Discover the beautiful Lisbon Castle

The castle was first constructed by the Moorish royal family as a fortification for the Moorish elite. However, in 1147 Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal and the Christian crusades conquered it and the castle became home for royalty. He named the castle Saint George after the patron saint of England, because the English helped him conquer Lisbon. It was not until the 16th century that another palace for the Portuguese royal family was constructed.

After the new palace was built, St. George’s Castle was abandoned. In 1755, an earthquake took a toll on the structure and damaged it significantly. What remained were the main walls, several rooms that were rebuilt to model, and the 18 towers.

The castle transitioned to become a national monument through a restoration project that took place from 1938 to 1940. Now, it is open to visitors like you!

It is located in the Alfama district atop the highest hill in Lisbon. You have to check out the multimedia show that explains important historical events such as the Inquisition, the great earthquake, and more. If you visit, you need to see the Tower of Ulysses, which provides a panoramic view of the city.

*Take a look below to see the location on the map

You can buy tickets online and their hours of operation depend on the season. So, make sure to check out their website. You can take the tram, Miradouro Sant Luizia, line 28 or the bus, Castelo, line 737. Or, you can take a taxi. The walk up the hill to the castle can be somewhat tiring, so make sure to bring some water.

Adult: €8.50
Student: €5
Children (less than 10 years old): free entrance.

Click here to buy tickets

The castle has free information tours in Portuguese, English, and Spanish at 10:30, 13:00, and 16:00, which are included in the admission price. These times may change depending on the season, so make sure to check their webpage before visiting if you are interested in catching one of the tours.

On the property there is a bar, a café, and a restaurant if you wanted to stop for lunch or a snack on the old fortress grounds. Also, on the Sao Jorge Hill lies the Lisbon Cathedral, which would be easy to check out after you see the castle.

1 November – 28 February | 9h00 – 18h00
(Closed – December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1)
1 March – 31 October | 9h00 – 21h00
(Closed – May 1)
*Last admission: 30 minutes before closing time