Castelo de São Jorge

Castle · Mouraria

Castelo de São Jorge

Castle · Mouraria

R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal

Highlights

Perched atop a hill, Castelo de São Jorge offers stunning views of Lisbon’s skyline and the Tagus River, combining rich history with charming ruins and lovely gardens.

R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal Get directions

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"Climb to the top of Castelo de São Jorge to enjoy a view of the city's iconic red roofs and the Tagus River." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeare

This Iconic Destination Was Just Named Europe's Best City

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@cntraveler

"São Jorge Castle, a hilltop castle, is one of Lisbon’s most emblematic scenes. Before the Moors built the fortress in the mid-11th century, the Visigoths settled here. Later, after Dom Afonso Henriques became Portugal’s first king in 1147, it became the domain of royalty, and enjoyed a long time playing host to lavish soirees and visiting dignitaries. This castle certainly has a museum feel, what with its clever camera obscura offering 360-degree views of Lisbon in real time, archaeological site spanning three diverse periods, and ruins of the former royal palace. It’s the view, though, that’s the star. Peering out at the city’s abundance of red rooftops and the Tagus River beyond is one of Lisbon’s most thrilling rituals." - Alia Akkam, Chadner Navarro

The 15 Best Things to Do in Lisbon

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@afar

"Castelo de São Jorge The Castelo de São Jorge, is one of the Alfama neighborhood’s most historically significant monuments. Plan a visit late in the afternoon so that you can explore every nook and cranny and learn about the castle’s abundant history. Stay for golden hour so that you can capture the light as it dances on the castle walls, and later to watch the sunset dip below the horizon. By Ashley Goldsmith"

The Perfect Weekend in Lisbon

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@cntraveler

"Castles can be a surprising win—if you don’t try to see, say, three in a day. But one special-occasion castle is a playground for families. Don’t expect to be able to push a stroller around the grounds of this Moorish stronghold on a hilltop, which was the seat of power in Portugal for more than 400 years. Instead, let the toddlers peer into cannons and climb up and down (and up and down) all the stairs; tweens will like being able to “walk the wall,” and teens can brood and take selfies with sweeping views of Lisbon in the background. Consider taking a bus, cab, or tuktuk up to the entrance—it's a steep ascent." - Laura Dannen Redman

11 Great Things to Do in Lisbon with Kids

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@aka

Lisboa Balboa

View Postcard for Sao Jorge Castle (Castelo de Sao Jorge)

Chris Ackland

Google

Nice place to visit - I think worth the money. You can walk around most of the castle within an hour. There are various view points over the city which are great. There are also little exhibition rooms showing old and interesting artifacts. Surprisingly there were many peacocks walking and flying around! This was weirdly maybe the most memorable part of our visit here. All in all worth the trip. And there’s a nice walk after down to the old town.

Raghav Mathur

Google

Interesting castle with fantastic views of the city. Mostly kept in its original historic condition, so don’t expect a manicured view of life in the castle. But if you like walking around the grounds and exploring the castle walls, this place is great. Honestly it’s worth going for the views alone, getting to see the castle is an added bonus! Plus, the peacocks are super cool.

ugo setti

Google

Incredible Views & Rich History! 🏰👀 The São Jorge Castle is an absolute highlight of Lisbon! 🇵🇹 The views from the castle over the city are breathtaking—perfect for taking pictures of Lisbon’s beautiful skyline. 📸🌆 The castle itself is steeped in history, with fascinating exhibits and ruins to explore. The walk around the grounds is peaceful, and you can get lost in the ancient walls and pathways. 🏰🛖 The €15 entry fee is definitely worth it for the experience and the panoramic views. 🌄 It’s a must-see spot in Lisbon, especially if you love history and scenic views! A little tip: Be prepared for some steep paths, but the view at the top makes it all worth it! 🏞️😊

Melanie Mengüs

Google

I visited the castle because it was free with the Lisbon Card. It is located on a very steep hill so we took the bus to get there. Thanks to the card we avoid the queue and entered as soon as we arrived. It was rainy so not the ideal to visit the castle as most of it is outdoor. The indoor part isn’t very interesting to be honest. The outdoor is just the ruins which is nice but nothing special. The view was beautiful however but we couldn’t see much because of the fog. Thankfully something made our visit enjoyable and so we don’t regret coming here : the peacocks. You can find a lot of them wandering around. They are all very different and gorgeous. Plus they are friendly and don’t mind tourists taking pictures as long as you respect them of course. It was amazing to see! I give 5 stars for the peacocks but 3 for the place itself.

Mohammed Polash

Google

São Jorge Castle is a fascinating place to visit, full of history and incredible views of Lisbon. From the top, you’re treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the Tagus River. (I’m sharing some pictures to give you a glimpse!) As I walked through the gate with the inscription “1846” etched on it (photo included), I was struck by the timelessness of this place. Touching the bricks of the ancient walls, I couldn’t help but reflect on how many hundreds of years ago workers built this castle. Today, I can touch these same bricks, wondering how many millions of hands before mine have felt them. Many of those hands belonged to people no longer here, and one day, I won’t be here either. Yet, this structure stands strong—a mix of ruins and resilience. The small museum inside offers a peek into the past with artifacts used centuries ago. Most of these items are no longer intact, but they’re a reminder of the lives and stories that shaped this site. (Check out the photos I’ve uploaded to see some of these fascinating pieces!) The ticket price is 15, which I felt was a little expensive for the experience. While the views and history make it worth visiting, I think a slightly lower price would make it more accessible. I’ve included a photo of the ticket and information board for anyone planning their visit. I’ve also added some short videos to give you a better sense of the place. If you’re a history lover or just want to soak in Lisbon’s beauty, São Jorge Castle is definitely worth a visit.

Vitaly

Google

I visited Castelo de São Jorge on a sunny afternoon, and it was easily one of the highlights of my Lisbon trip. The castle sits on a hill, so you get this breathtaking view of the city’s red roofs and the Tagus River—it’s straight-up postcard worthy. Walking around the old stone walls made me feel like I was stepping into some medieval time warp, especially with those hidden corners and ancient towers. Inside, there are some archaeological ruins that give you a glimpse of Lisbon’s long, layered history—Moors, Romans, and all sorts of influences. You can also check out a small exhibit featuring artifacts that they’ve unearthed right there on-site. It’s not a huge museum, but it’s still pretty cool to see the connection between modern Lisbon and its past. My tip: bring comfy shoes for the climb (there’s a bit of walking involved to get up there) and maybe go early in the day or around sunset for smaller crowds and top-tier lighting for photos. Also, there’s a neat periscope exhibit (the Camera Obscura) that gives you a 360-degree live view of Lisbon in a pretty ingenious way. It’s a bit of a hidden gem inside the castle walls. If you’re into history, epic views, or just want a chill spot to soak in Lisbon’s vibe, Castelo de São Jorge is absolutely worth your time.

Manfred Pretz

Google

The toilets are disgusting, an absolute digrace for this sight. The castle is absolutely beautiful. It's worth the waiting time and the expensive entry fee. You will spend at least an hour here and have an exceptional view. The building itself is great to explore, although some information boards would have been nice.

Aaron Phillips

Google

We got the bus up to the Castle and the tram back down which was so fun! The castle is really interesting and the view over looking the city is beautiful! A must see so you can admire and appreciate the city from the views!