Sao Jorge Castle Lisbon – Tickets and Guide

Tourist Information for Visiting Sao Jorge Castle Lisbon Portugal

Sao Jorge Castle is a medieval castle in the centre of Lisbon overlooking the historic Alfama district.

The castle is perched high above the city offering panoramic views of Lisbon as well as providing a fascinating history over the years. Sao Jorge Castle is one of the most visited landmarks in Lisbon and very popular amongst tourists.

São Jorge Castle General Information
Location	Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisbon, Portugal. Near the Martim Moniz metro station (10 mins walk)
Opening Times	Winter Season (November to February): 9:00AM – 6:00PM, Summer Season (March to October): 9:00AM – 9:00PM Closed on December 25th and January 1st
Entry and Tickets	Online e-ticket starts from €19 for adults, with discounts for children and students. (Book Tickets Online)

Sao Jorge Castle Lisbon Tickets and Tours

How to buy tickets to Sao Jorge Castle Tickets to Sao Jorge Castle can be purchased on-site or pre-booked online. The castle can get very busy during busy periods (summer and weekends), and the queues can get fairly large so it is recommended to book online. – Tickets include access to the castle and gardens, archaeological site, camera obscura, and the museum. – Online Tickets start from just €19 (Book Tickets Online) Powered by GetYourGuide

Visiting Sao Jorge Castle

Sao Jorge castle is one of my favourite places to visit when in Lisbon. Not only is it a fascinating historic castle, with plenty of interesting medieval stories and items to discover, it also doubles up as Lisbon’s best viewpoint!

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.

I’d recommending setting aside a few hours to explore the whole castle, especially if you also want to get pictures overlooking Lisbon in the wonderful open area courtyard. Try and time it so you can see the sunset.

There are plenty of information points scattered around the castle to learn about the history, but a guided tour can really add to the experience.

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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