is actually an option much appreciated by visitors who wish to spend several hours on site without having to leave to eat. The café-restaurant located inside the grounds also offers dishes and drinks, but at slightly higher prices than outside. Consider bringing your picnic from the city if you want to save money and enjoy a peaceful moment in this exceptional historic setting. Don’t forget to respect the cleanliness of the place and use the waste bins provided.
In conclusion, Saint George’s Castle stands as an essential stop on any visit to Lisbon, offering much more than a simple historical monument. It’s a genuine journey through time that transports you from the Roman and Moorish origins of the city to the era of Portuguese royal grandeur. Between its thousand-year-old ramparts, breathtaking panoramic views, peaceful gardens and archaeological treasures, the castle concentrates the very essence of Lisbon’s history. The site’s dominant position on its hill offers you not only a unique perspective on the capital’s topography, but also a profound understanding of its urban evolution over the centuries. To extend this immersion into Lisbon’s soul and discover all the city’s secrets, don’t hesitate to download the Navaway audio-guided tour which will accompany you through the iconic neighborhoods, from Alfama’s heights to the Tagus banks, via Baixa’s lively squares and Chiado’s bohemian alleys.
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