Sao Jorge Castle Lisbon – Tickets and Visitor Guide
Visiting Castelo de São Jorge – Tickets, Highlights & Practical Info
Saint George Castle (Castelo de São Jorge) is a medieval fortress in the heart of Lisbon, overlooking the historic Alfama district.
Sitting high above the city, it offers amazing panoramic views and a glimpse into Lisbon’s fascinating history. It’s one of the most popular landmarks in the city and a favourite among tourists.
Entry is included for free with the Lisboa Card, which also gives you unlimited access to public transport (buses, trams, metro, and trains to Sintra) and includes entry to 50+ attractions like Jerónimos Monastery and Arco da Rua Augusta. You’ll also get discounts at selected shops and museums.
Prices start from just €31. See all benefits and book your Lisboa Card here.
São Jorge Castle – General Information |
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Location |
Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100‑129 Lisbon, Portugal. |
Opening Times |
Summer (Mar 1st to Oct 31st): 9:00AM until 9:00PM (last entry 8:30 PM) |
Entry & Tickets |
Online e‑ticket starts from €19.90 for adults. Discounts apply for youth, seniors, children. (Book São Jorge Castle online tickets) |
São Jorge Castle Tickets – Prices, Booking & Entry Access |
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How to Buy Tickets for São Jorge CastleThe castle is one of Lisbon’s most visited attractions and often gets crowded, especially on weekends and in summer. To avoid queues, we highly recommend booking in advance.
Book São Jorge Castle skip-the-line tickets São Jorge Castle E‑Ticket + Audio Guide
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Visiting São Jorge Castle
Saint George Castle is one of our favourite places to visit in Lisbon. t’s not just a fascinating historic site full of medieval stories, it also offers some of the very best views over the city.
The castle had a significant rebuild in the 1940s which means it has been restored into a landmark that represents a fully working castle. There are no crumbling walls or towers, and there are plenty of interesting areas to explore.
We recommend setting aside at least a couple of hours to enjoy the full experience of the castle. The spacious courtyard area is ideal for taking in panoramic views over Lisbon, and if you time your visit right, it’s a stunning spot to watch the sunset in Lisbon.
There are plenty of information panels scattered around the castle and the entry ticket comes with an audio guide, but if you are keen to dive deeper into the castle’s history, a guided tour may be worth considering .
On-site facilities include clean toilets, a café with light snacks and drinks, and shaded areas to take a break, which area especially helpful on hot summer days. The terrain can be uneven in places, so we recommend wearing comfy shoes.
What to See at Sao Jorge Castle
Sao Jorge Castle has lots to explore with a strong history and a fully working restored castle. There are a few things you should not miss when visiting the castle.
Castle Gateways
The castle has 3 main gateways allowing access into the castle through the exterior walls, and then a further 2 gateways allowing access to the two levels of the castle.
Some have been around since the castle’s construction and others are more recent, all with a unique story and architectural style.
Castle Towers
The castle has 10 different towers (or turrets) spread across the various levels. Each one has a different viewpoint and, like the gateways, has its own unique history explained using information points.
Make sure you visit the Ulisses Tower as it has what’s called a ‘Camera Obscura‘. This is basically a dark room with a huge projected image of Lisbon via a periscope camera from the castle. It is very cool and at no extra cost it’s well worth checking out.
Castle Gardens and Squares
The castle has two main squares (which i would also describe as gardens) on the perimeter, one to the east, and one to the south.
The eastern square, named Praca Nova, is the newer of the two squares and houses a small pine forest and archaeological area. Keep on the lookout for peacocks, there are over 40 of these living in the gardens!
The other square is the place to get the best views in Lisbon, the ‘Place of Arms‘ square. It’s a huge square which looks out over Lisbon and the river Tagus. This is the place to get your photos when in Lisbon.
Castle Museum
The castle also has a small museum that displays artefacts that have been discovered in the castle at various points throughout its history.
Included are paintings, sculptures, letters, and every day items such as cups and bowls!
For the latest up to date information about what can be seen, visit the official Sao Jorge Castle website.
History of Sao Jorge Castle
The true origins of Sao Jorge Castle are unknown, but historians estimate the castle was originally built by the Romans in 200 BC before being first officially recognised by the Visgoths around the 5th century.
Originally used for military purposes, thanks to its vantage position overlooking the city and the Tagus River, it was an ideal place to spot incoming enemies.
Due to its beauty and stature, the castle became a royal residence in the 12th century when King Afonso Henriques conquered Lisbon.
The castle got its name from Saint George (the English for Sao Jorge), the patron saint of England. This was due King Alfonso Henriques marrying an English woman, naming the castle, and presenting it as a gift for his new wife.
The castle has undergone various renovations, particularly after the Great Earthquake of 1755. The castle now serves as a prominent tourist attraction, providing visitors with a rich history and some of the best panoramic views of Lisbon.
Sao Jorge Castle Location and How to Get There
Sao Jorge Castle is located in central Lisbon, in the district of Santa Maria Maior, making it convenient to visit alongside a large number of Lisbon’s top attractions.
You can easily get to Sao Jorge Castle by taking the tram. The closest tram stop is Santa Luzia Viewpoint tram stop (with Tram 28E stopping here), which is then just a 5 minute walk to the castle.
With regards to buses, you can take the 737 Carris bus, with the bus stopping 2 minutes walk away from the castle at Chão da Feira.
For the metro you have two stops that you can get off at, which are both around 10 minutes walk to Sao Jorge Castle – Rossio and Martim Moniz.
The Hop On Hop Off tourist bus also stops Sao Jorge Castle, and is a convenient way to travel around Lisbon.
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