Perched in the heart of the Alfama district, atop Lisbon’s highest hill, São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge in Portuguese) offers visitors a captivating journey through more than 2,000 years of Portuguese history.
As one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, this ancient fortress is a must-visit destination. Ready to explore? Follow the guide!
⚠️ Heads up! The queue at the entrance to São Jorge Castle can get frustratingly long. To avoid wasting time, Captain Ulysse highly recommends getting a skip-the-line ticket: Skip-the-line ticket for São Jorge Castle or Lisboa Card.
Table of Contents:
> A Brief History of Castelo São Jorge
> Visiting Castelo São Jorge
> Practical Information
Insider Tips
Top Tip: Free guided tour of the capital
Hotels accommodation: a selection of value-for-money accommodation.
A brief history of Castelo São Jorge, Lisbon
Iron Age
(6th century BC)
Evidence suggests the site was first inhabited by the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians.
Roman Occupation
(2nd century BC — 5th century AD)
In the 2nd century BC, the Romans conquered Lisbon, renaming the city Olisipo. During the 1st century AD, Caesar renamed it Felicitas Julia.
Barbarian Invasions
(From the 5th century)
By the 5th century, the city was conquered by the Suevi, a Germanic tribe.
Later, it fell under the control of the Visigoths.
Moorish Domination
(8th century)
Au 8ème siècle, Lisbonne tombe entre les mains des Maures qui renomment la ville Lissabona.
They constructed large fortifications around the qasbah, on the site of the current Castelo São Jorge.
Reconquista
(8th century — 12th century)
Control of São Jorge Castle alternated between Christian and Muslim forces during the period of the Reconquista.
In the mid-12th century, Afonso I of Portugal reclaimed the city with the help of Norman, Flemish, German, and English crusaders.
Legend has it that knight Martim Moniz sacrificed his life to hold the castle gates open, allowing the Christian forces to storm in.
To honor the crusaders’ role, the castle was dedicated to Saint George, their patron saint.
Royal Palace of the Portuguese Kings
(13th century — 16th century)
From the 13th to the 16th century, Castelo de São Jorge served as the royal residence, known as the Paço Real.
Over time, the castle withstood several attacks from Castilian forces attempting to conquer the city,
but it was repeatedly damaged by earthquakes.
Decline of São Jorge Castle
(16th century — 20th century)
Severely damaged by earthquakes, the castle was abandoned by the royal family in favor of the new royal residence, the Paço da Ribeira.
Over the centuries, it served various roles, including a barracks, prison, orphan and beggar training center, and headquarters for Napoleonic forces.
Restoration Renewal
(20th century — today)
In 1910, São Jorge Castle was designated a national monument.
It underwent extensive restoration in the 1940s and again in the 1990s, eventually opening to the public.
Today, it is one of Lisbon’s most visited landmarks.
Visiting Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon
⚠️ Tip! To avoid long lines, consider booking skip-the-line tickets or using the Lisboa Card.
The Archaeological Site of São Jorge Castle
The archaeological site offers visitors a chance to explore three key historical periods that shaped the castle’s history:
- Early occupations of the site
- The construction of fortifications during the Islamic period
- The royal residence of Portuguese kings, which was eventually destroyed by a series of earthquakes, most notably the one in 1755
The Camera Obscura in the Tower of Ulysses
Housed in the Tower of Ulysses — one of the 11 towers of Castelo de São Jorge — the camera obscura features an innovative optical system using lenses and mirrors. This allows visitors to view live, panoramic scenes of the city in real-time.
It’s a unique experience not to be missed!
Note: The camera obscura has limited opening hours (11 AM to 3 PM in summer, 11 AM to 2 PM in winter) and is closed during bad weather conditions.
The Museum Center
Located in the former royal residence, the museum center showcases various artifacts discovered on-site, offering insight into the long and varied history of the castle.
Exhibits cover periods
such as the Iron Age, Roman occupation, the Islamic era, and the impact of the 1755 earthquake.
The Gardens and Ramparts of São Jorge Castle
Head up to the ramparts of Castelo de São Jorge! Connecting the 11 towers of the citadel, these ramparts offer absolutely breathtaking views of the Portuguese capital below.
Framed by the imposing walls, the castle’s gardens provide a refreshing retreat, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Be sure to stop at the beautiful Praça d’Armas (Main Square), the heart of the castle.
If you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss the free-roaming peacocks in the gardens—guaranteed to be a hit!
The Church of Santa Cruz
Opening Hours of Castelo de São Jorge
After undergoing full renovations, it’s worth a quick visit. The bell tower, accessible for an additional fee, offers a lovely view of São Jorge Castle and the surrounding city.
Practical Information
Getting to São Jorge Castle
Castelo de São Jorge sits atop the highest hill in Lisbon. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can walk up through the picturesque streets of the Alfama district. The walk is absolutely worth it, but be warned—it’s a steep climb!
For those not in the mood for hiking through the narrow streets, public transport is a great alternative:
- Bus: Line 37
- Tram: Lines 12 (the famous and iconic tram line of the Portuguese capital!) and 28
Opening Hours of Castelo de São Jorge
São Jorge Castle is open:
- March to October: Daily from 9 AM to 9 PM (last entry at 8:30 PM)
- November to February: Daily from 9 AM to 6 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM)
Note: The Camera Obscura has more restricted hours:
- Summer: 11 AM to 3 PM (last entry at 2:40 PM)
- Winter: 11 AM to 2 PM (last entry at 1:40 PM)
The Camera Obscura may be closed in poor weather conditions.
The castle is closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 24th, 25th, and 31st.
Ticket Prices for Castelo de São Jorge
Admission to São Jorge Castle:
| Adults | €15 |
| Youth (ages 13-25) | € 7,50 |
| Visitors over 65 and visitors with disabilities | € 12,50 |
| Children under 12 | Free |
Skip-the-line tickets
⚠️ Important: Castelo São Jorge is extremely popular, and the lines at the entrance can be very long.
To avoid wasting time, it’s highly recommended to purchase a skip-the-line ticket, which can be booked online.
For more information: Skip-the-line ticket for São Jorge Castle (audio guide available in several languages).
Lisboa Card
Pro Tip: Entrance to São Jorge Castle is included with the Lisboa Card,
which offers access to many of the city’s top attractions (e.g., Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower) and unlimited public transport.
For more information: Book your Lisboa Card.
Guided Tours of Castelo de São Jorge
On-site guided tours are available for an additional €4, but places are limited and sell out quickly.
Alternatively, you can book an online guided tour (in English), which includes entrance to the castle: Guided tour of São Jorge Castle (entry include).
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