By Monika
First Timer’s Guide to Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon.
If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon, you absolutely can’t miss Castelo de São Jorge, also known as the São Jorge Castle or St. George’s Castle.
Visiting this medieval fortress is like stepping back in time. Wander through its ancient walls, soak in rich history dating back to the Moors, and get your fill of amazing views of Lisbon’s red rooftops and the Tagus River.
Plus, the journey up to the castle is half the fun – I will describe it for you in detail, so you can have an adventure just like we did!
In this guide, I’ll give you everything you need to know to have a truly unforgettable experience at Castelo de São Jorge, from practical information for your visit to insider tips on getting to the castle and the best things to do.
Find out why this historic fortress is a must-visit!
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- First Timer's Guide to Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon.
What is Castelo de São Jorge?
As I mentioned earlier, St. George’s Castle is a historic building sitting high on top of the hill in Lisbon’s Alfama district. It was built by the Moors in the 11th century as a fortress, and later also served as a Royal Palace. It was damaged in the 1755 earthquake, reconstructed, and named a National Monument in 1910.
It is a beautiful, impressive place and provides amazing views of Lisbon’s panorama. You can walk the walls, stroll around the grounds and just take in the atmosphere.
Get ready to see some peacocks!
Castelo de São Jorge tickets
The entrance ticket to the São Jorge Castle costs 15 euros per adult, with significant discounts for kids, students and seniors. Children under 12 can visit the castle for free.
I recommend buying the tickets in advance from the Castelo de São Jorge official website.
That way you’re not spending your time in Lisbon standing in the ticket sales line.
The tickets are valid for 90 days, so you are not bound to a specific date when you purchase them.
Your ticket also includes guided 15-minute tours to the Castle and many other areas like the Museum, the Archaeological Site, and Camera Obscura (the Darkroom).
The official website also gives you more information on what your tickets include and the opening hours/free tour schedules.
If you prefer exploring at your own pace instead of a timed tour, I recommend purchasing an entry ticket with an audio guide, which gives you both the flexibility and the information.
You also have the option of booking a tour of the Castle with a guide, whom you’ll meet onsite.
Castelo de São Jorge Lisboa card
Castelo de São Jorge tickets, are included in the Lisbon Card
All you have to do is show it at a separate kiosk for Lisbon Card holders to get your entry ticket.
The card also gives you free public transportation, which you will most likely need to use to get to the Castle. More on that further in the post.
How to get to St. George Castle
You have a few options of transportation to the castle to choose from:
1. Walk
You can walk to the Castle. You’ll pass through the historic Alfama neighborhood, with its winding, cobblestoned streets, making the walk very scenic. However, keep in mind that it will be a steady uphill walk.
Helpful hint: For all public transportation options listed below, I recommend getting either the Lisbon Card or the Navegante occasional transportation card to cover bus/tram/elevator fares.
2. Take tram 28
You can take the iconic tram 28 and get off at either the Miradouro Santa Luzia or the Largo Portas do Sol stop and walk to the gate from there. It’s about a 5-minute walk.
Check the official website for the route map and a list of stops.
3. Take the bus
Bus line #737 from Praça de Figueira will take you right up to the Castle Gate.
4. Take the elevator
This is what we did! I should say “take the elevators” as you’ll be taking two of them.
The first one is called Elevador Castelo, and you’ll find it on Rua dos Fanqueiros.
You can type the name into your navigation, and it will take you to the right place. However, when we got there, I thought for sure the GPS had taken us to the wrong place!
We were standing in the middle of the street, and hearing “you have arrived” didn’t quite make sense, as there was no elevator there…
While considering what to do next, I looked at the residential-looking building across the street, covered in pretty azulejo tiles, and started taking photos. And then I saw it – looking through my camera lens, I saw a sign on top of that building, saying Elevador Castelo!
So we entered and found ourselves in a lobby with a desk and the elevator door. The attendant instructed us to go to floor 3A, then exit, turn left and go to Pingo Doce.
Not quite sure what it meant exactly, we followed his directions, and then it made sense!
Once you exit Elevador Castelo, go slightly to the left and follow the signs for Pingo Doce – it’s the largest supermarket chain in Portugal!
Inside the lobby, you’ll find the elevator in front of you and the entrance to the store to your left. It’s a great place to restock your snacks and drinks!
Go all the way up to the 7th floor.
After you exit, just follow the signs for the Castle.
You’ll walk for just a few minutes up a pretty cobblestone-lined street, passing by souvenir shops, small art boutiques, street performers and… Pastelaria Santo António – a great spot to take a break and try the famous Portuguese Pastéis de Nata.
Just follow the street all the way to the castle gate (Arco do Castelo)
5. Hop-On Hop-Off bus
Castelo de São Jorge is a stop on the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus route. You can purchase the tickets for 24 or 48 hours.
6. Grab an Uber/Bolt or a tuk-tuk ride
Those are good alternatives to a taxi, which can be a lot more expensive and a lot less reliable.
Must-see highlights at Castelo de São Jorge
Take some time to admire the stone gate (Arco do Castelo), and don’t miss the statue of St. George, the patron saint of England and also the Castle’s patron, on the wall next to the gate.
Once you enter the grounds, you can choose where to go.
Here are some highlights:
Walk the Castle walls
Walking the Castle walls was definitely the highlight of our visit to the Castle.
Climb the narrow stone stairs and you’ll reach the walls, where you can walk around the perimeter of the property and get some incredible views of the area.
Please be careful – the stone steps and flooring can be uneven, and some parts of the wall do not have a barrier of any kind on one side. It’s perfectly safe to visit; just use caution.
Let’s not forget the amazing views of Lisbon!
Stroll around the garden and the courtyard
The grounds of the castle are beautiful, there are so many charming spots to explore!
And that’s where you’ll see the peacocks!
You’ll see them walking around very confidently – please don’t feed them and give them their space for their well-being and your safety!
Visit the Castle
See the exhibits about Portuguese history and culture.
How long to spend at Castelo de São Jorge
I recommend allowing at least a couple of hours to spend at the Castle. Just seeing all the outdoor attractions may take you that long.
If you’re planning to explore everything the castle has to offer and take advantage of the free tours included with your ticket, book a half-day for this visit into your Lisbon itinerary.
Best time to visit St. George’s Castle
Castelo de São Jorge is open all year, so you can visit any time of the year.
If you want to avoid the crowds, try to plan your visit for the beginning or the end of the day.
Is Castelo de São Jorge worth it?
Absolutely yes! This Moorish fortress is a perfect mix of history, nature, incredible views, and adventure. It’s one of the most important monuments in Lisbon.
And where else can you see beautiful peacocks just walking around? It’s a must-see attraction in my book!
Are you wondering how to incorporate visiting the Castle into your Lisbon itinerary? Check out my guide to planning one perfect day in Lisbon and see how we did it!
Quick Summary: Visiting St. George Castle
- Location: Lisbon’s Alfama district, perched on a hill with stunning views.
- Why Visit? A mix of history, breathtaking city views, and even peacocks roaming the grounds!
- Ticket Price: €15 for adults, free for kids under 12 (discounts available).
- Best Way to Get There: Walk through Alfama, take Tram 28, or use the Elevador Castelo for an easier route.
- Top Highlights: Walk the castle walls, see the cannons, visit the museum, and explore the gardens.
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
- Is It Worth It? Absolutely! One of Lisbon’s must-see landmarks.
Learn more about other amazing things to see in Lisbon!
Need help planning your trip to Portugal? Follow this guide: “How to Plan a Trip to Portugal in 7 Easy Steps”.
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About Monika
An avid traveler and a passionate trip planner, mildly obsessed with being organized and prepared 🙂
Well aware of how precious travel time is, I’m here to share my experience and help you get the most out of your vacation time.
“Taking the hassle out of trip planning”
