Saint Georges Castle: a 360° view of Lisbon!

Published on October 26, 2023 at 4:32 pm

Wandering through the narrow, winding streets of Lisbon's Alfama district, climbing a little higher, you'll finally arrive at the Castle of Saint George, or Castelo de Sao Jorge in Portuguese. This fortress, located high up in the historic centre, dominates the entire citadel behind its majestic ramparts. From here, you have a breathtaking view of Lisbon and the Tagus, which flows peacefully at your feet. Situated on the highest of the Portuguese capital's seven hills, you can see the castle from any vantage point in the city; all you have to do is look up. From up there, in addition to the panoramic views, you can stroll through the gardens, walk along the parapet walk, explore an archaeological site or take in a multimedia show to learn more about the site and the city. Immerse yourself in this medieval atmosphere and discover this majestic site.

Saint Georges Castle, Lisbon, Portugal.

Summary

The fruit of a long history...
What can you see?
Practical information
Continuing the experiment...
Accommodation near the castle

The fruit of a long history...

This part of the capital was not built in a few days and has a long history... A fortress erected by the Visigoths in the 5th century, then enlarged and magnified by the Moors in the 9th century, the castle then housed the royal family before moving into the Palais de Ribeira in the 16th century. Its stonework has withstood the test of time, abandonment and the earthquake of 1755. In the 20th century, it was once again declared a national monument in 1910, and was restored to its former glory following major renovation work. Today, it is one of Lisbon's most popular tourist attractions.

St George's Castle Fortress, Lisbon, Portugal.

What can you see?

The permanent exhibition

The permanent exhibition is located above the terraces, where sumptuous olive trees are accompanied by splendid creatures with colourful feathers: the peacocks. The blue birds have taken up residence in this soothing environment. The permanent collection provides an excellent overview of Portuguese history. Excavations carried out on site have produced a small selection of remains that are well worth seeing. These consist mainly of ancient pottery and coins. A guided tour of the archaeological site is available free of charge (included in the castle ticket).

Cour intérieure du château Saint-Georges, Lisbonne, Portugal.

The darkroom

The Obscura camera is one of the most fun things to do in the castle. It's a special lens made up of lenses and mirrors that lets you zoom in on the city in real time, offering a 360° view. A fun activity for all the family. This part of the castle is open from 10am to 5pm, weather permitting. However, we recommend you take part in the activity in the morning to take advantage of the full light over the city. The attraction is also free and included in the admission ticket.

The April 25th bridge from St. George's Castle, Lisbon, Portugal.

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Practical information

Discover the famous monument that dominates Lisbon and follow in the footsteps of the remains of the first fortress from 138 BC.

📍 Address: rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisbon

🚌 Getting there:

On foot: 20 minutes from the Baixa and Chiado districts.
Tram: lines 28E or 12E, "Miradouro Santa Luzia" stop.
Bus: line 737, "Castelo" stop
Metro: "Santa Apolonia" stop

⏰Opening times: daily, 9am to 9pm

👛 Price (from) :

5 € (13-25 years old)
10 (over 26s)
8.50 (over 65s)
Free for children under 12

👉 Duration: 2h30

👉 Other info:

Brochures are available on site in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Spanish. Guided tours are also available in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Guide dogs are accepted, and the château provides a special welcome for people with reduced mobility. Everything has been thought of to ensure that everyone can enjoy a visit to this authentic site.

There is also a lift to take you up to the castle without too much effort. The Elevador del Castelo starts on Calle de Fanqueiros and rises to Calle de Madalena. From here, you're just a few minutes' walk from the famous building.

Saint George's Castle in Knoll, Alfama district, Lisbon, Portugal.

Advice from the editor

As an unmissable attraction on a visit to Lisbon, the castle is very popular with tourists. We advise you to go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to enjoy the site in its entirety and the beautiful play of light.

The castle also has a refreshment area, but we recommend that you take a bottle of water for the duration of your visit.

Continuing the experiment...

For the more adventurous, continue your visit to the church tower of the Château de Saint-Georges, located on the opposite side of the building. Thanks to donations and the help of the parish, this long-damaged bell tower has been renovated, preserving the local heritage. You'll have to climb around fifty steps to enjoy one of the oldest but certainly one of the most enchanting views of Lisbon and the Tagus.

👛 Price: €2.5

⏰ Times: daily, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm